Hades Review
I’ve just spent the last few days absolutely hooked on Supergiant Games’ well-crafted Roguelike ‘Hades.’ It’s a high-water mark for the genre, and I hope it earns the attention it deserves.
When it comes to roguelikes, I’m an easy sell. The genre is so well-established at this point that if a game nails the fundamentals, I’m sure to enjoy it. Supergiant knows this, and has leveraged their talent and the artistry of its developers to craft something truly special in Hades – a game that manages to be addictive, beautiful, and well-written all at once.
Hades is a game that’s hard to put down. It’s fast, frantic, and skill-based, but always fair. Each run feels like a gift, chock-full of boons that make each death feel like part of a unique experience. Each time I perished, I wanted to jump right back in, eager to see what I could discover on the next run. It’s a roguelike that hits just the right balance of addictive and challenging that I’d even put it above Dark Souls, a game I’ve played more than any other in my adult life.
Beautiful Art and Addictive Gameplay
The first thing that struck me about Hades was its art. The fluid animations, detailed environments, and unique designs of each enemy and boss are a sight to behold. It’s not just art for the sake of it; each animation serves to add to the chaotic, skill-based nature of the combat. Watching a Cyclops smash his club into the earth, sending rocks flying at you while you dodge and block, is a thrill. Each area is distinct, with richly detailed landscapes and dungeons that break up the game’s frantic nature and add to its atmosphere.
The writing is top-notch as well. Each NPC you encounter is well-written, and the voice acting is incredible. I’m not one for games with voiced protagonists, but Hades makes it work. The game’s antagonist is unlike anything I’ve experienced in a game, and the game’s world-building is top-tier. There are few roguelikes that take the time to immerse the player in their world, but Supergiant does it expertly, with detailed descriptions of each area that enrich the game’s narrative.
The music is equally exceptional, something I didn’t expect from a roguelike. The compositions perfectly complement each game’s encounters and dungeons, bringing each environment to life. It’s worth playing just to experience the game’s soundtrack, which you can listen to in its entirety on YouTube.
A Pristine Roguelike Experience
The combat and world are so well-crafted that I almost wish the game’s progression was a bit more forgiving. I found the gameplay loop of repeating runs addictive, but I also felt that it took forever to complete each run. It’s a roguelike, so I get that that’s the point, but I was so eager to see what would happen next that I wanted to jump ahead in the story, especially after I hit a particularly good streak that offered up a wealth of exposition.
Some users might find the gameplay repetitive and unappealing because of this. Roguelikes aren’t for everyone, and I can see how the game’s frantic and skill-based nature might not appeal to everyone. I enjoyed the challenge, but I can understand why some wouldn’t.
Many users consider Hades near perfect, which may sound hyperbolic to those who don’t like roguelikes. I can understand why people who don’t enjoy the genre wouldn’t find the gameplay loop of repeating runs appealing. But for those who do enjoy roguelikes, this is one of the best titles I’ve ever played.
There are a few users who didn’t enjoy Hades at all, finding it flat or getting bored and finding it tiring. That’s understandable; roguelikes aren’t for everyone. But I’d urge anyone who doesn’t like roguelikes to give Hades a try. Even if you don’t end up enjoying the gameplay, the story, art, and characters are well-done and enjoyable regardless.
There’s also some disagreement over the game’s perfection. Some users call it perfect, while others disagree. I understand why some might consider it that – it’s a well-rounded game that doesn’t have much wrong with it – but I find that rating to be reductive. I’ll use a similar analogy: I consider The Witcher 3 to be a perfect game, but that doesn’t mean it’s without any flaws. It’s a near-perfect experience, and I’d apply the same rating here.
If anything, I might describe Hades as more ‘pristine’ than perfect. That’s not to say it’s flawless – its frantic and skill-based nature may not appeal to everyone – but I found it an addictive, well-crafted roguelike that I’d highly recommend to fans of the genre and Supergiant’s other titles, such as Bastion, Pyre, and Transistor.
