Hades PlayStation 5 Review

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Fast Facts

So Good, I Reviewed it Twice

This is definitely a first for me, I am reviewing a game for the second time for the same website. Weird isn’t it? I gave Hades a five out of five on the Nintendo Switch and all I can say is that the god-based, relationship simulator rogue-lite is even better. What score do I give it now then, a six out of five? It’s certainly worth it. Welcome to my Hades PlayStation 5 review.

You can read my previous Hades review here and while I will not be going over the actual gameplay again per se, this review will mostly be how my feelings have changed, or not and how this game of the year winner has been translated over to the PlayStation 5. There is a reason this game has won so many awards and a reason I am yet again, addicted to escaping hell.

A Developer Known for Quality

SuperGiant Games are one of my favourite developers. Not just because every game they make is dripping with quality, but their games have fabulous gameplay, are tuned to perfection, and have zero issues in performance. Bastion, Transistor, Pyre and now Hades. These games alone litter my top games of all time and each one is different in gameplay yet they are all tied together with transcendent music and gorgeous artwork.

So Hades then, Hades is a rogue-lite. A procedurally generated dungeon crawler with permadeath and a few persistent elements. Yes, you start from scratch every time, but you can perform a few upgrades to the dungeons’ design and your characters’ abilities. This means you slowly get better at the game and your character gets more powerful as you go. The best rogue-lites have you progressing constantly both by your skill increasing and your character getting better. Hades does both exceptionally.

Fishing and Death!

So you play Zagreus, son of Hades and due to a few family issues, you find the need to escape this dark realm. Each time you delve into the hellscape that is the underworld you will be treated to new rooms, new characters, new upgrades and even some fishing. Yes, fishing. Where would we be without our favourite gaming-based pastime? Each run through Hades is different and each time you learn something. That is what makes rogue-lites, in my opinion, one of the greatest genres there is.

Hades is also a bit of a relationship simulator too, which is new to me in this genre. Each time you pick a new powerup, or Boon’s as they are called in Hades, you meet the god it comes from. You name them, they are all here, Achilles, Zeus, Poseidon and even the loving Aphrodite. Each time you meet them, they have something new to say and some part of the story to progress. I think I mentioned this in my first review, but I have never played a rogue-lite with such an intertwined story.

The gods laugh at your failures, remember your encounters, and even spur you on with words of encouragement. For a rogue-lite, this is something new and adds further layers to your endless runs through the dark caverns of the underworld. Also, add to this you can gift these gods items and unlock permanent keepsakes from them. Hades is more than your average game of this ilk. It’s a living breathing ecosystem of god-based bantery and all of the characters look so bloody beautiful.

It’s Still Hades But With A Shiny Lick of Paint

As with all SuperGiant Games titles, the art design, music and overall presentation are top-notch. It was beautiful on the Nintendo Switch but it looks even better on my 4K display attached to my PlayStation 5. Every god is crisp and elegant. Every room is so well designed and colourful. Add to this the amazing voice work, the addictive music and you have something truly special.

On the PlayStation 5, Hades is the same game that I reviewed on the Switch. It just runs smoother, feels more immersive and has slight and I say slight, Dualsense features. I never really got a lot of haptic feedback or adaptive trigger shenanigans but they are there. It is just very nuanced. I mean the Switch version is portable, which is great but I am enjoying my second addictive delve into Hades more, because of the improved presentation, better controller and also because I know more about the inner workings of this fantastic game.

One of The Best Rogue-Lites Ever Made

So Hades is still amazing, perhaps more amazing and if you are into rogue-lites you need to get off your bottom now and go and buy it. Seriously, I have never been more confident in recommending a game. It looks better and feels slightly better on the PlayStation 5 but you give up portability from the Switch version. The gameplay is amazing, pretty unique in the rogue-lite gamespace and its presentation is incredible. Hades, as with other rogue-lites will test you, it will hand your ass to you but if you afford it the time and effort you will be rewarded with one of the best games in recent memory. It’s a strong six gods of Olympus out of five from Sebby. Right, I’m off to paint the underworld red. Laters.

5 out of 5

5

You can buy Hades on the PlayStation Store here.