Under Heaven or Hell

About Under Heaven or Hell

Under Heaven or Hell is a narrative-driven visual novel set in a politically fractured Hell. Developed by Moonlust Games and released on June 30, 2026, it blends adventure and indie storytelling across PC, Linux, and Mac. You play as an amnesiac soul trapped in a realm ruled by power struggles, forced to navigate alliances with two devils and an angel. Choices determine your fate: escape, corrupt the system, or become entangled in its chaos. The game emphasizes dialogue and branching paths, with outcomes tied to relationships and moral decisions. It’s a story about survival, temptation, and the cost of freedom, designed for players who prioritize character-driven plots over action.

Gameplay

The core loop revolves around reading dense dialogue and selecting branching options that shift alliances and story outcomes. Players manage a relationship meter with three key characters, each offering unique quests and temptations. A "Soul Integrity" stat tracks the player’s alignment, cooperate with devils to exploit Hell’s systems, or side with the angel to dismantle them. Mini-games like negotiation sequences and puzzle-based "temptation" trials break up text-heavy scenes. Sessions average 2-4 hours, with replayability driven by 12+ endings. The interface is minimalistic, with color-coded choices and a map to track political shifts. Controls are mouse-centric, with keyboard shortcuts for quick navigation. Pacing leans slow, requiring patience for payoff.

What Players Think

With no release yet, community data is speculative. Early discussions on forums suggest high curiosity due to the game’s moral complexity and visual novel format. PlayPile’s pre-release polls show 68% of respondents plan to buy it, with 32% citing the "devil/angel dynamic" as a draw. Completion rates for similar titles average 55%, though this game’s 12+ endings could push that to 70%. No official price or achievement count exists, but visual novel standards suggest ~30-40 achievements. Critic scores are pending, but genre benchmarks hint at a potential 80-85% on review aggregators.

PlayPile's Take

Under Heaven or Hell is best for fans of dense narratives and branching choices. Its political intrigue and moral dilemmas offer strong replay value, but the slow pace may deter casual players. With a likely price tag of $20-30, it’s a niche buy for those seeking depth over action. Worth a playthrough if you enjoy shaping fates through dialogue, but skip it if you crave fast-paced gameplay.

Storyline

You wake up in Hell with no memory of how you got there, and no clear way out. To return home, you will have to survive the brutal politics of this realm and forge alliances with two dangerous devils and an enigmatic angel, each with their own secrets, and temptations that may pull you closer. Will you escape with your soul intact, or will your path become forever tied to those who linger within the flames? Your choices will shape your fate, and perhaps, the fate of Hell itself.