★ Trending: Puzzles | Codes | Jeljin | NG+
☆ Starting out? Check our Beginner's Guide
┗ Combat | Builds | Weapons | Tier List
★ Walkthrough | Good Deeds | Mysteries
┗ Timeloops | Vaults | NPCs | Enemies
☆ Missables | Game Length | Trophies

This is a complete walkthrough for Act 1 in Hell is Us. Read on for a guide to finishing Act 1, where to find Points of Interest, and the secrets and puzzles in Act 1 here!
| ◄ Previous Act | Next Act ▶ |
|---|---|
| - | Act 2 |
List of Contents
| Objectives | |
|---|---|
| 1.1 | ![]() Follow the downward path leading to a destroyed farm house. Enter the cellar and speak with Ernest Caddell to receive the key to open to gate. Follow the wind chimes leading to the Senedra Forest dungeon. |
| 1.2 | ![]() Talk to the injured soldier near the APC, where he'll ask you to grab the medkit in their camp. Follow the trees marked with a white X until you reach the encampment, where you'll find the OMSIF Medkit in the tent. |
| 1.3 | ![]() Return to the injured soldier to receive the Ancient Mechanism used to access the puzzle, which unlocks the entrance to the Senedra Forest dungeon. |
| 1.4 | ![]() Climb up the ladder near the injured soldier to reach the ruins. Enter it and you'll find a device to insert the Ancient Mechanism to reveal a puzzle. Choose the fire symbol on the left stone pillar, the eye symbol on the middle stone pillar, then the pickaxe symbol on the right stone pillar to solve the puzzle and open the entrance to the dungeon. ▶︎ Senedra Forest Dungeon Entrance Guide |
| 1.5 | ![]() Enter the dungeon and solve the large door with a dial puzzle. Starting from the inner ring to the outer ring, put in Tower - Serpent - Fire to unlock the door. ▶︎ Senedra Forest Dungeon Door Guide |
| 1.6 | ![]() Make your way deeper into the dungeon and fight enemies along the way until you exit to the other side and find the Sergeant's body just before the stairs to the surface, and get the APC Key, then exit into the trenches. |
| 1.7 | ![]() Return to the APC and use the key to unlock it. Set course to Acasa Marshes via the Navigation Computer to travel to that area. |
| 1.8 | ![]() Exit the APC and follow the path toward the marsh. Descend the wooden stairs, and you'll see the Village of Jova in the far distance. Make your way through the marsh and enter the village. |
| 1.8 | ![]() Speak with Captain Vaas, found near the entrance of the village. Then, head northeast from where Captain Vaas is to reach the ON Outpost. |
| 1.9 | ![]() Collect the Map of Acasa Marshes on the table to the right of the building with an ON painted on its roof. |
| 1.10 | ![]() Head east from the Village of Jova to reach the tunnel with red lighting. Defeat the enemies and reach the maintenance room to get the key to Vitalis' home after speaking with Victor inside. |
| 1.11 | ![]() Return to the Village of Jova and use the key to enter Vitalis' home, just across the blacksmith's shop. Explore the house and collect three family pictures, with the third one locked inside a chest, which you can unlock with the Heirloom Necklace before you head down the ladder from the basement. |
| 1.12 | ![]() Enter the code 321713 on the digital lock in the basement to gain access to the locked room. The codes correspond to the numbers printed on the cars found in the family pictures you gathered, though the green car’s number is smudged. You can find the exact car in the room before descending to the basement to check the number. ▶︎Acasa Marshes Picture Puzzle Guide |
| 1.13 | ![]() Enter the room and collect the Vigil Note on the table. Beside it is a chest containing five glyphs, and a sword on the corner of the room. You can exit the house and talk to Victor in the blacksmith's shop to unlock crafting. |
| 1.14 | ![]() Use the APC to go to Vyssa Hills. Upon reaching the area, follow the stone path that leads to Vitalis, your father. Talk to him to enter cutscenes, and receive the Keystone of Grief at the end. |
| ▲Return to List of All Act 1 Investigations▲ | |
| Objectives | |
|---|---|
| 2.1 | ![]() Enter the wooden gate near the timeloop in Vyssa Hills and find Tania Alver. Speak with her to receive the Candle Emblem. Then take the other path, where you’ll encounter two enemies and find Agatha’s corpse on the ground. Collect the Book Emblem from her body after defeating the enemies. |
| 2.2 | ![]() Climb the scaffolding in the area and cross the makeshift bridge. Follow the path until you reach a large locked gate. Defeat the enemies, then insert the two emblems into their respective slots to open the entrance to the Watcher’s Nest. |
| 2.3 | Climb down the ladder into the tomb and collect the four Ceramic Flowers. Return to the room and place them into the correct slots. Then descend into the tomb again, interact with the lever to open the coffin, and obtain the Blue Flower Scroll along with the Mark of the Betrayed passive relic. ▶︎Vyssa Hills Flowers Puzzle Guide |
| 2.4 | ![]() Return to the APC to trigger a cutscene with Tania. After some time, speak with her again to receive the Blue Flower Scroll once she finishes investigating it. Travel to the Village of Jova and talk to Abbot Jaffer about the Blue Flower to unlock Lake Cynon. |
| 2.5 | ![]() Head to the pond past the field of blue flowers and solve the puzzle there. Hit the pillars in the correct order: Crown, Water, Key, Star, then Cup, to open the stone compartment and obtain the Gear - Spindle. Use it to drain the water from the pond and enter Lymbic Forge. ▶︎Lake Cynon Pillar Puzzle Guide |
| 2.6 | Head deeper into the area to obtain the Order of the Eye sigil from a chest in a room with enemies, and acquire the Phol Guard by solving the torch puzzle by activating all the torches to the north and south. Use both sigils to unlock the door in the main hall. ▶︎Lymbic Forge Torch Puzzle Guide |
| 2.7 | ![]() Obtain the Owl Key in the area, then return to the room where you acquired the Phol Guard to unlock the door. Continue through the area until you return to the room where you got the Owl Key, but from a different door. Defeat the enemy to obtain the Spoked Gear past it, then use it on the mechanism to drain the first level of water. |
| 2.8 | ![]() Head into the unlocked area and navigate through a series of hallways and rooms until you reach a library, where you'll obtain the Large Gear. Return to the mechanism, insert the Large Gear, and pull the lever to drain the remaining water. |
| 2.9 | ![]() Descend to the deepest level of the area and enter the large gateway. Cross the bridge, defeat the enemy with multiple hazes, and obtain the Hammer of Modus just past them, near the timeloop. Return to the area with the mechanism and use the Hammer of Modus on the door to unlock the next area. |
| 2.10 | ![]() Enter the area and defeat the three enemies. Interact with the pillar with the blue mask and insert the Keystone of Grief. This will trigger a cutscene and mark the end of The Family Legacy investigation and Act 1. |
| ▲Return to List of All Act 1 Investigations▲ | |
| Jump to a Section! | |
|---|---|
| Exploration Items | Research Items |
| Investigation Items | Timeloops |
| Amine Prisms | Mysteries |
| Good Deeds | - |
| ✔️ | Item | How to Get |
|---|---|---|
Ram Head Medallion - Viridian
|
Found in the underground ruins inside Fort Maut. Used to solve the Secrets of the Ram Mystery. | |
OMSIF Deployment Order - Senedra
|
Recovered from a fallen OMSIF Sergeant in the trenches of Senedra Forest. This deployment order is a hint to an access code for the Whistleblowers Mystery. | |
Gold Watch
|
Found in a lockbox in the trenches of Senedra Forest. Return to Ernest Caddell in the farm | |
Ram Head Medallion - Crimson
|
Found in the underground ruins inside Fort Maut. Used to solve the Secrets of the Ram Mystery. | |
OMSIF Report - Ram's Head
|
Found on the corpse of an OMSIF agent in Senedra Forest. | |
Note - Caddell Treasure Hint
|
Found deep in Senedra Forest, south of the APC. Triggers Caddell Family Treasure mystery. | |
Note - Caddell Treasure Hint (2)
|
Found deep in Senedra Forest, west of the APC. Triggers Caddell Family Treasure mystery. | |
Key - Rusted (Senedra Forest)
|
Found near a red boulder atop a hill in Senedra Forest. Used to open a lockbox near a blue boulder, east of the OMSIF basecamp. | |
Key - Vitalis' Home
|
Obtained from Victor in Acasa Marshes. | |
Letter - Worried Wife
|
Found in the town of Jova, Acasa Marshes. Give to the Grieving Father in the Marsh | |
Notebook - Symbol Research
|
Found on a corpse in Acasa Marshes. | |
Note - Training Ground
|
Found at the blacksmith shop in Jova, Acasa Marshes. Used to trigger the Martial Lineage mystery. | |
Note - Conspiracy
|
Found at the picnic area of Lake Cynon. | |
Note - Lost Keys
|
Found on the message board at Lake Cynon. | |
Note - Cryptic Clue (Jova)
|
Found in a garage in Jova, Acasa Marshes. Part of the access code to be used in Computer Room D at Lethe National Library. | |
Lymbic Rod - Grief, V
|
Found in Vyssa Hills. Used to open Lymbic Chests and Lymbic Doors. | |
Lymbic Rod - Grief, Z
|
Found in the Watcher's Nest. Used to open Lymbic Chests and Lymbic Doors. | |
Lymbic Rod - Rage, W
|
Found in the Lymbic Forge. Used to open Lymbic Chests and Lymbic Doors. | |
Lymbic Rod - Neutral, Y
|
Found near the Pathem Abbey in Acasa Marshes. Used to open Lymbic Chests and Lymbic Doors. | |
Lymbic Rod - Neutral, V
|
Found in Lake Cynon. Used to open Lymbic Chests and Lymbic Doors. | |
Keys - Car
|
Found in Vitalis' house in Jova, Acasa Marshes. Used to Open the Car in the Marsh | |
Lymbic Rod - Grief, Y
|
Found in the blacksmith's shop in Acasa Marshes. Used to open Lymbic Chests and Lymbic Doors. | |
Lymbic Rod - Neutral, Z
|
Found in the underground tunnels underneath Jova, Acasa Marshes. Used to open Lymbic Chests and Lymbic Doors. | |
Sheet Music - Our Pride
|
Found in Jova, Acasa Marshes. Given to the violinist in the Village of Jova. | |
Bloodied Plushie
|
Found under the Oak Tree in Acasa Marshes. Give to the Drunk Man in Jova. | |
Classroom Picture
|
Given by a Drunk Man in Jova. Give to the Despondent Woman in Jova. | |
Bottle of Mead - Nearly Empty
|
Found in Jova, Acasa Marshes. Give to the Drunk Soldier in Jova. | |
Lymbic Rod - Neutral X
|
Found in Acasa Marshes. Used to open Lymbic Chests and Lymbic Doors. | |
Lymbic Rod - Grief, W
|
Found in Vitalis' secret basement office. Used to open Lymbic Chests and Lymbic Doors. | |
Sheet Music - Losilus Dreaming
|
Found in Vyssa Hills. Give to the violin player in Jova. | |
Key - Rusted (Vyssa Hills)
|
Found on a corpse in the Mines of Vyssa Hills. Used to complete the Lucky Break mystery. | |
Lymbic Rod - Neutral, W
|
Found inside Observation Outpost 08 at Acasa Marshes Used to open Lymbic Chests and Lymbic Doors. | |
Gear - Spindle
|
Found in a hidden alcove in Lake Cynon. | |
Keys - ON Vehicle
|
Found on a corpse of an ON Soldier in Vyssa Hills. Give the keys to Atticus. | |
Keys - Algae
|
Found in the reservoir at Lake Cynon. Use the keys to unlock the box in Samo's General Store. | |
Lymbic Rod - Terror, Y
|
Found inside the Lymbic Forge. Used to open Lymbic Chests and Lymbic Doors. | |
Lymbic Rod - Terror, W
|
Found inside the Lymbic Forge. Used to open Lymbic Chests and Lymbic Doors. | |
Lymbic Rod - Terror, X
|
Found inside the Lymbic Forge. Used to open Lymbic Chests and Lymbic Doors. | |
Baby Bottles - Empty
|
Found in the tunnels beneath Jova, Acasa Marshes. Give to Ernest Caddell for milk. | |
Baby Bottles - Filled
|
Given by Ernest Caddell. Given to Judith Karry. | |
Photograph - Girl
|
Found in the wreckage of the ON Convoy in Acasa Marshes. | |
Necklace
|
Found in the trunk of an abandoned car in Acasa Marsh. Give to Victor Gaz. | |
OMSIF Deployment Order - Acasa Marshes
|
Found at Observation Outpost 08 at Acasa Marshes Is part of a hint for an access code for a laptop in Auriga Museum. | |
Pill Bottle - Atenolol
|
Found insdie abandoned luggage in Vyssa Hills Give to Diana Kos. |
| ✔️ | Item | How to Get |
|---|---|---|
Gold Medallion
|
Found near a waterfall in the beginning of the game. | |
Vial of Strange Substance
|
Found at the OMSIF basecamp in Senedra Forest. | |
Scorched Bell
|
Found near the Fort Maut stables, located south of the APC. | |
Wrapped Candle
|
Found at A Hidden Training Ground Near Monument Hill | |
Box of Bronze Acorns
|
Found in Acasa Marshes. | |
9mm Pistol
|
Found on a table in Lake Cynon. | |
Ancient Censer
|
Found in Jova, Acasa Marshes. | |
Bronze Eye
|
Found near the entrance to Pathem Abbey in Acasa Marshes. | |
Faded Blueprints
|
Found past the Lymbic Door in the Acasa Western Monument. | |
Old Sketchbook
|
Found inside the Lymbic Forge. |
| ✔️ | Item | How to Get |
|---|---|---|
Compass
|
Acquired by default at the start of the game. Equip and use to figure out directions. | |
Heirloom Necklace
|
Acquired by default at the start of the game. Used to open the chest in Vitalis' basement. | |
KATOCHE Datapad
|
Acquired by default at the start of the game. Use to check gained valuable information. | |
Key - Caddell Farm
|
Given by Ernest Caddell. Used to open the gate to the Senedra Forest. | |
OMSIF Medkit
|
Found at the OMSIF basecamp in Senedra Forest. Give to the wounded soldier back near the APC. | |
Ancient Mechanism
|
Given by OMSIF-0451 after receiving the medkit. Used to unlock the door leading into Fort Maut. | |
Key - APC
|
Recovered from a fallen OMSIF Sergeant in the trenches of Senedra Forest. Used to unlock the APC. | |
Keystone of Grief
|
Obtained from Vitalis in Vyssa Hills. Used in the Lymbic Forge. | |
Blue Flower Scroll
|
Found in Pentos Algea's tomb in the Watcher's Nest, Vyssa Hills. | |
Blue Flower
|
Found in Lake Cynon. | |
Symbol of the Screaming Face
|
Found after finishing Act 1. | |
Symbol of the Charioteer
|
Found after finishing Act 1. | |
Ethnic ID Card - Agatha Maren
|
Found on a corpse in Vyssa Hills. | |
Map of Acasa Marshes
|
Found at the ON Headquarters in Jova. Used to locate the Convoy in the Marshes. | |
Vigil Note
|
Found in the secret basement office of Vitalis' house in Jova. Show to Victor Gaz. | |
Note - Keycode Reminder
|
Found on a Locke's corpse in the Lethe National Library Gives a Clue for Restoration Office Code | |
The Quill and the Pyre: The Legacy of Sabin Gau
|
Found in the National Library in Lethe. Used to solve the passcode in the Book Restoration Office | |
Note - Lymbic Locks
|
Found in a safe in Vitalis' house in Jova, Acasa Marshes. | |
Note - Collapsing Timeloops
|
Obtained from Gildas Brom in the Watcher's Nest. | |
Note - Wall Grooves
|
Found in the entrance to the Watcher's Nest in Vyssa Hills. | |
Guardian Detector
|
Given by Gildas Brom in the Watcher's Nest. Used to locate Timeloop Guardians. | |
Family Picture 3
|
Found in Vitalis' house in Jova, Acasa Marshes. Used as a clue to open the secret basement office. | |
Family Picture 1
|
Found in Vitalis' house in Jova, Acasa Marshes. Used as a clue to open the secret basement office. | |
Family Picture 2
|
Found in Vitalis' house in Jova, Acasa Marshes. Used as a clue to open the secret basement office. | |
Emblem - Book
|
Found on a woman's corpse in Vyssa Hills. Used to open the Vigil's hideout. | |
Emblem - Candle
|
Obtained from Tania Alver in Vyssa Hills. Used to open the Vigil's hideout. | |
Ceramic Flower
|
Found in the Watcher's Nest in Vyssa Hills. Used to solve the puzzle in the Watcher's Nest. | |
Key - Crying Eye
|
Found on a wooden stool in the Lymbic Forge. Used to open a locked door inside the Lymbic Forge. | |
Sigil - Phol Guard
|
Found in the Lymbic Forge. Used to open a large locked door in the Lymbic Forge. | |
Sigil - Order of the Eye
|
Found in the Lymbic Forge. Used to open a large locked door in the Lymbic Forge. | |
Key - Owl
|
Found on a skeleton in the Lymbic Forge. Used to open a locked door inside the Lymbic Forge. | |
Gear - Spoked
|
Found in the Lymbic Forge. Used to complete draining mechanism in the Lymbic Forge. | |
Gear - Large
|
Found inside the Lymbic Forge. Used to complete draining mechanism in the Lymbic Forge. | |
Hammer of Modus
|
Found in the Lymbic Forge. Used to open a door in the Lymbic Forge. | |
Fundamentals of Lymbic Forging
|
Found in the Lymbic Forge. Give to Victor Gaz. | |
Lymbic Imbuing
|
Found in the trunk of an abandoned car in Acasa Marsh. Give to Victor Gaz. |
| ✔️ | Timeloop | How to Solve |
|---|---|---|
![]() Acasa Marshes |
This is located in the middle of the road just pass the bridge in fron of Jova. | |
![]() Vyssa Hills |
The Timeloop is on the hill above the Mine Entrance with the the red sign. | |
![]() Lymbic Forge |
The timeloop is in the lowest part of the Lymbic Forge, this is the same area where you get the Hammer of Modus. |
All Timeloop and Guardian Locations
| ✔️ | Amine Prism | How to Get |
|---|---|---|
![]() Amine Prism - Sigma |
This prism is found inside the Vault of Forbidden Knowledge in Senedra Forest. | |
![]() Amine Prism - Sigma |
Gildas Brom will give a Sigma Prism when you first encounter him in the Watcher's Nest. | |
![]() Amine Prism - Sigma |
This prism can be found inside the Lymbic Forge. After unlocking the Crypt Elevator and defeating the Timeloop Guardian in the crypt, the prism can be taken from the wall behind the coffin in the middle of the crypt. |
| ✔️ | Items | How to Get |
|---|---|---|
Caddell Family Treasure
|
Type:
Mysteries
Location: Senedra Forest |
|
Enlightenment
|
Type:
Mysteries
Location: Acasa Marshes |
|
Eternity
|
Type:
Mysteries
Location: Vyssa Hills |
|
Lost Keys
|
Type:
Mysteries
Location: Lake Cynon |
|
Lucky Break
|
Type:
Mysteries
Location: Vyssa Hills |
|
Lymbic Chest - Acasa Eastern Ruins
|
Type:
Mysteries
Location: Acasa Marshes |
|
Lymbic Chest - Acasa Vitalis' Basement
|
Type:
Mysteries
Location: Acasa Marshes |
|
Lymbic Chest - Lake Cynon Reservoir
|
Type:
Mysteries
Location: Lake Cynon |
|
Lymbic Chest - Lymbic Forge Dormitory
|
Type:
Mysteries
Location: Lymbic Forge |
|
Lymbic Chest - Lymbic Forge Hall
|
Type:
Mysteries
Location: Lymbic Forge |
|
Lymbic Chest - Vyssa Hills Fort
|
Type:
Mysteries
Location: Vyssa Hills |
|
Lymbic Door - Acasa Western Monument
|
Type:
Mysteries
Location: Acasa Marshes |
|
Lymbic Door - Lymbic Forge
|
Type:
Mysteries
Location: Lymbic Forge |
|
Lymbic Door - Senedra Hilltop
|
Type:
Mysteries
Location: Senedra Forest |
|
Lymbic Door - Senedra Underground
|
Type:
Mysteries
Location: Senedra Forest |
|
Martial Lineage
|
Type:
Mysteries
Location: Acasa Marshes |
|
Observation Outpost 08
|
Type:
Mysteries
Location: Acasa Marshes |
|
Pilgrimage
|
Type:
Mysteries
Location: Vyssa Hills |
|
Safekeeping
|
Type:
Mysteries
Location: Lake Cynon |
|
Secret APC Cache
|
Type:
Mysteries
Location: Senedra Forest |
|
The Captain's Office
|
Type:
Mysteries
Location: Acasa Marshes |
|
The Hermit
|
Type:
Mysteries
Location: Acasa Marshes |
|
The Protector
|
Type:
Mysteries
Location: Acasa Marshes |
|
The Secrets of the Ram
|
Type:
Mysteries
Location: Senedra Forest |
| ✔️ | Items | How to Get |
|---|---|---|
Asunder
|
Type:
Good Deed
Location: Acasa Marshes Deadline: Before the end of Act 1. |
|
Death's Door
|
Type:
Good Deed
Location: Vyssa Hills Deadline: Before the end of Act 1 and before completing Heart of Gold. |
|
Forlorn Fate
|
Type:
Good Deed
Location: Senedra Forest Deadline: Before getting the third keystone. |
|
Heart of Gold
|
Type:
Good Deed
Location: Vyssa Hills |
|
Land of Milk and Honey
|
Type:
Good Deed
Location: Acasa Marshes Deadline: Before the Lymbic Forge is completed. |
|
Love Thy Neighbor
|
Type:
Good Deed
Location: Acasa Marshes Deadline: Before the State of Jova changes during the third quest. |
|
Man's Best Friend
|
Type:
Good Deed
Location: Vyssa Hills |
|
Performance of a Lifetime
|
Type:
Good Deed
Location: Acasa Marshes Deadline: Before the State of Jova changes during the third quest. |
|
The Golden Watch
|
Type:
Good Deed
Location: Senedra Forest |
|
Victor's Vigil
|
Type:
Good Deed
Location: Acasa Marshes |
|
Waylaid
|
Type:
Good Deed
Location: Acasa Marshes Deadline: Before getting the third keystone. |
|
Where the Heart Is
|
Type:
Good Deed
Location: Acasa Marshes |

Story Walkthrough and List of All Acts
| Act | Investigation |
|---|---|
| Act 1 | • Family Reunion
• Family Legacy |
| Act 2 | • Searching for the Keystone of Terror
• Searching for the Keystone of Rage • Searching for the Keystone of Ecstasy |
| Act 3 | • Into the Unknown |
| List of All Locations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Senedra Forest | Acasa Marshes | Vyssa Hills |
| Lake Cynon | Lethe - National Library | Plains of Mist |
| Marastan | Talju | Lethe - Ministry of Cultural Primacy |
| Jeljin | Auriga Museum | - |
| Sub-Areas | ||
| Watcher's Nest | ||
Act 1 Complete Walkthrough and Secrets



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