Over the last several years Roguelike has risen to be one of my favorite genres of video games. I am very picky with them and have played several bad ones, but there are a few in the genre that stand among my favorite games of all time. Sometimes I’m just in the mood for some fun gameplay without committing to following a story. Games like FTL, Into the Breach, and Slay the Spire are perfect for when I’m feeling this way. I can come in, play as little or long as I want, can complete an entire run, and feel satisfied while not needing to feel compelled to analyze a message in a story, or something abstract like that. I’m an accountant; my brain works best when working with mathematics, definity, and the objective. That’s why I’m so good at games and puzzles, and why I enjoy them so much. They’re my comfort zone.
Now that’s not to say I don’t enjoy story-driven games, because I very much do, it’s just a mood thing. Sometimes I want to play something purely gameplay and sometimes I’m in the mood for a well told story. And sometimes…. I’m in the mood for both. The trouble with roguelikes is that their style of individual-run-based gameplay does not lend to being able to tell a cohesive story. That is, until Hades figured out the formula to do just that.
Hades is the pinnacle of Roguelikes because of it’s ability to use its genres niche mechanics to its advantage when telling a story. Restarting a run is the most traditional Roguelike mechanic, and the way this game does it while progressing the story is so natural to its Greek Mythology setting. Most of the story comes from interacting with characters. The character-driven approach only works when the characters are captivating, and in this case they most definitely are. Greek characters are so complex with a lot of depth and complicated relationships with each other. Although it was essential to my enjoyment of the game, the story is basically completely optional, with the ability to skip all dialogue options if you just want to go back to hacking and slashing through the Underworld. I found myself wanting to talk to every character I could between runs because of how interesting they all were.
But of course, no Roguelike can be good without fun gameplay. Hades mixes fast pace, high reflex combat with stimulating decision making very well. I am normally not one for meta-progression in Roguelikes, but I actually really like it in Hades, and I think that’s mainly because it feels right to get stronger in between runs as Zagreus grows mentally as a character. The hack-and-slash style feels influenced by Diablo, but feels better than Diablo ever did.
The art direction in this game is also fantastic. The colors, the character designs, the locations, the voice acting, it’s all just so… sexy. From daddy Hades, to the rebel-child Zagreus, to the not-so-subtle Aphrodite, this game uses character designs to enhance the world-building of these traditional Greek characters we have seen across several mediums before, which is important for a story that is as character-driven as this is. The color scheme is rich with lustful reds and seductive blacks. It makes sense to see these colors prominent in the Underworld.
Overall, this game sits atop my Mount Rushmore of Roguelikes because of how well it blends fun gameplay, an interesting story, and fantastical visuals. I love this game so much.
100/100
Now that’s not to say I don’t enjoy story-driven games, because I very much do, it’s just a mood thing. Sometimes I want to play something purely gameplay and sometimes I’m in the mood for a well told story. And sometimes…. I’m in the mood for both. The trouble with roguelikes is that their style of individual-run-based gameplay does not lend to being able to tell a cohesive story. That is, until Hades figured out the formula to do just that.
Hades is the pinnacle of Roguelikes because of it’s ability to use its genres niche mechanics to its advantage when telling a story. Restarting a run is the most traditional Roguelike mechanic, and the way this game does it while progressing the story is so natural to its Greek Mythology setting. Most of the story comes from interacting with characters. The character-driven approach only works when the characters are captivating, and in this case they most definitely are. Greek characters are so complex with a lot of depth and complicated relationships with each other. Although it was essential to my enjoyment of the game, the story is basically completely optional, with the ability to skip all dialogue options if you just want to go back to hacking and slashing through the Underworld. I found myself wanting to talk to every character I could between runs because of how interesting they all were.
But of course, no Roguelike can be good without fun gameplay. Hades mixes fast pace, high reflex combat with stimulating decision making very well. I am normally not one for meta-progression in Roguelikes, but I actually really like it in Hades, and I think that’s mainly because it feels right to get stronger in between runs as Zagreus grows mentally as a character. The hack-and-slash style feels influenced by Diablo, but feels better than Diablo ever did.
The art direction in this game is also fantastic. The colors, the character designs, the locations, the voice acting, it’s all just so… sexy. From daddy Hades, to the rebel-child Zagreus, to the not-so-subtle Aphrodite, this game uses character designs to enhance the world-building of these traditional Greek characters we have seen across several mediums before, which is important for a story that is as character-driven as this is. The color scheme is rich with lustful reds and seductive blacks. It makes sense to see these colors prominent in the Underworld.
Overall, this game sits atop my Mount Rushmore of Roguelikes because of how well it blends fun gameplay, an interesting story, and fantastical visuals. I love this game so much.
100/100