STHELL is a fast-paced, roguelite arena shooter that takes you to a forgotten swamp that was a test site of Kiratron Industries. Take on hordes of machines left to rust for years. It's a battle you probably won't win, but make a stand and your resilience will be etched in their memory chips forever.
The game boasts tight, responsive controls that allow for fluid movement and smooth evasive maneuvers. Reviewers laud the "crisp" feel of the controls, with minimal input lag that creates a highly satisfying experience.
The shooting mechanics are a particular highlight, with players praising the "good feel" of the various weapons. The shotgun stands out for its powerful and impactful sound and visual feedback, rewarding accurate aim. The responsive controls and effective gunplay come together to deliver an engaging combat loop.
Players must confront progressively more difficult waves of robotic enemies, testing their reflexes and tactical positioning to survive. The game ramps up the challenge over the course of each run, but reviewers note that the difficulty, while significant, remains "doable" and provides a satisfying level of challenge.
To keep the gameplay fresh, the experience features a variety of distinct robotic enemy types, each with unique behaviors and attack patterns. This variety forces players to adapt their strategies to counter the different machine threats effectively. Additionally, the game provides a selection of unlockable weapons, allowing players to experiment with different loadouts and playstyles.
The core loop of repeatedly attempting to survive against the relentless robot onslaught provides compelling replayability. While permanent progression is limited, the ability to unlock new weapon and ability upgrades for each run, combined with the drive to improve one's score and climb the global leaderboard, encourages players to keep refining their skills.