Hades Review: Should You Buy It?

What is Hades?

Hades is an action-packed rogue-like dungeon crawler from Supergiant Games, the studio behind Bastion, Transistor, and Pyre. Released in 2020, it has become a modern classic, praised for blending addictive gameplay with a compelling, character-driven narrative.

You play as Zagreus, the rebellious son of Hades, god of the Greek underworld. Your goal is simple in concept but difficult in execution: fight your way out of the ever-shifting Underworld to reach the surface and your family on Mount Olympus.

Each escape attempt is a fresh run through procedurally generated chambers. Each death sends you back to the House of Hades to begin anew, armed with knowledge and resources gained from your previous attempt.

Gameplay

Hades achieves a near-perfect blend of responsive, kinetic combat and meaningful, player-driven progression. At its core, each run is a fast-paced ballet of destruction.

You choose from six Infernal Arms: a sword, spear, shield, bow, fists, and a gun. Each has a distinct feel and multiple unlockable aspects that radically alter its playstyle.

Boons and Builds

The real magic lies in the Boons offered by the Olympian gods. Zeus, Athena, Poseidon, and others modify your attacks, specials, and dashes with elemental effects and impactful synergies.

Example synergy: A dash that deflects projectiles from Athena, combined with a lightning-infused attack from Zeus, creates a defensive-offensive storm. The sheer volume of possible builds is staggering, encouraging endless experimentation.

Respecting Your Time

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 for permanent upgrades via the Mirror of Night and House renovations. You grow stronger between runs, not just within them.

Each 30-45 minute escape attempt feels like a complete, escalating arc, making “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.

Higher difficulty: The Pact of Punishment offers 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 for players who enjoy tight, skill-based action and a compelling sense of progression.

Its progressive difficulty scaling and permanent upgrades make it welcoming for casual players who might normally be deterred by permadeath. It is a strictly solo experience, enriched by a deep cast of characters who react to your progress.

Similar Games

• Fans of Supergiant’s previous titles will feel immediately at home with the fluid combat and isometric perspective.
• Fans of Dead Cells or Binding of Isaac will find a kindred spirit in the build-crafting depth.
• Action RPG newcomers will find Hades an excellent entry point, as its systems are among the most forgiving and rewarding in the genre.

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.

Graphics and Performance

Supergiant’s signature art direction is in full bloom. Hades is a visual feast, marrying hand-painted environments with vibrant, effects-laden combat.

The art style blends ancient Greek vase painting with modern comic-book dynamism. Each biome, from the claustrophobic chambers of Tartarus to the fiery forges of Asphodel and the eerie beauty of Elysium, is dripping with personality and colour. Character designs are exceptional and instantly iconic.

Performance is superb. On PC, the game runs flawlessly on a wide range of hardware, maintaining a rock-solid frame rate even during chaotic, screen-filling attacks.

The controls are tight and responsive whether using keyboard and mouse or a controller. Visual clarity amidst the particle-effect pandemonium is a testament to thoughtful design.

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.

The story continues to unfold long after your first successful escape. Countless character arcs, side stories, and relationship milestones await discovery.

Completing the extensive post-game content, experimenting with all weapon aspects, and tackling high-heat Pact of Punishment challenges can easily push total playtime past 100 hours for dedicated players.

Given the density of content, the quality of writing and voice acting, and the sheer replayability of the core loop, the cost-to-enjoyment ratio is among the best in the industry.

Verdict

Hades is a landmark achievement in game design: endlessly engaging combat, deeply rewarding progression, breathtaking art and music, and a narrative woven into the very fabric of gameplay.

It stands not only as Supergiant Games’ magnum opus but as one of the finest action RPGs and rogue-likes ever created.

Hades comes highly recommended 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 meaningful upgrades, and want to be part of a witty, dramatic, and heartfelt mythological tale.

The only players who might not enjoy it are those utterly opposed to 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.