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Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Hell is Us' mysterious world doesn't need Soulslike combat to be interesting
While its combat might leave a little to be desired, Hell is Us is shaping up to be a remedy to gaming's current run of samey Soulslikes thanks to its unique approach to navigation. Much more than just another Soulslike, by removing the mini-map and quest markers Hell is Us drops you into an oppressive sci-fi world far more gratifying to explore and discover. Prior to getting hands on with it, I couldn't bring myself to believe that Hell is Us isn't a soulslike. A mysterious protagonist; heavily emphasised melee combat; and a dark, mysterious world full of several interconnected biomes to explore and root around in. On a pure surface level, Rogue Factor's upcoming title ticks a lot of the same boxes seen from the genre's top stalwarts. Dig a little deeper, though, and it doesn't take long to realise that Hell is Us asks much more of the player than the need to simply parry, block, and dodge with accuracy. After two-and-a-half hours of playtime, I can already see how lateral thinking will be the most important weapon in your arsenal – a sentiment further reinforced by the lack of map and the investigative-led 'player-plattering' system. Crucial to the mystery running throughout Hell is Us is the inherent otherworldliness felt in the location in which it's set. Based in an alternate version of 1993 where analogue technology is heavily contrasted by alien-like invaders, the fictional country of Hadea plays host to several monstrous sights and enemies. You'd think taking place in an Eastern European-inspired location on Earth would bring a sense of safety and certainty, yet an ongoing civil war divides the remaining human factions trying to survive, and the monolithic structures that surround such life also aren't helping morale. The truth is that, even without traditional quest markers or map designed to stoke curiosity, Hadea already presents the type of landscapes I wouldn't be able to stop chipping away at. Luckily, the setup of Hell is Us gives you plenty of reason to want to do so as well. Cast in the shoes of Remi, he's on a mission to find his parents to find out why they abandoned him so long ago as a kid. Doing so means coming face-to-face with countless ghoulish nasties while equipped with a serious of increasingly robust melee weapons and the most basic compass needed to try and navigate Hadea's constant rainy atmosphere. Right now, Remi is falling into the trap of being almost too gruff-voiced for my personal liking, yet I can forgive this due to an incredibly torturous opening (literally) that takes place in media res, as well as the fact that Remi's fighting actions speak louder than his words anyway. It's true that the bulk of your time facing enemies is spent continuously taking big swings at them, trying not to deplete your stamina (tied to health here) while trying to stagger them and land a big blow. This sequence of events becomes more difficult, however, as new types of Hollow Walkers are introduced, specifically the ones who are attached to a crystallised aggressive force by an umbilical cord, which must be killed to start dealing damage to the main enemy and are a lot more erratic to fight. That said, while most enemies are paired up in this way, Remi is also, thanks to the addition of a flying drone you can command to engage passive attacks and abilities. Much more than just a flying assistant attacking on its own, the accompanying drone proves itself far more useful right out of the gate. The first ability I unlocked after finding it, for instance, is a simple distraction technique, whereby Remi can command the drone to blind one enemy and keep them temporarily pinned as he faces off against another. A later save game file teased the true extent of what the drone is capable of, particularly once I engaged the skill that saw it attach to Remi to see him spin around to attack foes with all the force of a bladed cyclone or tornado. Much like weapons that grow stronger as you attach new relics and level them up, the drone proves equally as powerful. Trust your instincts Combat in Hell is Us is somewhat standard but solid at the very least, then, with the potential to let players craft their own builds based on their intended weapon. That said, where the game truly comes to life is in its navigation and exploration, where for the most part you're almost entirely left to your own devices. Aiding this fact is the 'player-plattering' system, being a made-up term that essentially means having to move closer to your goal by gaining information in organic ways a lot of other third-person action games wouldn't attempt. Speaking to NPCs to unlock clues, completing environmental puzzles to discover key items, and using your compass to head into directions unexplored… Hell is Us isn't the type of adventure to hold your hand. Thankfully, the developers at Rogue Factor don't want to be too cruel, and so have equipped Remi with a tablet that will track and remember any information you might miss. Even from just a few short hours playing I can already tell Hell is Us is the sort of game a lot of people will want to play with a pen and notebook. Yet players wanting to merely uncover Hedea's surface-level secrets should get on just fine. To my surprise, I really didn't miss the presence of a mini-map or quest markers while playing my demo, which is a testament to how well the studio has designed the game's independent locations. Rather than serve as one continuous map, you'll travel between them via an APC – a factor that should make tracking down all this semi open world's secrets far more alluring and, dare I say, bearable. The biggest compliment I can pay Hell is Us following my short time playing the preview build, is that I can't wait to jump back in again to try and uncover even more of its mysteries. Between its incredibly unsettling atmosphere, twisty narrative, and eerie enemy designs there appears to be much to sink your teeth into, and all that's outside of what so far comes across as exceptional world design backed up by solid combat. Hell is Us might not be a Soulslike, at least a true one, but it is shaping up to be an engaging action-adventure twist that elects to place great trust in the player's own instincts, outside of combat as well as in. So far, a lot more has been added simply by taking away, and that's plenty enough reason to keep an eye on what Rogue Factor is cooking up.
Scottish Sun
13-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
The truth of van life: I left UK for better life abroad – it's been beautiful but I never realised how hard it would get
Plus, the man who travelled around 12 countries and spent just £700 ROLL ON The truth of van life: I left UK for better life abroad – it's been beautiful but I never realised how hard it would get Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THIS brave traveller ditched her 9-to-5 life for an epic three-year journey across Europe and has travelled 80,000 miles so far. While for many this sounds like the dream, but Alice Sutton shares tough realities of leaving a settled life in the UK. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Alice has been travelling Europe for three years Credit: mediadrumimages 4 She works remotely from her renovated van Credit: mediadrumimages Alice Sutton, 25, was born in Italy, but is from Woking and spent seven months converting her £12,000 ex-British gas VW Caddy Maxi - which she called Remi for a travel adventure. So far she's travelled through France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Gibraltar, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Monaco, Wales, England, Scotland. Despite loving her van life, Alice shared how tough it can be on the road - especially travelling solo. Alice revealed: 'I have had a breakdown and a break-in in the space of a week." Despite the setbacks, Alice insists she's never lonely. She said: 'I can't help but be amazed and excited by the incredible natural world and places I travel. 'I sometimes wish I could share the moments with particular people, or course, but being solo doesn't detract from the moment." While Alice is happy with her lifestyle choices, she confessed that along the way, she does get some strange questions. Mostly, people ask where she showers and where she goes to the toilet - to which Alice is always happy to tell them about a nature-wee. Alice showers using a water tank and has to get clean water from public water points which she has to spot while driving through towns. As for electricity, her lights and fridge run off EcoFlow RiverMax which charges through her engine when driving, or is plugged in when she stops at a cafe or restaurant. Traveller has great money saving hack that also allows you to experience destinations better 4 So far Alice has been travelled through 14 countries Credit: mediadrumimages The worst part about van life for Alice is the lack of warm showers in the winter as well as the unfriendliness of town councils all over the UK and Europe to people travelling in a van. Alice added that there are 'no overnight camping' signs in lots of the destinations she goes to, which makes it difficult for her to park up and rest. Before taking on the van life Alice lived in student rental houses with friends at university and then with her parents while the van conversion was underway. All lifestyles have pros and cons, but Alice has found the one that works for her. She originally bought her van six months after graduating and knew that she always knew she wanted to commit to 'van life'. Luckily Alice's job as a digital marketer allows her to work remotely for six months of the year. After travelling for years, Alice says other people wanting to do the same should just commit because that's the most difficult part of making it happen. And she added that for anyone wanting to travel in a van, you should spend money to get all the best bits - or risk setting yourself up to fail. Alice isn't the only one quitting the UK - Natalie moved to the world's best value holiday destination and spends £200 on rent. And Robert spent £700 a month travelling through Europe – saving money by sleeping wild in 12 different countries.
The Irish Sun
13-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
The truth of van life: I left UK for better life abroad – it's been beautiful but I never realised how hard it would get
THIS brave traveller ditched her 9-to-5 life for an epic three-year journey across Europe and has travelled 80,000 miles so far. While for many this sounds like the dream, but Alice Sutton shares tough realities of leaving a settled life in the UK. Advertisement 4 Alice has been travelling Europe for three years Credit: mediadrumimages 4 She works remotely from her renovated van Credit: mediadrumimages Alice Sutton, 25, was born in Italy, but is from Woking and spent seven months converting her £12,000 ex-British gas VW Caddy Maxi - which she called Remi for a travel adventure. So far she's travelled through France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Gibraltar, Despite loving her van life, Alice shared how tough it can be on the road - especially travelling solo. Alice revealed: 'I have had a breakdown and a break-in in the space of a week." Advertisement Read More on Travelling Despite the setbacks, Alice insists she's never lonely. She said: 'I can't help but be amazed and excited by the incredible natural world and places I travel. 'I sometimes wish I could share the moments with particular people, or course, but being solo doesn't detract from the moment." While Alice is happy with her lifestyle choices, she confessed that along the way, she does get some strange questions. Mostly, people ask where she showers and where she goes to the toilet - to which Alice is always happy to tell them about a nature-wee. Advertisement Most read in News Travel Alice showers using a water tank and has to get clean water from public water points which she has to spot while driving through towns. As for electricity, her lights and fridge run off EcoFlow RiverMax which charges through her engine when driving, or is plugged in when she stops at a cafe or restaurant. Traveller has great money saving hack that also allows you to experience destinations better 4 So far Alice has been travelled through 14 countries Credit: mediadrumimages The worst part about van life for Alice is the lack of warm showers in the winter as well as the unfriendliness of town councils all over the UK and Europe to people travelling in a van. Advertisement Alice added that there are 'no overnight camping' signs in lots of the destinations she goes to, which makes it difficult for her to park up and rest. Before taking on the van life Alice lived in student rental houses with friends at university and then with her parents while the van conversion was underway. All lifestyles have pros and cons, but Alice has found the one that works for her. She originally bought her van six months after graduating and knew that she always knew she wanted to commit to 'van life'. Advertisement Luckily Alice's job as a digital marketer allows her to work remotely for six months of the year. After travelling for years, Alice says other people wanting to do the same should just commit because that's the most difficult part of making it happen. And she added that for anyone wanting to travel in a van, you should spend money to get all the best bits - or risk setting yourself up to fail. Alice isn't the only one quitting the UK - Natalie moved to the world's best value holiday destination and spends £200 on rent. Advertisement And 4 Alice would recommend anyone take on van life to travel - despite some drawbacks Credit: mediadrumimages
The Sun
13-05-2025
- The Sun
The truth of van life: I left UK for better life abroad – it's been beautiful but I never realised how hard it would get
THIS brave traveller ditched her 9-to-5 life for an epic three-year journey across Europe and has travelled 80,000 miles so far. While for many this sounds like the dream, but Alice Sutton shares tough realities of leaving a settled life in the UK. 4 4 Alice Sutton, 25, was born in Italy, but is from Woking and spent seven months converting her £12,000 ex-British gas VW Caddy Maxi - which she called Remi for a travel adventure. So far she's travelled through France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Gibraltar, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Monaco, Wales, England, Scotland. Despite loving her van life, Alice shared how tough it can be on the road - especially travelling solo. Alice revealed: 'I have had a breakdown and a break-in in the space of a week." Despite the setbacks, Alice insists she's never lonely. She said: 'I can't help but be amazed and excited by the incredible natural world and places I travel. 'I sometimes wish I could share the moments with particular people, or course, but being solo doesn't detract from the moment." While Alice is happy with her lifestyle choices, she confessed that along the way, she does get some strange questions. Mostly, people ask where she showers and where she goes to the toilet - to which Alice is always happy to tell them about a nature-wee. Alice showers using a water tank and has to get clean water from public water points which she has to spot while driving through towns. As for electricity, her lights and fridge run off EcoFlow RiverMax which charges through her engine when driving, or is plugged in when she stops at a cafe or restaurant. Traveller has great money saving hack that also allows you to experience destinations better 4 The worst part about van life for Alice is the lack of warm showers in the winter as well as the unfriendliness of town councils all over the UK and Europe to people travelling in a van. Alice added that there are 'no overnight camping' signs in lots of the destinations she goes to, which makes it difficult for her to park up and rest. Before taking on the van life Alice lived in student rental houses with friends at university and then with her parents while the van conversion was underway. All lifestyles have pros and cons, but Alice has found the one that works for her. She originally bought her van six months after graduating and knew that she always knew she wanted to commit to 'van life'. Luckily Alice's job as a digital marketer allows her to work remotely for six months of the year. After travelling for years, Alice says other people wanting to do the same should just commit because that's the most difficult part of making it happen. And she added that for anyone wanting to travel in a van, you should spend money to get all the best bits - or risk setting yourself up to fail. Alice isn't the only one quitting the UK - Natalie moved to the world's best value holiday destination and spends £200 on rent. And Robert spent £700 a month travelling through Europe – saving money by sleeping wild in 12 different countries. 4
NZ Herald
10-05-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Tauranga dad's 24-hour golf fundraiser for daughter's Rett syndrome therapy
For Remi's parents, Mandy and Matt Henderson, every small milestone – like sitting unassisted or a squeeze of her hand – speaks volumes. 'Retts affects pretty much every system in the body. It's like a processing disorder. The brain is functioning fine, but it isn't able to get the messages to the rest of the body,' Matt said. 'Imagine a child with symptoms of autism, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's, epilepsy and anxiety all in one person.' Remi was born in June 2022, happy and healthy. But as she grew, her parents noticed she was not hitting the usual movement milestones. 'I hoped I would go to the doctor and she would say, 'You're right, she's behind, but she's going to be fine'. But she didn't say that.' The diagnosis came in November, after two years of neurological testing. In that time, Remi had begun losing the ability to feed herself or roll and sit up unassisted. 'It's devastating to see her go backwards.' Rett syndrome is caused by a gene mutation, and Mandy said neuroscientists were making progress towards a cure. 'I am so hopeful there's going to be a treatment in Remi's lifetime that will at least help to improve her function somewhat and make life that little bit easier for her.' The couple described Remi as a happy, giggly girl who adores music and people, and is always eager to connect. Remi is the younger sibling to brother Bodhi, 8, and sister Willa, 6. 'They just see her for who she is.' Matt and Mandy's dream is for Remi to be able to stand on her own. They say intensive therapy is their best chance. 'If I had the ability to, I would absolutely change everything for Remi. But not who she is,' Matt said. 'I would at least give her a body she could use.' Centre of Movement is a paediatric allied health clinic in Australia specialising in neurological disorders. The family last year set up a Givealittle page to raise funds for Remi to do the centre's three-week intensive therapy programmes to master essential motor skills such as rolling, sitting, crawling, and walking. Each session costs up to $10,000, plus travel costs. The goal was to go every few months, but they could not afford it and feared without it, Remi's progress would reverse, Mandy said. As of July, Remi will be able to attend the centre's new clinic in Rotorua, easing their travel costs. Each programme will still cost about the same - $180 per session and a minimum of 45 sessions in the three weeks. Mandy, a former speech therapist for children with neurological developmental conditions at Starship, will take up a role at the new clinic. She said the regular therapy sessions Remi did in Tauranga were 'amazing' but the family had seen the most progress from the intensive therapy, which was not funded in New Zealand. Matt said a moment had demonstrated how 'crucial' these sessions were for Remi. 'The other day, Remi was sitting on the couch propped up on a bunch of pillows when she was about to fall - and she put her hand down and stopped herself.' Centre of Movement director Emily Pennisi said 'hundreds' of New Zealand families had travelled overseas to access intensive therapy. ' When children are supported early, they're more likely to participate in school, play, and in their community.' Pennisi said the clinic wanted to make intensive therapy more accessible to New Zealanders by opening more clinics, training local therapists, and supporting early intervention. Matt is planning a 24-hour golf fundraiser at Fore Seasons Indoor Golf on May 23 to help raise funds for Remi's therapy. He and his friends – Fore Seasons Indoor Golf owner Matt Blackbourn and The Clubroom Tauranga director Hayden Beard – will play 24 rounds of indoor golf in 24 hours. The trio aims to play 432 holes and will be joined by sporting celebrity guests to help make 'Birdies for Remi', with money donated for every birdie (one under par) made. They will also auction off prizes including former Black Cap Neil Wagner's test shirt signed by the cricket team and a round of golf with Kiwi golfer Daniel Hillier at Te Arai Links. A gala dinner is also planned during Rett Syndrome Awareness month in October. 'Our priority is trying to get as much development out of her now in these early years as we can,' Matt said. 'Eventually, we're going to need a wheelchair, which means we need to make our car and home wheelchair accessible. Everything adds up.' The details: When: May 23-24
