Overview
Death is just the beginning. Supergiant Games solved roguelikes’ narrative problem—Zagreus’s escape attempts from the Underworld make death canonical. Each failed run returns him to the House of Hades, where relationships deepen, stories advance, and new dialogue awaits. The combat loop satisfies; the character writing captivates; the integration of structure and story set a new standard for the genre.
Fast facts
- Developer: Supergiant Games.
- Year: 2020 (1.0 release).
- Early Access: 2018-2020.
- Protagonist: Zagreus.
Narrative integration
| Design choice |
Story benefit |
| Death returns home |
Canonical failure |
| NPC relationships |
Persistent bonds |
| Dialogue variety |
Fresh each run |
| Story progression |
Death advances plot |
Combat system
| Element |
Implementation |
| Weapons |
Six Infernal Arms |
| Boons |
God-granted powers |
| Builds |
Boon synergies |
| Skill expression |
Dodge, dash, positioning |
Olympian boons
| God |
Domain |
| Zeus |
Lightning chains |
| Poseidon |
Knockback, waves |
| Athena |
Deflection |
| Artemis |
Critical hits |
| Aphrodite |
Weakness |
| Ares |
Doom damage |
House of Hades
| Character |
Relationship |
| Nyx |
Mother figure |
| Megaera |
Complex history |
| Thanatos |
Rivalry/romance |
| Achilles |
Mentor |
Critical success
| Achievement |
Recognition |
| GOTY awards |
Multiple wins |
| Sales |
Multi-million |
| Narrative praise |
Storytelling standard |
| Sequel |
Hades II announced |
See also