Jupiter Hell

83%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,073 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Jupiter Hell Game Cover
This is one of the granddaddies of the traditional roguelike genre and while being any good at it requires a time commitment, the rewards are exhilarating.
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"Jupiter Hell" is a turn-based strategy game that takes place on the moon of Jupiter, Io. As a space marine, players must fight their way through hordes of alien creatures to complete various missions. With a variety of weapons, upgrades, and abilities to choose from, players can customize their marine to fit their playstyle. The game features procedurally generated levels, ensuring a unique experience every playthrough.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,073 reviews
gameplay74 positive mentions
grinding16 negative mentions
  • Engaging and fast-paced turn-based gameplay that captures the essence of Doom.
  • High replayability with diverse character builds, weapons, and tactical options.
  • Great graphics, sound design, and a heavy metal soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • Can feel repetitive after several runs due to limited enemy and item variety.
  • Some players may find the lack of meta-progression frustrating.
  • The UI can be confusing, and important information about enemies and items is not always clear.
  • gameplay232 mentions

    The gameplay of "Jupiter Hell" is a unique blend of turn-based strategy and roguelike elements, featuring streamlined mechanics that prioritize tactical combat and cover systems. While many players appreciate the fast-paced, engaging combat and the depth that emerges with experience, some criticize the game for its simplicity and lack of variety, which can lead to repetitive gameplay. Overall, it offers a satisfying experience for fans of tactical gameplay, though it may not provide the depth expected from traditional roguelikes.

    • “Unique and refreshing combination of Doom-inspired themes and classic strategic roguelike gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is turn-based chess-like movement mixed with intense combat and some RPG elements, all in a heavily Doom-inspired setting, which I find quite intense and invigorating.”
    • “The gameplay flows more smoothly because you don't have to wait or move one turn at a time and check for enemies; the game lets you move a long distance and only interrupts you if you spot an enemy.”
    • “And while the cover mechanic seems to be what the game was built around, many of the recent updates have been introducing more and more content that specifically renders cover useless to the player.”
    • “The gameplay, at least in the 40 minutes I played, was moving around darkened spaces, spamming the fire key whenever an enemy came in sight.”
    • “While the build and class diversity is solid at first glance, the lack of gameplay and level variety doesn’t provide that 'one more run' feeling.”
  • graphics160 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received largely positive feedback, with many reviewers praising the modern 3D visuals and atmospheric design that effectively capture a sci-fi horror aesthetic reminiscent of classic titles like Doom. While some players appreciate the polished graphics and engaging art style, others note issues with visibility and readability, particularly in darker environments. Overall, the game is considered visually impressive for a roguelike, appealing to both genre veterans and newcomers alike.

    • “After 1 hour of playing, I'd say this is today's graphically most advanced roguelike.”
    • “The graphics are great, the UI is incredibly polished, and the original soundtrack is phenomenal.”
    • “The graphics are gorgeous and run very well.”
    • “The graphics leave a lot to be desired.”
    • “My beef with the graphics mainly comes from the fact that in certain conditions it's very hard to distinguish enemies from the environment, and probably there's a simple fix for that.”
    • “Graphically speaking, looking at Jupiter Hell, you might immediately think that it was written in Unity or Unreal.”
  • music132 mentions

    The music in the game is predominantly heavy metal, which many players find fitting and energizing, enhancing the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. While some appreciate the soundtrack's nostalgic and intense vibe reminiscent of classic titles like Doom, others note its repetitiveness and suggest that it could benefit from more variety or dynamic elements. Overall, the soundtrack is generally well-received, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “This is a beautiful masterpiece of an experience; the music on Europa made me cry, I loved it.”
    • “The soundtrack is brilliant, fitting the feel well and not getting annoying even when playing for long periods of time.”
    • “The music is fantastic, with a rocking metal soundtrack and great ambient sound effects.”
    • “The music is some generic-to-decent metal, but I don't think it fits all too well, ironically enough.”
    • “Music is appropriate and mildly catchy, but nothing to write home about; I've swapped it out a few times for a synthwave playlist.”
    • “I don't care much for the music or the over-the-top banter from the main character, but you can turn that all off in the options.”
  • replayability61 mentions

    Overall, the game boasts exceptional replayability, with many users highlighting its endless content, diverse character builds, and various gameplay modes that encourage multiple playthroughs. While some players noted a lack of variety in certain aspects, the majority found the randomness and strategic depth to provide a highly engaging experience that can keep players returning for hours. Regular updates and a wealth of challenges further enhance its replay value, making it a standout in the roguelike genre.

    • “Regular updates, lots of content, and an insane amount of replay value and possible builds.”
    • “The different modes are a welcome addition that adds replay value for consecutive playthroughs.”
    • “Between all of the different character builds, all of the different types of weapon and armor, and all of the gameplay modes, Jupiter Hell has more than enough replayability to last the hardcore, dedicated player for the rest of their lives.”
    • “Hardly any replay value so far.”
    • “I feel like it's still a little bit lacking in replayability as of now, I'd really like to see more memorable side areas and a couple of cool boss encounters - the final boss also was a bit of a letdown and seems more like a placeholder.”
    • “It would have been ok if we had more enemies/weapons variety, but the combination of both really reduces the replayability by a lot to me, which is a shame for a classic roguelike.”
  • atmosphere32 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, drawing comparisons to classic titles like Doom and Diablo, with a strong emphasis on heavy metal music and sound design that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to blend nostalgic elements with modern gameplay, creating a richly detailed and engaging environment that captivates players. The combination of graphics, audio, and thematic consistency contributes to a compelling atmosphere that resonates well with fans of the genre.

    • “The game is lovingly crafted, atmospheric, and marvellously challenging, packed full of satisfyingly chewy heavy metal and carnage, with well done sounds, visuals, and many little details done right.”
    • “Somehow Chaosforge has managed to create a sleek modern feeling roguelike with great atmosphere and a smooth combat system that feels like it was lifted out of a fast-paced action/horror game while still managing to capture the nostalgia and strategic depth of traditional roguelikes.”
    • “The graphics, sounds, and general atmosphere really draw you in.”
    • “Perhaps it's for atmosphere, but it just went too far with it.”
    • “The atmosphere is very 'doomlike': nowadays roguelikes tend to have cartoonish or pixel graphics and simple music.”
    • “In conclusion: Jupiter Hell succeeds in transferring the feel of action in the inherently static gameplay of a roguelike, with an atmosphere that will please all Doom fans, but is not chained by that bigger and more famous franchise.”
  • story21 mentions

    The game's story is generally considered minimal and lacks depth compared to other roguelikes, with a simple plot reminiscent of "Doom" and limited character development. While some players appreciate the environmental storytelling and potential for deeper lore, many feel that the narrative is not a primary focus, often overshadowed by gameplay mechanics. Overall, the story is seen as serviceable but not particularly engaging or innovative.

    • “The character seems to believe, at first, this is someone's idea of a really crappy prank, and it's an entertaining hook for this kind of plot as well as shows what kind of place was being run there and what kind of corporation it was.”
    • “Speaking of lore, there's a plot and story, even if it's a relatively simple one.”
    • “I liked reading the logs in the terminals, and more environmental storytelling would be cool.”
    • “There is no story-rich environment or characters like in 'Hades', nor any expansive gameplay like in 'Stoneshard', both of which are also roguelike.”
    • “Not much in the way of story or conceptual reflection though -- beyond an incessant recognition by the game that life in an isolated military facility is even more hellish than slaughtering demons.”
    • “Storytelling, while I 100% understand it's not really the focus of the game, has a lot of potential but ends up being quite limited.”
  • grinding18 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game varies significantly among players. While some find it tedious and overly challenging, particularly in the later stages, others appreciate the streamlined mechanics that reduce monotony and enhance gameplay depth. Overall, the experience of grinding is subjective, with some players enjoying the intense action and character progression, while others feel it detracts from the enjoyment.

    • “There's no grinding for higher HP or starting perks here, folks.”
    • “First impression: the solid roguelike shooter base from D**mrl is still there, but with streamlined gameplay (no tediously emptying every weapon of its clip) and more tactical options like cover and aiming.”
    • “Really tried hard to like it, but the game is tedious most of the time and a hell of a grind.”
    • “Fun for the first few levels, but becomes increasingly tedious over time.”
    • “I'm sure the game systems are great, but if you don't like a really tedious turn-based game, don't believe the hype.”
  • humor17 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, characterized by its self-aware references to classic titles like Doom, sharp voice acting, and a mix of vulgarity and pop-culture jokes that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the blend of hilarious flavor text, amusing commentary, and the ability to adjust the level of profanity, contributing to a lighthearted atmosphere amidst the tactical gameplay. While some find the humor hit-or-miss, the general consensus is that it adds a unique charm and replayability to the roguelike experience.

    • “Absolutely fantastic roguelike, great soundtrack, sharp graphics, hilarious flavor text, and incredibly addicting gameplay.”
    • “The soundtrack immediately pulled me in in tandem with the absolutely hilariously highly abrasive voice lines and pop-culture references.”
    • “It has all the elements of finding gear in runs and also having those runs where you find nothing and die hilariously fast or the runs where you run out of resources and gotta really get clever to survive.”
    • “This targeting AI is an unfunny joke.”
  • optimization9 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed reviews. While some players appreciate the reduced disk space requirements and smooth performance on capable hardware, others report significant performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems, suggesting a need for better graphics optimization and a low-performance mode. Despite these concerns, many find the gameplay solid and enjoyable.

    • “I like that I can play Doom with half the disk space required and more optimized.”
    • “It's a challenging and entertaining game, it looks good and runs smoothly, the sounds and music work and fit well, the guns and items are fun and plentiful, it's inexpensive, and it feels fair for a rogue game!”
    • “As far as gameplay wise, the game is very solid and runs smoothly.”
    • “Worst performance of my life - slideshow game on a pretty good PC.”
    • “A couple of complaints: the graphics aren't optimized, so I can only get about 10 fps on my integrated Intel chip even on low settings, while I can easily get 60 if I switch to my NVIDIA discrete card.”
    • “Forgive me, as I haven't fully completed the game, but it just seems like optimizations of the same trivial gameplay mechanics, over and over.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    The emotional impact of the game is highlighted by its beautiful music, which has moved players to tears, and the powerful voice acting by Mark Meer, adding depth to the experience. While some users express frustration with control issues, the overall sentiment reflects a strong emotional connection to the game's artistry and storytelling.

    • “This is a beautiful masterpiece of an experience. The music on Europa made me cry; I loved it.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Jupiter Hell features a well-thought-out and balanced character development system that is straightforward yet offers significant depth for players to explore. It retains familiar mechanics from its predecessor, Doom RL, enhancing the gameplay experience through various upgrades and class systems.

    • “Jupiter Hell is the spiritual successor to that long-lost game; a lot of the same gameplay mechanics are there from Doom RL, including the character development system.”
    • “Character development is straightforward but offers a lot to play with!”
    • “Nevertheless, I think the game has a well-thought-out and well-balanced character development system.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization of the game is generally viewed positively, with players appreciating the effort put into it and not considering it a cash grab, despite some concerns about advertising and its evolution from a free game. The enjoyable gameplay and replay value contribute to a favorable perception of its monetization strategy.

    • “I won't go so far as to call it a cash grab given the work put into it.”
    • “This game has been fun since it was called DoomRL, before Bethesda got their hands tied over free advertising.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, the game performs well with impressive visuals and high replayability; however, some users experience stability issues, particularly freezing during the tutorial mission on certain hardware configurations.

    • “The game looks great and runs smoothly, providing a stable experience that enhances replayability.”
    • “The performance is impressive, with minimal issues, allowing for an enjoyable and stable gaming experience.”
    • “Overall, the game maintains a high level of stability, making it easy to dive back in for multiple playthroughs.”
    • “The game freezes on my laptop's integrated graphics card at the same point in the tutorial mission every time, so I'm going to have to wait for updates until they start fixing the bugs.”
    • “I experience frequent crashes that make it impossible to progress in the game.”
    • “The stability issues are so severe that I can't even complete the first level without the game crashing.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

82% average critic score

Buy Jupiter Hell

Play time

10hMedian play time
60hAverage play time
6-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 9 analyzed playthroughs

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