If you're a fan of horror games that are not about the usual scares, like Fran Bow, OMORI, or Sally Face, Hell Is Other People by Solo Game Developer Miss Self Destruct might be worth checking out. Inspired by Jean-Paul Sartre's famous quote, the title perfectly captures the game's central themes: identity, isolation, and the unsettling reality of being different.
There are no zombies or monsters, just other people. The problem is you're different, and they don't like you. You play as a little red-haired girl trying to find her place in a black-and-white world built around conformity, where anyone who dares to be different is seen as broken. Instead of collecting traditional items or weapons, your inventory consists of social skills documented in a notebook. To survive, you must learn to do your best to blend in.
Every failed social interaction affects your mental state. The game tracks three psychological states: Overwhelm, Paranoia, and Dissociation, each of which can distort your perception of the world and unlock different branches of the story. Successful interactions, meanwhile, help you level up your Masking skills, allowing you to better imitate social behavior. However, becoming better at hiding your true self also comes at a psychological cost. Along the way, you'll be accompanied by an Alter Ego, almost like an extension of yourself, but its suggestions aren't always in your best interest.
