Hades

sperma

This game was my first foray into dungeon-crawlers/roguelikes and I can definitely say that it's totally worth the hype! I was immediately drawn by the art style and Greek mythology premise and after trying it out, I was thoroughly impressed by the intricate gameplay mechanics, the smooth animations and especially the amazing lore and storytelling. If you're on the fence about this game, I'd say definitely go for it!

好玩耐玩

somehow death never feels that punishing

eahY

“In the name of Hades…” I initially bought Hades during a sale. I played until I managed to beat a run once, then it ended up sitting in my backlog. I figured that since it’s a roguelike, I could always come back to it whenever I wanted. Fast forward a year, and I finally found the time to properly play it. And oh boy, I missed out on a lot of fun. Hades is the first roguelike I’ve ever played. I was already familiar with the genre since I’d seen countless reviews praising roguelikes for their insane replayability, and Hades is no exception. I don’t know if it was because I was burnt out from school or just tired of the games I had been playing, but once I started, I genuinely could not stop. The premise alone immediately hooks you in. You play as Zagreus, battling your way out of the Underworld while trying to solve a whole lot of family problems along the way. The game’s four regions each have their own distinct atmosphere. There are also environmental hazards unique to each area, like the traps scattered throughout Tartarus or the pesky lava covering Asphodel. These hazards add another layer to the combat and constantly force you to stay alert. My favorite region is probably Elysium. I absolutely love its vibrant green scenery, and I appreciate that after entering a new region for the first time, the game gives you a moment to simply admire the environment before throwing you back into the action. From the scorching heat of Asphodel to the satyr-infested Temple of Styx, there’s never really a dull moment. Ironically, there were times I found myself wishing for one because of how relentlessly fast-paced the game is. Spotting Charon’s shop or finally stumbling upon a healing fountain after surviving several chambers always felt like a well-earned breather. Speaking of surviving, the enemies in this game deserve their own paragraph. Every single one of them has found a unique way to piss me off. Being a roguelike, Hades is designed around failure. You’re expected to die… a lot. But I’d argue that’s exactly what makes it so satisfying. Every death teaches you something and pushes you to improve. I can’t count how many times a Megagorgon turned me into stone just before I got flattened by a Skull Crusher. Or how many times an Exalted Greatshield completely shut down my attacks in Elysium. And don’t even get me started on the Satyr Cultists peppering me with poisoned darts while crystal lasers are firing from halfway across the map. Yeah… fun times. The boss fights are just as memorable. Every boss has its own mechanics that make each encounter feel different. You never quite know which Fury Sister you’ll be facing or which version of Lernie the Bone Hydra is waiting for you. My favorite boss fight has to be Theseus and Asterius. The first time I entered that arena and realized I had to fight both of them at once, I got absolutely folded. What I especially love is the constant banter between Zagreus and the bosses. Every rematch comes with new dialogue that slowly develops their relationships over time, making repeated encounters feel fresh even after dozens of runs. Now onto the best part, the gameplay. It’s just… fun. There’s really no better way to describe it. Everything about Hades is designed to make “just one more run” impossible to resist. The game offers six different weapons, each with its own distinct playstyle. Whether you prefer the straightforward Stygian Blade, getting up close with the Twin Fists, or keeping your distance with the Heart-Seeking Bow, there’s probably something that’ll click with you. My personal favorite ended up being the Adamant Rail because it’s literally just a gun. I never expected my favorite weapon in a game about Greek mythology to be an assault rifle, but here we are. Running through the Underworld with Artemis crit boons while unloading bullets into everything in sight made me feel like a trigger-happy American. Outside of combat, there’s also plenty of permanent progression. The Mirror of Night ensures that every failed run still feels meaningful, since each death lets you grow stronger for the next attempt. Keepsakes and Cthonic Companions give you even more ways to customize your runs and build toward the playstyle you enjoy most. The real star of the gameplay, however, is the boon system. Every Olympian offers blessings that completely change how a run plays. Zeus focuses on chain lightning, Dionysus stacks Hangover damage over time, Athena lets you deflect incoming attacks, while Artemis turns every critical hit into a potential nuke. Half the fun comes from experimenting with different combinations and seeing what ridiculous build you can create. My favorite was stacking Artemis crit bonuses on the Adamant Rail and watching enemies disappear in seconds. The conversations with each Olympian before receiving their boons are also a great touch, giving every god plenty of personality while expanding the world and its mythology. The characters themselves are arguably the strongest aspect of the game. The dialogue system constantly rewards you for talking to everyone. It almost feels like playing a visual novel, where every conversation reveals another piece of each character’s story. Every resident of the House of Hades has their own struggles, and as Zagreus continues his escape attempts, you slowly help them resolve those problems too. Oddly enough, dying became something I looked forward to because it meant I could return home and see who had something new to say. I hoarded Nectar and Ambrosia whenever I could just so I could deepen my relationships with everyone. Even though I was already familiar with most of these figures thanks to my love of Greek mythology, I was excited to see Supergiant’s interpretation of them. The story itself is relatively simple, but it’s executed so well that every successful escape only made me want to uncover more about Zagreus’ family and the secrets surrounding them. Finally, there’s the presentation. The art direction is gorgeous. The blend of hand-painted 2D artwork with detailed 3D environments gives Hades a look that’s instantly recognizable. Combat animations are incredibly fluid, and no matter how frantic the action became, every input always felt responsive. Greek mythology is woven into every aspect of the game, from the enemy designs inspired by creatures like Gorgons and Minotaurs to the Olympian gods themselves. And then there’s the soundtrack. It’s phenomenal. I especially love hearing Orpheus perform the songs you’ve collected throughout the game. Meanwhile, Darren Korb’s battle themes constantly filled me with adrenaline whenever I was carving my way through another chamber. The music perfectly matches the pace of the combat and never gets old. Overall, Hades is an incredibly fun and rewarding experience that I’d recommend to anyone looking for a challenging action game. Whether you’re completely new to roguelikes or already a fan of the genre, Hades delivers an unforgettable adventure packed with satisfying gameplay, memorable characters, and one of the best interpretations of Greek mythology I’ve experienced in a video game. Final Rating: 8.85/10

Insane replay value with lots of story to keep you playing for weeks.

I LOVE APHRODITE