- Publisher: Supergiant Games
- Release Date: Sep 17, 2020
- Also On: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
- Critic score
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- Unscored
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Feb 17, 2021Hades is a roguelike action RPG developed and published by Supergiant Games. It set a new bar for roguelike games with amazing visuals, character development, and storyline. Hades does have a few minor issues that plague most roguelikes. But these don’t impact the overall experience of an amazingly great game.
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Dec 11, 2020Whenever I stopped playing this game, all I could think about was how I was going to handle my next run. I’d think about the gods I should look for and the characters I wanted to learn about, I’d think about the next weapon I should try and how frustrating a certain boss was. Then, I’d sit down and play again, losing myself in a world that I could consistently feel myself getting better at. And once I still think about the first time I fully completed a run, beating the final boss. That feeling of accomplishment is something to be celebrated and appreciated.
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Dec 7, 2020An epic soundtrack, top-tier voice acting, gorgeous artwork and locales, frenetic but balanced action, and an addictive roguelike progression system and surprisingly deep build system come together to make Hades the indie game you should be playing if you have a PC.
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Oct 23, 2020Dynamic combat, great loot and a brilliant story come together to turn Hades into an extremely addictive game which you’ll love to play for dozens of hours and which will probably never bore you.
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Oct 14, 2020Hades success is very much indebted to its pacing. Game pacing is difficult in the best of circumstances; it’s impossible without extensive testing, consideration, and willingness to change things for the sake of player experience. This is all easy for people like me to say, with our monocles and berets and copies of the Chicago Manual of Style, plus maybe some Foucault if really pressed. “It’s all about the player experience.” “Design is law.” You can talk all day. But when the player starts getting frustrated at the lack of progress, or insufficient game cues, you might find yourself in a tough spot as a designer. How you get out of it, or if you even do, says a lot about your skill with design and production.
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Oct 13, 2020Hades is Supergiant Games’ latest production, and also their best to date. Young prince Zagreus attempts to escape from the underworld due to reasons we’ll slowly uncover as the plot evolves. He’ll be aided by the Gods of Olympus, but only our own skill will decide if we came out victorious or if we die trying, returning home to start all over again. An action Roguelike perfectly designed like no other.
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Oct 1, 2020This is the kind of video game fighting that puts your heart in your mouth, an exhilarating whirl of slashes and strikes and dodges. Each jewel in Zagreus’ armoury – brass-knuckles, greatshield and sword, railgun, spear – has its own rhythm: some favour quick flurries at close range, others charge up to unleash hell on rooms full of gorgons and cursed chariots. Conquered chambers sometimes bring a new blessing from one of Zagreus’ relatives up on Mount Olympus, boons that add a watery damage-dealing flourish to your dash or imbue your weapon with lightning, calls that summon gods to unleash magical arrows or make you invincible.
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Sep 24, 2020Hades is everything great about the roguelite genre all but perfected. Few games aim as high, and fewer still reach their goals. Hades does, exceeding even the loftiest expectations.
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Sep 24, 2020Hades is one of the greatest roguelikes ever made. This is a must-play.
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Sep 22, 2020It's been a long time since a game grabbed me like Hades. It has been even longer since I played a game that seemed to keep getting better. With almost fifty hours on the counter, I know exactly what to expect from Hades. But nothing makes me want to stop playing, a sentiment that facilitates the endgame very well. Hades is a rare total package. Never before have I dared to recommend a game so easily. 2020 is a difficult year. Treat yourself.
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Sep 21, 2020Hades is everything a dungeon-crawler fan could want out of a game. Its gameplay loop is rewarding and interesting, it's simple enough that there's no skill barrier, it's complex enough that the repetition is a benefit and not a detriment, and all the small details boost the bigger ones. Hades is ultimately the result of when every aspect of a game comes together to form one fun and cohesive experience, and it's a testament to what Supergiant Games can do.
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Sep 21, 2020Hades is an absolutely phenomenal game. Its characters are brilliantly written, and the worldbuilding and lore are top-notch. The combat mechanics are refreshing, intricate, and unbelievably deep. Its replayability and fun factor will keep you continuing onward with Zagreus' adventure well after the true ending and epilogue. This is one title you wouldn't want to miss out on.
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Sep 20, 2020Hades sets itself apart from other entries in the roguelike genre with an intricate and engrossing story, while simultaneously creating a varied experience for both casual and hardcore players. With thousands of Boon possibilities accompanied by the different Aspects each individual weapon has and the perks granted to you by the Mirror, it gives players the opportunity to customize their builds to an incredible degree. Hades was more than worth the wait, as the full release is easily Game of the Year material.
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Sep 19, 2020Hades is near perfect, offering exactly what you expect and yet somehow exceeding your wildest expectations. From the art design to the gameplay to the narrative, Hades is proof of the incredible creative power that SuperGiant Games have been honing for the last nine years.
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Sep 17, 2020Hades is, to put it plainly, a masterpiece. It has a refreshingly unique trajectory, tells a compelling story with an alluring cast, and has such a good handle on moment-to-moment play that it is never anything less than genuinely excellent. It’s a game that grows the more you play it, as opposed to being something that suffers from a slow descent into tedium. And for that reason, it is a genuine forever game.
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Sep 17, 2020Hades is one of the best roguelites of all-time. It's a phenomenal achievement in story telling, gameplay, and an absolute treat for both your eyes and ears. It's astounding, and it's always been fairly astounding through Early Access, but this final release cements it as one of the greats. If you like roguelites, and even if you don't, you should probably get in on this as soon as you can.
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LEVEL (Czech Republic)Feb 28, 2020Perfect gameplay style crowned with interesting mechanics, beautiful graphics and hectic fights, where death usually isn‘t the end, but a new beginning. [Issue#301]
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Apr 15, 2022Do you know what I'm going to do after writing this review? Play Hades again - for fun. It's just so damn good. Maybe I'll be able to escape hell, maybe not, but I'll be happy to try again.
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CD-ActionDec 18, 2020This is without a doubt Supergiant’s best game – highly polished, designed to be replayed time after time over dozens or even hundreds of hours, friendly towards rookies, full of fun content, and addictive as hell. It also looks great and the voice acting is superb. [12/2020, p.52]
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Nov 10, 2020Hades stands not only as the finest, most well-crafted game from the exceedingly talented developers at Supergiant but as one of the pinnacles of the genre. If you never looked at rogue-likes seriously before due to differences in personal tastes and what you believe that they represent, this might be the very title to change your mind.
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Oct 19, 2020Whenever I play a new Supergiant title, I always find myself absolutely enthralled with it, transfixed by its visual allure and engaging gameplay. After playing their second title Transistor, I was convinced that they wouldn’t be able to top themselves, but I stand corrected. Hades is a perfect amalgamation of everything that makes Supergiant Games one of the best independent developers out there, with a killer gameplay loop, heartfelt story, and writing that will have you hinging on every single word. This game deserves all the attention it’s getting and more, and I implore you to play it for yourself.
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Oct 7, 2020As an avid fan of Diablo III’s transition into a build-your-own action-RPG superhero, Hades is often reminiscent of that Blizzard classic at its best - where weapon choice can then inform skills, variations, and switching things up based on what you’re presented with. There’s so much surprise in store and the narrative and mechanics are so intertwined that to discuss some of it in detail would feel like spoiling it. In the end though, persistence is what drives it all. So much so that reaching the surface and overcoming that final obstacle presents a feeling so monumental, that it borders on deeply emotional. But like any Greek tragedy or work of classical fiction that too opens the door to more questions, more answers, and more challenges for you and Zagreus to tackle head-on - with a little help from the Gods.
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Oct 3, 2020Few are the games that actually live up to their hype. Hades is one such game. With its excellent gameplay, great soundtrack, wonderful story and great use of its roguelike elements to tell it, Hades is one of the best games of 2020. Supergiant games just gave us another banger.
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Sep 28, 2020Hades is one of the best roguelikes you can play. An interesting cast of characters, anchored by the lovable Zagreus, is worth learning about, while the seemingly never-ending upgrades always provide something to work towards. A few more bosses and environments would have helped the long road towards the true ending, but with so much weapon and build variety, each run offers a unique and rewarding trip through the Underworld.
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Sep 22, 2020Hades is an exceptional game. It’s got a fun gameplay loop, incredible visual design, good animations and a ton of story and dialogue (and it’s all voice acted!). Definitely Supergiant’s best game to date, and a must-play both for roguelike fans and newcomers to the genre.
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Oct 28, 2020Outstanding both as part of Supergiant Games' catalogue and for the genre as a whole, Hades proves that Supergiant are masters at melding their style with unique gameplay premises. It also shows they have somehow become masters of the action genre and the result is a supremely crafted masterpiece that stands tall amongst this year's releases.
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Oct 27, 2020Hades is a hell of a good time. It’s tight and responsive, with vast depth beyond the surface levels you’ll need to technically complete it. It looks great, sounds better, and does a masterful job of keeping you moving forward in both story and mechanics. Hades is without doubt one of the best roguelite games to date, a new high point for Supergiant Games, and a dark horse contender for game of the year lists this fall.
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Oct 16, 2020After launching the official version, "Hades" can not only attract a large number of players with a very charming and in-depth combat system, but also a rich story that can stand out among many Roguelike games.
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Jul 6, 2021As with previous titles from Supergiant Games, Hades features stellar artwork and music, masterfully creating a world of Greek mythology. The fast-paced action feels great, and the roguelike elements create a synergy with the game’s story, resulting in a truly addictive experience.
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Nov 4, 2020Supergiant Games has done it again. They have managed to perfectly mix amazing storytelling and great action to create another compelling title. Even if you are not a fan of roguelikes you should definitely try Hades out - it’s a challenge, it has a great story, and it’s a hell of a ride.
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Oct 31, 2020This will probably be the standard that roguelite games will be following for years to come- or it should be, at any rate. If nothing else, Hades is easily the best game Supergiant have made to date.
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Oct 20, 2020Rogue-lites may be an acquired taste for some, but it’s hard to envision a world where Hades isn’t an easy recommendation. By the time credits rolled on the main story, there was plenty more to discover and unlock as well as the desire to do so. It may not have the infinite replayability some of the others in the genre are often considered to have but its focus on narrative and characters will give a satisfying enough conclusion even without all that. It’s a game to lose a night to or play in reasonable chunks and still get something out of. It is Supergiant Games’ best effort by far and that is no small feat.
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Oct 10, 2020The most complete and engaging game Supergiant has ever made. By playing with the genre the developers have found unique variations and solutions that almost makes it difficult to call this a roguelike.
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Oct 3, 2020It has been a long time since a game could make me laugh so wonderfully, I haven't been so in love with characters and their world in ages.
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Oct 2, 2020Beautiful art, ingenious combat, and a clever plot structure make Hades a stunning example of the often polarizing roguelite genre.
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Oct 1, 2020Hades is a game for almost everyone. The only people I could see not getting struck by Aphrodite are those who can’t stand procedural generation or action games at all. If you’ve got even a cursory interest in roguelikes or action RPGs, you absolutely cannot pass this game up. Its only real shortcoming is the less-than-stellar story, which is a first for Supergiant Games. Rest assured, the gameplay, characters, secrets, and customization more than make up for a lack of a gripping narrative.
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Sep 30, 2020Hades takes the hated cycle of retrying the same checkpoint over and over again, flips it on its head with rewarding progression, and makes the player genuinely look forward to starting over with new abilities and upgrades.
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Sep 30, 2020Probably the best title created from Supergiant Games and one of the best roguelite games out there.
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Sep 24, 2020Live. Die. Repeat. Hades is almost immaculate and with that the makers of Bastion, Transistor and Pyre deliver their best game yet – which is a feat in itself. With its brilliant fight system, the motivating progress and its story Hades pulls and, more importantly, keeps you in.
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Sep 23, 2020Whether you're a fan of the studio or the Rogue-Lite genre, don't hesitate for a second, because Supergiant's latest addition is, without a doubt, a back-to-school staple.
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Sep 22, 2020A thoroughly engrossing action game that will keep you coming back for dozens upon dozens of hours. Each run is brimming with satisfying combat, new and interesting story bits and powerful upgrades, which more than makes up for the hefty amounts of repetion. Clearly a contender for game of the year.
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Sep 21, 2020Hades is a fantastic Rogue-lite that offers some terrific action, strond design, beautiful narrative, unforgettable characters and, needless to say, tremendous visuals and soundtrack. Even players who are or became allergic to its genre should try it, as it has probably no Achille's Heel and is, for sure, the most accomplished Supergiant Games experience to date.
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Sep 21, 2020Hades is a roguelite masterpiece with an intriguing premise, charismatic characters, tons of collectibles and one of the most dynamic and creative combat system around.
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Sep 19, 2020Hades is an absolute must-have if you like the genre, but even if you’re not a big fan of roguelikes, Superiant Games’ latest work deserves an opportunity.
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Sep 18, 2020I'm sure there's a point where, after running through hell enough times, I'll have seen all Hades has to offer, both in its clever and endless fights and its many alluring characters, intimate moments, and rewarding quests. The story does end. But what matters so much more are all the moments between the start and end of a story, and the people who help us see those climactic moments but also stick with us between them. They're the reason we keep trying, and the reason we keep coming back.
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Sep 18, 2020No matter how many times you find yourself escaping the Underworld, this game will keep bringing you back for another round.
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Sep 17, 2020Action so intense it'll leave you jittery and hopped-up on adrenaline, and characters to come back for.
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Sep 17, 2020I’ve enjoyed many roguelikes over the years, and yet that label always makes me wary. Repetition may be a core component of the genre, but too many developers seem to believe that this excuses them from having to consistently find new ways to engage players before the credits roll. Hades, in contrast, feels like the apex of what run-based, procedurally-generated games are capable of. It’s a staggering effort and the best title to date from an already decorated studio.
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Sep 17, 2020Hades is undoubtedly another gem in Supergiant Games' crown. Hell has never been so enjoyable and fun.
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Sep 17, 2020Only time will tell if Hades joins the pantheon of roguelike greats alongside The Binding of Isaac and Dead Cells, but it makes an incredibly strong impression. Hades succeeds as both a narrative-driven adventure and an addicting roguelike, and that's a pretty tough combination to pull off.
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Sep 17, 2020Few other roguelikes build around the genre's cyclical nature, both mechanically and narratively, as successfully as Hades. A punchy and fresh presentation of Greek myth is another touch that ensures its appeal will go well beyond genre fans.
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Sep 17, 2020Hades is a one-of-a-kind rogue-lite that does a brilliant job of marrying its fast-paced action with its persistent, progressing story through a vividly reimagined Greek mythological underworld.
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Sep 17, 2020Hades takes away all the annoying parts of the roguelike genre and adds accessible systems without lowering the difficulty that these types of games offer. It is a standout experience within the genre and will test your skills in a balanced and manageable way that makes each run challenging, yet, approachable. There is so much to unlock here and so much to discover that dying for the hundredth time isn’t that bad.
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Sep 17, 2020It's hard to imagine anyone other than Supergiant pulling off this Herculean feat with such style.
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Edge MagazineSep 10, 2020We may be in hell, but as far as the Roguelike genre goes, this is a glimpse of heaven. [Issue#350, p.92]
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Nov 21, 2020Hades is so captivating that you can easily spend days trying to escape the realm of the dead.
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Sep 17, 2020Even serious engagement doesn't ensure story completion without many hours of investment, and only the most dedicated players will see the full spread of what Hades has to offer. But Supergiant’s latest opus is a beautiful and thoughtful twist on Greek mythology, flipping these old stories on their head and transforming them into commentaries on modern relationships. High-octane action gameplay may pull you into hell for the first time, but I suspect you’ll stay to find out about this eccentric and fascinating family.
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Sep 25, 2020There’s around eight different forms of in-game currency alone, and enough upgrades and modifiers to give even Euclid a headache trying to track all the variables. However once you fall under Hades’ spell after a couple of runs the near limitless combinations of character builds becomes bewitching.
| This publication does not provide a score for their reviews. | |
| This publication has not posted a final review score yet. | |
| These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation. | |
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Sep 17, 2020Hades is a proper lark. I love it. But there is something else here, something that I have always felt about games but never been able to put into words. There is something about polished, smartly conceived Hades, about so many of Supergiant's games which, the joyous brilliance of Pyre aside perhaps, are always too rigorous, too responsibly conceived not to know exactly what spot they're going to fit into on the shelf, which pillars they're going to present to the press - there is something about these games that are so assuredly products that reminds me that games are never ever just products. Games are always a way of being. To play Hades, Roguelite aside, economy aside, loop aside, is to be furious and vengeful, to be driven by bitterness, self-hate, ennui, to be pulverisingly powerful and yet horribly efficient. This is the truth of it down to the controls, which encourage you to grip the pad by the facebuttons and squeeze and squeeze and squeeze like you're one stress ball away from telling your boss to shove it. This game comes from Hell, and it takes you back there, and it's brilliant. Get in. [Eurogamer Essential]
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Oct 1, 2020It is so large and generous that it’s going to leave many different people with many different takeaways based on which characters and ideas they latch onto first or last or in the middle. Some will be longer-winded than mine, others will be as simple as “dash good” (and oh man, the dash is so, so good). This is not all to say that Hades tries to wriggle out of saying anything definitive. It says plenty no matter how you slice it. But a good story is in the telling, and Hades tells its story a little differently to everybody. It’s like a good myth, in that regard. Or a hydra, in that it has a lot of heads, but nobody can quite agree on exactly how many.
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Sep 17, 2020It easily carried itself on the strength of its emotional impact. Which is great, for me. But I’m curious as to whether newer players will have the time to build up the investment necessary for it to lean on that before they’re thrown into the end game. It seems difficult to pace a story that will unfold radically differently for so many. Not only are players jumping in now getting a very different approach to Hades’ plot, so too does it depend on how good players are and therefore how quickly they progress through the various layers of hell.
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 1,355 out of 1524
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Mixed: 89 out of 1524
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Negative: 80 out of 1524
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Sep 18, 2020
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Sep 22, 2020
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Sep 22, 2020