The narrative is really good, but the actual gameplay is just OK and very repetitive (by design). Apparently there's a lot more story after the credits roll, but by then I needed a break. I might come back and finish it later.

Great game but in the end it suffers from not ending on time. At some point I want to see the end credits and get it over with, rather than having to beat the main boss 10 times. This becomes more time consuming and frustrating than enjoyable. I think it's similar to the latest Zelda which has a great main story but doing all the side quests becomes mind dumbly boring, and in this case I find it worse that I cannot say that I finished the game.

After finally beating Hades and getting most main-story content, I must revise my review. Ironically, however, I feel inclined to rate it even lower than before. Getting to the "end" of Hades has cemented my repulsion for rogue-likes as a genre. No amount of good writing can stave off the tedium of playing the same game over and over again for tiny titbits of dialogue, and the weapon upgrades don't do enough to reinvigorate each samey run through hell and back. I prefer Transistor over this.

I agree with the critics: this games is extremely good, except for the actual game part which is quite boring.

A high-quality production with enjoyable enough combat, and I like the way narrative is meted out over the playtime. That said, it starts to feel a little repetitive and I've sadly found myself not really caring to keep playing despite still having more dialogue to uncover.

Good writing, tedious gameplay. Half of the weapons are annoyingly slow, and enemies have far too much health and armor. Which only makes battles boring, not challenging. Was fun for a while, then I got tired of plinking at the enemies.

tries to mask its blandness in 'meaningful narrative'. mediocre roguelite

I hate roguelikes, and Hades is no exception.

topped Dead Cells and became my favorite roguelike I have ever played

The roguelike genre isn't really my thing. For a roguelike to fully grab me, it has to be one of the best of its field and be doing something special. Hades fits that bill.

Outstanding achievement. Gameplay is addictive, the story has twists and turns, it runs flawlessly on Steam Deck, high production value, voice acting is great. This is top, top quality stuff.

In Hades, each escape attempt becomes a rehearsal of defiance, a joyful wrestle against inevitability. Its fluid combat and radiant dialogue illuminate the absurd: meaning arises not in victory, but in persistence. Here, futility is not despair but liberation.

Core gameplay loop is very fun. Also tons of well voice-acted dialogue. However, the content of the dialogue isn't all that interesting, and the repetitive roguelite elements eventually become grindy.

Solid, drug level engagement fun and addictive, incredible art and writing. Not a 12 because it still lacks a bit of the childlike joy that golden age Nintendo games give but maybe that's cause I didn't play it as a kid.

Fantastically balanced rogue-like, with an engaging story and beautiful art and music.

YO THIS SHIT RULES. My first ever roguelike and a great introduction to the genre. Extremely fun combat and fantastic writing.

The best, most genre-furthering entry in its field. Best story of 2020 and the most addictive dungeon crawling since the original Diablo.

Amazing narrative, good rogue-like elements.