When Hades launched in 2020, it felt like another indie roguelike entering an already crowded genre. Fast-paced combat, randomly generated rooms, and the promise of "just one more run" weren't exactly new ideas.
Yet somehow, Supergiant Games managed to create something that stood above the competition.
Instead of simply asking players to repeat the same loop over and over, Hades gave every failed attempt a purpose. Every defeat moved the story forward, every conversation revealed something new, and every escape attempt felt meaningful.
Several years later, Hades is still regarded as one of the greatest roguelikes ever made. But does it still deserve all the praise?
Dying Is Part of the Journey
Most games punish failure.
Hades embraces it.
You play as Zagreus, the son of Hades, who is determined to escape the Underworld and discover the truth about his family. Naturally, escaping isn't easy, and you'll fail... a lot.
The clever part is that dying never feels like wasted time.
Each return to the House of Hades unlocks new conversations, character interactions, upgrades, and story developments. Instead of becoming frustrated after a failed run, you'll often find yourself looking forward to what happens next.
It's one of the smartest progression systems the genre has ever seen.
Combat That Never Gets Old
The combat is where Hades truly shines.
It's fast, responsive, and incredibly satisfying. Every weapon feels unique, encouraging players to experiment with different playstyles.
Whether you prefer the Stygian Blade, the Heart-Seeking Bow, the Shield of Chaos, or the Twin Fists, each weapon changes how you approach every encounter.
Then there are the Olympian Gods.
Throughout each run, gods like Zeus, Athena, Poseidon, Artemis, and Dionysus offer powerful boons that completely transform your abilities. One run might focus on lightning attacks, while the next turns you into a critical-hit machine.
No two escape attempts ever feel exactly the same.
Characters You Actually Care About
Storytelling isn't always a priority in roguelikes.
Hades proves it should be.
Every character has a distinct personality, from the sarcastic Zagreus to the endlessly supportive Nyx and the lovable chaos of Dionysus.
Even familiar figures from Greek mythology feel fresh.
The relationships evolve naturally over dozens of hours, giving players a reason to keep returning even after they've completed the main objective.
It's rare for a game with so much action to also deliver such memorable writing.
The Art Style Is Timeless
Hades doesn't rely on realistic graphics.
Instead, it embraces a bold hand-painted art style that still looks fantastic years after release.
Every area of the Underworld has its own personality. Tartarus feels dark and oppressive, Elysium is bright and majestic, while the Temple of Styx is packed with tension.
Character portraits are equally impressive, making every conversation feel alive.
It's the kind of visual direction that ages gracefully because it focuses on style rather than realism.
A Soundtrack That Matches Every Battle
The music deserves just as much credit as the gameplay.
Composer Darren Korb created a soundtrack that effortlessly shifts between atmospheric melodies and energetic rock during intense battles.
The music doesn't simply play in the background. It becomes part of the experience, making every boss fight feel even more exciting.
It's one of those soundtracks you'll probably end up listening to long after you've finished the game.
It's Challenging Without Feeling Unfair
Hades can be difficult, especially during your first few escape attempts.
Fortunately, the game constantly rewards improvement.
As you unlock permanent upgrades, stronger weapons, and new abilities, you'll notice yourself surviving longer with every run. Success comes from learning enemy patterns and experimenting with different builds rather than relying on luck alone.
Even players who struggle can enable God Mode, which gradually increases damage resistance without removing the challenge completely.
It's an excellent accessibility feature that allows more people to enjoy the experience.
Is There Anything to Criticize?
Very little.
Some players may find the repetitive structure intimidating at first, especially if they've never played a roguelike before.
Others might wish there were more environments or enemy types after dozens of hours.
Still, these are relatively minor complaints in a game that offers so much variety through its combat, upgrades, and storytelling.
The gameplay loop remains engaging long after many similar games begin to feel repetitive.
So, Does Hades Still Hold Up?
Without question.
In fact, it's arguably even more impressive today.
Since its release, countless games have borrowed ideas from Hades, particularly its approach to storytelling and progression. Yet very few have managed to combine action, narrative, music, and replayability as seamlessly.
It's the kind of game that's easy to recommend, even to people who normally avoid roguelikes.
Final Thoughts
Hades didn't reinvent every part of the roguelike genre.
What it did was combine familiar ideas into something that felt fresh, polished, and incredibly rewarding.
Every failed run teaches you something. Every victory feels earned. Every conversation adds another piece to a story that's surprisingly emotional beneath all the action.
That's a difficult balance to achieve, and Supergiant Games nailed it.
Years after its release, Hades remains one of the finest indie games ever made and one of the best examples of how gameplay and storytelling can work hand in hand.
If you've been waiting for the right time to visit the Underworld, there's never been a better moment to start your escape.