Guns and Nuns: Storming Hell best walkthrough comes down to two priorities: learn the hourglass routes, and hit the ★★★ unlocks as early as possible. That is what opens new weapons and maps, and it is also the fastest way to make later runs more stable.
Storming Hell is the mode where time management matters most. If you are chasing consistent clears, focus on movement, hourglasses, and the star thresholds for each map before worrying about perfect kill routes.
Game Modes and What to Prioritize
Storming Hell
Your goal is to eliminate as many demons as possible before time runs out.
Hourglasses are the core of every strong run. They appear around each map and give:
- +30 seconds
- +45 seconds
- +60 seconds
The important part is not just grabbing them, but grabbing them efficiently without losing control of enemy pressure.
Time Attack
Defeat a fixed number of enemies as fast as possible.
Recommended weapon: OBLIVION
Time Attack is about speed more than survival. OBLIVION is the safest pick from the source because it supports fast clears and keeps momentum high.
Survival
Survive as long as possible while defeating enemies.
Recommended weapon: DOMINUS IRAE
For Survival, DOMINUS IRAE is the recommended pick because the mode rewards staying alive and managing pressure instead of forcing aggressive routing.
Hourglass Priority and Timing Value
Hourglasses are the difference between a good run and a stalled one.
The practical rule is simple:
- Learn where the hourglasses are on each map.
- Grab the closest safe one first.
- Keep moving instead of doubling back unless the route is already efficient.
- Treat time as a resource you are building, not a bonus you collect later.
The best runs usually come from clean routing, not from fighting every enemy on screen. If an hourglass is available and you can reach it without getting boxed in, it usually deserves priority over extended combat.
A full visual guide for all hourglass locations can be found here.
This video shows exact routes and positions for every map to help you maximize time and reach ★★★★★ more consistently.
Progression, Stars, and Unlock Rules
The star system is the backbone of progression.
- You need at least ★★★ to unlock the next weapon and map.
- Each map has its own score requirement for ★★★★★.
- The source thresholds below are the important ones to track while routing runs.
What that means in practice:
- ★★★ is the real progression target.
- ★★★★★ is the score goal for stronger, cleaner completions.
- If you are stuck, push for the next ★★★ unlock first instead of chasing perfect scores too early.
Weapons and When to Switch
Starting weapons
- REQUIEM
- LADY MARY
These are the base options and are strongest early on when you are still learning route timing and enemy behavior.
Unlocks by map
- VENTUS AUREUS — unlock: ★★★ on Palace of Pride
- REDEMPTION — unlock: ★★★ on Seas of Greed
- SOULBLESSER — unlock: ★★★ on Hallways of Lust
- PURGATORIUM — unlock: ★★★ on Caves of Sloth
- HAND OF GOD — unlock: ★★★ on Ruins of Gluttony
- OBLIVION — unlock: ★★★ on Galaxy of Wrath
- DOMINUS IRAE — unlock: ★★★ on Heaven of Envy
Recommended weapons by mode
- Time Attack: OBLIVION
- Survival: DOMINUS IRAE
Recommended weapons by stage
- Palace of Pride: REQUIEM, LADY MARY, VENTUS AUREUS
- Seas of Greed: VENTUS AUREUS, REDEMPTION
- Hallways of Lust: VENTUS AUREUS, REDEMPTION
- Caves of Sloth: REDEMPTION, SOULBLESSER
- Ruins of Gluttony: HAND OF GOD
- Galaxy of Wrath: OBLIVION
- Heaven of Envy: OBLIVION
The cleanest progression path is usually to clear early maps for ★★★ unlocks first, then return with the stronger weapon that each later map gives you.
Enemies to Watch For
Enemy variety matters because each map changes how you should move.
Palace of Pride
- Basic Red Demons
- Orange Demons
- Black Kings
- Purple Demons
Key notes:
- Black Kings spawn after the 5th hourglass.
- Purple Demons appear after ★★★★.
Seas of Greed
- Dead Pirates
- Captain Pirates
- Demon Skulls
Key notes:
- Pirates attack in groups.
- Demon Skulls are fast and aggressive.
Hallways of Lust
- Venus Flytrap Demons
- Tall Venus Flytrap Demons
Key notes:
- Venus Flytrap Demons are the main threat.
- Stronger variants spawn after later hourglasses.
Caves of Sloth
- Goblins
- Boulder Goblins
Key notes:
- Boulder Goblins are the primary threat.
- They shoot fireballs.
Ruins of Gluttony
- Eyes
- Eye Demons
Key notes:
- Eye Demons begin spawning after ★★★★.
Galaxy of Wrath
- Red Demon Skulls
- Nebula Satan
Key notes:
- Nebula Satan is a major threat.
- The source notes it is weaker than Black Kings.
Heaven of Envy
- Guardian Demon
- Black Kings
- Nebula Satan
- Eye Demons
Key notes:
- Multiple high-tier enemies spawn after ★★★★.
- Black Kings appear after the 4th and 5th hourglass.
Map-by-Map Strategy
Palace of Pride: Learn the Basics First
Palace of Pride is the starting map and the best place to learn mechanics and routing.
Recommended weapons:
- REQUIEM
- LADY MARY
- VENTUS AUREUS
Priority:
- Learn hourglass locations early
- Prioritize time over kills at the start
- Stay mobile at all times
Score targets:
- ★★★ = 300K
- ★★★★★ = 1M
This is the best place to build habits that carry into every later map. I would focus on route familiarity here before trying to force perfect combat efficiency.
Seas of Greed: Avoid Getting Cornered
This map introduces grouped enemies and stronger targets.
Recommended weapons:
- VENTUS AUREUS
- REDEMPTION
Priority:
- Avoid getting surrounded
Score targets:
- ★★★ = 300K
- ★★★★★ = 1M
The main danger here is overcommitting into pirate groups. Keep your movement open and do not chase kills into a bad position if a safer path to an hourglass is available.
Hallways of Lust: Use Teleports Cleanly
Hallways of Lust focuses on constant movement and awareness. The map uses teleportation points that move you between areas while searching for hourglasses.
Recommended weapons:
- VENTUS AUREUS
- REDEMPTION
Priority:
- Move quickly between teleport points to locate hourglasses
- Keep track of where each teleport sends you
- Maintain momentum and avoid standing still
- Control enemy groups while navigating between sections
Score targets:
- ★★★ = 220K
- ★★★★★ = 1M
This map is about learning the teleport flow, not forcing fights. If you lose track of a teleport chain, the run can slow down fast, so route memory matters here more than raw damage.
Caves of Sloth: Follow a Clean Loop
Caves of Sloth is a movement-heavy map with strong goblins.
Recommended weapons:
- REDEMPTION
- SOULBLESSER
Priority:
- Follow an efficient loop route
- Get all hourglasses
Score targets:
- ★★★ = 200K
- ★★★★★ = 1M
Boulder Goblins are the main problem because they shoot fireballs, so keep enough space to move while you complete the loop. This is a map where clean routing pays off more than aggressive chasing.
Ruins of Gluttony: Get to HAND OF GOD
Ruins of Gluttony is the stage where you want to push for the weapon unlock first.
Recommended weapon:
- HAND OF GOD
Priority:
- Go for 3 stars to unlock HAND OF GOD
- After unlocking HAND OF GOD, go after the hourglasses and 5-star clear
- Build score early
- Stay mobile during late stages
Score targets:
- ★★★ = 200K
- ★★★★★ = 1M
The source description is blunt for a reason: the first goal is the unlock, not the perfect score. Once HAND OF GOD is available, the map becomes much easier to finish cleanly.
Galaxy of Wrath: Unlock OBLIVION Early
Galaxy of Wrath is fast-paced and built around constant movement.
Recommended weapon:
- OBLIVION
Priority:
- Go for star 3 to get OBLIVION
- After that, go after hourglasses fast
- Constant movement is required
Score targets:
- ★★★ = 306K
- ★★★★★ = 2M
Nebula Satan is the major threat here, but the source notes it is weaker than Black Kings. The important part is still movement: do not stand still and let the map fill up around you.
Heaven of Envy: Best Used With OBLIVION
Heaven of Envy is listed as the 2nd easiest map in the source, and it is another stage where OBLIVION is the recommended pick.
Recommended weapon:
- OBLIVION
Priority:
- Focus on survival first
- Constant movement is required
- Spam OBLIVION
Score targets:
- ★★★ = 306K
- ★★★★★ = 2M
Multiple high-tier enemies spawn after ★★★★, and Black Kings appear after the 4th and 5th hourglass. That makes this a stage where timing your movement matters more than trying to hold one spot and farm.
Consistency Tips That Actually Help
A few habits make a big difference across every map:
- Learn hourglass locations early so you are not searching under pressure.
- Stay mobile even when the screen feels controlled.
- Prioritize time gains before long fights.
- Control enemy groups instead of running straight into them.
- Use the star unlocks as stepping stones, not just score checks.
- If a map has teleport points, memorize the order they send you to.
For most players, the fastest improvement comes from cleaner routing, not from more aggressive shooting. The strongest runs are usually the ones where hourglasses are collected with minimal detours and enemy groups are never allowed to fully trap the route.
Hourglass Route Help
The hourglass video route section is the fastest way to learn exact positions on every map.
Use it when:
- you are missing a few seconds on ★★★ or ★★★★★
- you keep losing time on teleport-heavy maps
- you want to turn a safe clear into a cleaner score run
- you need a faster path to unlock the next weapon
If the goal is to push progression efficiently, route knowledge is the first thing to lock in.