Hades
The rogue-like that finally cracked narrative storytelling in procedural games. Zagreus escapes the underworld over and over — and each run reveals more of a gripping family drama.
Hades solved the biggest problem in rogue-like game design: why should I care about a run when it doesn’t matter? Supergiant’s answer was to make death itself part of the story. Every time Zagreus fails to escape the underworld, he returns home, and new conversations, new revelations, and new relationships advance regardless.
The combat is some of the most polished action in any genre. Six weapons, dozens of divine boons from the Olympian gods, and an enormous variety of build paths make every run feel distinct. The skill ceiling is high but approachable — a first-time player and a veteran can both have a fantastic session.
The voice acting, art direction, and soundtrack are all best-in-class. Darren Korb’s score is one of gaming’s great soundtracks.
Why PixelPick recommends it: Whether you want 20 hours or 200, Hades delivers. It earned its Game of the Year conversation and then some.
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