Hellscreen

janky, unrefined and disgustingly overpriced. in 20 minutes of gameplay, I've had unclear direction, lack of explanation of controls, 100% invisible and seemingly invincible enemies that kill you, and a headache from the boring and nauseating color palette. Don't buy this

Game was pretty fun, it looks cool and the mirror is hard to get used to but fun when you do! looking forward spending more time with it! Would recommend to any fans of boomer shooters

Very interesting game but ultimately not for me.

Hellscreen, developed by Jamie D and published under the Mixtape Games UK label, is an ambitious, stylistically bold first-person shooter that merges old-school FPS design with a highly distinctive gameplay twist. At first glance, it fits comfortably into the “boomer shooter” subgenre—games inspired by the fast-paced, run-and-gun mechanics of early '90s shooters like Doom or Quake. But Hellscreen immediately sets itself apart with a core mechanic that fundamentally alters how players approach combat: a real-time rear-view mirror that allows you to see—and shoot—what's happening behind you. This innovation is more than a gimmick; it's an integral part of the game's rhythm and tension, making awareness and positioning essential in ways not often seen in first-person shooters. From the moment you enter Hellscreen's bleak, surreal world, it’s clear this is a game with a strong visual and atmospheric identity. The art direction leans heavily on brutalism, industrial sci-fi, and body horror, evoking influences from H.R. Giger and the darker corners of retro gaming history. The environments are made up of stark geometric architecture, abstract mechanical forms, and oppressive lighting that seems to swallow the player whole. It’s not just an aesthetic exercise either; the visual design ties directly into the gameplay. Enemies blend into their surroundings, hidden paths are often revealed through the mirror, and the game’s architecture encourages you to constantly double back and reassess your surroundings. Even the soundtrack, composed using retro hardware like the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 1, amplifies the disorienting, lo-fi sci-fi atmosphere. Gameplay in Hellscreen revolves around high-speed movement, exploration, and resource management, but the rear-view mirror elevates these elements to something new. The mirror is always active and hovers over the top center of your screen, displaying real-time information about what's behind you. But this isn’t just a passive viewing device—you can fire weapons backward through the mirror, turning you into a deadly multitasker who can clear threats in front and behind simultaneously. It’s a mechanic that introduces an unusual kind of spatial multitasking rarely seen in shooters. Movement plays a role in combat efficiency as well—dashing forward increases your damage output, so players are encouraged to stay mobile, aggressive, and hyper-aware of their environment from all angles. Structurally, the game offers non-linear level progression and exploration reminiscent of classic Metroidvania games. Rather than a series of discrete levels, Hellscreen builds a connected world in which your progress is tied to collecting "soul cores" and unlocking new weapons or traversal tools. These weapons often double as keys, allowing you to break open walls, bypass barriers, or reveal hidden paths in previously visited areas. This design encourages players to return to older maps and explore them anew with freshly unlocked capabilities. It’s a system that rewards curiosity and rewards players for taking their time, scanning every corner, and embracing the eerie tension that hangs over every room and corridor. Despite its creative strengths, Hellscreen does carry some notable limitations—many of which stem from the realities of being an indie title developed largely by a single person. The game initially launched in Early Access with the promise of three episodes. However, as of mid-2025, only Episode One has been released, and the remaining episodes have been officially cancelled due to poor sales performance and a lack of external funding. This leaves the game in an incomplete state compared to the developer’s original vision. While the existing content is fairly dense—featuring multiple maps, a modest arsenal, and a selection of enemies—some players may feel that the overall experience ends too abruptly or lacks the long-term content depth that was originally promised. The cancellation of further episodes has understandably left parts of the community disappointed. Hellscreen was marketed as a long-form experience with layered content, and the scaled-back scope changes its overall appeal. What remains is still a tightly designed, cleverly constructed game, but its ambition now stands partially unfulfilled. There are also some issues with gameplay balance and polish. The rear-view mechanic, while innovative, can become overwhelming during intense firefights, as juggling forward movement and backward shooting in real time requires a level of dexterity that not all players will find enjoyable. Enemy variety is somewhat limited, and while the levels are atmospheric and intricate, the visual sameness can start to wear thin across longer play sessions. Nevertheless, Hellscreen deserves recognition for taking creative risks. It offers a unique vision of what a modern retro shooter can be, blending nostalgia with innovation in ways that few titles even attempt. The mirror mechanic fundamentally reshapes the moment-to-moment gameplay, encouraging an almost tactical level of awareness that challenges players to think in 360 degrees. Its art direction, sound design, and structural approach to progression are distinct, moody, and memorable. While the game's future may have been cut short, what’s available now is still a remarkable demonstration of solo-developer ambition and originality. In its current state, Hellscreen is best suited for players who value mechanical novelty and atmospheric experimentation over content quantity or narrative progression. If you’re a fan of classic shooters and are open to something unconventional—something that plays with perception, space, and awareness in truly inventive ways—Hellscreen will offer you an experience unlike any other in the genre. However, if you're looking for a fully realized campaign, expansive content, or high production value, you may find its limitations hard to overlook. Either way, Hellscreen stands as a compelling example of what indie game development can achieve when it dares to be different. Rating: 7/10

Very addictive, like the clues in the mirror and cool soundtrack.

Pretty unique and fun little shooter, I like the arena levels and the shotgun feels very satisfying. Would be great to see an endlesss mode !

This game hurt my eyes so much and somehow performs worse than doom eternal despite its simplistic graphics.