No, you cannot “fix” any romances in HellHeart Breaker, an upcoming action roguelike game akin to Hades 2, but you are going to have to fight some of them. For those unfamiliar, HellHeart Breaker is an indie title on Steam developed and published by BattleBrew Productions that’s set to release in Q1 2027. It obviously wears its Hades 2 inspiration on its sleeve, down to the way NPCs communicate with the player, but it’s largely a unique flavor for Steam games with an even more unique mechanic for boss fights.
In HellHeart Breaker, players awaken in an Asian-themed Underworld (making the comparisons to Hades 2 even more apt) that’s set up to look like Shanghai in the 1920s. They find themselves in a forgotten Bathhouse before setting out into the last remaining city here, called Aashraya. Players attempt to recover their identity, as they are also marked by an ominous prophecy, and yet also find themselves at home with the varied characters of HellHeart Breaker. Aashraya serves as the main hub for players to explore and return to between roguelike runs throughout the world.
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Fall in Love in Aashraya
While every denizen of HellHeart Breaker has yet to be revealed, players can expect fun twists and interesting characters: a Naga Princess, an Oni Blacksmith, a Kitsune Courtesan, and an Asuran enforcer are all some of the characters players will meet. While in Aashraya, they’ll be able to learn new abilities and master the elements of various clans in the city, while falling in love with at least one of them if not more. To do so, players must impress the Clan Scion, with each one bringing their own circumstances, issues, troubles, and agenda into play. Each clan wants to help the player recover their identity and allow them to escape this underworld, but that’s where it becomes a little complex.
Players will be able to pledge themselves to a clan, but there are 7 clans in total. From there, players can understand how the clans relate to the 7 worlds players may have to fight through, the 7 different elemental trees that can be gained access to, and the 35 different weapons involved, too. However, players should be wary of scorned lovers.
What’s That Weapon?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)
Scorned Lovers Become the Boss Battles
Depending on the choices made by players, they will inevitably have to reject some of the possible lovers in Aashraya, adding more stakes to its dating simulation gameplay. However, it doesn’t simply end in heartbreak for someone. Every Monster Girl that players date will grant them new powers, and those who are rejected become the boss battles you face in your roguelike runs. Having such a unique mechanic trigger for boss battles will no doubt increase replayability, especially with how it impacts the story, and it seems like it will. As of this writing, HellHeart Breaker is confirmed to have 9 different endings.
Relax and Feel Cozy in Aashraya
Between runs, players are able to decorate their home in Aashraya, as well as customize their outfit. There are male and female options for the Main Character, it would seem, as they are discussed as coming in “two flavors.” Players can also visit key locations around the city, like hitting up the nearby fishing spot or checking out the Food Market.
HellHeart Breaker Features at a Glance
- 7 different clans wish to break you out – each with its own agenda
- 9 different planned endings
- 35 different weapons, from the jian to the katar, master a deadly arsenal in your quest upwards
- 7 different elemental trees and an assortment of augments to assist in your journey
- 7 different worlds to wander and battle through
- Customizable outfits and home decoration
- Fishing!
- Loads of food at the Kappa Market
- The main character comes in two flavors
Scratch & Peek
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as
possible.
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as possible.
EasyMediumHardPermadeath
Combat Remains Relegated to Screenshots
HellHeart Breaker’s development studio hasn’t expanded much on its combat, outside of what’s seen in screenshots and glimpses of the trailer, but it makes sense to focus on the city and characters first and foremost. That’s no doubt its calling card. That said, from what can be seen, the combat is very much similar to games like Hades 2—if seemingly simpler on the presentation front. There are multiple abilities and weapons players use as they battle across arenas, and that’s basically it. Still, with such a strong premise, it’ll be interesting to see how this is expanded on as it builds toward its Q1 2027 release.
HellHeart Breaker is a Hades 2-Like Game Worth Watching
Ultimately, HellHeart Breaker’s Steam page sells the game almost entirely on style, character dynamics, and replayability. Whether the final product can fully balance everything remains to be seen, but as an ambitious indie project, it is entirely compelling. It has a strong hook at the very least, especially compared to all the available indie roguelike games out there. Between the Shanghai-inspired Underworld setting, romance-driven power system, and promise of multiple endings shaped by who players love or fight, HellHeart Breaker looks positioned to carve out its own niche if it can deliver on its ideas.
