Platforms: Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PS5, PS4 (previously available on PC, Nintendo Switch)
If Hades feels like a game that people have been on about for years already, that's probably because it is. Although officially released only in September of 2020 for Switch, PC, and Mac, it was preceded by two years of 'Early Access' from the end of 2018. The fact that it's only now arriving on Xbox and PlayStation platforms is, if anything, a comparative delay.
Thankfully, it's a game that's worth the wait – at least, for players who haven't already experienced its chthonic delights on those other platforms. As Zagreus, son of the eponymous god of the underworld, players must battle their way from the depths of hell to the spires of Mount Olympus. Unfortunately, daddy dearest isn't too fond of your attempts to depart the family home, so places the legions of the damned in your way, scattered through the ever-shifting corridors of Hades itself. Die, and you'll rise again in the House of Hades, determined to start over in your bid for freedom.
On the combat front alone, developer Supergiant Games delivers a superlative experience, with smooth, speedy attacks and divine skills to unleash, plus varying battle styles afforded by an assortment of weapons to experiment with. Of the six available, the shield is a particular favourite, offering a rare element of defence in the midst of Hades frenzied encounters, but also providing a charged 'Bull Rush' attack or a Captain America-style ricochet toss to target multiple enemies, while the bow allows a degree of crowd control thanks to strafed volleys of arrows or ranged supercharged bolts.
Boons awarded by the Olympian Gods on each run help further diversify Hades' play style, with randomised encounters with the likes of Poseidon, Artemis, Athena, and others offering enhancements to Zagreus' own abilities. These power-ups aren't permanent, resetting upon death or sometimes overwritten by other Gods' blessings, but this only further incentivises experimentation in how you play. For instance, Dionysus might add a hangover effect to your dash move, effectively poisoning enemies in your wake, or Zeus himself might amp up your attacks with lightning. Ares can add a Doom debuff, while Hermes could increase your overall movement speed. Mixing and matching these skill sets provides almost limitless approaches.
What stands out most is how unexpectedly deep the story is.
Hades also offers a far greater sense of progress than many roguelike games do, even as each run tends towards inevitable doom. Various resources accrued on each run can be spent to permanently upgrade Zagreus' abilities, build new facilities in the underworld, or restore the starting hub of the House of Hades. Where a lot of roguelikes make players feel like their efforts are fruitless, championing raw difficulty and the grind of repetition without proper reward, Hades makes every trip feel worthwhile.
What stands out most though is how unexpectedly deep the story is, and how wonderfully the voice-acting brings it all to life. The Greek Pantheon has always been mythology's greatest, sloppiest soap opera – a vast character drama packed with passion, betrayal, and vengeance that Supergiant brilliantly taps into. Each run reveals snippets of Zagreus' background, of the Gods' relationships, of secrets buried (sometimes literally), and more. The game's narrative is splintered, given its mechanics, but piecing it together it half the fun.
Yet all of the above applied to the 2020 release – or even the 2018 'Early Access' one, in large parts. The boons granted to the Xbox and PlayStation releases are of a more technological nature, with Xbox Series X (version tested) and PS5 running at 4K resolution with a target 60fps refresh rate (plus enhanced haptic feedback and controller lighting on PS5), while the Xbox One and PS4 versions deliver 1080p/60fps. While a decent spec PC could match this, it's a definite step up from the Nintendo Switch version’s 30fps performance, offering smoother, more responsive combat – albeit at the cost of portability.
Ultimately, the game isn't definitively better because of these enhancements though – it was already a fantastic game and a contender for the pinnacle of the modern roguelike. Instead, its wider release should be celebrated just for making it accessible to more players, while the enhancements Hades enjoys on next-gen consoles polish an already glistening jewel. A gift from the Gods in every way.