Metal: Hellsinger

97%
Game Brain Score Based on 6,956 reviews
  • music
  • gameplay
  • story
Metal: Hellsinger Game Cover
Metal: Hellsinger masters its genre mashup and provides metalheads and shooter fans alike with an innovative campaign they won't soon forget.
Starting at $3.97Buy now
Get on Steam Get on Xbox Games Store

"Metal: Hellsinger" is a rhythm FPS game where you battle through hell to a metal soundtrack. Your gunfire and enemies' screams contribute to the beat, with higher ranks awarded for staying on rhythm. Progressing through the levels unlocks new weapons, skins, and abilities, allowing for a personalized gameplay experience. Fight through hell to the rhythm of metal music by slaying demons to the beat.

Play Modes

Reviews

97%
Audience ScoreBased on 6,956 reviews
music1,895 positive mentions
grinding33 negative mentions
  • music4,241 mentions

    The music in *Metal: Hellsinger* is widely praised as its standout feature, with many reviewers highlighting the incredible soundtrack that features contributions from well-known metal artists like Serj Tankian, Alissa White-Gluz, and Randy Blythe. Players appreciate how the music dynamically evolves based on their performance, enhancing the gameplay experience as they shoot and dash to the rhythm. While some note the game is short, they argue that the quality of the music and its integration into the gameplay make it a must-play for fans of metal and rhythm games alike.

    • “The soundtrack is absolutely god-tier (robbed at the game awards unfortunately) featuring an all-star cast of vocalists from modern metal bands such as system of a down, arch enemy, dark tranquility, and lamb of god.”
    • “The music is phenomenal, the gameplay is fun, and the bosses are cool.”
    • “The music is fantastic and the gameplay flow is one of the best i've ever experienced.”
    • “The only thing this game is missing is a song done with Ozzy Osbourne (if a sequel is made please consider this).”
    • “The soundtrack consists of the kind of uninspired, derivative nonsense that has made metal into a joke of a genre.”
    • “The music is metal, as you would imagine; admittedly generic but made for the tempo of the game.”
  • gameplay1,392 mentions

    The gameplay of "Metal: Hellsinger" is widely praised for its unique blend of rhythm mechanics and fast-paced first-person shooter action, reminiscent of the "Doom" series. Players enjoy the satisfaction of shooting and moving to the beat of an incredible metal soundtrack, which enhances the overall experience. However, some critiques point to a lack of content variety, repetitive boss designs, and a relatively short campaign, suggesting that while the core gameplay is engaging, it may not offer enough depth for extended play.

    • “The gameplay is incredibly satisfying, the weapons are fun as heck and boss fights are sick and challenging!”
    • “The core gameplay loop is absolutely brilliant; it's super satisfying to keep chaining on-beat kills and successfully keeping the fury meter at x16.”
    • “The combination of intense first-person shooting and rhythm-based mechanics creates an innovative gameplay experience that I've never encountered before.”
    • “The gameplay loop gets a bit stale, and you are just playing for the music.”
    • “The only real complaint I have is that the boss fights feel super out of place as they quickly devolve into bullet hell segments that disrupt the flow of gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is pretty much on par for what you'd expect of a shooter, but with how the developers were able to make it flow so smooth it's a real treat.”
  • story874 mentions

    The story in "Metal: Hellsinger" is generally viewed as a secondary element, serving primarily to provide context for the gameplay rather than being a focal point. While some players found the narrative engaging and appreciated its unique style, many noted that it is relatively short, often completed in around 3-6 hours, and lacks depth or complexity. Overall, the consensus is that while the story is enjoyable and complements the game's rhythm-based mechanics, it is not the main draw, with the music and combat taking precedence.

    • “The environments and story are really cool, and surprisingly I found myself engaged in the story by the end and hyped for a potential sequel.”
    • “The story is unique and interesting enough to want to play 'one more level'.”
    • “The story is simple, yet rich.”
    • “The story and the cinematics were probably the weakest part of the game, but they aren't the selling point - the music and rhythm are, and they are executed really well.”
    • “The story is quite lackluster and you could honestly play through the game without knowing the story and it wouldn't make a difference.”
    • “The story is short but the levels are infinitely replayable.”
  • graphics357 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received generally positive feedback, with many reviewers praising the stunning visuals and unique art style that effectively capture the metal aesthetic. While some noted minor glitches and a few areas where the graphics could be more polished, the overall impression is that the game features high-quality graphics that enhance the immersive experience. The combination of well-designed environments, character models, and a cohesive aesthetic contributes to a visually striking presentation that complements the gameplay and soundtrack.

    • “Metal: Hellsinger has stunning, high-quality graphics that truly bring the hellish world to life.”
    • “The graphics are visually striking, capturing the metal aesthetic perfectly.”
    • “The synergy between the visuals, the beats, and the action is simply mind-blowing.”
    • “The graphics and the story have the bare minimum budget and effort put into it; they're enjoyable but nothing to cry home about.”
    • “On the other hand, Doom Immortal's graphics are lackluster and even at times, cartoonish.”
    • “Visuals are okay, pretty much Doom inspired; I have nothing to complain there. The only problem are the cutscenes; they feel cheap, still images with small and awkward moves, poorly animated, like someone moved the leg layer up and down in Photoshop and called it a day.”
  • replayability233 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players noting its short campaign length of around 3-6 hours as a drawback. However, it offers various replayable elements such as higher difficulty levels, score challenges, collectibles, and an endless mode, which can keep players engaged, especially those interested in leaderboard competition. While some feel the replay value is limited without additional content or variety, others appreciate the satisfying gameplay loop and the ability to revisit levels with different loadouts and songs, enhancing the overall experience.

    • “The game has only a handful of levels with each one being about 15 to 25 minutes long, so I beat the story in about 4 hours, but with unlockable buffs there's some replayability, and there's also an endless horde mode.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth if you get used to matching bullets with the beat and the replayability is good, with the archdevil difficulty, torment levels, etc. Personally, one of my favorites!”
    • “The story is short but it has great replayability from the challenges, or getting a higher score for yourself.”
    • “The story and length are its main drawbacks; the story is a bit bland and the game can be finished in 3-5 hours, so for 20 euros (as I originally bought it), it's not that worth it. I also find it to be not that replayable as there aren't any secrets in levels.”
    • “I finished it in about 4 or 5 hours and I don't see a lot of replayability here. From what I've seen of higher difficulties, it's basically spongier enemies and you need to be a bit more accurate with your rhythm. I don't really care.”
    • “The game is entirely linear and very short, and unless you're a huge score attack fiend, you're unlikely to get much replay value from it.”
  • optimization103 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including frame drops and glitches that can disrupt gameplay. While some users experienced smooth performance on high-end systems, others noted that the game struggles on lower-end hardware, indicating a need for further optimization. Overall, while the graphics and music are praised, the inconsistent performance detracts from the overall experience.

    • “The game is well optimized, even on my 6-year-old PC, the game runs on high settings at 75-80 frames at 2K.”
    • “Incredible soundtrack that is highlighted even further by the gameplay; the performances make you want to get better to hear more.”
    • “Optimization issues aside, the game is simply okay, but I wouldn't really consider this absolutely an earth-shattering rhythm shooter, due to the gameplay mechanic issues at times.”
    • “The game is not very optimized.”
    • “With this, this game does struggle with optimization issues, which can really deteriorate from the rhythm game experience side of things.”
    • “I'll say right off the bat - this game is horribly optimized.”
  • grinding49 mentions

    The reviews indicate that grinding is a significant and often tedious aspect of the game, with many players feeling that it requires excessive time and effort to unlock abilities and progress. While some enjoy the challenge of grinding for high scores, others find it frustrating and detrimental to the overall experience, leading to a lack of replayability unless one is specifically interested in leaderboard competition. Overall, the grinding mechanics are seen as a major drawback, overshadowing the game's strengths.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It's a bit grindy.”
    • “Grindy (60 - 100 hours).”
    • “And the main piece of content that is supposed to keep you playing, the Leviathan mode, just feels super grindy and restrictive for no reason. Not only is it a roguelite mode which already makes you rely on RNG, the maps they put you on are tiny, the enemies get super tanky and deal near 1-shot range amounts of damage to you. They lock basic mechanics like dodging and executions behind said RNG until you unlock them with the mode's currency, Void Echoes, which they are very stingy with. You'll be lucky to finish a 20-30 minute run with 50-60 Void Echoes, which won't even be enough to unlock most of the upgrades, which you can't even unlock all of anyways because there is a cap to how many Echoes you can spend. It also costs those Echoes to respect; the first time is free, but if you don't like what you've unlocked after that, better cough up 100 Echoes to reset it. There is an end to it, and the final boss was cool until they pulled out the AOE 'put you at 1 health and heal to near full' move. On top of spending another 15 minutes on another really good run after that only to lose all of it to a crash, I just gave up on the mode.”
    • “It requires extreme amounts of grinding just to achieve base-game abilities (why!?), the arenas are not well-designed with tons of hooks and crannies that can screw you over, and you can face enemies with none of the tools you're supposed to use to counter them.”
    • “Since the core of the game revolves around you killing the same handful of mobs each room, going for high scores can feel grindy.”
  • atmosphere36 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its unique blend of surreal and macabre visuals, complemented by an exceptional soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the chaotic yet engaging environment, drawing comparisons to iconic titles like Doom, and highlighting how the music and art style create a compelling and immersive world. Overall, the atmosphere is described as rich, vibrant, and integral to the game's appeal, making it a standout feature for both metal fans and gamers alike.

    • “Atmospheric and engaging all the way through, this is a product of love for every metal fan out there that will have you headbanging until the bitter end.”
    • “What can I say, I haven't been engrossed by the atmosphere of a game this much in years... absolutely worth buying/playing... living!!”
    • “The game's visuals, which combine elements of the surreal and macabre, add an ominous undertone to the overall experience, creating an unmistakable atmosphere of madness.”
    • “The atmosphere of this game is literally hell.”
    • “In comparison with Doom, the atmosphere and graphics are all poor.”
  • stability24 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with some players reporting significant bugs, particularly in the Leviathan mode, where issues like invisible textures and unresponsive boss fights hinder gameplay. While many users enjoy a smooth experience with no major glitches, others have encountered frustrating freezes and gameplay interruptions. Overall, the base game is generally stable, but the additional content suffers from notable stability issues.

    • “The game is very smooth and fluid and runs great too.”
    • “Runs great on Linux.”
    • “Runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “This is a great game in its campaign, great music and fantastic if you love Doom-like games. However, the Leviathan mode is buggy and full of broken and textureless areas. I went to a boss room and there were zero floor colliders, causing me to fall until I died. In short, I recommend the base game, not the extra Leviathan; it is complete garbage with all the bugs.”
    • “I also don't appreciate playing the 20-minute level again, only to encounter a common bug where the stage 6 boss freezes in the final stage, preventing me from completing it.”
    • “This game also has some annoying glitches where boss fights or levels will not progress at all, even though you cleared everything, leaving you literally stuck.”
  • humor22 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with players enjoying the witty dialogue from the sidekick skull character and the entertaining narration that often elicits genuine laughter. The combination of a fast-paced rhythm shooter with clever quips and amusing scenarios, such as the humorous interactions and funny music, creates a lighthearted atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. Many players find the humor refreshing and a key aspect of the game's appeal, making it a fun and satisfying play.

    • “The dialog with your sidekick (who just so happens to be both a skull and your weapon) is entertaining and funny at times.”
    • “The southern accent fits perfectly, and there are some lines that genuinely got me chuckling so hard, it messed up my beat matching.”
    • “You play as a voiceless protagonist alongside your companion Paz, a skull of a former demon, who narrates your journey and gives funny quips in his deadpan, yet smooth voice.”
  • character development11 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the character designs and art style as visually stunning and compelling, while others criticize the overall lack of depth in character development and storytelling. Although the main character has some personality, many players find the character arcs unmemorable and feel that the game could benefit from more substantial narrative elements. Overall, while the aesthetics and gameplay are well-received, the character development leaves much to be desired.

    • “Short and sweet, with a fun little story and great character design.”
    • “This was such an amazing game, short yes but the character design, the simple yet compelling story left me wanting more!”
    • “Visually stunning, great character designs and wow, what a soundtrack.”
    • “One of my biggest gripes with Doom Immortal is its poor story and character development.”
    • “The character designs are okay apart from the main character, who is pretty good and has some personality.”
    • “Level/character design lacks depth and fails to engage the player.”
  • emotional11 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while the story may not be deeply moving or complex, the soundtrack, featuring powerful performances from notable artists, evokes strong feelings and enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the passion behind the music, which resonates with them and adds a unique emotional layer, making them feel empowered and connected to the game. Despite some criticisms of the narrative, the emotional impact of the soundtrack stands out as a highlight.

    • “No other game made me feel like this.”
    • “I genuinely adore this game's soundtrack and continue to spin it outside of my playtime; songs such as Serj Tankian's 'No Tomorrow' and Alissa White-Gluz's 'Stygia' genuinely reached into the depths of my soul and pulled out plenty of involuntary emotional responses: it's just that good.”
    • “It's important to note that personally I don't listen to any rock, punk, or metal and still thoroughly enjoyed it; I could tell the amount of love that went into the music and it made me feel like a badass the whole time.”
  • monetization5 mentions

    The monetization in the game is heavily criticized, particularly for the intrusive ads during arena battles and boss fights, which detracts from the overall experience. Players express frustration over the repetitive nature of boss encounters and the limited variety in advertising content, leading to a perception of excessive monetization without meaningful rewards.

    • “It's also discouraging to see so many arena battles with ads during boss fights, since arena battles were all you were doing before the boss.”
    • “The boss fights all feel samey, with the same boss at the end of every level, and a slightly different environment and different combinations of ads to swarm you.”
    • “Advertising with Serj Tankian, but there is only one song from him at the end boss.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

Buy Metal: Hellsinger

Play time

6hMedian play time
11hAverage play time
4-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 43 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News