PC Critic Reviews

Hell Clock is one of those games that cherry picks so many ideas from so many different sources that it manages to feel original when taken as a whole.

Hell Clock is one of the most remarkable projects in the Brazilian indie scene in 2025, not only for its quality as a game, but for the pride it carries in portraying a brutal and underexplored slice of Brazilian history. It skillfully combines challenging gameplay, a rich setting, and a strong cultural identity, delivering a unique, immersive, and necessary experience.

I had an excellent time playing Hell Clock, especially as a fan of Diablo, Titan Quest and other ARPGs. The fact that it also has a Hades-like gameplay makes it even more interesting, and the Brazilian-focused story and characters certainly help the game stand out. It’s definitely a one-of-a-kind roguelike, and one where you want to continue progressing through the story as much as possible. Aside from that, the gameplay is intense, and the level-tiered system where you have a boss every 3 major levels is incredibly addicting. Plus, you can start collecting gear and artifacts, which for me was a delight. It’s certainly a lot of fun, especially if you like the ARPG loop. I always wanted a good combination between Diablo and roguelikes, and I think Hell Clock nails that. It’s fun, intense, you have tons of loot, great music and an interesting story, so for me, it feels like the complete package, if you’re into this genre.

I really enjoyed my time with Hell Clock. It balances all its aspects just right: narrative, gameplay, progression, and difficulty. Just watch the clock, you might lose yourself down in Hell.

This Brazilian ARPG with roguelite elements offers addictive combat, deep build customization, and a rare historical backdrop, though its story loses narrative strength over time and its combat can feel simple; still, its variety of options, engaging progression, and active post-launch support make it one of the most enjoyable surprises of the year.

Hell Clock has some blemishes but its core gameplay and narrative experience are compelling. The story of the Canudos people is heartbreaking and galvanizing, constantly encouraging the player to rain righteous vengeance upon their enemies. Thanks to the game's flexible combat sandbox, this process is as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally invigorating, and will have players itching for one more run. For a roguelike, it's hard to offer higher praise than that.

There’s never been a game centered on the War of Canudos before, and Hell Clock makes terrific use of this unique setting, even inspiring me to scour the internet and learn more about this corner of world history. Hell Clock feels like a studio reaching its stride, and it’s going to be fun to watch its audience peel apart the meta and fuel the prestige components to come. If you’re looking for a beautifully dark, satisfyingly complex single-player action RPG with real stakes, set your alarms for Hell Clock.

Hell Clock runs on urgency, offering a frenetic blend of character customization, fluid combat, and roguelike progression. Its clock-driven system ensures that runs are tight and intense. Here, every second, as well as every upgrade, counts.

I can’t help but love Hell Clock, because it exemplifies the reason I love indie gaming so much. This space offers unique, personal stories paired with enigmatic gameplay that refuses to let me go. It impresses at every turn, constantly surprising me. Even though I opened this game feeling like I’d seen everything within, several times before, I felt that glee of seeing something fresh, and I put my controller down having experienced something built out of passion.

Even the base version of Hell Clock is worth the purchase: it’s one of the most addictive roguelite experiences I can recall. It’s fun, engaging, and offers impressive depth and customization. The endgame still lacks some longevity, but the developers are highly active and already have plenty of updates planned through early 2026. If you're a fan of the genre and enjoy a more hack 'n' slash take on the classic formula, Rogue Snail’s title will keep you great company through the hot August days and well beyond.