Hadès is a rogue-like dungeon crawler developed by Supergiant Games, the same studio behind Bastion, Transistor, and Pyre. At its core, it’s a fast-paced action game built around combat, story, and replayability. Unlike many rogue-likes that just toss you into endless randomized dungeons, Hadès layers in a compelling narrative that unfolds with every escape attempt. You play as Zagreus, the rebellious son of Hades, who is determined to break free from the underworld. Each run takes you through shifting chambers filled with enemies, traps, and powerful bosses, and no two journeys are exactly alike.
What makes the game stand out is the way the story and gameplay blend together. Dialogue changes depending on how you perform, which characters you meet, and how often you attempt to escape. Even failure doesn’t feel like a setback — it’s woven into the narrative, deepening the lore and relationships with gods, allies, and rivals. On top of that, the art direction, atmospheric music, and voice acting turn every run into more than just another battle; it feels like you’re stepping into a living, breathing myth.
Why should I download Hadès?
The obvious draw is the gameplay loop. If you enjoy combat that feels sharp, responsive, and satisfying, Hadès delivers in spades. Dodging, dashing, and chaining attacks feels intuitive but also demanding enough to keep you on edge. The game pushes you to experiment with different weapons — from the Stygian Blade to the Heart-Seeking Bow — each with unique mechanics and playstyles.
But Hadès is more than just slashing through waves of enemies. The Olympian gods lend you their powers through “boons,” and these blessings drastically change the flow of combat. One run might see you stacking lightning strikes from Zeus, while another grants you poison from Dionysus or critical hits from Artemis. The combinations keep things fresh and encourage strategic thinking, since the right mix of abilities can make or break a run.
Another reason to pick it up is how approachable it is. Even if you’re not typically into roguelikes, Hadès eases you in with a “God Mode” that gradually makes you tougher after each death. At the same time, it doesn’t compromise on challenges for seasoned players. The replay value is immense, with hundreds of hours of content for those who want to see every storyline branch or experiment with every possible weapon build.
And let’s not ignore the storytelling. Supergiant doesn’t treat characters as background lore — they’re central to your journey. You’ll chat with Achilles, flirt with Thanatos, trade with Charon, or argue with Hades himself, and each interaction feels meaningful. For many players, it’s this marriage of story and action that turns Hadès into more than just a game — it feels like a myth retold in real time.
Is Hadès free?
No, Hadès isn’t a free game. It’s a premium title, which means you need to purchase it upfront. Pricing can vary depending on the platform and region, but it’s generally very affordable compared to how much content it offers. Given its depth, polish, and replayability, most players find it well worth the cost.
Occasionally, Hadès goes on sale on storefronts like Steam, Epic Games Store, or console marketplaces, so if you’re budget-conscious, it’s worth keeping an eye out for discounts. But even at full price, the sheer amount of value packed into the game — from countless hours of gameplay to branching storylines — makes it a solid investment. Unlike free-to-play games with hidden microtransactions, Hadès gives you the entire experience upfront, without paywalls or constant reminders to spend more.
What operating systems are compatible with Hadès?
Hadès is widely accessible across multiple platforms. You can play it on Windows and macOS via Steam or the Epic Games Store. It’s also available on Nintendo Switch, which makes it perfect for handheld play on the go. In addition, Hadès can be played on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S consoles.
The performance across these platforms is smooth, and Supergiant has optimized the game so that even lower-end systems can handle it well. Whether you want to experience it on a high-powered PC with crisp visuals or casually grind a few escape attempts on your Switch, Hadès adapts beautifully. The cross-platform availability also means you’re not tied to one ecosystem — you can enjoy it in whatever setup fits your lifestyle.
What are the alternatives to Hadès?
Grimoire Groves is softer, less industrial, and more magical in its approach to the genre. It is not a fight of unadulterated battle; it is a mixture of gathering resources, magic, and the easy style of art. Grimoire Groves is more similar to an exploration and is, again, more of a creativity-oriented game, though, where Hadès is a game that requires brutal battles within the underworld, it is a relief to find a game that is easy to replay and at the same time not as heavy.
The second option, Dead Cells, offers side-scrolling action. It is combating at a high rate and extremely punishing, and is founded on reflex and near motion. Unlike Hadès, Dead Cells does not pay a lot of attention to the story, but it compensates for it with the diversity of weapons and an effective progression system. There is also no reason that the loot makes the run different, but also the fluidity with which you can shape up to each fight.
Blasphemous 2 is full of a new flavor, as it incorporates the aspects of a rogue-like game along with gothic and dark religious visuals. It is barbaric, touching, and aesthetically marvelous. Although Hadès is based on Greek mythology as a source of narratives, Blasphemous 2 is based on Spanish Catholic iconography, which gives us a completely opposite experience of culture. Its brutal challenge and complex lore will also be appreciated by the players in need of a dark and hard adventure.
