Let It Die is back once again, evolving with the times and combining concepts from the first two instalments into something new, exciting and completely unhinged. Titled Let It Die: Inferno, the latest entry in the brutally difficult series began in 2016. After spending about 30 minutes playing it, I am eager to see where this game goes. Developed by Supertrick Games and published by GungHo Online Entertainment, Inferno serves as a direct follow-up to the original Let It Die.
This time, players will not be climbing a treacherous tower. Instead, they will plunge into the labyrinthine depths of Hell Gate, a sprawling chasm born from catastrophe. It promises greater perils and deeper mysteries than ever before, and if the first showcase is any indication, it already looks bananas.
Jumping in, there is a fair amount of lore that sets the stage for this latest entry, giving players an idea of what to expect when they first start the game. Let It Die: Inferno takes place in the aftermath of the Earth Rage, a cataclysm that reshaped the world and created the Hell Gate, a massive chasm large enough to swallow entire cities.
Deep within the gate lies the Eye of the Reaper, a powerful crystal rumoured to contain energy potent enough to grant dominion over the world—because, of course, a random hell crystal would. In true Let It Die fashion, players assume the role of a Raider, immortal explorers each armed with a signature weapon and tasked with descending into Hell’s depths to uncover Splithium, the ultra-energy that fuels humanity’s latest obsession. And naturally, they will die a lot along the way. Sounds fun, right?
It is a lot to take in, but the basic flow is straightforward: dive into these hell rifts, die along the way, and push deeper while fighting creatures and other players. The lore builds on familiar territory for returning players, but with fresh twists and a darker, yet oddly comedic, narrative thread that never takes the core of the game too seriously.
Among these elements, the iconic Uncle Death returns as a sinister, yet always sardonic, guide on the player’s journey. His irreverent commentary and in-game presence have been a constant for the series, and they remain a defining feature that gave the first game its distinct look and appeal.
I have always enjoyed the style and concept of the series, with the first game, developed by Grasshopper Manufacture, embracing the absurdist and ultraviolent aesthetic found in many of the studio’s titles. I did not spend much time with Deathverse: Let It Die, the middle entry in the series, but from what I know, Let It Die: Inferno feels far more in line with what players expect from the franchise. Even in the short time I have played, the game is already hitting the right notes.
Unlike its predecessor, which revolved around climbing the Tower of Barbs, Let It Die: Inferno is about surviving successive plunges into Hell Gate’s shifting corridors. Every run in Inferno features procedurally generated layouts, randomized item placement and a rotating roster of grotesque monsters and hostile Raiders. No two expeditions unfold in the same way.
“Let It Die: Inferno is about surviving successive plunges into Hell Gate’s shifting corridors.”
Lose your life and you lose your equipment, unless it is secured in storage, though abilities carry over to your next incarnation. This allows for meaningful progression amidst repeated defeat and resurrection. It is the classic roguelike formula, filtered through the lens of a madman, and it proves strongly compelling.
In the game, you take on the role of Raiders, blessed with the ability to dual-wield by default. This forms the backbone of the title’s reinvigorated melee combat system. Each descent feels unique, as every combination of abilities and weapons changes the rhythm of combat and the overall experience with each new run.
This means weapon synergy becomes as crucial as player reflexes, especially in dire situations where loot pickups or desperate improvisation are required to survive. It is a compelling concept that forces players to adjust their loadout with every attempt at the Hell Gate. One run might see you wielding a sword and a ranged weapon, while the next has you equipping a rollerblade (yes, this is a real weapon in the game) and an axe, each bringing special abilities and new approaches to combat.
Borrowing from Deathverse: Let It Die and adding further complexity, the game introduces an innovative PvEvP (player versus environment versus player) structure. Within the infernal abyss, players must not only fend off a cavalcade of monsters and strange creatures born in the depths of Hell, but also battle rival human Raiders in real-time combat.
For those chasing a competitive edge, the return of a standalone multiplayer mode offers a chance to hone skills and earn bragging rights in direct showdowns. There is a sense that a wealth of content awaits players when they dive in—so much, in fact, that it is difficult to predict how it will all come together when the game launches.
While it could have easily been a remake of the first instalment for modern systems, the development team has made Let It Die: Inferno feel like a true sequel that builds on what the past games brought to the table. Supertrick Games has expanded the universe with new stories, characters and lore, exploring the fallout of Earth Rage and the society that emerged in its aftermath.
The grotesque world design remains unmistakably surreal: even from the early look at the game, I can not help but notice the insane world that our characters need to fight through, featuring ridiculous weapons, monsters disguised as inanimate objects, crab burgers you can use to fill your life, and environments drenched in neon unease and looming shadows. Standout new enemies, such as the Nocent Pseudocean, and weapon types like fan-blade swords further paint a world balanced between horror and parody. I love the concept, even if it feels maddening.
I also appreciate that the team has brought back Uncle Death, ever the meta-mascot, to add much-needed levity and fourth-wall-breaking asides. His rallying cry—“Senpai, step right down to the depths of Hell!”—keeps the action tongue-in-cheek even as the stakes spiral out of control. It is a world that could easily become too self-serious, and that playful touch keeps the concept alive and distinct enough to make players want to explore.
Gameplay-wise, Let It Die: Inferno feels like a solid step forward for the series, mixing elements of the previous games while preserving the iconic style that made the original so exciting. Combat is intense, with both blocking and attacking necessary to come out on top.
I should note that while the fights in the TGS 2025 demo were challenging, they were reportedly toned down, with the full release expected to be far more punishing. That tracks: Let It Die has always been built around difficulty, and the developers do not appear to be letting up.
Much like the past instalments, Inferno feels designed for players who thrive on challenge. It pushes players to learn its systems, improve their Raider and constantly seek out the best weapons. It takes time to grasp the many layers at play, and perseverance is essential. Even so, the game offers a vibrant world that feels like a true evolution of what has come before. It may not draw in many new players to the genre, but for those who enjoy the concept, it delivers a strong continuation.
Let It Die: Inferno is scheduled to launch on December 3, 2025, for PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam, with pre-orders available in Standard, Deluxe, and Ultimate editions. Each tier promises in-game bonuses ranging from support packs to limited-time body bundles, rewarding both series veterans and newcomers alike.
The core game remains the same for all: an uncompromising, ever-shifting gauntlet that tests tactical thinking, reflexes and flair under pressure, while standing as one of the most bonkers roguelikes I have ever played.
It is hard to say whether it will receive the same acclaim as the first instalment, but the team appears to be doing everything right. From this first look, there is plenty to be excited about with Let It Die: Inferno. What is certain is that Supertrick Games is doubling down on what made the original so memorably offbeat, while boldly venturing into new territory with refined combat, a commitment to replayability and storytelling that gleefully keeps players on their toes in the best possible way.
