Hades
A rogue-lite hack and slash dungeon crawler in which Zagreus, son of Hades the Greek god of the dead, attempts to escape his home and his oppressive father by fighting the souls of the dead through the various layers of the ever-shifting underworld, while getting to know and forging relationships with its inhabitants.
What it feels like
The game treats its emotional beats—Zagreus's rebellion, relationships, and personal growth—with sincere, unironic heartfelt storytelling. Romantic relationship threads between Zagreus and other characters are woven through the narrative and reward continued play.
What it's about
The world and characters draw directly from Greek mythology, with Hades, Zagreus, and the underworld pantheon as the setting and cast. The strained relationship with Hades and complex family dynamics within the underworld drive much of the narrative motivation. Zagreus's journey involves growing beyond his father's shadow and forging his own identity and connections, marking a passage to self-knowledge.
How it plays
Fast melee combat against many enemies with flashy chained attacks is the core moment-to-moment gameplay loop throughout the dungeon crawling. Deep combo-driven melee combat scored on stylish execution is a significant focus, rewarding expressive, skillful play beyond simple hack-and-slash. Invincibility-framed dodges are a primary defensive tool, central to both combat flow and skill expression.
How it looks and sounds
Frame-by-frame hand-drawn animation and illustrated 2D art from Supergiant's signature style define the visual presentation. A sweeping orchestral and dynamic soundtrack composed by Darren Korb is a signature element praised by the community and integral to the atmosphere. The fixed three-quarter angled projection of the play space is the consistent camera perspective throughout exploration and combat.
How it's structured
Designed entirely as a solo experience with no multiplayer component. Play is divided into discrete attempts that reset on loss, with meta-progression and unlocks carrying between runs—the defining rogue-lite structure. Progress is a descent through successive chambers and layers of the underworld with escalating threats and challenges.
Kindred games
Shares Hack-and-Slash, Run-Based, Hand-Drawn 2D, Mythology.
Both lean into Single-Player, Hack-and-Slash, Run-Based, Hand-Drawn 2D.
Shares Hack-and-Slash, Run-Based, Meta-Progression, Isometric.
Both lean into Hack-and-Slash, Run-Based, Meta-Progression, Single-Player.
Shares Hack-and-Slash, Run-Based, Meta-Progression, Character Action.
Both lean into Hack-and-Slash, Single-Player, Run-Based, Meta-Progression.
Closest hidden gems
A lesser-known kindred — Hack-and-Slash, Dungeon Crawl, Run-Based, Isometric. 95% positive across 4,427 Steam reviews.
Both lean into Single-Player, Hack-and-Slash, Dungeon Crawl, Run-Based.
A lesser-known kindred — Hack-and-Slash, Character Action, Earnest, Loot & Drops. 91% positive across 4,466 Steam reviews.
Both lean into Hack-and-Slash, Single-Player, Character Action, Earnest.
A lesser-known kindred — Hack-and-Slash, Hand-Drawn 2D, Earnest, Multiple Endings. 94% positive across 4,345 Steam reviews.
Both lean into Single-Player, Hack-and-Slash, Hand-Drawn 2D, Earnest.