About Hades
Hades redefined what a roguelike could be. Fight through procedurally generated chambers with Olympian boons. Each death unlocks new story. You cannot stop playing.
Is Hades Right for You?
Best for
Hades is the roguelike for people who think they do not have time for roguelikes. Runs are short, the combat is fast and readable, and — uniquely — the story advances every time you die, so "losing" always moves you forward. It is perfect for solo players who want a game they can pick up for twenty minutes or three hours.
Maybe skip it if…
It is single-player only and action-focused; if you want co-op or a slower, more cerebral experience, it is not that. Players who dislike repetition may tire of running the same biomes, though the build variety fights that hard.
How to Play Hades
Setup
Choose a weapon (6 options, 4 aspects). Start each run from Tartarus.
On Your Turn
- Real-time: light attack, heavy, dash, cast, special.
- After each room: choose a Boon from a god.
- Spend resources between runs for permanent upgrades.
How to Win
Defeat 4 biome bosses and reach the surface. The real game starts after your first escape.
💡 Strategy Tips
Invest in the Mirror of Night. Prioritise synergising Boons. Talk to everyone in the House of Hades.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Hoarding resources instead of spending them in the Mirror of Night, which provides permanent upgrades that make every run easier.
- Picking Boons at random instead of building toward synergies — combining the right gods' powers is where the game opens up.
- Ignoring the cast (Bloodstones) and dash — they are core to both offence and survival, not afterthoughts.
- Skipping conversations in the House of Hades; the narrative and relationship systems are half the reason to keep playing.
Advanced Strategy
- Commit to one weapon aspect long enough to learn its rhythm before chasing the others.
- Plan your build around the first one or two strong Boons you are offered, then take Boons that amplify that damage type.
- Use the Keepsakes deliberately — early-room keepsakes that guarantee a specific god's Boon can shape an entire run.
- Duo Boons (combining two gods) are run-defining; learn which pairs unlock them and steer toward them.
Variants & House Rules
God Mode
A built-in accessibility option that grants a stacking damage-resistance buff after each death. Honourable and encouraged — it lets anyone reach the story's end.
Pact of Punishment (Heat)
After your first escape, the Pact lets you stack difficulty modifiers for greater rewards — the real endgame for skilled players.
Video Guides
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Our Verdict
Hades redefined what a roguelike could be by making death part of the story rather than a punishment. The combat is sublime, the art and music extraordinary, and the writing genuinely warm. It is one of the easiest games we recommend to anyone with a controller — and one of the hardest to put down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hades single-player only?
Yes, Hades is a solo experience with no multiplayer or co-op. Its sequel, Hades II, is also single-player.
Does the story really change when you lose?
Yes — that is the central hook. Every death returns you to the House of Hades where characters react to your progress, relationships develop, and new dialogue and story beats unlock. Dying is how the narrative advances.
Is Hades good for people new to roguelikes?
Excellent. Runs are short, the controls are tight, and the optional God Mode lets struggling players gradually build in damage resistance so anyone can see the story through.