If you purchased the Deluxe Edition of Hell is Us and are wondering where your promised Secret Code DLC item is, you’re not alone. Many players have reported not seeing a distinct item in their inventory upon starting the game. This guide will clear up the confusion and show you exactly how to access this exclusive content.
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The Secret Code Isn’t a Physical Inventory Item
The most common point of confusion is players expecting to find a physical note or key item in their in-game inventory menu. This is not the case.
The Secret Code DLC is integrated directly into your save file from the very beginning. The developers have seamlessly woven it into the game’s lore and exploration.
How to Find and Use the Secret Code
The secret code is used for one specific purpose: to unlock the safe inside the wrecked APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) that you encounter early in the game.
Here is the step-by-step process:
- Start a Fresh Save: The code is present on a new game save if you have the Deluxe Edition installed. You do not need to find it; it is already with you.
- Progress Until You Find the APC: Early in the game, you will come across a destroyed military APC. This is a key location and is hard to miss.
- Locate the Safe Inside: Explore the interior of the APC until you find a secure safe.
- Interact with the Safe: When you approach the safe, you will be prompted to input a code.
- Input the Code: The first half of the code is not an item you need to read; it is knowledge your character possesses because of the DLC. The game will acknowledge this and auto-fill or recognize the first part of the sequence.
- Unlock the Rewards: Once you input the correct full code (a combination of your DLC half and a half you may find in the world), the safe will open, granting you your exclusive Deluxe Edition rewards. These typically include:
- A unique weapon skin or early-game weapon.
- A piece of exclusive cosmetic armor or outfit.
- Other narrative-based items that enhance the story.
What if It’s Still Not Working?
- Restart Your Game: Fully close and restart Hell is Us to ensure the DLC is properly recognized.
- Check Your Platform’s Store: Go to the PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, or Steam DLC section for Hell is Us and ensure the Deluxe Edition content is marked as “Installed.”
- Restore Licenses (Console): On PS5 or Xbox, use the “Restore Licenses” feature in the system settings. This often forces the console to recognize owned DLC content.
Why This Design Choice?
This integrated approach is likely a deliberate narrative choice by the developers at Rogue Factor. Instead of breaking immersion with a obvious “DLC item,” they baked the reward into the game’s environmental storytelling. Your character simply knows the first part of the code, making you feel more connected to their past and the world.
The second half of the code is probably found elsewhere in the game world, encouraging exploration and tying the reward to progression.
