Developer Supergiant Games smash hit Hades is just as much a roguelike action RPG as it is a relationship simulator. The pantheon of Greek gods has always been a messy, discordant family — but it’s up to you to wrangle their affections for special boons as you step into the role of Zagreus, son of Hades.
The young demigod has been trapped in the Underworld his entire life, smothered by the whims of his dispassionate father. Zagreus misses his mortal mother, and he’s willing to fight through hell in order to see her again. Godly weapons, Olympian boons and loyal friends aren’t enough to make this an easy journey, though, because Hades is willing to throw every monster at his disposal in your path.
Hades’ top-down hack-and-slash action is viscerally rewarding. Each weapon has its own rhythm to master — as players learn combos, they’re finding a unique cadence to every battle. No matter how many armaments you master, most enemies remain dangerous enough to knock Zagreus out after a couple mistimed dodges. Hades isn’t an inaccessible game, but it is one where practice makes perfect.
Roguelike games are all about mastering the loop, and there are very few that feel as rewarding as what Hades has to offer. With enough practice and skill, you can defeat a god — and potentially even find a heartwarming resolution to eons-old family drama.
It’s worth mentioning that Supergiant Games’ 2025 sequel, Hades II, is also available on the Nintendo Switch. If you haven’t played either, we’d recommend starting with the original Hades for its stronger story and moving on to Hades II if you just can’t get enough of its roguelike action. Supergiant made noticeable tweaks to its sequel for a different combat flow, and the game’s protagonist Melinoe (sister of Zagreus) has not one but two paths to take (below and aboveground) to pursue her goals.
Release date: Sept. 17, 2020
Genre: Top-down hack-and-slash roguelike adventure
Developer: Supergiant Games
– Tyler Graham
