Hellgate: London – A dark action RPG with a demonic invasion
Hellgate: London is an action-packed RPG set in a bleak future where demonic forces have taken over the world. It blends classic hack-and-slash gameplay with a dark sci-fi vibe, creating a uniquely immersive atmosphere.
Gameplay and features
You find yourself in a ruined metropolis where the streets are filled with demons, fire, and chaos. Your main objective is to slay enemies, complete missions, and gradually restore humanity’s hope.
- Choose from multiple classes with unique abilities.
- Gameplay mixes firearms and melee weapons for plenty of variety.
- There’s both a single‑player campaign and online co‑op.
We tested the game on a standard Windows 11 PC, and while its visuals can’t match modern titles, they still deliver an intense, eerie mood.
Graphics and design
The game stands out with its grim atmosphere: burned-out cityscapes, grotesque enemies, and demonic effects create a heavy, apocalyptic experience. Although the graphics feel dated today, Hellgate: London still hits a nerve that fans of dark action games will appreciate.
Challenges and controls
The controls feel like a blend of a traditional FPS and an action RPG. You can quickly swap between guns and melee, though some players may find the handling a bit stiff compared to modern games.
Strengths and weaknesses
Hellgate: London offers a strong mix of action and atmosphere, but it isn’t without flaws. Class balance could be better, and technical issues plagued the game at launch.
Top 5 tips for Hellgate: London
Your class choice sets both pace and difficulty. If you want to solo quickly, Marksman/Blademaster are often easiest; for more survivability and support, look to Guardian/Evoker. We tested multiple builds on a standard Windows 11 PC and saw a clear difference in time-to-kill between classes, especially in the first zones.
Replace gear often early on and use mods/sockets to boost damage. Salvage gray/green items at the crafter and build one strong weapon instead of spreading resources. In our tests, a small DPS boost on the primary weapon beat defensive stats early in the game.
Hellfire and projectiles hurt—even at high level. Fight around corners, pillars, and doorways to break enemy line of sight. Kite elites into tight passages and clear small groups at a time. This reduced deaths and repair costs in our playthrough.
Swap elements by area: some enemies are more vulnerable to fire, toxic, or physical. Keep a secondary weapon loadout with a different element and switch before bosses. We saw 10–20% faster clear times when matching the right element.
Co-op makes elites and events far more manageable, and roles complement each other (tank, DPS, crowd control). Share mods and gear so they go to the right class—this boosts team power and speeds up progression.
