Hellish Quart

About

Hellish Quart is a single player and multiplayer fighting game with a historical theme. It was developed by Kubold and was released on February 16, 2021. It received positive reviews from players.

A fighting game about sword dueling, in which the blades really clash using physics, and the characters use motion captured fencing techniques. Play as one of many 17th century warriors and use sabers, rapiers, broadswords and many other blades in single player campaign, arcade, or local multiplayer with friends.

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88%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,410 reviews

gameplay182 positive mentions

stability42 negative mentions

Unique and realistic sword fighting mechanics that emphasize strategy and timing.
Great character variety with distinct fighting styles and historical accuracy.
Engaging single-player modes, including a story mode that adds depth to the gameplay.

Lack of online multiplayer and matchmaking options, limiting long-term playability.
Inconsistent hit detection and auto-blocking mechanics can lead to frustrating experiences.
The game is still in early access, with many features and content yet to be fully developed.

gameplay
479 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
59%
3%
The gameplay of Hellish Quart is characterized by its realistic sword-fighting mechanics, offering a unique blend of depth and accessibility that appeals to both casual players and enthusiasts of historical martial arts. While many players appreciate the intricate combat system and physics-based interactions, some express frustration with the controls, auto-blocking mechanics, and the game's current lack of content and polish, leading to a mixed reception overall. Despite these criticisms, the core gameplay loop is often described as addictive and rewarding, with potential for significant improvement as the game continues to develop.
- “Great mechanics and variety as well as a touch of realism in the fighting styles.”
- “The core gameplay is an absolute masterclass in realistic sword combat — it's gritty, beautiful, and brutal.”
- “Hellish Quart is hands-down the best dueling game I’ve ever played in terms of gameplay.”
- “A lot of the features like the story mode and the first-person view are not fully developed; the main screen is bare bones, but that does not take away from the gameplay.”
- “The game has potential and seems like a really good experience overall, but the core mechanics feel poorly designed.”
- “The gameplay itself is repetitive as there are few characters added, and each and every new one of them feels like more of the same.”
story
344 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
78%
8%
The game's story mode is currently in development, with only a brief introduction available, primarily focusing on one character's narrative. While some players find the initial story engaging and well-presented, many express frustration over its limited content and the lack of a fully fleshed-out storyline, with calls for more characters and deeper narratives. Overall, the potential for a captivating story exists, but significant improvements and expansions are needed to meet player expectations.
- “The story mode is compelling and does not feel like an afterthought, and my only complaints are that there is only one chapter at the point of writing this review that ends on a cliffhanger (devs please hurry, I can't wait) and that the horse riding feels bad.”
- “The story mode was engaging (looking forward to more chapters), the newly introduced characters are interesting (looking forward to seeing the backstories playing out in cut-scenes).”
- “The single-player content includes a story-driven campaign that introduces players to the world and its characters, providing context and motivation for the duels.”
- “Kinda crazy that there is only 10 minutes of story play in a game made in 2021.”
- “The story mode is non-existent other than a 30-minute 'demo' which was mostly cutscenes.”
- “Story mode is offensively unfair to the player.”
graphics
164 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
57%
3%
The graphics of the game have received generally positive feedback, with many players praising the detailed character models, realistic lighting, and unique art style that enhances the overall atmosphere. However, some users have reported performance issues and graphical bugs, particularly on lower-end systems, indicating a need for further optimization. Overall, while the visuals are impressive for an indie title, there are still areas for improvement, especially in terms of polish and consistency.
- “Visually, the game runs smoothly on a range of systems, and its stylized art direction helps it stand out from more graphically intense fighting games.”
- “The graphics are practically flawless and quite stunning, the game runs without hiccup, and I cannot praise the combat enough!”
- “The graphics in the game are of high quality, which allows the player to enjoy the beautiful landscapes and details of the characters.”
- “It's very unique and has a lot of 'oh shit' moments, like when your head is all of a sudden lopped off after 1.5 seconds after the duel starts... injuries are, so far, pretty realistic... however, the graphics are not amazing by the 2022 definition of what people deem to look good.”
- “The graphics are okay (think 2011 era) and there are a few bugs and weird animation stutters.”
- “The only downside is the graphics, but the most important thing is that it's fun.”
music
139 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
51%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its immersive and atmospheric qualities, often compared to the soundtracks of the Witcher series. Players appreciate the blend of period-appropriate compositions and energetic folk themes that enhance the historical setting and combat experience. While some users noted occasional repetitiveness, the overall sentiment is that the soundtrack significantly elevates the gameplay, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “The soundtrack complements this with period-inspired compositions that underscore the game’s historical flavor without overwhelming the action.”
- “The music, a mix of period-appropriate tunes and intense battle themes, sets the perfect tone for each encounter.”
- “The music deserves a shout out, it's gorgeous and epic while making use of energetic Polish folk vocals and historically accurate instruments.”
- “The music is nothing to write home about.”
- “The only issue is the same one song playing during fights.”
- “The music is boring and repetitive, and it plays very loud - for a reason though, because if you turn it down you can clearly hear the unimpressive sounds for footsteps and little grunts the characters express when fighting.”
humor
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a standout feature, with players enjoying its quirky moments, exaggerated ragdoll physics, and amusing character interactions. Many find the blend of serious and comedic elements, such as the humorous portrayal of historical figures and the game's lighthearted take on combat, to be engaging and entertaining. Overall, the game is described as a "funny sword game" that provides plenty of laughs, especially in multiplayer settings.
- “The exaggerated ragdoll physics can lead to some unintentionally hilarious outcomes, and the game isn’t afraid to have a little fun with its historical setting.”
- “We were laughing like maniacs, slashing each other's faces all night.”
- “The way characters react to said damage is Monty Python level of hilarious, as the developer has clearly never witnessed how a human, or any animal for that matter, reacts to damage during a fight.”
stability
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
93%
The game is currently in early access and is described as being quite buggy, with frequent glitches affecting gameplay, controls, and multiplayer functionality. While many players find the bugs amusing or manageable, they can lead to frustrating experiences, particularly during critical moments like boss fights. Despite these issues, the game is praised for its fun mechanics and ongoing updates from the developer, indicating a commitment to improvement.
- “The game runs great on Linux via Wine/Proton, and I regret not having a Steam Deck (or similar handheld Linux device) so I could play on the go.”
- “Runs great on Steam Deck, very minimal jank (I swear that hit should have connected or I hit that opponent before they hit me), and receptive to the modding community; shame the mods are few.”
- “Really big thank you, this is all near perfect for a game like this, even in early access. It also runs great under Linux with Proton 4.x.”
- “The game is extremely buggy (November 2025).”
- “When I got the game, the controls and everything didn't work. I downloaded the game again and it was still buggy. This might be worse than early access because at least Cyberpunk was somewhat playable, but this, nah, not it dude. Can't move and the menu barely worked for me.”
- “Players are forced to use a buggy, unstable, and unresponsive third-party program with known security issues in order to stream their game if they want to play with another player.”
optimization
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
48%
25%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance on various systems and appealing art direction, while others report significant performance issues, particularly on lower-end hardware. Many users express disappointment with lag and stuttering during gameplay, especially in specific scenarios, indicating that further optimization is needed. Overall, while some players find it playable and enjoyable, others are frustrated by its inconsistent performance and hope for improvements in future updates.
- “Hellish Quart's graphics optimization is impressive, ensuring smooth gameplay across a wide range of hardware.”
- “Overall, the game did run smoothly and gameplay was not affected.”
- “Game is well optimized, it looks good visually although it can be demanding for older hardware and GPUs.”
- “While it's cool that I can stream, it poorly affects the performance of an already poorly performing game.”
- “Too unoptimized, lagging even though I have an RTX 2070 and Ryzen 7 5800X and 16GB of RAM.”
- “Unfortunately at this early stage, the game is too poorly optimized.”
replayability
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
46%
27%
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players find it endlessly enjoyable with unique combat mechanics and potential for future content, others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking sufficient content to sustain long-term interest. Multiplayer options and leaderboards enhance replay value for some, but many feel that the current offerings are limited and could benefit from additional characters and arenas.
- “Absolutely brilliant, unlimited replayability so you never get bored. The developers really put a lot of effort into this, and we should expect more content in the future!”
- “Each weapon style is unique, which - along with the characters, music, and settings - helps provide a lot of flavor and good replayability.”
- “The combat is complex and has infinite replayability; the movement is slick and smooth, and overall it feels very realistic and engaging.”
- “It's fun for a few minutes; afterwards, it's repetitive and has little to no replay value.”
- “I'm gonna say not recommend for now due to lack of content and very low replay value.”
- “I don't like to review things based on potential, so the game in its current state is remarkably polished and well-executed, albeit lacking in long-term replayability.”
atmosphere
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive historical accuracy, with authentic 17th-century aesthetics, sound design, and music that enhance the experience. Players appreciate the realistic physics-based sword fights and the attention to detail in character design and environments, which collectively create a gritty yet beautiful representation of the medieval world. Overall, the atmosphere is described as both captivating and contextually rich, drawing players into the game's thematic depth.
- “Sound design and music contribute significantly to the immersive atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere of the game is moored to its historicity and adds some sort of contextual weight to what could otherwise be just two dudes killing each other: half the characters are Western Slavic and fence with sabers, taunt you in Polish, their dress and stage backgrounds are appropriate to the game's era. The music is put together well and adds ambience.”
- “The atmosphere of the game is moored to its historicity and adds some sort of contextual weight to what could otherwise be just two dudes killing each other: half the characters are Western Slavic and fence with sabers, taunt you in Polish, their dress and stage backgrounds are appropriate to the game's era, etc. The music is put together well and adds ambience.”
- “The game creates an unsurpassed atmosphere through which you can experience the beauty and brutality of the battle in the medieval world.”
- “Judging by the character and background graphics, the music, as well as the short intro cinematic, the game is building an adventurous, moderately gritty early modern European atmosphere.”
character development
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
40%
10%
Character development in the game is largely absent, with no significant personalization or growth for the characters. However, the character designs are praised for their historical accuracy and attention to detail, showcasing a diverse array of European warriors from the 17th and 18th centuries, complemented by realistic animations and varied fighting styles. While the aesthetic and realism of the characters are well-received, the lack of deeper character development is a notable drawback.
- “The character designs reflect historical accuracy, showcasing a variety of European warriors and duelists from the 17th and 18th centuries, each equipped with period-appropriate weapons and attire.”
- “The backgrounds, dress, and character design are meticulously crafted and true to life and setting.”
- “Beautiful animation, character design with motions that give them personality, and awesome gameplay.”
- “The story, game loop... any character development or personalization just doesn't exist.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
83%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often requiring excessive effort to progress, especially in combat scenarios. Recent updates have introduced a grindy currency and altered beloved game modes, further exacerbating the grind. While multiplayer can enhance the experience, solo play tends to feel monotonous and overly realistic.
- “This has led to me grinding for a while to get past certain fights until I get lucky.”
- “Unfortunately, the devs pushed through an update that adds a grindy currency, replaced a game mode I loved with a really arcane high score game, and wrecked the physics engine the experience is based on.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, particularly those with a background in fencing, as it evokes nostalgia and a sense of returning to the sport. The game successfully balances authenticity with enjoyable gameplay, appealing to both hardcore enthusiasts and casual players. However, some users feel that the game's longevity may depend on future updates and new content.
- “I've fenced for years before I was injured and couldn't do it anymore. This game really made me feel like I was back on the piste.”
- “I only have experience fencing Olympic foil from years ago, but it helped me understand Marie's style and made me feel nostalgic for my days on the piste.”
- “It finds a way to do the impossible and bridge the gap between the absolutely insufferable HEMA crowd's demand for authenticity and emotionally healthy people's demand for a fighting game that's fun.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the games is criticized for featuring numerous cash grabs and poorly executed clones that exploit the "early access" model. Additionally, some titles prioritize realism over enjoyment, leading to a less engaging experience, while aggressive promotions and advertisements further detract from the overall value.
- “So many blatant cash grabs, broken clones, hiding behind 'early access'.”
- “Promo and ads on stages!”