![]() Sometimes, I would do a run really needing a specific type of entrance, but the game would offer the complete opposite, meaning my inevitable death the next time I enter combat. Hades uses a system where entrances to new stages are highlighted by an icon, such as a coin, heart, etc. However, sometimes I feel like traversal through the Underworld is more based on luck than much else. Hades is a difficult game, as all rogue-likes are designed to be, and it would be rare to find somebody who beat Hades on their first attempt. Rogue-likes, however, like to throw you all the way back to the beginning of the game but allow you to restart a little stronger than your previous attempt. For example, normally, the player would be required to restart at the last checkpoint, saved game or the beginning of a specific level. Rogue-likes use the concept of death in video games in a different way from most. Too many hits, however, and Zagreus will fall, transporting the player all the way back to the House of Hades, an environment you will most definitely need to get used to seeing. ![]() These weapons offer different combat styles, with my personal favourite being the spear as it allows Zagreus to hit enemies at range without the risk of being too close. Players can also collect keys that, after a few runs of collecting, can unlock new weapons to practice on Skelly, the talking skeleton who lets you give him one hell of a beating before a new escape attempt. Some Casts have an AOE, making them especially effective when fighting in a room with numerous enemies at once. For example, Zeus offers a Boon that allows Zagreus to shoot lightning that chains to nearby enemies, whilst Poseidon gifts a Cast that shoots a burst of water that damages enemies and knocks them away. Gods or Goddesses offer Boons that can change the appearance, impact and damage of the default Cast. Hades‘ combat system is simple: light attack, heavy attack, dash-strike and a Cast, used as a spell-like projectile. ![]() As frustrating as constant deaths can be, and there is a LOT in Hades, one positive is always coming back and seeing the beautiful level design I just tried to run through 15 times over. Speaking of looks, the level design is phenomenal, filled with radiant and vibrant colours. The design of these Gods and Goddesses are eye-watering, possibly some of the best character designs I’ve seen in a video game. Godly figures such as Zeus, Ares, Aphrodite and more are presented to the player through messages found throughout each run, with three Boons provided to select from each God or Goddess. His journey is aided by the Gods of Olympus, supplying Zagreus with Boons, upgrades to give Zagreus an advantage over his enemies for each run. The rogue-like concept of Hades is explained in the story through messages left for Zagreus portrayed as shimmering yellow lights, informing the player that the Underworld changes the environment every time Zagreus fails in order to prevent him from mapping out a path to the surface. Hades drops you right into the action as Zagreus, the son of Hades, armed with a sword used to slaughter all who stand in his way whilst he attempts to escape the Underworld. I never thought I would get into rogue-likes, but the satisfying combat, beautiful art design and interesting story had me hooked. Hades is a game that has been one of my real introductions to rogue-likes after trying countless different games and dropping them a week later.
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