After the conclusion of Act 1 in
Hell Is Us, you are tasked with a monumental objective: finding the three remaining keystones to gain access to the Lymbic Forge. While the game presents this quest with complete freedom, allowing you to pursue the
Keystone of Rage,
Keystone of Terror, or
Keystone of Ecstasy in any order you choose, there is a path that offers the most optimal and seamless gameplay experience.Based on an extensive playthrough, this guide recommends the best order to acquire the keystones. Following this route will help you avoid sudden difficulty spikes, minimize unnecessary backtracking, and ensure you don't miss any valuable side content.
Hell Is Us: Order to Get the Keystones
Understanding the Keystone Quest
At the start of Act 2, you will have already acquired the
Keystone of Grief and placed it in its slot at the Lymbic Forge. Your companion, Tania, will provide you with the three locations you can go to to find the remaining keystones. This open-world design can be daunting for players who prefer a guided progression. The following recommended order is designed to help you navigate the increasing difficulty of the enemies and the changing world state.The ideal path to follow is:
- Keystone of Rage
- Keystone of Terror
- Keystone of Ecstasy
This route allows you to face enemies that are appropriately scaled to your power level and ensures a smooth, rewarding progression through the game's second act.
The First Step: The Keystone of Rage
Your journey into the depths of Act 2 should begin with the Keystone of Rage. This keystone is located in the Ministry of Cultural Primacy, a significant landmark in the Jeljin district.
- Location & Vibe: Jeljin is a sprawling and complex area, but the Ministry of CulturalPrimacy is its focal point. The challenges you'll face here are anatural step up from the enemies you faced in Act 1. The hostileentities you encounter will likely be Level 2 creatures, which, whilemore resilient than their Level 1 counterparts, won't be overwhelming.Your weapons and upgrades from the previous act should be more thansufficient to handle them.
- Why This is First: Startingwith the Keystone of Rage is recommended because it serves as a perfectintroduction to the new challenges of Act 2. The combat encounters aredifficult enough to be engaging but not so hard that they require afully optimized loadout. It allows you to get a feel for the increasedenemy strength and begin collecting the new types of Shards you'll needfor later upgrades.
The Second Step: The Keystone of Terror
After successfully acquiring the Keystone of Rage, the next logical destination is the Talju district to find the Keystone of Terror.
- Location & Vibe: Talju introduces more complex and dangerous environments. The enemiesyou face here will likely be "Level 3" creatures, as noted by theirincreased health and aggression. These encounters will test the skillsyou've honed in the previous section.
- Why This is Second: By placing the Keystone of Rage first, the world state will change, and new paths and challenges will open up. The difficulty of Talju, whilehigher than Jeljin, will feel like a natural progression rather than asudden spike. Your time in Jeljin will have prepared you with a betterunderstanding of combat and likely a few key upgrades from the newShards you've collected. This makes the experience of acquiring theKeystone of Terror challenging but fair.
The Final Step: The Keystone of Ecstasy
Once you have both the Keystone of Rage and the Keystone of Terror, the final keystone becomes accessible. The Keystone of Ecstasy is located in the Acasa Marshes.
- Location & Vibe: The Acasa Marshes are a dark, treacherous area that represents thefinal challenge before the Act 2 boss fight. The enemies here are thetoughest you will have faced yet, requiring you to utilize all of yourskills and a well-thought-out loadout.
- Why This is Last:This order ensures that you are at your peak strength before facing theultimate challenge. The final major boss of Act 2 is located in the Plains of Mist, which is the destination after you have all three keystones. By leaving the toughest enemies and puzzles for last, you give yourself the timeto get the best weapons, artifacts, and upgrades needed to stand afighting chance.
A Critical Warning: Time-Sensitive Side Quests
It is extremely important to note that the game's world state changes after you collect the first of the three keystones. This change affects several "Good Deeds" side quests, and if they are not completedbeforehand, they will automatically fail.
The following "Good Deeds" must be completed before you collect the Keystone of Rage (or whichever one you decide to go for first):
- Performance of a Lifetime
- Love Thy Neighbour
- Land of Milk and Honey
Failing these good deeds will lock you out of their rewards and storyconsequences. Make sure you complete them as soon as you can, as theopen-ended nature of the main quest can cause you to miss them entirelyif you are not careful.
By following this recommended order, youwill have a well-paced, engaging, and rewarding experience throughoutthe entire second act of Hell Is Us.
Platform(s): Microsoft Windows PC, PlayStation 5 PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Genre(s): Action-adventure
Developer(s): Rogue Factor
Release date: September 4, 2025
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