Green Hell Review – The Jungle Doesn’t Forgive

Green Hell is a brutally realistic open-world survival game developed by Creepy Jar, initially released on Steam in September 2019. Since then, it’s seen numerous updates, enhancing both gameplay and story, largely thanks to player feedback. Set in the unforgiving Amazon rainforest, the game throws players into a fight for survival, demanding they learn the properties of the environment and its resources. Over the years, Creepy Jar has released the Spirits of Amazonia 3-part story updates as well as over 50 content updates to the game which is impressive support for a survival game.

The story begins with a tutorial that gently introduces core survival mechanics, emphasizing the importance of tending to your body’s needs. You play as Jake Higgins, whose expedition with his wife Mia takes a terrifying turn. Communication via radio abruptly cuts off, leaving Jake to navigate the dense jungle, culminating in a fall and a subsequent awakening 33 days later, stripped of memory, supplies, and any semblance of civilization. This amnesia trope, while familiar, serves as a compelling entry point, forcing players to learn alongside Jake.

The Amazon itself is a character, as unforgiving as any Australian outback. Early deaths are practically a rite of passage, often caused by seemingly innocuous mistakes like eating the wrong mushroom (beware those spider webs!). Green Hell cleverly uses these failures as learning experiences, teaching players about the properties of various flora and fauna. You’ll quickly learn the difference between a nourishing banana and a poisonous nut. Even sleep is a challenge; a simple hammock raised off the ground can be the difference between a restful night and a debilitating illness.

Survival isn’t just about food and shelter. You’ll need to meticulously inspect your body for injuries, leeches, and rashes, mastering various bandaging techniques to combat these ailments. Progress is tied to crafting huts, which act as crucial save points. Without them, death can mean significant progress loss. The core gameplay loop revolves around exploration, resource gathering, and crafting – from basic shelters and water catchers to more advanced tools and structures.

Visually, Green Hell is impressive. The lighting, particularly the way sun rays pierce the dense canopy, is stunning. However, the game’s realism extends beyond aesthetics. Navigating the environment requires careful observation, as visual cues can sometimes be misleading. Thankfully, Jake’s wristwatch, complete with a compass and nutrition meter, aids in orientation and resource management. Finding clean water is a constant struggle, requiring players to utilize coconuts, build water catchers, and learn to identify safe sources.

Interactions with the native tribes add another layer of complexity. These encounters can range from peaceful exchanges to outright hostility, adding an unpredictable element to survival. Crafting powerful obsidian weapons requires significant effort and exploration, offering a tangible reward for venturing into the more dangerous areas of the map.

The story mode itself is more than just a backdrop for survival mechanics. Discovering points of interest unlocks additional radio conversations with Mia, gradually piecing together the events leading to Jake’s predicament. These story beats provide a compelling reason to explore the vast world and uncover its secrets. Certain areas are locked behind puzzles or require specific items to access, encouraging players to think creatively and utilize their crafting skills.

Overall, Green Hell is a challenging survival game with an engaging story mode. Its learning curve can be steep and brutal, demanding patience and a willingness to experiment. However, once you master the basics of crafting, hunting, and navigating the treacherous environment, the dense jungle becomes a playground for exploration and discovery. The evolving story, coupled with the constant stream of gameplay enhancements, makes Green Hell a compelling survival experience for both newcomers and genre veterans.

This review utilised a key provided by Evolve PR and Green Hell is available on Steam, Xbox and PlayStation.

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