High Hell
A luchador infiltrates a cartel with limited ammo and no reload.
High Hell, a first-person shooter from 2017, was created by Terri Vellmann and Adam "Doseone" Drucker, with Devolver Digital handling publication for Windows and macOS. The game launched on Steam and itch.io. The pair had previously worked together on Heavy Bullets, where Doseone contributed music; later collaborations include Sludge Life and Disc Room.
Players control an unnamed female luchador who infiltrates a cartel, fighting through linear corridors between buildings. The goal is to shoot enemies quickly, using a kick attack to break down doors or subdue foes. Stealth is an option for avoiding detection. A key mechanic limits the player to a fixed amount of ammunition with no reloading, forcing fast, accurate play within each level. Objectives also include rescuing hostages and burning laundered money.
Critics gave High Hell generally favorable reviews, according to Metacritic. OpenCritic reported that 76% of reviewers recommended it. Destructoid’s Chris Moyse praised the intense, fast-paced action, noting it outweighed the game’s very short length. VentureBeat’s Stephanie Chan highlighted the chaotic gameplay and absurd humor as its main strengths.
Quick Facts
- Title
- High Hell
- Developer
- Terri Vellmann / Doseone
- Publisher
- Devolver Digital
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS
- Released
- October 23, 2017
- Genre
- First-person shooter
- Modes
- Single-player
- Artist
- Terri Vellmann
- Composer
- Doseone
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
High Hell is a first-person shooter where the player controls an unnamed female luchador as she infiltrates a cartel and massacres its members. The player navigates various levels in the form of linear corridors between buildings, shooting enemies in quick succession. A kick attack is available to kick down doors to speed up progress as well as to subdue enemies. The player may also choose to engage in stealth to go unnoticed. One unique feature is that the player only has limited ammunition and cannot reload, forcing the player to complete the level in quick bursts with high accuracy. The game's objectives, aside from defeating enemies, also include saving hostages and burning laundered money.
Reader's Guide
High Hell received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator website Metacritic. OpenCritic determined that 76% of critics recommend the game. Chris Moyse of Destructoid praised its unique and fast-paced gameplay and noted that its intensity overcame the game's extremely short length. Stephanie Chan of VentureBeat noted its chaotic gameplay and absurdist humor to be the game's greatest strengths. The game represents a collaboration between Terri Vellmann and Adam "Doseone" Drucker, who had previously worked together on Heavy Bullets (with Doseone as a composer) and would later collaborate on Sludge Life and Disc Room. Its emphasis on limited ammunition and high-accuracy bursts creates a distinctive tension within its short, linear levels.
Did You Know?
- The game features a unique mechanic where the player cannot reload and has limited ammunition.
- The developers later collaborated on Sludge Life and Disc Room.
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