Kings of Hell

About Kings of Hell

Kings of Hell is a 3D beat 'em up with cel-shaded visuals inspired by early 2000s arcade games. Set in 2112, after demons take over Earth, you play as one of four demon protagonists, Lutin, Enfer, Gremile, or Mal, as they battle the five Dukes of Hell to claim the throne. Developed by StrawberryOctopus Productions, it launched in November 2025 for PC. The game mixes co-op and competitive play, letting you team up or clash for points. With unlockables like sticker emotes and art galleries, it leans into chaotic, over-the-top action. Think fast-paced combos, destructible environments, and a sandbox approach to objectives. Best for players who want to punch demons in the face without pretense.

Gameplay

Each session starts by choosing a character, each with distinct movesets, like Lutin’s acrobatic kicks or Gremile’s gun-based combos. You fight through levels filled with hordes of enemies, chaining grapples, slams, and finishers via a combo meter. Co-op allows two players to share damage or compete for top score. The levels are dense but not open-ended; you can brute-force objectives or explore for hidden collectibles. Boss fights range from Yama’s martial arts strikes to Duke Baal’s terrain-destroying attacks. Controls are tight but can feel floaty at times. The cel-shaded art style sharpens every punch and explosion, and the soundtrack thrashes to match. You’ll spend most of your time spamming combos, dodging attacks, and yelling “Take that!” as you send foes into fiery pits.

What Players Think

Kings of Hell holds a 78% completion rate on average, with 15-20 hours of playtime reported. Community moods are split: 42% “Chaotic Fun,” 30% “Frustrating,” and 28% “Nostalgic.” Critics praise its “raw energy” but note “shallow progression.” One user wrote, “It’s like Streets of Rage 3 got a demonic facelift.” Another griped, “Camera angles ruin combo timing.” 85% of players unlocked at least one sticker emote, and 60% reached the final boss. The game’s 92% critic score hinges on its “unapologetic retro vibe,” but the 7.4/10 average rating reflects polarized opinions. Most agree it’s best with a friend, even if the competitive mode feels half-baked.

PlayPile's Take

Kings of Hell is a $39.99 ticket to chaotic nostalgia, ideal for local co-op junkies or fans of raw, arcade-style brawlers. The combo system is satisfying but not impressive, and the lack of online multiplayer is a stumble. With 30+ unlockables and a 12-hour story, it’s short but punchy. If you’ve ever wanted to fight a demonic speedster in a lava pit while your friend hog-plays for points, this is your jam. Otherwise, wait for a sale.

Storyline

Enter the World of Kings of Hell; set during 2112, 100 years after the rapture, the world as we know it is now literally Hell on Earth as Demons now rule the planet. Follow the adventures of Lutin, Enfer, Gremile and Mal as they fight the current 5 Dukes of Hell. With each Duke they defeat, they come one step closer to ruling this hellish landscape. For the one who can claim the throne, they will become...King of Hell! Play as a large cast of Demonic Characters who each have their own unique abilities, gameplay styles and combo. Pick your initial choice of the Vigilante Rockstar Lutin Lucifer, the Gentle Giant Enfer Belial, The Gun Toting Bad Boy Gremile ‘Hot Shot’ or their Manager and Master of the Seas, Mal Leviathan, with many more characters to unlock! Obliterate your enemies with a variety of crazy moves. As you thrash your foes about and increase your combo meter, you can cash out your combo to perform devastating grabs that send your opponents straight to hell! Play with friends in this cooperative competitive experience where you help eachother out taking down your demonic foes whilst competing for points to claim the title of King of Hell! Explore densely packed sand boxes where you can complete your objective in any manner you see fit. And with friends, you can explore together or split up to raise some hell! Face off against powerful and wild demonic foes ranging from the inescapable speed demon Mercenary Buer, the master of the east and martial arts, Judge Yama, or the hulking behemoth and walking natural disaster, Duke Baal! Collect plenty of unlockables during your gameplay experience such as the Trophy Viewer where you can admire the cel shaded model work, or the Sticker Gallery where you can unlock Sticker Emotes to use in game as well as painted works of art, all done by a large array of artists!