The problem is, however, that the underworld is a hostile place and most of his attempts are doomed to failure, even when he can count on the help of various deities and beings of Greek mythology on the way. Zagreus wants out of hell (fair enough) and so sets out to smash up as much of the underworld as he can until he can escape. You play as Zagreus, the son of Hades and a deity in his own right (his portfolio includes “rebirth,” which, in the context of a roguelike, is a clever touch). I want to start with the treatment of Greek mythology, because that’s really where the appeal of Hades starts.

Thankfully I decided to give it a go anyway, and was quickly reminded about why roguelikes are, at their best, so utterly compelling. “Great, it’s another action roguelike from a small developer.” That was my immediate reaction to Hades, because while Hades was the latest project by a talent as consistently great as Supergiant Games, and while the screenshots and video footage certainly looked lovely, there have been so many “action roguelikes” that it’s difficult to become enthusiastic about any newcomers treading the familiar ground.

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