There are some games that pull you in with story.
Others pull you in with gameplay.
And then there are games like I Hate This Place… that throw you into the chaos and say, “Figure it out.”
And yeah… you’re gonna feel that. Enough talking for now, let's play!
First Impressions – A Familiar Vibe… With a Twist
“I Hate This Place” gives off a very specific kind of energy.
It feels like The Walking Dead met A Quiet Place… and had a baby that doesn’t fully hold your hand.
You’ve got:
- Survival pressure
- Sound-based threats
- Moments where your decisions matter
But don’t expect a full-on narrative experience like The Walking Dead. This game leans more into gameplay survival than storytelling.
Before You Play… Learn the Controls (Seriously)
Let me save you some frustration right now.
This is not the kind of game where you want to “figure it out on the fly.” When monsters are closing in, you don’t have time for that.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Weapon Swap (Firearms): Up and Down on the D-Pad
- Food & Bandages: Left on the D-Pad
- Cans & Nail Bombs: Right on the D-Pad
To use items like cans:
- Press RB to select
- Aim with the Right Stick
- Throw with RT
Firearms:
- Aim with Right Stick
- Shoot with RT
Melee (Bat):
- Use the Left Stick to face direction
- Press RT to swing
- (No right stick aiming here)
And here’s the kicker…
You can’t just go into the inventory and select items to use. You have to cycle through them in real time.
That’s something the developers really should’ve explained better with a proper tutorial. It would’ve saved players a lot of early frustration.
Survival Means… Survival
This game doesn’t play around when it comes to survival mechanics.
You’re constantly managing:
- Food
- Health (bandages)
- Crafting materials
- Stamina
The food system feels a bit heavy-handed, though.
For example:
- A bag of chips can fully restore energy
- A can of beans… not so much
So yeah… keep an eye on your meter, because wasting resources will cost you.
The Monsters Don’t Care About Your Learning Curve
The enemies in this game?
They’re not waiting for you to get comfortable.
They:
- Move fast
- React to sound
- Put pressure on your positioning
Stealth becomes a big part of survival—but over time, it can feel a bit tiresome.
And when combat does kick in?
Let’s just say… it’s not always something you look forward to.
Where the Game Struggles
Here’s where things get real.
Movement.
The game would benefit greatly from more fluid mobility, especially when dealing with faster enemies. There are moments where it feels like you’re fighting the controls just as much as the monsters.
If you’ve ever played the top-down Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light style games, you know how smooth that movement can feel.
That’s the kind of responsiveness that could’ve taken this experience to another level.
Right now?
It’s a bit rough around the edges.
Price vs Experience
“I Hate This Place” comes in at $29.99.
Now… will some players enjoy it?
Absolutely.
Especially if you:
- Enjoy survival-focused gameplay
- Don’t mind learning systems through trial and error
- Like tension-driven experiences
But if you’re looking for:
- Smooth combat
- Strong narrative depth
- More intuitive controls
You might hesitate.
Buy or Pass?
“I Hate This Place” isn’t a bad game.
But it’s not a smooth one either.
It delivers:
✔ Survival tension
✔ Unique sound-based mechanics
✔ Resource management pressure
But struggles with:
✖ Movement fluidity
✖ Combat feel
✖ Lack of onboarding/tutorial
So here’s the deal.
If you’re curious, the gameplay above gives you everything you need to decide.
Because at the end of the day… different strokes for different folks.
If it clicks for you? You’ll have a tense survival experience on your hands.
If not? You’ll probably feel that friction pretty early.
Either way… Game on. 🎮
+ Sophi
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