Rate top gamesHades is the perfected "rogue-lite" formula. Supergiant deftly weaves gameplay and story together, creating impactful moments narratively and mechanically.
There's so much to talk about here, but I want to focus on two things: how well it pulls off the rogue-lite formula, and how well it tells a story at the same time. If you're unfamiliar with rogue-lites, they're a genre of game where you have to clear the game in a single attempt while grabbing upgrades along the way. You likely won't win on your first try, but you'll learn something and be better prepared for the next attempt.
I've long held that Binding of Isaac is the peak of the rogue-lite genre for numerous reasons: variety, meaningful choices, and synergies. Hades has a healthy amount of variety between each run, but not so much that you're dying to RNG every time. Hades has freedom to choose your playstyle, with multiple choices both before and during each run that culminate in satisfying displays of your power. Hades also has powerful synergies between effects and upgrades, allowing for further experimenting and customization in each run. All of these aspects are compounded 6 unique weapons that each provide unique playstyles that you choose before each run.
Then there's story. The basic premise is that you must escape from the underworld, and each death has you taking the River Styx back to the depths of Tartarus. There's plenty of Greek mythos to immerse yourself into, but the important part is how they tie every aspect of a traditional rogue-like to these story elements. Upgrades are blessings from the Olympians; bosses are mythological figures payed by your father to keep you from reaching the surface, weapons are from epic tales, the memebers of Hades' court of the dead greet you with enthusiasm every time you die, and everyone has personality. There's thousands upon thousands of dialogue lines in the game, and it wasn't until 60+ hours in that I heard a single repeated line. Dialogue is similar to Bastion's narrator, commenting on your choices throughout each run, or your deaths from previous escape attempts.
If you're a fan of Supergiant's previous game, fast-paced action RPG's, rogue-lites, or even visual novels, Hades has something for you and is worth every penny of it's $25 price tag.
There's so much to talk about here, but I want to focus on two things: how well it pulls off the rogue-lite formula, and how well it tells a story at the same time. If you're unfamiliar with rogue-lites, they're a genre of game where you have to clear the game in a single attempt while grabbing upgrades along the way. You likely won't win on your first try, but you'll learn something and be better prepared for the next attempt.
I've long held that Binding of Isaac is the peak of the rogue-lite genre for numerous reasons: variety, meaningful choices, and synergies. Hades has a healthy amount of variety between each run, but not so much that you're dying to RNG every time. Hades has freedom to choose your playstyle, with multiple choices both before and during each run that culminate in satisfying displays of your power. Hades also has powerful synergies between effects and upgrades, allowing for further experimenting and customization in each run. All of these aspects are compounded 6 unique weapons that each provide unique playstyles that you choose before each run.
Then there's story. The basic premise is that you must escape from the underworld, and each death has you taking the River Styx back to the depths of Tartarus. There's plenty of Greek mythos to immerse yourself into, but the important part is how they tie every aspect of a traditional rogue-like to these story elements. Upgrades are blessings from the Olympians; bosses are mythological figures payed by your father to keep you from reaching the surface, weapons are from epic tales, the memebers of Hades' court of the dead greet you with enthusiasm every time you die, and everyone has personality. There's thousands upon thousands of dialogue lines in the game, and it wasn't until 60+ hours in that I heard a single repeated line. Dialogue is similar to Bastion's narrator, commenting on your choices throughout each run, or your deaths from previous escape attempts.
If you're a fan of Supergiant's previous game, fast-paced action RPG's, rogue-lites, or even visual novels, Hades has something for you and is worth every penny of it's $25 price tag.
I love this rougelike. Superb voice acting, a fresh gameplay loop, and intriguing characters. The hand-painted visuals are gorgeous, and the action is so fun, it draws you in. Dying is more or less an opportunity, almost desirable. I can't wait to find out the true ending.
«Can’t stop playing»
«Constantly dying and enjoy it»
This game is Magical.
Supergiant Games just keep making these wonderful experiences!
Hades is Exceptional in almost all regards. It feels like the next evolution of a Roguelite that even rivals Giants such as Dead Cells.
The core is that the gameplay is just fun on its own and has such deep combination and variation that reruns almost always feel different. But on top of that and the gorgous visuals, Hades true achievement is its story. Despite being a repeptetive Roguelite it tells a well writen, charming and engaging Story of the Family around Zagreus (son of Hades) in a 'Mature Disneys Hercules' style and it's simply enchanting.
This game is magical and deserves every praise it gets :-)
«Blew my mind»
«Just one more turn»
The best roguelike ever made. Completely confident and fun and it somehow found a way to approach the roguelike genre with more than a one-note story. It's a game that pushes me to keep attempting to escape from hell and then rewarding me even for the most pitiful attempts with permanent upgrades and new story events and character moments. And everytime you hurl yourself out the window with weapon in hand you learn a little more and never feel unrewarded for your time.