Impferno is an online co-op action game set in the Circles of Hell. Up to eight players work together to hunt monsters and ghosts, gather their souls, and meet strict quotas within tight time limits while dealing with the constant risk of betrayal from teammates.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on completing Cantos, each split into two Verses. In every Verse the group enters a random Circle of Hell with only minutes to eliminate local enemies, collect souls, and extract safely. Failure to reach the required soul total ends the run for the entire team. Death does not remove a player from the match; instead the fallen imp continues as a wandering soul that can communicate with allies, distract threats, or seize control of powerful weapons left on the field. Some creatures still target these souls, and rival imps may attempt to harvest them for extra credit.
Equipment choices shape individual roles. Gloves boost damage output, while a Vest increases the number of souls one player can carry at once. Additional pieces further customize movement, defense, or collection efficiency. Between Verses the team receives resurrection, yet any soul left behind or consumed adds a penalty that carries forward. Each subsequent Canto raises the quota and overall pressure, pushing the group to coordinate more tightly.
Upgrades purchased during a run can benefit a single player or the whole squad, helping offset the growing difficulty. The environment itself features distinct enemy types across the Circles, each demanding different approaches to hunting and extraction.
Game Modes
Standard play revolves around sequential Cantos that grow more demanding. At intervals the team receives a Pact of Sin, a special objective that introduces direct competition among allies. These pacts vary widely and can require eliminating a designated traitor, pairing up to out-collect other pairs, or forcing an all-versus-all confrontation. Success in a pact avoids penalties, while failure applies curses to the next Canto such as higher soul quotas, reduced movement speed, or restricted equipment use.
The seven distinct pacts and matching curses create repeated variety within the co-op framework. Players must balance teamwork with personal survival instincts, since trust offers no protection once a pact activates. The structure keeps sessions focused on short, intense Verses that build toward longer Canto completions.
Progression and Equipment
Specialization occurs through five equipment types that encourage different playstyles within the same session. Damage-focused builds emphasize quick kills, while carry-focused options prioritize efficient soul transport under pressure. Team-wide upgrades provide another layer of strategy, allowing the group to invest in shared advantages rather than individual power.
Death mechanics add a secondary layer of interaction. Wandering souls retain limited agency and can contribute even after falling, turning potential setbacks into opportunities for continued involvement. Penalties for lost souls ensure that extraction remains a shared priority throughout every Verse.
Is It Worth Playing?
Impferno suits players who enjoy cooperative survival action with built-in competitive tension. The combination of timed soul collection, persistent soul control after death, and rotating Pact of Sin objectives creates sessions that reward coordination while punishing over-reliance on teammates. Early Access status means the experience continues to evolve, with the listed features already forming a complete core loop of exploration, combat, and extraction across multiple Circles of Hell.
Those drawn to small-team online co-op that mixes teamwork with sudden betrayals will find the structure engaging. The limited session length per Verse keeps matches accessible, while escalating Canto requirements and curse effects maintain long-term challenge. Availability on PC positions it for groups seeking a focused indie action title centered on hellish monster hunting and quota management.
