Hades

12Full Release

What this is

A mythic escape from the underworld where failure advances both your build and relationships.

What you actually do

You fight through shifting dungeon runs, dodge attacks, choose upgrades, and combine boons into different builds. Defeat unlocks lasting progression and new character interactions, but completing more content demands repeated attempts.

Verdict

Build Variety Meets Repetition

Hades makes repeated dungeon runs compelling through responsive combat, flexible upgrades, and story that continues after failure. The main caveat is that later progress can feel repetitive if the core run loop does not click.

User reviews first

Steam recent first

Is it for you?

What shines

Responsive, satisfying combat
Meaningful build variety
Excellent character writing
Strong voice acting
Outstanding soundtrack
Failure advances progression

What to know

Repetitive environments and enemies
Story progression can require grinding
Some builds depend heavily on luck
Completion goals feel tedious
Occasional controller optimization issues

Quick facts

Genre

Action RoguelikeHack and Slash

View

Isometric

Solo

Co-op

PvP

Length

23h

Entry

Can start here

Pricing

Paid

MTX

Account required

Active Support

Crossplay

+Best if

You enjoy turning each run's random upgrades into a stronger combat build while uncovering more character interactions.

!Skip it if

Repeating similar runs and accepting occasional luck-driven builds sounds tiring rather than rewarding.

Developer

Supergiant Games

Publisher

Supergiant Games

Release

Sep 17, 2020

Game DNA

Rhythm

Fast pace

Depth

Some depth

Mood

IntenseChallengingStory-rich

Structure

Story-driven

Also tagged

MythologyGreat SoundtrackRPG

topic

Your role and how it develops

Your role

You guide Zagreus through shifting underworld runs, choosing combat upgrades, adapting your build, and deciding how to spend lasting progress between attempts.

Learning and mastery

The controls are approachable, but fast combat, randomized builds, and repeated failure take practice.

Replay and variation

High for players who enjoy refining builds, testing weapons, and finding new dialogue through repeated runs.

Systems you interact with

What you actually engage with

Action combat

Attack, dodge, and position yourself through fast isometric encounters.

Weapon styles

Choose between distinct weapons that change how a run plays.

Randomized upgrades

Shape each run by selecting boons and other temporary power choices.

Persistent progression

Use resources from failed attempts to improve future runs.

Character relationships

Return between runs to deepen conversations and relationships with inhabitants.

Run modifiers

Adjust the challenge and build demands for further replay.

topic

Time investment

How long it takes

HowLongToBeat

Main story

focused run

23h

Main + extras

story and side content

49h

Completionist

full clear

95h

Session fit

What the time commitment feels like

When it clicks

The opening loop is immediately legible, though the broader progression takes patience to appreciate.

Session constraints

Repeated runs, randomized outcomes, and progression tied to continued attempts can make longer-term play feel like a grind.

Best session rhythm

Runs work well as focused sessions, with the hub providing a natural pause between attempts.

DLC timing

Additional content is best considered after you know whether the main run loop suits you.

topic

Review interpretation

Current mood

Players are hooked by fast combat, rich storytelling, and constant discoveries.

Why it works

Hades makes repeated runs feel rewarding through responsive combat, varied builds, persistent progression, and a story that keeps unfolding.

Critic gap

Critics praise the rewarding cycle and progression, while some players find repeated runs increasingly stale or grind-heavy.

What players value

Combat and build variety

high

Players describe the combat as fast, smooth, satisfying, and varied through distinct weapons and boons.

Story and character writing

high

Players value the continuing dialogue, mythology-inspired characters, and meaningful interactions between runs.

Art, music, and voice acting

medium

Players consistently praise the art style, music, and voice acting.

Progression and replay value

high

Players enjoy gaining upgrades, discovering new content, and finding different combinations across runs.

Evidence-backed risks

Repetition may wear thin

mediumreviews

Some players find the repeated runs and limited-feeling locations increasingly stale, especially after the early game.

Roguelike difficulty and randomness may not suit everyone

mediumreviews

Some players find the mechanics punishing, progression difficult, and run-to-run randomness frustrating.

Long-term progression may feel grindy or unclear after the main conclusion

mediumreviews

Some players found the later progression too grindy and were unsure what meaningful goals remained.

topic

Support status

Developer activity

Events, not updates

Last game updateFeb 15, 2022 · 4 years ago

Last official postJun 16, 2026 · 35 days ago

Updates (12 mo)0

Posts (12 mo)3

CadenceSteady

SourceSteam

Official Steam news

Hades

Build Variety Meets Repetition

Is it for you?

What shines

What to know

What you actually engage with

How long it takes

What the time commitment feels like

Current mood

Why it works

Critic gap

Combat and build variety

Story and character writing

Art, music, and voice acting

Progression and replay value

Repetition may wear thin

Roguelike difficulty and randomness may not suit everyone

Long-term progression may feel grindy or unclear after the main conclusion

Playable baseline

Better target

Disk, language and input

Developer activity

Latest from the developer

Deal layer comes later