I Hate This Place – Review

Are we fighting monsters and surviving in an apocalyptic world again? Yes and no…

I Hate This Place is an isometric survival horror game that relies less on cheap scares and more on psychological tension, resource management, and a constantly hostile atmosphere. Inspired by the comic book series of the same name, the game builds its identity around the idea of surviving in a place that actively seems to reject you, no matter how well prepared you are. The title doesn't try to be comfortable or friendly, and this is, paradoxically, one of its greatest strengths.

Atmosphere and Art Direction

The first impact comes from the visuals. The art style is heavily inspired by horror comic books, with saturated colours, firm outlines, and a strong contrast between light and dark. The game environment always feels slightly "wrong", as if reality is warped or unstable. This artistic choice is not just aesthetic, but functional: it makes you feel constantly insecure, even when nothing overtly dangerous is happening.

The forests, abandoned buildings, and open spaces are constructed to create a sense of isolation. There are no places that convey absolute safety. Even the areas where you set up a shelter seem temporary, fragile, as if they could be compromised at any moment. The game thus succeeds in inducing a permanent state of unease, without excessively resorting to jump scares.

Gameplay Structure

In terms of gameplay, I Hate This Place combines elements of exploration, crafting, stealth, and survival. It's not a game about becoming stronger and dominating the environment, but about enduring as long as possible in a hostile ecosystem, using your intelligence more than brute force.

Exploration is essential, but never without risks. Resources are limited, and the decision to push forward or retreat can mean the difference between life and death. The game encourages you to pay attention to your surroundings, observe details, and plan your actions in advance.

Crafting plays an important role, but it's not exaggerated or unnecessarily complex. You create improvised weapons, tools, traps, and defensive items, all with a clear utility. However, the necessary resources are never abundant, which forces you to make difficult choices: do you invest in a better weapon or in fortifying your shelter?

Noise, Time, and Constant Pressure

A key element of the experience is the noise system. Many of the creatures in the game react to sounds, and this radically changes how you move and interact with the environment. Every step, every hit, every thrown object can attract unwanted attention. The game quickly teaches you that haste is an enemy as dangerous as the monsters themselves.

The day-night cycle adds an extra layer of tension. Day is generally dedicated to exploration and preparation, while night becomes much more dangerous. Visibility decreases, threats increase, and mistakes are quickly punished. This structure creates a clear, but stressful, rhythm where time always seems insufficient.

Combat: Last Resort, Not the Rule

Although there is combat, I Hate This Place is not a game focused on direct fighting. Confrontations are often risky and costly, and the game clearly conveys that it's not advisable to fight everything you encounter. Improvised weapons wear out, ammunition is scarce, and enemies can be unpredictable.

Instead, the game rewards intelligent approaches: avoiding conflicts, using traps, manipulating the environment, and luring enemies into advantageous areas. This design philosophy brings the game closer to older survival horror titles, where survival depended more on decisions than on reflexes.

Sound and Audio Atmosphere

The audio design is subtle, but extremely effective. Music is minimal, often absent, making way for ambient sounds: wind, rustling leaves, distant footsteps, or hard-to-identify noises. This minimalism amplifies the tension and makes you constantly pay attention to what you hear.

The sounds produced by enemies are intentionally disturbing and difficult to pinpoint, contributing to the feeling of panic and insecurity. Often, you hear the danger before you see it, which forces you to react quickly, but calculatedly.

Difficulty and Target Audience

I Hate This Place is not an easy game, nor does it try to be. It is clearly aimed at an audience that appreciates slow and tense survival horror. Players looking for constant action or rapid progression might feel frustrated, but those who appreciate atmospheric experiences and weighty decisions will find a lot to explore here.

The difficulty seems well-balanced, but requires patience and attention. Mistakes are punished, but you rarely feel that the game is unfair. Most of the time, you are aware that a wrong decision led you to that situation.

It's not a title for everyone, but it doesn't aim to be. It's a game about discomfort, fear, and adaptation, about surviving in a place that seems to want you gone… or dead. For those willing to accept the rules of this hostile universe, I Hate This Place offers an intense, coherent, and deeply tense experience that stays with you long after you've closed the game.

Thanks to Pirate PR for the review code!

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Available on: PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
Played on: PC (Steam)
Release date: 29 January 2026
Developer: Rock Square Thunder
Publisher: Broken Mirror Games & Feardemic