Indie Game Review: Hades

 Written by J. D. Estrada 

Mode: Single-player video game

Developer: Supergiant Games

Original author: Supergiant Games

Composers: Martin Stig Andersen, SØS Gunver Ryberg

Genres: Rogue-like Dungeon Crawler

WHAT THIS GAME DOES WELL: Imagine a game so good, whose combat is so tight and varied, and whose multiple overlapping storylines are so engaging, that not only are you willing to play through the same 40 levels over and over and over again, but are actually looking forward to it.

Although there are countless amazing aspects about HADES, one that absolutely blows my mind is that Supergiant Games took the basic premise of Kung Fu from the original NES and brought it to the 21st century in a super giant way. Both games throw a slew of baddies your way to be disposed of as you see fit, you continue to ascend levels and meet bosses at the end of the level, and then, once you’re done, you get to do it all over again.

The fact is that the combat in HADES is some of the most satisfying I’ve ever come across and it’s rare if ever the same twice. You play as Zagreus, son of Hades. Although you cannot jump, that is apparently the only limitation you will be offered in terms of gameplay mechanics. You have a trusty dash that almost works like teleportation. You have a cast button that throws red diamond projectiles. You have a special button that varies depending on the weapon you choose. And you have an attack button that’s going to get QUITE the workout. No matter what boons and powerups you get, you’ll always have these base controls. Each of them can be modified in a myriad of ways. But there’s a catch. EVERYTHING depends on which gods you meet on each attempt to escape the Underworld. This will give you enhancements for speed, power, projectiles, buffs, debuffs, and all sorts of goodies to try to equip you with what you need to escape. 

So, in terms of controls and combat, this game is a masterclass...but if you ask me, it’s what hooks you initially but not what keeps you going.

That would be the combination of multiple interweaving and engaging storylines, probably the best voice acting I’ve ever experienced, and the ever-pressing question of what happens next? I finished the game once...then finished it 10 more times to get the true ending. Then finished it about 20-25 more times to get the proper epilogue, then finished it a dozen or more times to finish up storylines. All in all, out of ALL the storylines, the only one I wasn’t able to finish was that of Hermes, but everything else I got 100%. What’s absolutely mind boggling is that every storyline delivers. Everything gels. Everything makes sense. 

And.

That.

Is.

Insane.

A true testament to solid writing, engaging dialogue, and offering a new spin on Greek mythology, HADES doesn’t shy away from any character and gives everyone a proper representation. If I had to guess, I’d say that just in dialogue, the script has to be over 300 pages, easy.

How many times have you been playing a game that is alright and suddenly a random line of dialogue is cringy? Now imagine playing a game that will hook you for 70-80 hours if you’re a completionist and ALWAYS deliver. 

So is the game hard?

Let’s put it this way, #GetReadyToDieALot should come with the game.

HADES is unforgiving and if you let your guard down, you will die and have to start again no matter how leveled up you are. But that’s part of the fun. Dying rewards you with dialogue, storyline, and of course, low blows from people who find it hilarious that you once again got axed by a villain. Also, the more you die, the more you’ll realize how nuanced the dialogue is in this game. Hypnos (Sleep Incarnate) greets you every time you die and are respawned. And he will always have something interesting and unique to say. 

You know those games that have dialogue that repeats and gets SUPER annoying? Supergiant wants none of that and I could count on one hand the times I think dialogue repeated in the game...after playing 70-80 hours. 

But let’s go back to my comparison with Kung Fu. Is that game easy? No. Does it get harder as you progress? Yes. Is there a pattern to your enemies that you can learn? Yes. Except that with HADES’s super deep combat system, you have a varied assortment of ways to deal with baddies instead of the limited array in Kung-Fu. Even more amazing is that since you have a different build every time you head out to Tartarus, you will learn several ways of addressing the challenge of each room.

WHY CHAMPION THIS GAME: Simply put, if you’re a gamer who loves a good challenge and want to be rewarded for EVERY attempt? Play this Game. 

If you love voice acting with a cast where everyone delivers unique representations of characters? Play this Game. 

If you love games with varied, deep, challenging, and satisfying controls? Play this Game. 

And finally, if you’re writer and want a masterclass in fresh, engaging, and memorable dialogue, and you want to see what a proper twist is, PLAY THIS GAME. 

YOU CAN BUY AND PLAY THIS GAME HERE