Hell Pie

About Hell Pie

Hell Pie is a 3D platformer from Sluggerfly that twists the mascot genre into something delightfully gross. Released July 21, 2022, it’s on PS4, PC, Xbox, Switch, and PS5. You play as Nate, a demon tasked with collecting revolting ingredients for Satan’s birthday pie. Armed with a chain connected to his pet angel, Nugget, Nate swings, grapples, and bashes through surreal levels. The game’s vibe is equal parts Banjo-Kazooie chaos and dark humor, with grotesque enemies and environments. It’s for players who miss N64-era platformers and don’t mind a side of absurdity. The Metacritic score of 68/100 suggests it’s divisive, but fans of niche charm might love it.

Gameplay

Hell Pie revolves around Nate’s chain-based mobility. You swing, fling Nugget, and use it as a weapon or grappling hook. Each level mixes exploration and combat, with enemies to bash and collectibles to snag. The overworld is a twisted map with hidden areas, while smaller stages test precision jumps and timing. Horns found in levels grant new abilities like double jumps or temporary invincibility, altering how you tackle puzzles. Combat is basic but requires quick reflexes, especially against spiky foes. The controls are responsive but demand practice, missing a grab can mean instant death. Sessions feel like a mix of platforming skill checks and hunting for goofy ingredients, all while dealing with increasingly bizarre scenery.

What Players Think

Hell Pie holds a 68/100 on Metacritic but scores 7.5/10 in the PlayPile community. 62% of players finish it, with an average playtime of 10 hours. Moods are split: 35% found it amusingly weird, 25% called it frustratingly unfair. Review snippets highlight its charm: “Laughed at the absurdity, even when failing repeatedly,” and “The level design gets repetitive, but the humor keeps me going.” Critics praised the creative moveset but docked points for inconsistent difficulty. Achievement hunters note 100 collectibles, including rare “rotten ingredient” finds. It’s a cult favorite among retro platformer fans, though some find its presentation off-putting.

PlayPile's Take

Hell Pie is a quirky, sometimes punishing experience best for diehard 3D platformer fans. Priced at $19.99, it’s a budget pick for those who enjoy retro-inspired chaos and don’t mind respawning often. The swing mechanic is inventive, but the game’s uneven difficulty and grotesque art style may not appeal to everyone. With 100 achievements, it offers replay value for completionists. If you can stomach the weirdness and enjoy tight controls, it’s worth a shot. Otherwise, pass, it’s not a classic, but it’s a memorable throwback.

Storyline

The game sees you grab the horns of Nate, the ‘Demon of Bad Taste’. He is given the honorable task of gathering the disgusting ingredients for Satan’s infamous birthday pie. To do so, Nate must venture out into the overworld and do whatever it takes to ensure those ingredients are secured in time, or there’ll be hell to pay! Luckily Nate isn’t alone on this quest, his ‘pet’ angel Nugget is there to offer support. Nugget offers his holy insight when needed, but more importantly is chained to Nate, so can be used like a grappling hook or swung around as a weapon. Nate can also equip horns he finds across the world to give him new hellish abilities. Together Nate and Nugget will explore insane environments, meet tons of repugnant characters and witness some truly shocking sights. Hell Pie is a seriously twisted take on the classic mascot platformer, come along for the ride if you think you can stomach it!