Hell and Back: Sci-Fi Roguelike RPG Adventure

Hell and Back is a turn-based sci-fi dungeon crawler developed by Brandon Stecklein and published under Ape Apps. The game mixes science-fiction imagery with a hellish invasion and classic roguelike mechanics.

Every run can unfold differently because the game combines procedurally generated and handcrafted levels. That means players need to make tactical decisions rather than simply memorize a fixed dungeon route.

The core experience revolves around:

• Turn-based RPG combat
• Procedural dungeon exploration
• Handcrafted level sections
• Weapons and armor
• Power-cell upgrades
• Mercenary recruitment
• Character statistics
• Gear builds
• Quests
• Boss encounters
• Loot collection
• Roguelike progression

Story and Setting

The story begins on Mars Base, where a portal to hell has suddenly opened.

You are the only one left who can close it.

Your mission is to descend into the dangerous areas below the base, fight hostile creatures, gather equipment, strengthen your character and squad, and ultimately find a way to shut down the portal.

The setting gives the game an interesting contrast: futuristic Mars technology is combined with demons, horror themes, weapons, and dungeon-crawling exploration.

Gameplay Overview

Hell and Back is built around a straightforward but strategic loop:

Explore → Fight → Loot → Upgrade → Recruit → Descend Deeper

During a run, you explore dungeon environments, encounter enemies, collect equipment, complete quests, and make decisions that affect how effectively you can continue.

Because the game uses turn-based combat, every move has greater importance than it would in a fast-paced action game.

Turn-Based Combat

Combat is one of the defining features of Hell and Back.

Instead of requiring rapid reactions, the game gives you time to consider your next action. This makes positioning, equipment, character statistics, and squad composition important parts of the experience.

A successful battle is often about making the right decision rather than simply attacking as quickly as possible.

Roguelike Gameplay

The game uses classic roguelike principles, particularly through its changing dungeon layouts and run-based progression.

The official description emphasizes that every run is different, while the combination of procedural and handcrafted levels provides replayability.

This means losing a run is not simply failure. It gives you another opportunity to approach the dungeon with a different strategy.

Procedural and Handcrafted Levels

Hell and Back does not rely exclusively on random generation.

Instead, it combines:

• Procedurally generated areas
• Handcrafted sections
• Quests
• Boss encounters
• Progressive difficulty

This hybrid approach can provide unpredictability while still allowing the developers to create specific encounters and environments.

Weapons and Armor

Equipment plays a major role in character progression.

The game allows players to upgrade weapons and armor using power cells, giving collected resources a direct purpose.

When choosing equipment, consider more than its immediate value. A weapon or armor piece should fit the way you want your character or squad to develop.

Power Cells and Upgrades

Power cells are used to improve your equipment.

This creates an important progression loop:

Collect resources → Upgrade gear → Fight stronger enemies → Find better loot

Rather than allowing equipment to remain static throughout the game, Hell and Back encourages players to continually improve their gear.

Mercenaries and Squad Building

One of the game's more interesting RPG mechanics is mercenary recruitment.

You can recruit mercenaries to build your squad, adding another layer of strategic planning beyond your primary character.

Squad composition becomes increasingly important when facing more challenging encounters.

Think about complementary strengths rather than simply choosing the strongest individual character.

RPG Progression

Hell and Back includes a deeper RPG progression system based around stat points and gear builds.

This allows you to shape your character according to your preferred play style.

Possible approaches include focusing on:

• Offensive power
• Defensive survivability
• Equipment efficiency
• Balanced character development
• Squad-oriented progression

The best build depends on how you approach combat and the type of challenges you encounter.

Quests and Bosses

The game features challenging quests and bosses that evolve as you progress through the dungeon.

Boss encounters provide important milestones during longer runs and can force you to reconsider your equipment, statistics, and squad strategy.

Do not treat every boss as simply a stronger normal enemy. Preparation can make a significant difference.

Loot and Exploration

Exploration is closely connected to the game's RPG progression.

Loot gives you opportunities to improve your character and prepare for increasingly dangerous encounters.

When exploring, consider the balance between:

Risk vs. Reward

Searching every area may produce useful equipment, but spending too much time or taking unnecessary risks can jeopardize a promising run.

Beginner's Guide

1. Learn the Turn-Based System

Do not rush your decisions. Take advantage of the time available to assess enemies and your available options.

2. Upgrade Your Equipment

Use power cells intelligently to improve weapons and armor rather than allowing resources to accumulate without purpose.

3. Recruit Mercenaries

A larger and more versatile squad can provide additional options when encounters become difficult.

4. Pay Attention to Stats

Stat points are an important part of character development. Build toward a clear role rather than distributing points randomly.

5. Explore for Loot

Equipment can make a significant difference during later encounters.

6. Prepare for Bosses

Before entering a major encounter, make sure your squad and equipment are ready.

7. Expect Every Run to Be Different

Procedural generation means you should learn principles rather than memorize exact routes.

Advanced Strategy Tips

Build Around a Clear Role

A focused character build is generally easier to optimize than one that spreads resources across unrelated abilities.

Upgrade Gear Strategically

Prioritize equipment that directly improves your ability to survive or defeat difficult enemies.

Maintain Squad Balance

Mercenaries can give your squad additional capabilities. Build a team that covers weaknesses instead of simply stacking similar roles.

Think Several Turns Ahead

Because combat is turn-based, consider what an enemy may do after your current action.

Don't Waste Resources Early

Power cells and useful equipment become increasingly valuable as the dungeon becomes more dangerous.

Adapt Your Build

The changing nature of roguelike runs means that flexibility can be more valuable than following one rigid strategy.

Controls and Interface

Hell and Back is primarily designed around touch-based RPG interaction.

The interface provides access to combat actions, inventory, statistics, equipment, and other management systems.

The game's update history includes control improvements, layout updates, HUD improvements, inventory and stats buttons, and better handling of screen notches.

Gamepad input improvements were also introduced in version 2.3.0.

Graphics and Presentation

Hell and Back uses a compact 3D dungeon-crawler presentation that combines science-fiction and horror-inspired environments.

The Mars setting gives the game a distinctive identity compared with traditional medieval fantasy roguelikes.

The relatively modest download size also makes it lighter than many modern 3D RPGs.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere is built around isolation, danger, and exploration.

A deserted Mars base, an open portal to hell, hostile enemies, weapons, and dungeon environments create a setting that feels closer to sci-fi horror mixed with classic dungeon crawling.

The App Store currently lists horror/fear themes alongside cartoon or fantasy violence, realistic violence, and guns or other weapons in the age-rating information.

Game Difficulty

Beginner: Learn turn-based combat, equipment, and basic character development.

Intermediate: Manage gear, stats, mercenaries, and increasingly difficult dungeon encounters.

Advanced: Optimize builds, squad composition, equipment upgrades, and tactical decisions across unpredictable runs.

The challenge comes primarily from decision-making and resource management, rather than reflexes.

Replayability

Replayability is a major strength of the game's structure.

Procedural levels mean that repeated runs can differ, while handcrafted content provides more deliberate encounters and locations.

Each new run gives you an opportunity to:

• Try a different build
• Experiment with equipment
• Recruit different mercenaries
• Improve tactical decisions
• Explore different dungeon layouts
• Push farther into the game

Game Center and Achievements

The current App Store listing confirms support for Game Center, including leaderboards and achievements.

This gives players additional goals beyond simply completing individual dungeon runs.

Game Modes

Hell and Back is primarily a single-player roguelike RPG centered around dungeon exploration and turn-based combat.

Its main gameplay structure includes:

• Dungeon exploration
• Turn-based battles
• Quest progression
• Loot collection
• Character development
• Mercenary recruitment
• Boss encounters
• Equipment upgrades

Updates and Version History

The game continues to receive maintenance updates.

The current App Store listing shows version 3.2.0, with the latest update focused on bug fixes. It follows version 3.1.0, which improved title-screen load time and included bug fixes.

Notable updates include:

• 3.2.0: Bug fixes
• 3.1.0: Title-screen load-time improvement and bug fixes
• 3.0.0: Bug fixes and dark/tinted icon support
• 2.5.0: Bug fixes
• 2.4.0: Bug fixes
• 2.3.0: Bug fixes and gamepad input improvements
• 2.2.0: Bug fixes
• 2.0.2: Bug fixes, HUD improvements, inventory and stats buttons, and improved screen-notch handling
• 2.0.0: Bug fixes and layout improvements
• 1.2.0: Bug fixes
• 1.1.0: Control improvements and layout updates

The Android edition was updated on January 19, 2026, according to Google Play, with the listing describing bug fixes in that update.

iPhone and iPad Compatibility

The current US App Store listing states that Hell and Back requires:

• iPhone: iOS 17.6 or later
• iPad: iPadOS 17.6 or later
• Mac: macOS 14.6 or later with Apple M1 chip or later
• Apple Vision: visionOS 1.3 or later

The current listed size is 47.1 MB, with English as the supported language.

Monetization

Hell and Back is free to download and supported by advertising, with optional in-app purchases.

The current US App Store listing includes:

• Hell and Back Full Upgrade — $1.99
• 100 Ape Coins — $0.99

The developer also states that a premium upgrade is available, while the game itself can be played for free.

Age Rating

The current App Store rating is 13+.

Apple lists infrequent cartoon/fantasy violence, realistic violence, horror/fear themes, and guns or other weapons among the content categories.

Privacy

Apple's current listing states that identifiers may be used for tracking across apps and websites owned by other companies. It also lists identifiers and device ID as data that may be collected for third-party advertising. Apple notes that these privacy declarations are provided by the developer and have not been verified by Apple.

The developer's privacy policy states that Hell and Back uses its own installation/error tracking system and Google AdMob for advertising for non-premium users.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Sci-fi roguelike setting
• Turn-based RPG combat
• Procedurally generated levels
• Handcrafted level content
• Different runs offer replayability
• Weapon and armor upgrades
• Power-cell progression
• Mercenary recruitment
• Squad-building mechanics
• Stat-based RPG progression
• Gear builds
• Quests and bosses
• Game Center achievements
• Leaderboards
• Gamepad input improvements
• Free-to-play entry

Cons

• Small App Store review sample
• Some players may prefer real-time combat
• Roguelike repetition may not appeal to everyone
• The current iOS version requires a relatively recent operating system
• Advertising is included in the free version

The US App Store currently shows 4.0/5 from seven ratings, so the rating should be treated cautiously because the sample is very small.

Who Should Play Hell and Back?

Hell and Back is particularly suited to players who enjoy:

• Roguelike RPGs
• Turn-based RPG games
• Sci-fi dungeon crawlers
• Tactical RPGs
• Loot-based adventures
• Procedural dungeon games
• Squad-building RPGs
• Mercenary management
• Horror-themed RPGs
• Mars science-fiction games
• Games with character builds
• Challenging single-player adventures

If you prefer planning your moves instead of relying on fast reflexes, the turn-based combat system makes Hell and Back particularly interesting.

Hell and Back vs Traditional Roguelikes

Traditional roguelikes often rely heavily on fantasy environments, while Hell and Back places its dungeon adventure on Mars and incorporates a science-fiction setting.

Its combination of futuristic equipment, hellish enemies, squad recruitment, and RPG progression gives it a distinctive identity.

Hell and Back vs Turn-Based RPGs

Many turn-based RPGs follow a fixed campaign.

Hell and Back takes a different approach by combining turn-based combat with procedural dungeon generation and roguelike replayability.

That means the experience is less about following one predetermined story path and more about surviving increasingly difficult runs.

Hell and Back vs Dungeon Crawlers

Traditional dungeon crawlers often focus heavily on exploration and loot.

Hell and Back expands that formula with:

• Mercenary recruitment
• Character statistics
• Gear builds
• Power-cell upgrades
• Procedural levels
• Boss encounters
• Roguelike runs

This creates a hybrid experience between a dungeon crawler and tactical RPG.

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YouTube Gameplay

Hell and Back Gameplay – Sci-Fi Roguelike RPG

Watch Hell and Back gameplay to see the Mars Base setting, turn-based combat, dungeon exploration, weapons, armor, loot, character progression, mercenary recruitment, and boss encounters.

YouTube gameplay search:
Watch Hell and Back Gameplay on YouTube

For your page, use an actual Hell and Back gameplay video showing the game's current version. This is preferable to using footage from another roguelike because the Mars setting and turn-based mechanics are central to the game's identity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hell and Back?

Hell and Back is a sci-fi roguelike RPG in which players descend into a hellish dungeon beneath a Mars base to close an opened portal. It combines turn-based combat, loot, equipment upgrades, quests, bosses, and RPG progression.

Is Hell and Back a roguelike?

Yes. The game features procedural levels and different runs, with the official description emphasizing that every run is different.

Is Hell and Back turn-based?

Yes. Turn-based RPG combat is one of its core gameplay features.

Does Hell and Back have character progression?

Yes. The game features stat points, gear builds, weapons, armor, and equipment upgrades.

Can you recruit mercenaries?

Yes. Mercenary recruitment allows you to build a squad to accompany you during the adventure.

Does Hell and Back have bosses?

Yes. The game features challenging quests and bosses that evolve as you progress through the dungeon.

Is Hell and Back free?

Yes. The game is free to download, with advertising and optional in-app purchases.

Does Hell and Back have in-app purchases?

Yes. The current US App Store listing includes a $1.99 Full Upgrade and a $0.99 100 Ape Coins purchase.

Does Hell and Back support Game Center?

Yes. The App Store lists Game Center support with leaderboards and achievements.

Can I play Hell and Back on iPhone?

Yes. The current App Store listing supports iPhone and requires iOS 17.6 or later.

Can I play Hell and Back on iPad?

Yes. Hell and Back is designed for iPad and currently requires iPadOS 17.6 or later.

Does Hell and Back support controllers?

The game's update history includes gamepad input improvements, particularly in version 2.3.0.

Game Information

Source: current Apple App Store listing.

Final Verdict

Hell and Back is an appealing hybrid for players who enjoy turn-based RPGs, roguelike dungeon crawlers, science-fiction settings, tactical combat, loot hunting, and character progression.

Its Mars Base storyline gives the game a distinctive premise: instead of entering another medieval fantasy dungeon, you are descending into a hellish threat hidden beneath a futuristic space outpost. The combination of procedural and handcrafted levels also gives each run a different rhythm while maintaining designed encounters and boss challenges.

The strongest aspect is the way its systems work together. Weapons, armor, power cells, stat points, gear builds, mercenaries, quests, and bosses all contribute to a progression system where preparation matters as much as combat itself.

For players looking for a compact sci-fi roguelike RPG with turn-based battles and replayable dungeon exploration, Hell and Back is a distinctive choice.