To Hell With The Ugly

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To Hell With The Ugly is a single player action game. It was developed by ARTE France and was released on May 30, 2023. It received positive reviews from players.

"To Hell With the Ugly" is an adventure game set in a 1950s LA film noir setting, where you play as Rock Bailey, a handsome young man who was kidnapped and drugged outside a jazz club. After waking up in a strange hospital, Rocky discovers that something personal has been stolen from him and sets out for revenge. The game was a finalist in the 2023 IGF awards for "Excellence in Visual Arts."

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Single-Player

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83%

Audience ScoreBased on 72 reviews

story24 positive mentions

character development2 negative mentions

The game features a stunning art style and engaging visuals that capture the essence of 1950s Los Angeles.
The story is unique and delivers unexpected twists, providing a refreshing narrative experience.
Gameplay is a mix of point-and-click puzzles, light combat, and quick-time events, making it enjoyable despite its simplicity.

The game is relatively short, with a runtime of around 3-5 hours, which may leave players wanting more content.
The ending feels abrupt and unsatisfying, lacking closure and character development.
Some gameplay mechanics, particularly the combat, are overly simplistic and may feel like padding rather than integral to the experience.

story
63 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
57%
5%
The story is a bizarre yet engaging mix of noir and surrealism, featuring a self-absorbed protagonist, Rock Bailey, who navigates a strange plot filled with unexpected twists and dark implications. While the art style and soundtrack receive high praise, opinions on the story's pacing and conclusion are mixed, with some finding it lacking in satisfaction and coherence. Overall, it offers a unique experience that may appeal to fans of quirky narratives, despite its short length and occasional narrative flaws.
- “A zesty, well-delivered story, pleasant-to-the-eye art style, and it actually has gameplay.”
- “I definitely will read the book after this; the story cleverly mixes noir, Doctor Moreau, and the 50s vibe, it is just captivating.”
- “The plot feels straight out of a 1940s pulp crime novel, but Boris Vian's weirdness eventually shines through as things gradually become more surreal.”
- “The story is weird and feels unfinished.”
- “The momentum and pacing become uneven, leaving a story that wraps up too abruptly and an epilogue that makes me feel like I deeply missed something along the way.”
- “Just the story doesn't have a proper ending, certainly not a good one.”
graphics
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
32%
10%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning art style, which blends unique aesthetics reminiscent of 1950s Los Angeles with fluid animations and vibrant color palettes. Players appreciate the captivating visuals that enhance the overall experience, often highlighting the game's artistic charm and character. While some critiques mention gameplay and plot issues, the overwhelming consensus is that the graphics are a standout feature that elevates the game.
- “A zesty, well-delivered story, pleasant-to-the-eye art style, and it actually has gameplay.”
- “This game caught my artistic eye with its aesthetics first, a clean and bold Memphis/mid-century/comic book art style, all wrapped up in a palette of my favorite complementary colors: warm, deep rusts and cool turquoise hues, perfectly capturing the essence of 1950's Los Angeles.”
- “Let me start by saying that 'To Hell with the Ugly' is by far one of the best looking games I've played all year; the art style is truly amazing and the game is flowing with character and charm.”
- “So, not much to offer besides visuals and I can't stand the main character.”
- “The graphics and animations are done so well.”
- “-- art style.”
gameplay
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
49%
10%
The gameplay is generally engaging and complements the strong art style and narrative, though it is often described as simple and somewhat generic. While the turn-based combat and puzzle-solving elements add variety, they are not particularly challenging, and some mechanics feel like they exist mainly to extend playtime. Overall, the game offers a casual experience that may appeal to those looking for a visually appealing story-driven adventure rather than a complex gameplay experience.
- “A zesty, well-delivered story, pleasant-to-the-eye art style, and it actually has gameplay.”
- “The combat system - an unusual turn-based, rhythm-timing mechanic - is surprisingly satisfying once you get into the groove.”
- “All the elements that make up the gameplay (turn-based combat, clue-gathering, puzzle-solving) are fun and varied, but not very difficult.”
- “Gameplay is pretty casual and simple.”
- “Combat sections are ok, but a bit too simple in terms of mechanics (as in, there aren't many; heck, one character appears once and never again).”
- “Mini-games seem to be just a way of prolonging the play hours, not an actual mechanic.”
music
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
35%
13%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many players praising its captivating soundtrack that enhances the noir aesthetic and overall atmosphere. Reviewers frequently mention the music as a standout feature, comparing it favorably to classic titles like Grim Fandango, and highlighting its ability to evoke strong emotions and complement the game's unique art style and storytelling. Overall, the soundtrack is described as "hypnotizing," "fantastic," and a key element that contributes to the game's immersive experience.
- “The game features amazing music and a noir aesthetic.”
- “A brilliantly executed story with unique and beautiful art direction and a *chef's kiss* soundtrack!”
- “Great story, great music, great design... highly recommended!”
- “Tl;dr art, music, va, gameplay, puzzles, all ok.”
- “The ending is very weird and funny (in a bittersweet way), you get about four hours of play out of it for the price, but I honestly did have a lot of fun looking at the art and listening to the music.”
- “Solid music.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by smart and stylish writing, featuring snappy and witty dialogue that often elicits laughter. Players appreciate the absurd plot and hilarious moments, complemented by stunning art and a captivating soundtrack, making for a memorable and enjoyable experience. Overall, the game delivers a quick yet entertaining journey filled with humor.
- “Smart, stylish writing; snappy, witty, and often hilarious.”
- “Not only was the art style amazing, but I also fell in love with the soundtrack; the unexpected and hilarious plot was just the cherry on top.”
- “Stunning art & animation, absurd story, hilarious dialogues, hypnotizing music.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its beautiful design, captivating music, and immersive storytelling, creating a rich and engaging experience. Reviewers highlight the art, animations, and overall aesthetic as key elements that contribute to a nostalgic and soulful gaming environment. However, some express a desire for a longer experience to fully enjoy the atmospheric elements.
- “Overall the game is beautifully designed, has great music and atmosphere, and some interesting puzzles.”
- “Love the style, love the music, love the atmosphere and how the story dragged me in... but it goes by so quick!”
- “This is a great, atmospheric game, a great throwback to the times when games had a soul in them.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
The game offers limited replayability, primarily due to its short length of 5-7 hours and a lack of branching paths, which diminishes the incentive to replay. While players can pursue achievements and experience challenging quick-time events, the overall experience does not encourage multiple playthroughs.
- “The challenges, like the car chase, can be punishing but incredibly rewarding to replay.”
- “Each playthrough offers new strategies and experiences, making it a game you can enjoy multiple times.”
- “The variety of choices and outcomes keeps the game fresh, encouraging you to replay it again and again.”
- “The game is relatively short; you can beat it in 5-7 hours, technically 2-3 if you know what to do and skip dialogue. I tried to complete as many achievements as I could on my first run, but sadly, besides the achievements, there's no replayability because there are no branching paths.”
- “Quick time events (like the car chase) can be punishing but are replayable.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that character development is largely absent throughout the game, with little to no growth or progression for the characters until the very end, leaving players feeling unsatisfied.
- “Character development was basically non-existent until the very end.”
- “There was no character development for anyone.”

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3h Median play time

3h Average play time

2-3h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

To Hell With The Ugly is a action game.

To Hell With The Ugly is available on PC, Mac OS, Steam Deck, Windows and others.

On average players spend around 3 hours playing To Hell With The Ugly.

To Hell With The Ugly was released on May 30, 2023.

To Hell With The Ugly was developed by ARTE France.

To Hell With The Ugly has received positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its character development.

To Hell With The Ugly is a single player game.

Similar games include The Dream Machine, Chicken Police – Paint it RED!, The Night is Grey, Deponia: The Complete Journey, Sherlock Holmes The Devil's Daughter and others.

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