Editorial: "I Hate This Place" – A B-Movie Gem Undermined by Archaic Mechanics

January 31, 2026 – The arrival of I Hate This Place, Rock Square Thunder's latest offering and their second major title following 2022's The Light Bringer, lands with a polarizing **3/5 review score**. Our team at In Game News has spent extensive time in this new survival RPG, and our assessment is clear: while it boasts a striking comic book aesthetic and an intriguing B-movie premise, its potential is significantly hampered by fundamental gameplay missteps, particularly its combat and tedious survival mechanics. This isn't just a missed opportunity; it's a cautionary tale in adaptation.

The Comic-to-Game Conundrum: A Familiar Struggle

We've witnessed the fickle nature of comic book adaptations throughout gaming history. For every Sin City that masterfully translates its source material, there are countless others, from early Spider-Man attempts to even high-profile misfires, that struggle to find their footing. The successful Image Comics run of "I Hate This Place" presented a fertile ground for an engaging survival RPG. The ambition was palpable; the execution, regrettably, falls short where it matters most.

A World Worth Exploring – If You Can Survive It

The narrative, centering on Elena's quest to find Lou after a summoning ritual goes awry, plunges players into a world teeming with strange creatures, alien abductions, and eccentric cultists. This embrace of B-movie camp is arguably the game's strongest suit, with dialogue and a narrative tone that largely nail the quirky horror vibe. However, even here, we observed moments where the sheer volume of concurrent story threads could cause the main arc to lose focus, a minor but noticeable hitch in an otherwise compelling setup.

Visuals and Sound: A Masterclass in Adaptation

Without question, I Hate This Place shines brightest in its presentation. The distinct isometric visual style, a signature of Rock Square Thunder, is expertly deployed here. It beautifully echoes the comic book's roots with striking colors and an evocative design palette. The clever mechanic of visualizing sound, with comic-style "Thud" text bubbles appearing during movement, is a touch of genius that elevates the immersion. Coupled with strong audio design, including competent voice acting and a generally atmospheric soundtrack, the game creates an undeniable sense of place. These elements are not just good; they are essential to what little enjoyment we found.

The Fatal Flaw: Combat That Hates the Player

Our experience with the game's combat system can only be described as frustrating. The core issues are glaring design oversights that actively detract from player agency:

• No Dodge Button: In a modern survival-action game, the complete absence of a dodge or evasion mechanic is a critical misstep. This isn't merely a preference; it's a fundamental lack of player control, especially when facing grab attacks that inflict significant damage.
• Fixed Camera: Paired with restrictive movement, the fixed camera often exacerbates combat encounters, making positioning and environmental awareness a chore rather than a tactical consideration.
• Bullet Sponges & Resource Drain: Even with powerful weapons like a shotgun, enemies require an inordinate number of hits to take down. This isn't challenging; it's punishing, particularly when resources are already scarce. The consequence? Players are actively discouraged from engaging in combat, turning stealth from a strategic option into the *only* viable strategy. This isn't good design; it’s an enforced meta born of frustration.

The reliance on running, hitting, and trying desperately not to get grabbed quickly devolves from tense encounters into a repetitive, unenjoyable loop. For a game that features combat as a pillar, this is simply unacceptable.

Survival Mechanics: A Tedious Distraction

Adding to the game's woes is its commitment to an old-school hunger mechanic. While survival elements can enhance immersion, in I Hate This Place, keeping Elena fed quickly becomes tedious. The direct link between worsening hunger and a depleting stamina bar is particularly annoying. Stamina is crucial for evasion and exploration, and having it constantly undercut by a relentless hunger clock felt more like an arbitrary barrier than a meaningful challenge. Base building at the ranch offers some QoL improvements, but they do little to mitigate the fundamental annoyance of the hunger system.

In Game News: Editorial Verdict

Ultimately, I Hate This Place is a game of stark contrasts. It offers a wonderfully realized world, visually stunning art, and strong atmospheric sound design that genuinely capture the spirit of its B-movie comic roots. The exploration and varied quests provide fleeting moments of enjoyment. However, these successes are overshadowed by deeply flawed combat and survival mechanics that make core gameplay loops more frustrating than fun. We believe that while there's an interesting narrative and world here, the friction points are too significant to ignore.

It's just about worth a whirl for those desperate for a unique aesthetic and willing to overlook some critical gameplay shortcomings. But for most, this is an experience that ultimately leaves us wishing the game had focused more on refined mechanics and less on archaic design choices.

Editorial Scorecard

Key Information

• Developer: Rock Square Thunder
• Formats: Xbox Series X|S (Reviewed), PS5, Switch, PC
• Release Date: January 29, 2026
• Price: £26.24
• Game Pass: Not available Day One
• Xbox Play Anywhere: Not Enabled