Halls of Torment mobile remake drops Sept 1 — here’s what PC fans should really expect

Why this caught my attention

Halls of Torment clicked with me on PC because it fused Vampire Survivors’ horde-slayer loop with that late-90s pre-rendered Diablo vibe and surprisingly crunchy buildcraft. Now ERABIT is bringing a full mobile remake on September 1, 2025, promising streamlined battles, tweaked progression, and global leaderboards-and over 200,000 players have already pre-registered. That’s a strong signal, but mobile “remakes” can be a mixed bag. The big question is whether this preserves the delicious chaos and synergy hunting that made the PC 1.0 release in 2024 such a sleeper hit.

Key takeaways

• Launches September 1, 2025 on iOS/Android via ERABIT; pitched as a mobile-first remake, not a 1:1 port.
• “Streamlined battles” likely means shorter runs and touch-friendly aiming-great for commuting, risky for depth.
• Enhanced progression and global leaderboards could extend longevity if they avoid grind traps and cheaters.
• Monetization is the wild card; ERABIT’s history suggests options ranging from premium unlocks to F2P with IAP.

Breaking down the announcement

On paper, the feature list is exactly what a mobile adaptation should target. The original’s 30-ish minute runs and dense projectile spam can be awkward on a touchscreen. ERABIT is pitching faster battles, a reworked progression layer, and leaderboards-features that could make the “one more run” loop hit even harder on a phone. The pre-registration number (200k+) tells me the genre still has legs on mobile after Brotato and 20 Minutes Till Dawn pulled in huge audiences.

Context matters here. Halls of Torment’s identity isn’t just “survive waves.” It’s the way melee, ranged, and magic archetypes snowball once you lock in synergies—attack speed into on-hit effects, crit chains into screenwide carnage, and those boss melts when a build finally coheres. A mobile remake needs to keep that buildcraft intact. If “streamlined” translates to fewer upgrades, automated choices, or overly generous magnetization/auto-aim that flattens skill expression, veterans will bounce.

What changes on mobile (and what better not)

Controls are the first hurdle. Expect a virtual joystick and some flavor of auto-attack or tap-to-aim. That’s fine—Brotato proved twin-stick-likes can feel snappy on phones—but Halls is heavier on spacing and telegraph reads, especially in boss phases. I want to see:

• Customizable aim/attack options (auto, hold-to-fire, and manual) per weapon type.
• Run-length presets (e.g., 10-15 minute “quick” runs alongside the classic 25-30) with rewards balanced fairly.
• Readable telegraphs and tuned hitboxes; smaller screens can turn bullet curtains into smears if not adjusted.
• Cloud saves and offline play; if leaderboards are a headliner, seed-based “daily/weekly” challenges would be a slam dunk.

Leaderboards are a double-edged sword. I love racing for time-to-kill on Tormented Lords or flexing wave clear speeds, but mobile boards live or die by anti-cheat. If ERABIT and the original devs want this to matter, they’ll need server-side validation, challenge seeds, and character/build-specific categories so melee bruisers aren’t competing with glass-cannon nukers on the same board.

As for “enhanced progression,” I’m cautiously optimistic. A better on-ramp for new players—clearer quests, more deterministic unlocks, and smarter reroll systems—would be a win. The fear is padding: time gates, low drop rates, or grind-heavy currencies that stretch runs to force dailies. The PC game worked because every run taught you something and pushed your account forward. Keep that spirit, and mobile could become the definitive way to experiment with builds in short bursts.

Monetization reality check

ERABIT has a track record of making indie action hits work on phones—often with both free and premium flavors. That history also raises eyebrows: ad-supported versions, cosmetic bundles, or character unlocks aren’t unheard of. The announcement didn’t confirm pricing, so here’s what would feel fair to players:

• One-time premium unlock (Play Pass compatibility is a bonus), no energy systems.
• Optional cosmetics or DLC packs that don’t tilt the meta; keep characters and core upgrades earnable in-game.
• No forced ads; if there’s a free tier, let us disable ads with a purchase and never show mid-run pop-ups.

Halls of Torment launched on PC at a budget price and built goodwill the old-fashioned way: satisfying gameplay and steady updates. Mobile should respect that relationship. If the remake lands as a fair buy-and-play package with quality-of-life perks, it’ll thrive. If it leans on grindy currencies or intrusive ad design, the community will nuke it from orbit.

Should PC fans care?

Yeah—if you loved tinkering with melee cleave builds or kiting screens of skeletons with ranged crit chains, this could be the perfect “between meetings” version. The hook here isn’t content parity; it’s a faithful feel in shorter sessions. I’m watching for a demo or early access test, detailed control options, and whether the leaderboards are more than a marketing checkbox.

TL;DR

Halls of Torment’s mobile remake hits Sept 1, 2025 with faster runs, tweaked progression, and leaderboards. If ERABIT nails controls and keeps monetization clean, this could be the best way to grind builds on the go. If “streamlined” becomes “simplified,” expect PC loyalists to stick with the original.