Metal: Hellsinger Review: The Dynamic Soundtrack Is the Star

Metal: Hellsinger drops you into Hell and hands you a shotgun. That’s the pitch, and it mostly delivers. The game pairs brutal arena combat with a heavy metal soundtrack that shifts pitch and tempo mid-fight, turning each enemy kill into a note. It sounds like a gimmick. It plays like a masterclass in pacing.

Trailer, via Funcom.

The Pitch

The premise is simple: demons invade Earth, and you’re one of the few humans who can fight back. You wield a shotgun, dodge, reload, and unleash a final blow that sends enemies flying. The twist is that the music reacts to everything you do. Kill faster, and the track accelerates. Hold back, and it slows. It’s a clever idea, and it works more often than it doesn’t.

The game borrows the structure of arena shooters like Doom, but it leans harder into narrative than most. You play as an ex-Marine turned demon hunter, and the story unfolds through audio logs, radio chatter, and scripted sequences. It’s a tight, linear campaign that runs about six hours, but it rarely wastes your time.

Combat and Controls

The shooting feels great. The shotgun has a satisfying kick, and the dodge mechanic lets you weave through fire. The final blow is a charged attack that sends enemies flying across the screen. It’s a simple loop, but it’s effective. You’ll find yourself chaining kills to keep the music moving, and that rhythm is the heart of the game.

The game is built for speed. Enemies swarm, and the arena design forces you to move constantly. There’s no cover system in the traditional sense. You either stay mobile or die. This forces you to learn the patterns quickly, and the game rewards aggression. It’s a fair fight, and it’s a fast one.

The Music

The soundtrack is the star. Metal: Hellsinger features tracks from bands like Arch Enemy, Trivium, and DevilDriver, and the music shifts dynamically based on your performance. It’s a technical marvel. When you’re nailing combos, the track builds. When you’re struggling, it falls apart. It’s a feedback loop that’s genuinely immersive.

The audio design is also excellent. Voice acting is solid, and the world is filled with ambient sound. The game does a great job of making Hell feel lived-in. It’s loud, chaotic, and oppressive. The sound design sells the setting better than any cutscene could.

Level Design

The levels are varied. One mission takes place in a ruined city, another in a desert wasteland, and another in a demon stronghold. Each area has its own visual identity, and the game does a good job of making each space feel distinct. The arenas are designed for movement, and the layout encourages you to explore.

There are a few moments where the pacing dips. Some sections feel like padding, and the difficulty spikes occasionally without warning. These moments are rare, but they’re noticeable. The game is generally consistent, but it’s not flawless.

Difficulty and Replay Value

The game offers multiple difficulties, and the higher tiers are punishing. Enemies hit harder, and the music pushes you to go faster. It’s a challenge, and it’s rewarding. If you want to see the full experience, you’ll need to push through the harder modes. The game also includes a New Game Plus mode that lets you carry over your gear and stats.

The replay value is decent. You’ll want to go back to see how you can improve your times and combo chains. The game tracks your performance, and seeing your best scores is a nice motivator. It’s not a huge draw, but it adds some longevity.

Performance and Technical Issues

Metal: Hellsinger runs well on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PS4. The frame rate holds steady during combat, and the load times are short. On PC, the game supports a wide range of settings, and it looks sharp even on lower-end hardware. The game is technically competent, and it rarely crashes.

There are some visual glitches. Occasionally, enemies will clip through walls, or particles will stack oddly. These are minor issues, but they’re present. The game is polished, but it’s not perfect.

What Works Best

Here’s what stands out:

1. The dynamic soundtrack. It’s the core of the game, and it’s executed brilliantly.
2. The combat loop. It’s simple, but it’s satisfying.
3. The world design. It’s detailed and atmospheric.
4. The difficulty curve. It’s challenging, but it’s fair.
5. The voice acting. It’s professional and committed.

Here’s what could be improved:

1. The pacing. Some missions drag.
2. The difficulty spikes. They’re sudden and unforgiving.
3. The visual glitches. They’re small, but they’re noticeable.
4. The replay value. It’s decent, but it’s limited.

Final Word

Metal: Hellsinger is a focused, entertaining shooter that knows exactly what it wants to be. It’s not trying to reinvent the genre, but it executes its vision with confidence. The dynamic soundtrack is a genuine innovation, and the combat loop is a pleasure to play. It’s a short game, but it leaves a lasting impression.

The flaws are real, but they’re small. The pacing dips, the difficulty spikes, and the glitches are there, but none of them derail the experience. The game is at its best when you’re moving, shooting, and listening to the music build around you.

It’s a solid addition to the genre, and it’s worth your time if you enjoy arena shooters. It’s not a must-play, but it’s a strong one.

arena shooter · game review · heavy metal · Metal: Hellsinger · PS5 · Xbox