Hades Review 2026: Should You Buy It?

What is Hades?

Hades is an action-packed rogue-like dungeon crawler from the acclaimed independent studio Supergiant Games, the creators of Bastion, Transistor, and Pyre. Released in 2020, it has since become a modern classic, lauded for its seamless fusion of addictive gameplay and a compelling, character-driven narrative. The premise casts you as Zagreus, the rebellious and perpetually snarky son of Hades, god of the Greek underworld. Your goal is simple in concept but devilishly difficult in execution: fight your way out of the ever-shifting depths of the Underworld to reach the surface and your extended family on Mount Olympus. Each escape attempt is a fresh run through procedurally generated chambers, and each death sees you unceremoniously dumped back in the House of Hades to begin anew, armed with the knowledge and resources gained from your previous endeavour.

Gameplay

In our view, Hades achieves a near-perfect alchemy of responsive, kinetic combat and meaningful, player-driven progression. At its core, each run is a fast-paced ballet of destruction. You choose from a selection of Infernal Arms—a sword, spear, shield, bow, fists, and a gun—each with a distinct feel and multiple unlockable aspects that radically alter their playstyle. The real magic, however, lies in the Boons offered by the Olympian gods. These power-ups, bestowed by Zeus, Athena, Poseidon, and others, modify your attacks, specials, and dashes with elemental effects and game-changing synergies. A dash that deflects projectiles from Athena combined with a lightning-infused attack from Zeus creates a defensive-offensive storm, for example. The sheer volume of possible builds is staggering, encouraging endless experimentation.

The genius of Hades’ design is how it respects the player’s time and effort. The rogue-like structure is not a punitive loop but a narrative and mechanical engine. Every failure yields Darkness, Gemstones, Nectar, and other currencies used to purchase permanent upgrades via the Mirror of Night and to upgrade the House of Hades itself. You grow stronger between runs, not just within them. This, combined with the game’s masterful pacing—where each 30-45 minute escape attempt feels like a complete, escalating arc—makes “just one more run” an irresistible mantra. The learning curve is expertly judged; early runs are challenging but fair, teaching enemy patterns and boon synergies organically. The depth is immense, with higher difficulties via the Pact of Punishment offering a stern test for even the most seasoned players.

Who is Hades for?

Hades is a masterclass in accessibility for a genre often considered niche. It is unequivocally for players who enjoy tight, skill-based action and a compelling sense of progression. While its rogue-like roots and escalating challenge cater to the hardcore, its progressive difficulty scaling and permanent upgrades make it remarkably welcoming for more casual players who might normally be deterred by permadeath. It is a strictly solo experience, but one that is constantly enriched by its deep cast of characters who react to your progress.

If you enjoyed the fluid combat and isometric perspective of Supergiant’s previous titles, you will feel immediately at home. Fans of other narrative-driven rogue-likes like Dead Cells or the build-crafting depth of Binding of Isaac will find a kindred spirit here. However, Hades distinguishes itself with an unrivalled integration of story, where the loop of death and rebirth is not a barrier to the plot but its very vehicle. In our view, it’s also an excellent entry point for action RPG fans curious about the rogue-like genre, as its systems are the most forgiving and rewarding we’ve encountered.

Graphics and performance

Supergiant’s signature art direction is in full, glorious bloom here. Hades is a visual feast, marrying hand-painted environments with vibrant, effects-laden combat. The art style is a stunning blend of ancient Greek vase painting and modern comic-book dynamism. Each biome of the Underworld—from the claustrophobic chambers of Tartarus to the fiery forges of Asphodel and the lush, eerie beauty of Elysium—is dripping with personality and colour. Character designs are exceptional, instantly iconic and brimming with expression.

Performance, in our experience, is superb. On PC, the game is well-optimised and runs flawlessly on a wide range of hardware, maintaining a rock-solid frame rate even during the most chaotic screen-filling attacks. The controls are tight and responsive whether using a keyboard and mouse or, as we would strongly recommend, a controller. The isometric perspective never becomes a hindrance, and the visual clarity amidst the particle-effect pandemonium is a testament to thoughtful design. It is a polished, performance-friendly title that looks and feels fantastic.

Value for money

Hades offers exceptional value. To simply achieve the credits roll requires a significant and satisfying investment, likely in the region of 20-30 hours for most players. However, that is merely the beginning. The story continues to unfold and deepen long after your first successful escape, with countless character arcs, side stories, and relationship milestones to uncover. Completing the extensive post-game content, experimenting with all weapon aspects, and tackling the high-heat Pact of Punishment challenges can easily push total playtime well past 100 hours for dedicated players.

Given the density of content, the quality of the writing and voice acting (which is uniformly excellent), and the sheer replayability of the core gameplay loop, the asking price is more than justified. This is a game that keeps on giving, where every session feels productive, whether you’re making narrative progress, unlocking a new weapon upgrade, or simply trying out a wild new boon combination. The cost-to-enjoyment ratio is among the best in the industry.

Verdict

Hades is a landmark achievement in game design. It is the rare title that executes on every front with peerless confidence: its combat is endlessly engaging, its progression systems are deeply rewarding, its art and music are breathtaking, and its narrative is woven into the fabric of the gameplay in an innovative and compelling way. In our view, it stands not only as Supergiant Games’ magnum opus but as one of the finest action RPGs and rogue-likes ever created.

We wholeheartedly recommend Hades to anyone with even a passing interest in action games or rich storytelling. You will love it if you crave fast-paced, strategic combat, enjoy unlocking a steady stream of meaningful upgrades, and want to be part of a witty, dramatic, and surprisingly heartfelt mythological tale. The only players who might not enjoy it are those utterly opposed to any form of repetition or those seeking a purely open-world, non-linear experience. For everyone else, Hades is an essential journey into the Underworld—one you’ll be desperate to repeat again and again.