Hell Clock update 1.2 is live on PC, and it fixes the thing that held the game back from feeling first rate. The movement and combat rework delivers full 360 degree freedom of motion, lets players cast every skill while moving at a 50% speed penalty, and gives melee builds a set of targeted buffs that make close quarters play actually competitive.
Structurally Hell Clock still wears its Hades influence on its sleeve while borrowing the gear and progression trappings of an ARPG. Players keep the roguelite loop of runs, relics, and a sprawling constellation upgrade web that persists between runs. What update 1.2 does is tighten the moment to moment fight by letting movement and ability use feel like part of the same flow rather than two separate systems.
Highlights in practice are simple to explain and immediately noticeable. Movement is no longer locked into rigid facing. All skills work while moving, but with a 50% speed penalty to balance mobile firing. Melee weapons received targeted improvements after they underperformed following the earlier 1.1 tweak. The update also adds community made unique items, more constellations, and a pair of search tools to help find the right constellations and bell screen talents faster.
Endgame and ascension have been expanded too. Players now get free access to all 52 constellations for endgame runs, which opens up a lot of long term build variety and reduces the grind to test new combinations. Rogue Snail left a short note about what comes next and how it will be delivered. The studio says “the bulk of our team focused on next year’s expansion, which will bring a new story with about one-third of the content of the base game, alongside exciting new skills.” The developer also promises that “the vast majority of improvements will come for free and will not be behind a paywall.”
The team has outlined what the free follow up will include when it lands with the expansion in 2026. Expect 12 new endgame biomes, improvements to dungeon generation and randomization, a per-point respec system for both skill trees and constellations, a new mapping mode called “Endless Nightmares”, dozens more relics, a final version of ascension mode, and what the studio calls “a few more surprises.”
There is a brief gameplay trailer that highlights the new movement and combat feel:
The update also bundles a Steam sale while the team rolls out these changes. The game is discounted until Saturday, December 6, bringing the price down to USD 13.99 and GBP 10.55. If you want to pick it up the store page is linked as a purchase option and reference. Rogue Snail’s roadmap is healthy if modest. The studio says it will focus the main team on the paid expansion while continuing to ship the bulk of quality of life and endgame improvements for free. That approach should keep the community engaged without gating core systems behind extra cost.
Share thoughts and questions below and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube for more coverage and quick takes.
