Hell Clock

Release Date: Q2 2025

RPG, hack'and'slash, roguelike, isometric view, indie games, action RPG, 19th century, singleplayer

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A hack'n'slash action RPG with roguelike elements and an isometric camera. Hell Clock is similar to Hades, but its story was based on Brazilian history. We play as a warrior, going through the purgatory full of ghosts and demons. We must save the souls of those who lost their lives in the XIX century conflict.

Historical context
Story
Gameplay
Game modes
Audio

Hell Clock is a hack'n'slash enriched with roguelike genre mechanics. The game combines elements from Hades with a story background referring to a dark chapter of Brazilian history. It was developed by the independent studio Rogue Snail, which also has Relic Hunters Legend in its portfolio.

Historical context

The story presented in Hell Clock refers to the Canudos War. It is the conflict between the Brazilian army and the inhabitants of this settlement, which took place in 1896-1897. As a result, Canudos was completely destroyed, and 25 thousand people lost their lives.

Story

The main character of the game is Pajeu. He is a warrior who repeatedly descends into purgatory full of ghosts and demons to help the souls of people killed in the conflict. His main goal is to save the so-called Counselor - his mentor and spiritual leader of Canudos.

Gameplay

In Hell Clock we view the action from an isometric view. We keep going through purgatory, rushing subsequent levels, eliminating hordes of enemies and completing quests along the way. The gameplay is dynamic, and on the battlefield we must be constantly moving, making use of firearms (led by revolvers) or melee weapons (like whips).

During subsequent expeditions to purgatory, we gain temporary perks (blessings) and other upgrades, which only work within the scope of a given "descent". After our death or running out of time, our journey through the land of the dead ends and we reach Quixeramobim, which serves as our base of operations. We can talk to the residents here, accept new missions from them, and also permanently develop the character.

Pajeu's combat potential permanently increases through unlocking skills, acquiring equipment, and relics that offer various effects. The latter have different sizes, and due to the limited space in the reliquary, managing them is a bit like playing Tetris.

Game modes

Before starting a run in Hell Clock we can choose whether we want to play in Softcore mode, where we keep our progress after death, or in Hardcore mode, where the death of our character is final and involves the need to start the whole journey from scratch.

Additionally, the game features a Relaxed Mode that disables the time limit. If we decide not to activate it, then during each of our journeys through purgatory, the titular clock will be ticking incessantly. When the countdown reaches the end, our journey will also finish. Relaxed Mode completely removes this mechanic from the game.