Overall Impression
Hades is a roguelike isometric action RPG and one of the best of its kind in the genre. This is due to a combination of elements that encompass every major element of game design from gameplay, art direction, narrative and music. It’s one of the few gaming experiences that every element of the experience works together to present a unique and stunning experience that Supergiant Games has become known for.
Target Audience
Gamers that enjoy a challenging roguelike experience paired with thoughtful and well executed story telling should check out this title. It’s a unique experience that sets a new standard for the genre.
Gameplay
The core gameplay loop of destroying enemies and developing new builds is executed exceptionally well. The core combat feels visceral. Zipping around the map and dispatching enemies while avoiding attacks makes you feel like a complete badass. A core part of why the combat feels amazing is that the skills have been refined and the power ups that allow for builds are fun and present opportunities for unique combinations.
Your base skills are determined by your weapon choice. Each weapon offers a distinct playstyle. Builds come from the variety of power ups you encounter that are offered by the various Greek gods. Some weapons may resonate with you more than others. Part of the intrigue of the experience is figuring out what type of builds you enjoy the most. In addition, meta-progression takes place as you receive currency on each run. This can then be placed into various upgrades. Overtime these upgrades make a significant difference, so with each run you progress a little bit more.
The overall combat experience is challenging. This is due to a combination of the need to learn enemy and boss mechanics, being able to put together an effective build based on your choices and putting it all together within a run to be able to successful overcome each encounter. It’s an experience that will push your limits and there’s enough build variety to allow you to be creative. It’s a very satisfying mix of challenging gameplay and creative problem solving.
Narrative
Just like all elements of the game, the narrative is thoughtfully considered and uniquely implemented. Not too often do you see a game that can tell a compelling story by presenting only a few lines at a time. However, this is an area where Hades excels. When your character runs out of health they are sent back to the underworld. Here you’ll then be given the opportunity to interact with various NPCs that will reveal snippets of the ongoing story. Each line of dialogue is thoughtfully considered. There’s not enough praise for how well this is executed. The ability to tell story with a few lines at a time and still be interesting and engaging is rare. Even the vendors you come across have unique and memorable interactions. There’s also a slight dating sim vibe thrown into the mix that adds levity and charm. Through 50+ hours of gameplay I’ve also yet to come across a repeated line of dialogue. The story and characters in this game is that extra bit that makes Hades such a special game.
Art Design
Art design is exceptional. Characters, environments and enemies are iconic and memorable. It’s rare that a game delivers to such a high quality in so many areas. It is evident that artistry and craftmanship is a vital component to this game and studio. This is due to a combination of referencing well known characters but adding their own unique style creating something that then takes on its own identity.
Music
The music is electric. There’s a range of styles in the soundtrack with influences from folk, rock and atmospheric anthems. All of this pairs exceptionally well with the fast paced action and art design. This is one of my favorite soundtracks in gaming. It’s emotional, evocative and at times the prefect anthem to eviscerate your enemies while overcoming battles that push you to the limit. This is a studio that excels in every area of game design and it’s no surprise that many of their titles achieve overwhelming praise.
Challenges
The main challenge in this type of game is getting through the initial learning curve. This is an inherent trait in many roguelikes and it’s not a fault of the game but a trait of the genre. It can take several hours to get the hang of combat and to progress enough to complete one full run. However, the journey to getting to that point is rewarding and satisfying. The on-boarding process is also gradual, allowing to you progress and learn a little bit on each run to make what feels initially impossible become possible. This is due to the sheer amount of build combinations where each run you’re likely to come across a unique build that will help you learn more about the game and what you’ll need to succeed. Also facilitating this process is that the story beats that you experience along the way are compelling throughout the entire process and become a reward in itself.
Closing Thoughts
Hades is an incredibly special game by a talented studio that sets itself part through their craftsmanship and dedication in every area of game design. For gamers that enjoy the roguelike genre this is a classic that establishes a new standard for excellence. This is a highly recommended title to check out if you enjoy the genre.
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GAME DETAILS
PLATFORMS: PS4/5, Xbox One Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC, macOS, iOS
RELEASE: 2021
DEVELOPER/PUBLISHER: Supergiant Games
GENRE/TAGS: Action Roguelite, Action RPG, Isometric, Hack and Slash
TARGET AUDIENCE: Gamers that enjoy the roguelike genre and also appreciate narrative.
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