The repetition and balance quirks are real. However, so is the joy of watching your screen become an unholy fireworks display.

A Familiar Chaos

Hell Clock draws its inspiration from many sources. It blends them to create a mixture of ARPG and rogue-lite. It feels a little like Diablo, a bit like Hades, and a smidgen like Path of Exile.

Playing it feels familiar. It is a warm blanket of stacking upgrades and finding that perfect mix of abilities. Consequently, the screen is covered in numbers, colors, and gory explosions.

“What’s going on amidst all that chaos? I’ll be buggered if I know, but the health bar says I’m still kicking.”

Racing Against the Clock

The titular “Hell Clock” ticks away in the background. It is a timer that will end your latest run whenever it strikes zero. Therefore, you absolutely must upgrade this over time. Otherwise, you will struggle to progress.

This time limit is an interesting choice. It forces you to push forward aggressively. Sometimes, that means running for the exit like you just ate bad fast food.

However, it is also optional. A quick trip to the options menu lets you turn on Relaxed Mode. This disables the clock so you can take your time and dismember bad guys at your own pace.

Builds: Meteors and Catholic Guards

Before you embark on a run, you must consider your build.

• Abilities: You select the skills you will spam for the next 20 minutes. This ranges from a simple rifle to a pack of ghostly Catholic Guards.
• Relics: These slot into your inventory like a simple version of Tetris. They provide stat buffs and change how abilities work.

For example, you might convert bullets into fire damage. Or, you could make a meteor storm follow you across the map.

The Canudos Connection

The game’s background is the Canudos Massacre. This tragic event occurred in Brazil in the late 1800s, resulting in thousands of deaths.

You play as Pajeú, a warrior and former slave. He descends through the levels of Hell to save his mentor’s soul. It is a fascinating idea for a story. Furthermore, the use of Brazilian history is unique within video games. It makes me wish there was more emphasis on the narrative.

The Verdict: 4/5

Hell Clock might not break the mold. However, it gleefully smashes its way around inside it. The developer, Rogue Snail, and publisher Mad Mushroom have created a spectacle.

The repetition and uneven difficulty tuning can chip away at the fun. Yet, the sheer spectacle of its combat makes it easy to keep coming back. Whether you are here for the grind or the fireworks, there is enough hellish charm to keep the clock ticking.

Also Read : Ghost of Yotei Review: Same Sword, Sharper Edge

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