Green Hell
A survival game set in the Amazon rainforest.
Green Hell is a survival video game released in 2019, developed by Creepy Jar. The game is set in the Amazon rainforest and was first launched for Windows in September 2019. A Nintendo Switch version followed in October 2020, with PlayStation 4 and Xbox One ports arriving in June 2021. Versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S became available in August 2024. Development wrapped up on September 3, 2024, with a final update that added decorative features.
In the game, players take a first-person perspective, either alone or in cooperative multiplayer. The open-world simulation requires gathering raw materials and food to survive, but the protagonist, Jake, must also craft shelter and weapons from what he collects. The player starts in a lone jungle camp with no context. The environment changes dynamically, affecting both the character’s physical and psychological state—such as causing hallucinations. A smartwatch helps maintain a balanced diet by showing nutrient levels and alerting the player to health issues. Players must sleep enough, avoid venomous animals, bad food, and injuries, and can craft medicine and bandages. Infected wounds are treated by placing maggots in the wound to clear dead flesh, then bandaging. Navigation aids include a compass and GPS.
An optional story mode follows a frame story about searching for the player’s missing wife. A prequel, *Spirits of Amazonia Part 1*, was released on January 28, 2021, and *Spirits of Amazonia Part 2* on June 22, 2021. Both support single-player and co-op, but these features are not available on the Nintendo Switch version.
The story centers on anthropologist Jake Higgins, who wakes up in the jungle near the Amazon River. He must survive and find his wife, Mia, a linguist who went missing on a solo trip to contact the uncontacted Yabahuaca tribe. Jake communicates with her via radio and learns she is in danger. Along the way, he encounters the Waraha, a skull-painted splinter faction of the Yabahuaca that has turned violent toward researchers.
The game was well-received, holding a Metacritic score of 78 out of 100 based on 13 reviews. By June 2020, Creepy Jar reported over 1 million copies sold, rising to 3.5 million by July 2022, 5 million by October 2023, and 6 million across all platforms by June 2024.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Green Hell
- Developer
- Creepy Jar
- Publisher
- Creepy JarPublished on Nintendo Switch by Forever Entertainment
- Designer
- Michał Stawicki
- Programmer
- Krzysztof Sałek · Tomasz Soból
- Artist
- Krzysztof Kwiatek
- Composer
- Adam SkorupaAdditional music by Krzysztof Wierzynkiewicz
- Engine
- Unity
- Platforms
- Windows · Nintendo Switch · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · PlayStation 5 · Xbox Series X/S
- Genre
- Survival
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Green Hell was developed by Creepy Jar and released for Windows in September 2019. The game takes place in the Amazon rainforest and follows anthropologist Jake Higgins, who wakes up on the edge of the Amazon River with no context. He must survive by collecting raw materials, crafting shelter and weapons, and maintaining his health, diet, and sleep. A smartwatch alerts the player to nutrient deficiencies, while a compass and GPS aid navigation. Injuries can be treated with medicine and bandages; infected wounds require maggots to clear dead flesh before bandaging. The environment dynamically changes, affecting the character's physical and psychological state, including hallucinations. The optional story mode involves Jake searching for his missing wife, Mia, a linguist who went to contact the uncontacted Yabahuaca tribe. Jake encounters a splinter faction called the Waraha, who resort to violence. A prequel, Spirits of Amazonia Part 1, was released on January 28, 2021, and Part 2 on June 22, 2021, both offering single-player and co-op gameplay, though these are not available on the Nintendo Switch version.
Reader's Guide
Green Hell is notable for its detailed survival mechanics, requiring players to manage diet, health, and psychological state in a dynamic jungle environment. The game sold over 1 million copies by June 2020, 3.5 million by July 2022, 5 million by October 2023, and 6 million by June 2024, indicating sustained commercial success. It received a Metacritic approval rating of 78/100 based on 13 reviews. The game was nominated for Central & Eastern European Game Awards 2019 in the categories Best Game and Best Design. Development concluded on September 3, 2024, with a final update adding decorative features. The release of the Spirits of Amazonia prequel content and co-op multiplayer expanded the game's scope, though these features were omitted from the Nintendo Switch version. The game's legacy lies in its uncompromising survival simulation and its focus on the psychological toll of isolation in a hostile environment.
Did You Know?
- The game sold over 6 million copies across all platforms by June 2024.
- The game was nominated for Best Game and Best Design at the Central & Eastern European Game Awards 2019.
- Spirits of Amazonia Part 1 and Part 2 are not available on the Nintendo Switch version.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Green Hell?
Green Hell is a first-person survival simulation set in the Amazon rainforest, developed by Creepy Jar and first released in September 2019. Players must manage hunger, thirst, and health while navigating a hostile open-world environment, either solo or in cooperative multiplayer.
Who developed Green Hell?
The game was created by the Polish studio Creepy Jar. Development officially concluded on September 3, 2024, when a final update introduced decorative content and wrapped up the project.
What platforms is Green Hell available on?
The title launched on Windows in September 2019, then expanded to Nintendo Switch in October 2020 and to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in June 2021. Next-generation versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S followed in August 2024.
How does Green Hell's gameplay work?
Players explore a vast Amazon rainforest from a first-person perspective, fending off threats while juggling core survival needs such as food, water, and health. The open-world sandbox supports both solo play and cooperative multiplayer sessions.
How successful was Green Hell commercially?
The game surpassed one million copies sold by June 2020 and reached 3.5 million by July 2022. It earned a Metacritic score of 78 out of 100 based on 13 critic reviews.
More in Sandbox Games of the 2010s 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced