Rogue Factor’s Hell is Us ships with surprisingly specific PC demands: the studio has published clear minimum, recommended and ultra tiers that lean on modern upscaling tech to make the game playable on mid-range rigs while reserving native 4K/ray-traced fidelity for very high-end GPUs. The headline: you can play the game on many 16 GB systems at 1080p if you accept compromises, the recommended sweet spot targets 1080p/60 on GPUs in the RTX 2080 Ti / RX 6750 XT class, and full 4K Ultra is effectively gated behind flagship GPUs (RTX 4090 / RX 7900 XTX) with the help of performance upscalers. The Steam Deck story is mixed — developers and players have shown the game runs on handheld hardware, but it is not Steam Deck Verified and the demo exposed heavy performance and stability issues unless settings are heavily reduced. (store.steampowered.com, wccftech.com)
Hell is Us is an Unreal Engine 5 action-adventure from Rogue Factor, published by Nacon, that blends story-forward exploration with melee combat and modern PC-only graphical features. The game is scheduled to release for PC and consoles in early September and a demo window has already circulated, which is why final PC specs are now public and being stress‑tested by outlets and players. Those demo runs revealed real-world performance constraints that influenced coverage and user expectations in the run-up to launch. (store.steampowered.com, techradar.com)
The practical value of the studio’s specification table is twofold: (1) it sets performance targets (1080p/30, 1080p/60, 4K/60 etc.) and (2) it explicitly ties those targets to specific GPU/CPU pairings and upscaler presets. That clarity helps buyers decide whether to play now, tweak settings, or plan a targeted upgrade — but the table also contains inconsistencies across outlets (some reported different recommended RAM or storage numbers), so it’s worth treating the published tiers as the developer’s performance envelopes rather than immutable hardware laws.
For Steam Deck owners, the headline is less rosy: the demo is playable only with heavy compromises and the title lacks Valve’s verification flag — wait for official Deck certification or robust patching before expecting consistently smooth handheld play. (pcguide.com, steambase.io)
If you plan an upgrade specifically for Hell is Us, focus on GPU class first, keep 16 GB minimum (upgrade to 32 GB only if you run many background apps or target high-refresh competitive play), install to NVMe SSD, and plan for at least one or two driver updates in the immediate post‑launch window to stabilize upscaling/frame-generation behavior. (wccftech.com, icy-veins.com)
Hell is Us is a compelling PC release that embraces modern rendering and upscaling techniques — an approach that widens the range of playable hardware but also makes the how you enable those technologies the single most important decision for the experience you’ll get. Treat the Steam store spec table as your baseline, test the demo (or wait for early patches if you own a weaker or handheld device), and plan upgrades around the GPU class you need for the fidelity you want. (store.steampowered.com, wccftech.com)
Source: Eurogamer https://www.eurogamer.net/hell-is-us-pc-requirements/
Background / Overview
Hell is Us is an Unreal Engine 5 action-adventure from Rogue Factor, published by Nacon, that blends story-forward exploration with melee combat and modern PC-only graphical features. The game is scheduled to release for PC and consoles in early September and a demo window has already circulated, which is why final PC specs are now public and being stress‑tested by outlets and players. Those demo runs revealed real-world performance constraints that influenced coverage and user expectations in the run-up to launch. (store.steampowered.com, techradar.com)The practical value of the studio’s specification table is twofold: (1) it sets performance targets (1080p/30, 1080p/60, 4K/60 etc.) and (2) it explicitly ties those targets to specific GPU/CPU pairings and upscaler presets. That clarity helps buyers decide whether to play now, tweak settings, or plan a targeted upgrade — but the table also contains inconsistencies across outlets (some reported different recommended RAM or storage numbers), so it’s worth treating the published tiers as the developer’s performance envelopes rather than immutable hardware laws.
The PC requirements, explained
Below are the practical tiers as published on the Steam store and echoed by major hardware press outlets. These are the numbers you should use when sizing a machine for the kind of visual fidelity you want.Minimum — Playable (1080p / 30 FPS, Medium)
- OS: Windows 10 / 11 64‑bit.
- CPU: Intel Core i7‑7700K or AMD Ryzen 3 3300X.
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1070 (8 GB) or AMD RX 5600 XT (6 GB) or Intel Arc A750 (8 GB).
- RAM: 16 GB.
- Storage: 30 GB (SSD recommended; some testing used performance upscalers).
- Target: Medium preset, 1080p at ~30 FPS (with Performance upscaling turned on in the studio’s tests). (store.steampowered.com, gamepressure.com)
Recommended — Smooth (1080p / 60 FPS, High)
- OS: Windows 10 / 11 64‑bit.
- CPU: Intel Core i7‑11700K or AMD Ryzen 5 7600.
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 2080 Ti (11 GB) or AMD RX 6750 XT (12 GB) or Intel Arc B580 (12 GB).
- RAM: 16 GB (Steam lists 16 GB; a few outlets originally reported higher numbers for certain presets).
- Storage: 30 GB (SSD required per the Steam page).
- Target: High preset, 1080p at ~60 FPS using Balanced upscaling modes. (store.steampowered.com, icy-veins.com)
Ultra — Native 4K (4K / 60 FPS, Ultra)
- OS: Windows 10 / 11 64‑bit.
- CPU: Intel Core i7‑11700K or AMD Ryzen 5 7600 (the CPU target stays reasonable because GPUs are the bottleneck at high resolution).
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4090 (24 GB) or AMD RX 7900 XTX (24 GB).
- RAM: 16 GB (Steam lists 16 GB for Ultra; some outlets reported variants but GPU/VRAM is the dominant gating factor).
- Storage: 30 GB SSD.
- Target: Ultra preset, 4K at ~60 FPS with Quality upscaling enabled — the studio explicitly expects flagship GPUs and upscalers to be used in concert. (store.steampowered.com, wccftech.com)
- The Steam store emphasizes that those minimum tests used performance upscaling where needed; the studio’s published numbers therefore assume some upscaler use to hit the stated framerate targets. That is a critical nuance: the stated frame rates are not always “native” rendering results.
- Multiple outlets mirrored the same numbers but occasionally listed different RAM or storage figures in previews and demo-era reporting. Treat such small deviations as normal pre-launch churn and allocate headroom on disk and memory.
What the numbers mean in practical terms
The PS/PC hardware landscape has shifted where GPU throughput and VRAM determine practical visual ceiling far more than raw CPU clocks for modern UE5 titles. Hell is Us mirrors that trend.- GPU-first: For 1080p targets, mid-range GPUs (GTX 10/16/20/30 class) still deliver acceptable experiences when upscaling is used. For any ray-traced effects or native 4K, you need a high-end GPU — the studio calls out RTX 4090-class silicon for native 4K Ultra experience. That’s a costly jump and the dominant factor in upgrade decisions.
- Upscaling is the equalizer: Hell is Us supports vendor upscalers and frame generation modes, and the developer’s own benchmarks use Performance/Balanced/Quality upscaling modes to hit targets. Using DLSS/FSR/XeSS frame-generation and upscaling can reduce the GPU gap dramatically, but it changes latency and visual fidelity trade-offs. Expect artifacts or motion differences when using aggressive upscalers or frame‑generation modes. (wccftech.com, icy-veins.com)
- RAM and storage: 16 GB remains the baseline in the developer’s Steam table; some outlets flagged 32 GB in their summaries for recommended/ultra build descriptions, but that appears to be an editorial choice rather than a strict studio requirement. Steam’s official page lists 30 GB storage and 16 GB RAM in the published tiers; nonetheless, keep free disk headroom beyond the headline number for day‑one patches and temporary files. (store.steampowered.com, gamepressure.com)
- CPU role: After a sensible dual‑socket or mid‑high core CPU, diminishing returns apply — once the GPU is the bottleneck, the CPU matters less for framerate at high resolutions. That explains why Ultra keeps a reasonable CPU but escalates GPU demands.
Steam Deck: will Hell is Us run on Valve’s handheld?
Short answer: yes — but with major caveats.- Playability vs verified status: Steam’s community pages and early user reports show that some players have launched and played the demo on Steam Deck hardware, but the game is not Steam Deck Verified at the time of the demo, and official verification was not present in the storefront. That means Valve has not certified the title for a smooth Deck experience. (store.steampowered.com, steambase.io)
- Real-world testing: independent testers who ran the demo on Steam Deck reported jarring frame drops, choppy combat and frequent drops into the 20s when moving between new areas or during fights, even on the lowest graphics presets. In short: the demo was barely playable in many scenes without deep quality compromises. Reviewers recommended turning every quality slider down and relying on heavy upscaling if you expect a handheld session.
- Developer communications: there are conflicting summaries in the press. A few outlets and community posts paraphrased developer commentary suggesting the PC build will run across a variety of machines, and some community posts referenced developer replies about the game’s availability on handhelds. However, there is no widely distributed, explicit “Steam Deck Verified” statement from the developer that guarantees a validated Deck experience — so treat any claims that the devs officially “verified” the Deck as unconfirmed unless shown directly from Valve’s verification or a clear official developer post. A cautious approach is warranted here because the demo's real-world tests contradict a “works great” framing. (pcguide.com, steambase.io)
- Steam Deck-class hardware is heavily GPU/thermal constrained for modern UE5 games that rely on high-resolution textures, RT-like lighting, or complex streaming. Hell is Us’ streaming of assets and detail density cause big frame dips when entering new spaces. Even with FSR or frame generation, the Deck’s limited GPU budget makes stable 30–60 fps difficult without aggressive downscaling.
- The game will launch and is playable on Deck hardware in limited, reduced-quality modes. (pcguide.com, steambase.io)
- If you value smooth handheld performance, wait for an official Steam Deck Verified tag or post‑launch performance patches and community-presets that tame the resource spikes.
- If you’re willing to accept heavy compromises — low internal resolution, no RT, frame caps and aggressive upscaler settings — you can experience Hell is Us on Deck, but it will not match a mid-range desktop or current-gen console visual fidelity.
Cross‑checking and discrepancies: what reporters found
A number of outlets mirrored the Steam store numbers, but editorial summaries and pre‑release coverage introduced small differences. Examples included:- Some previews listed 16 GB as the recommended RAM while other sites mentioned 32 GB for certain higher presets or workflow recommendations. That mismatch likely comes from editorial interpretation of what a smooth high-refresh or 4K workstation build should have versus the studio’s conservative minimums on the store page. Treat the Steam store as the source of truth for the published requirements; use third‑party writeups for context and performance expectations. (store.steampowered.com, gamepressure.com)
- Press outlets repeatedly flagged the developer’s reliance on upscaling/frame generation as a core part of the published targets; that nuance means the listed GPUs are often meant to be paired with a particular upscaler preset (Performance/Balanced/Quality). Expect to see very different in-game results depending on whether you enable those modes.
Recommendations: tune for your target experience
Below are specific, actionable steps for three common PC classes: modest 1080p players, mainstream 1440p owners, and enthusiasts chasing 4K.If you want to play at 1080p (modest / mid-range rigs)
- Meet the minimum: aim for a GTX 1070 / RX 5600 XT or equivalent with 16 GB RAM and a fast SSD. Use the in-game Performance upscaler and turn off ray‑traced options.
- Settings to change first: shadows, reflections, global illumination, and draw distance. Drop textures only if VRAM spikes or texture streaming stutters.
- Driver checklist: use the game-ready drivers from the GPU vendor released around launch that include upscaler and frame-generation fixes. Expect driver patches in the immediate post‑launch window.
If you want 1440p / 60 (mainstream, sweet spot)
- Target GPUs: RTX 2080 Ti / RX 6750 XT class, paired with an i7‑class CPU or modern Ryzen 5/7 with good single-thread performance. Keep 16 GB RAM but monitor background processes.
- Use Balanced upscaling modes first — they give the best mix of clarity and framerate stability. Enable DLSS / XeSS / FSR at balanced or quality presets to protect visual fidelity while reducing GPU load.
- If you see stutters when entering new areas, lower transient streaming settings (if available) and ensure your game is installed on NVMe for quicker asset streaming.
If you want 4K / Ultra
- Expect to need flagship GPUs (RTX 4090 / RX 7900 XTX or equivalent) and to rely on Quality upscaler presets to hit 60 FPS; running everything native will be rare and expensive. VRAM is the bottleneck — pick cards with at least 24 GB for safety with high-resolution textures.
- If you have an RTX 40/50-series card, use DLSS frame generation carefully to increase perceived frame output; test for motion artifacts and latency tradeoffs in combat-heavy sequences.
Optimization checklist — quick step sequence (numbered)
- Update Windows to the latest cumulative release and install current GPU drivers.
- Install the game on an NVMe SSD and leave 30–50 GB free above the game’s stated install size for patches and caches.
- In-game: start with the recommended preset for your GPU class, then adjust: shadows → reflections → RT features → texture quality.
- Try the supported upscalers: Balanced for mainstream, Quality for high‑end, Performance for low-end. Compare image clarity and input feel.
- If running a Steam Deck or similar handheld, use the lowest quality preset, target a 30 FPS cap and disable frame generation if it causes instability; use FSR at high internal render scaling if available. (store.steampowered.com, pcguide.com)
Strengths and risks — a critical assessment
Strengths
- Clear tiering and modern feature support. The developer’s published tiers map straightforwardly to common resolution / FPS targets and call out support for major upscalers (DLSS, FSR, XeSS) and frame generation — this gives players practical levers to tune performance versus fidelity.
- Reasonable baseline. The Minimum tier keeps 16 GB RAM and 30 GB storage, making the game accessible to many existing PC owners if they accept lower quality presets. That keeps the day‑one install size comparatively modest.
Risks and concerns
- Heavy reliance on upscalers for headline framerates. The studio’s use of upscaling to achieve 4K/60 or even 1080p/60 in some tests means experience will vary based on which upscaler you use and driver maturity. Upscalers are powerful, but they’re not always a perfect substitute for native frames; expect judgment calls on visual fidelity vs performance.
- Steam Deck / handheld experience is unproven. Testing of the demo revealed meaningful performance problems on Deck hardware; the title is not Steam Deck Verified. That leaves handheld players dependent on post‑launch patches and community optimization work. (pcguide.com, steambase.io)
- Pre‑launch churn & messaging mismatch. Minor discrepancies across press previews (different RAM numbers, occasional storage variances) highlight the risk of editorial drift in reporting. Use the Steam store’s official specs as the canonical reference and allow buffer room for patches.
Final verdict for Windows players
Hell is Us aims to be both ambitious and accessible. For the majority of PC players with a mid‑range rig, the game will be playable and enjoyable at 1080p with moderate settings by using the in‑game upscaler. If you want lock‑steady 60 FPS at 1440p, a GPU in the RTX 20xx / RTX 30xx upper-mid class (or modern AMD equivalent) is the practical target. Native 4K and ray‑traced fidelity remain expensive propositions and are rightly positioned as enthusiast-level targets that benefit greatly from vendor upscalers and recent GPU driver sets. (store.steampowered.com, wccftech.com)For Steam Deck owners, the headline is less rosy: the demo is playable only with heavy compromises and the title lacks Valve’s verification flag — wait for official Deck certification or robust patching before expecting consistently smooth handheld play. (pcguide.com, steambase.io)
If you plan an upgrade specifically for Hell is Us, focus on GPU class first, keep 16 GB minimum (upgrade to 32 GB only if you run many background apps or target high-refresh competitive play), install to NVMe SSD, and plan for at least one or two driver updates in the immediate post‑launch window to stabilize upscaling/frame-generation behavior. (wccftech.com, icy-veins.com)
Hell is Us is a compelling PC release that embraces modern rendering and upscaling techniques — an approach that widens the range of playable hardware but also makes the how you enable those technologies the single most important decision for the experience you’ll get. Treat the Steam store spec table as your baseline, test the demo (or wait for early patches if you own a weaker or handheld device), and plan upgrades around the GPU class you need for the fidelity you want. (store.steampowered.com, wccftech.com)
Source: Eurogamer https://www.eurogamer.net/hell-is-us-pc-requirements/
