Hades stands out as a roguelike action RPG that blends intense combat with deep narrative elements, drawing players into the mythological depths of the Underworld. Developed by Supergiant Games, this title puts you in control of Zagreus, the son of Hades, as he fights to escape his father's domain and reach Mount Olympus. Released in 2020, the game has earned praise for its tight mechanics and replay value, making it a staple for fans of action-oriented RPGs and roguelikes.
Gameplay
In Hades, the core loop revolves around attempting escapes from the Underworld through a series of procedurally generated rooms filled with enemies and rewards. You navigate isometric environments across four main regions: Tartarus, Asphodel, Elysium, and the Temple of Styx. Combat feels fluid and strategic, relying on a combination of primary attacks, special moves, a ranged cast ability, and a dash for evasion and positioning. Each run lets you equip one of six infernal arms, such as the Stygian Blade for close-range slashes or the Adamant Rail for rapid-fire shots.
Boons from Olympian gods like Zeus or Athena add layers to your build, granting effects such as lightning strikes or defensive shields that persist through the run. These choices create thousands of potential combinations, encouraging experimentation. Death resets your progress but allows permanent upgrades via the Mirror of Night in the House of Hades, where you spend collected resources to boost stats or unlock new abilities. This meta-progression ensures steady improvement, even after failures.
Game Modes
Hades focuses on single-player roguelike runs as its primary mode, with no multiplayer options available. Each attempt involves battling through randomized chambers and facing region-specific bosses, including the Furies in Tartarus, the Lernaean Bone Hydra in Asphodel, Theseus and Asterius in Elysium, and ultimately Hades himself.
For varied challenges, the game offers difficulty modifiers through the Pact of Punishment system, which lets you increase enemy toughness, add time limits, or enhance boss abilities for greater rewards. On the easier side, God Mode provides incremental damage resistance after deaths, making the experience accessible without altering core mechanics.
Story and Setting
The narrative unfolds in the House of Hades, a hub where you interact with a cast of gods, ghosts, and monsters between runs. Relationships with characters like Nyx or Achilles deepen over time, revealing lore through fully voiced dialogues and events. The story explores family tensions among the Greek pantheon, with Olympians aiding your escapes via boons and messages.
This integration of story and gameplay keeps runs engaging, as failures advance plotlines and unlock new interactions, blending action with character-driven moments.
Is It Worth Playing?
With universal acclaim and over one million copies sold, Hades remains a strong pick for anyone interested in roguelike action RPGs. It holds a 99 percent recommendation rate from critics on OpenCritic and won Game of the Year at the 2021 BAFTA Games Awards, D.I.C.E. Awards, and Game Developers Choice Awards, highlighting its excellence in narrative and mechanics.
As a complete title with no ongoing updates or DLC, it offers lasting value through high replayability and procedural elements. If you enjoy fast-paced combat, build variety, and mythological tales, Hades delivers a satisfying experience that rewards persistence and strategy, especially on PC where it originated.
