Hades

99%
Game Brain Score Based on 138,075 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Hades Game Cover
The 2020 game of the year Hades just got a PS5 release and it's still amazing with a bonus touch of a next-gen graphics and haptics!
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"Hades" is a single-player fantasy hack and slash game with an intriguing story, exceptional gameplay, good visuals, and delightful music. As the immortal Prince of the Underworld, players battle out of hell using mythic weapons and the powers of Olympian gods, with plenty of replayability and unique character builds to discover. The game features a fully-voiced cast of colorful characters, creating a dense and emotionally engaging atmosphere.

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  • Play​station 4
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Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

99%
Audience ScoreBased on 138,075 reviews
story16,789 positive mentions
grinding1,629 negative mentions
  • story32,138 mentions

    The story in "Hades" is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, effectively intertwining with the gameplay mechanics to create a compelling narrative experience. Players appreciate how the story unfolds gradually through character interactions and dialogue, rewarding repeated runs with new insights and developments, making each death feel meaningful rather than punitive. The game's rich character development, engaging writing, and stunning art direction contribute to its status as a standout title in the roguelike genre, appealing to both fans of action gameplay and those who enjoy immersive storytelling.

    • “Supergiant games' Hades is a masterful blend of action, storytelling, and artistry that sets a new benchmark for the roguelike genre.”
    • “The game excels in weaving a story that evolves with each playthrough, driven by dynamic character interactions and dialogue.”
    • “Supergiant games’ signature storytelling approach ensures that even repeated failures feel meaningful, as new layers of the plot and character motivations are revealed over time.”
    • “The story is slow.”
    • “The story progresses at a glacial pace, making it tedious to unlock key plot points.”
    • “The story requires a huge amount of grinding to unlock, and when you finally reach them, it's not really satisfying for all the effort you have to put in.”
  • gameplay23,449 mentions

    The gameplay of "Hades" is widely praised for its addictive and engaging mechanics, seamlessly blending fast-paced action with strategic depth. Players appreciate the variety of weapons and boons that allow for unique builds in each run, alongside a compelling narrative that unfolds with every attempt to escape the underworld. While some find the gameplay repetitive over time, the overall experience is enhanced by stunning visuals, excellent voice acting, and a rich story, making it a standout title in the roguelike genre.

    • “These boons not only enhance gameplay but also add a layer of strategy, as players must adapt their build to the challenges ahead.”
    • “Its addictive gameplay, engrossing story, and breathtaking presentation make it an essential experience for fans of action games and narrative-driven titles alike.”
    • “The gameplay loop is satisfying, the art direction and voice acting is incredible, the story and writing is brilliant.”
    • “The gameplay loop quickly becomes tiresome and repetitive.”
    • “The gameplay is a repetitive hack and slash loop.”
    • “The gameplay can feel different from escape to escape depending on which weapon you chose and the boons you accept from the gods.”
  • music15,318 mentions

    The music in "Hades" has received widespread acclaim for its exceptional quality and ability to enhance the gaming experience. Composed by Darren Korb, the soundtrack features a blend of rock, orchestral, and folk elements that perfectly complement the game's fast-paced action and emotional moments, making it memorable and engaging for players. Many reviewers noted that the music not only fits the atmosphere of the game but also stands out as a highlight, with some tracks becoming favorites that players listen to outside of the game.

    • “Paired with Darren Korb's phenomenal soundtrack, which combines haunting melodies with heart-pumping battle anthems, the game's aesthetic appeal is unmatched.”
    • “The soundtrack, composed by Darren Korb, is a masterpiece in its own right, blending haunting melodies with adrenaline-pumping tracks that perfectly complement the gameplay.”
    • “The music is exquisite, the art style is gorgeous; a stylistic feast for the senses.”
    • “Despite that, I ended up turning the volume down on both the music and vocals, because I found both to be quite dull and boring.”
    • “The soundtrack, while trading blows with the final boss, is something you need to experience; it blew me away.”
    • “The music is not just background noise; it’s integral to the experience, with energetic and emotionally resonant tracks that perfectly match the fast-paced action and darkly enchanting atmosphere.”
  • graphics11,266 mentions

    The graphics of "Hades" have been widely praised for their stunning hand-drawn art style, vibrant colors, and intricate character designs that bring the game's mythological setting to life. Players appreciate the fluid animations and the overall aesthetic, which enhances the immersive experience of the gameplay and storytelling. While some mention that the visual effects can occasionally clutter the screen during intense moments, the overall consensus is that the graphics are a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “The hand-drawn art style is stunning, with vibrant visuals that bring the underworld and its inhabitants to life.”
    • “Hades is a phenomenal roguelike that blends fast-paced combat, stunning visuals, and an engaging narrative rooted in Greek mythology.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, with a distinctive art style that fits perfectly with the mythological theme.”
    • “The graphics style, soundtrack, character design, and basically everything about the game is unique and stunning to play!”
    • “The graphics are very pretty but get in the way of gameplay.”
    • “The graphics, sound design, gameplay and worldbuilding of this game are all extremely well polished.”
  • replayability5,009 mentions

    Hades boasts exceptional replayability, with players praising its diverse weapon options, unique boons, and dynamic gameplay that keeps each run feeling fresh. The integration of a rich narrative and character interactions further enhances the replay experience, encouraging players to return for new story elements and challenges even after completing the main storyline. Overall, the game is celebrated for its ability to maintain player engagement through a seemingly endless variety of builds and gameplay styles.

    • “The hand-drawn art and epic soundtrack are breathtaking, while the gameplay is smooth and responsive, with excellent replayability even after completing the main story.”
    • “Perhaps the greatest roguelike made to date - endlessly replayable, easy-to-learn but deep combat and skill building, a great narrative, masterful soundtrack, a dynamic and revolutionary art style, and an absurd amount of dialogue.”
    • “Even though the objective is always the same, each run is completely different from the previous one, having different boons and rewards each time, and the replayability is astonishing, adding so many challenges to get more rewards.”
    • “Which is still good but here's the problem with the title... it has nearly zero replayability, which for this genre is unacceptable.”
    • “The devs try to add replayability with a handicap system, but that just adds difficulty, not really new maps or challenges.”
    • “I love roguelites because of their replayability, but this one felt monotonous after the first win.”
  • grinding1,783 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players. Many find it excessively grindy and repetitive, especially in the late game, where it can feel tedious to unlock upgrades and complete side quests. However, others appreciate the rewarding nature of the grind, noting that the engaging story and character interactions help alleviate the monotony, making the grinding feel less burdensome and more integral to the gameplay experience. Overall, while the game is recognized for its fun mechanics and narrative depth, the grind can be a significant factor that may deter some players.

    • “This game has great visuals, gameplay, and a meta-progression system that feels fair, not too grindy, not too easy.”
    • “The progression feels perfect so far, 16 hours in and still feel a long way to go but not really grindy like a lot of rogue-likes.”
    • “Phenomenal voice acting and aesthetics as well, and a progression system that feels large yet not grindy.”
    • “It's too grindy for my taste.”
    • “So my main problems with the game are the repetitiveness and grinding for little value.”
    • “The game feels too grindy, like every worthwhile upgrade is a lengthy grind away.”
  • humor1,529 mentions

    The humor in "Hades" is widely praised for its clever writing, witty dialogue, and engaging character interactions, which often blend lightheartedness with deeper emotional themes. Players appreciate the unique personalities of the gods and other characters, whose humorous quips and banter provide a refreshing contrast to the game's darker setting. The voice acting enhances the comedic elements, making each run enjoyable and filled with unexpected laughs, contributing to the game's overall charm and replayability.

    • “The writing is sharp, emotional, and often hilarious, with each god and character brimming with personality.”
    • “Zagreus himself is a relatable and likable protagonist, and the game masterfully balances humor with heartfelt moments, drawing you deeper into its world with every interaction.”
    • “The characters are adorable, hilarious, annoying, and I almost cried on several occasions.”
    • “I weirdly remember hating Hypnos the first time I played this game on a console, because I found his whole schtick of telling you to 'git gud' annoying and unfunny.”
    • “Making fun of damaged people because you can is not funny.”
    • “I can't express enough how fun this game is to play, not to mention how well-made it is, and how it doesn't have any annoying typical video game redundancies (long tutorials, unfunny repeated jokes, microtransactions/DLC, game taking long to be fun).”
  • character development1,219 mentions

    Character development in "Hades" is widely praised for its depth and integration into gameplay, with players noting that each run reveals new story elements and character interactions, enhancing the overall experience. The vibrant character designs and voice acting contribute significantly to the game's charm, making the characters memorable and engaging. Many reviews highlight the unique approach to storytelling, where character arcs evolve through repeated gameplay, creating a rich narrative tapestry that keeps players invested long after initial completion.

    • “The character development is great and the relationships between characters add a huge depth to the game.”
    • “What sets Hades apart from other games in the roguelike genre is its masterful blend of gameplay, narrative, and character development.”
    • “The character designs are a true testament to the developer's commitment to their craft, each figure bearing a unique personality and depth that rivals the most compelling characters in literature.”
    • “Verrry little progress, very little character development and rising expenses for grind-able items that are used to improve character strength.”
    • “So all that story and character development just sort of... hangs around, unresolved, forever.”
    • “No other roguelike even comes close in terms of character design, writing, visuals, and voice acting.”
  • atmosphere731 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Hades" is widely praised for its vibrant art style, immersive sound design, and engaging music, which together create a captivating experience that draws players into the world of Greek mythology. Reviewers highlight the game's unique environments, well-crafted character interactions, and the seamless integration of storytelling and gameplay, all contributing to a rich and dynamic atmosphere. Overall, the combination of stunning visuals, atmospheric soundtracks, and compelling narratives makes "Hades" a standout title in the roguelike genre.

    • “The vibrant art and incredible soundtrack create an immersive atmosphere, while the roguelike mechanics strike the perfect balance of challenge and progression.”
    • “From the dark, atmospheric chambers of Tartarus to the more chaotic fields of Elysium, every area is beautifully crafted and full of detail.”
    • “The music is not just background noise; it’s integral to the experience, with energetic and emotionally resonant tracks that perfectly match the fast-paced action and darkly enchanting atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is so well done and all the mechanics are interesting.”
    • “The story is okay, but the atmosphere that the gods and other NPCs in this game portray is more than enough to make up for it.”
    • “Although Supergiant has done a great job of adding features to make you want to keep exploring the characters' backgrounds, the atmosphere, and the capabilities of the different weapons/perks you can use, Hades grows stale after you make it to the end for the first time.”
  • emotional704 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Hades" is widely praised for its depth and relatability, with players highlighting the heartfelt storytelling and character development that unfolds throughout the game. The narrative, centered on Zagreus's quest to escape the underworld and reconcile with his estranged family, resonates deeply, often evoking laughter and tears alike. The combination of witty dialogue, exceptional voice acting, and a stunning soundtrack enhances the emotional experience, making players feel genuinely connected to the characters and their journeys.

    • “The game rewards players who take the time to forge bonds with its cast, offering heartfelt moments and meaningful growth.”
    • “Zagreus's quest to escape from Hades takes players on a deep and emotional journey.”
    • “The relationships you build throughout your journey are genuinely moving, and the emotional weight of the narrative keeps you invested in the outcome of each run.”
    • “The boring story with glacially slow pacing isn't enough to keep me engaged either.”
    • “A boring story with repetitive combat makes for an experience that I wish I hadn't wasted my time and money on.”
    • “It gets repetitive pretty fast - same enemies, similar weapons, boring story delivered through text boxes and audio.”
  • optimization365 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many players noting that it runs smoothly even on low-end systems and older hardware. Users have reported minimal performance issues, such as slight stuttering during intense action, but these do not significantly detract from the gameplay experience. The game is praised for its excellent performance across various platforms, including the Steam Deck, making it accessible to a wide range of players.

    • “What's more, it's extremely well optimized for the Steam Deck, making it a casual gaming mainstay that I'd play every night before bed while my TV was on in the background.”
    • “This game is so well optimized it plays well even on potato laptops.”
    • “The gameplay is so satisfying and the best thing is that you don't even need a high-end PC/laptop to run this game because it is so well optimized.”
    • “Poorly optimized junk, tired of losing runs to the game dropping inputs during slowdown.”
    • “My only real critique is the fact that the game isn't optimized well in several specific fights and slows down the game from a smooth 120+ fps to a grinding laggy mess.”
    • “There are some performance issues via proton, unfortunately, but not enough to ruin anything - be sure to check protondb though, as it's definitely not 'pick up and play'.”
  • stability137 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability has received mixed feedback from users. While many players report a smooth experience with minimal to no bugs or glitches, some have encountered occasional freezes and minor issues, particularly on certain platforms. Despite these inconsistencies, the majority agree that the game runs well and is generally polished, especially compared to other titles in the genre.

    • “The game has been incredibly stable; I have had virtually no glitches or bugs during my time with the game.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth as hell, it runs great, the art style is awesome, the voice acting is superb, and the music is great.”
    • “The game runs smooth on 120+ fps without hiccups, very stable and almost bug free.”
    • “The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs/glitches.”
    • “But, holy fucking shit if my controller disconnects ever, during a game, it freezes for a whole minute, sometimes even crashing the whole game when trying to reconnect it.”
    • “One complaint that I have and it's happening more recently is the game freezes and there's no fix.”
  • monetization65 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has been overwhelmingly praised for its absence of microtransactions, DLCs, and other monetization tactics that often plague modern titles. Players appreciate the game's complete experience at a reasonable price, highlighting its focus on genuine gameplay and storytelling without the distractions of corporate greed. This approach has positioned the game as a refreshing alternative in an industry increasingly criticized for cash grabs and exploitative practices.

    • “There are no core features hidden behind DLCs, there are no microtransactions, and the game is just what you get.”
    • “In a gaming landscape increasingly dominated by cosmetics, skins, and an excess of microtransactions, Hades shines brilliantly for its pure, undiluted focus on what truly matters: the sheer joy of gaming.”
    • “No microtransactions, no subscriptions, just plain and simple fun.”
    • “What was once the epitome of convenience, choice, and freedom has slowly devolved into a confusing maze of microtransactions, nonsensical policies, and questionable updates that alienate loyal users.”
    • “So many modern game companies seem to have this mindset of trying to milk an audience for everything they can with endless DLCs and microtransactions and up-selling, to the point where it seems like games aren't designed to be possible to complete.”
    • “It feels like this was set up with a free-to-play economy in mind of purchasable gems, but without actually going the full mile with microtransactions; so we just have a long tedious grind.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

93% average critic score

Buy Hades

Play time

39hMedian play time
55hAverage play time
23hMain story
95hCompletionist
13-90hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1,016 analyzed playthroughs

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