Hell and Back

1. Description

The gameplay centers on a high-stakes descent into the depths of a hellish dimension to close the portal. It utilizes a turn-based combat system, allowing for strategic decision-making rather than twitch reflexes. Every run is different due to a mix of procedural and handcrafted levels. As you progress, you'll need to scavenge for loot, upgrade your equipment, and build a team to survive the increasing difficulty of the demonic hordes.

2. Key Features

• Strategic Turn-Based Combat: Every move counts. Plan your attacks and positioning to outmaneuver demonic enemies.

• Squad Management: Recruit mercenaries to fight alongside you, turning a solo survival mission into a tactical squad-based operation.

• Deep Progression: Customize your character using stat points and detailed gear builds. Upgrade weapons and armor using power cells found during your descent.

• Infinite Replayability: The combination of handcrafted challenges and procedural floor generation ensures that the layout and enemy placement remain fresh.

• Boss Encounters: Face evolving bosses and complete challenging quests that drive the narrative and progression forward.

• Sci-Fi Atmosphere: A thematic setting that blends futuristic Martian technology with classic dark fantasy horror themes.

3. How to Play

• The Mission: Move your character through the Mars base and into the hell portal. Explore each floor to find the exit to the next level.

• Combat: When enemies appear, the game follows a turn-based rhythm. Choose to attack, use an item, or reposition.

• Looting: Open containers and defeat enemies to find new weapons, armor, and power cells.

• Upgrading: Use the "Stats" and "Inventory" buttons to allocate points to your character and enhance your equipment between encounters.

• Recruitment: Look for opportunities to hire mercenaries to increase your squad's firepower and survivability.

4. How to Win: Strategy & Tips

• Don't Rush the Portal: While the goal is to go deeper, spend time fully exploring the early levels. The loot and power cells you find early on are vital for surviving the difficulty spike in later floors.

• Build a Balanced Squad: If you recruit mercenaries, try to diversify their roles. Having a mix of high-damage and high-durability teammates can help you manage large groups of enemies.

• Resource Conservation: Health and specialized items are limited. Avoid unnecessary fights if you are low on resources, and use your environment to bottleneck enemies so they can only attack you one at a time.

• Focus on Key Stats: Early in the game, investing in stats that increase your accuracy or base defense can prevent a "lucky" enemy hit from ending a run prematurely.

• Save Power Cells: Don't waste power cells on low-tier weapons you plan to replace soon. Save them for mid-to-late game gear that has the potential to carry you to the final levels.

5. Technical Details

• Developer: Brandon Stecklein (Ape Apps, LLC)

• Platform: iOS, iPadOS, and macOS (with Apple Silicon)

• Size: 48.7 MB

• Compatibility:

  • iPhone/iPad: Requires iOS 18.0 or later.

  • Mac: Requires macOS 15.0 or later and an M1 chip or later.

  • Apple Vision: Requires visionOS 2.0 or later.

• Updated: January 2026 (Version 3.1.0)

• Privacy: Minimal data collection (Identifiers and Device IDs) used for third-party advertising; data is not linked to your identity.

• Monetization: Free-to-play with in-app purchases, including a "Full Upgrade" for $1.99 and Ape Coins for various boosts.

• Extra Features: Includes Game Center support for achievements and leaderboards.