Hades is a roguelike action RPG from Supergiant Games, acclaimed for bringing its story and combat together across repeated runs. Its appeal is clearest if you enjoy action built around experimentation and a narrative that unfolds as you play; platform choice matters most for upgrade paths and whether you need cross-saves.
What is Hades?
In Hades, you play as Zagreus, prince of the Underworld, trying to escape his father’s realm. Supergiant describes it as a roguelike action RPG. The game’s central loop combines combat across changing encounters with story that continues to develop through repeated attempts.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania Edition (PS5) | $24.75 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Horror Tales: The Wine (PS5) | $28.37 | Buy on Amazon |
Supergiant released version 1.0 for PC and Nintendo Switch on September 17, 2020. The studio later reported that more than 50 sources named Hades Game of the Year for 2020, in an announcement published in 2021. Supergiant’s release announcement names BAFTA, IGN, Polygon, TIME Magazine, and The Washington Post among them.
What do reviews praise about Hades?
GameSpot’s review emphasizes how Hades connects its narrative to combat, so that progress through the game also advances its story. The review also calls attention to the postgame, where weapons and bosses continue to change. These are observations from that review, not claims about performance or a controlled technical comparison. Read GameSpot’s Hades review.
#1 Best Overall
- 17 Levels - Each one with its own atmosphere, foes and secrets to discover
- 5 Bosses - Made by the most sadistic of the devs, raised on the salt of the testers
- 150 or so weapons and skills - Spears, swords, bows, magic spells, shields, pets, frying pans etc; You name it, we got it
- Unlock the four original Dead Cells DLCs, giving you late-game content plus an entire new pathway to follow, with an alternative ending and tons of new enemies, weapons & outfits
- Battle through the corridors of Dracula’s Castle; Wield weapons against monsters to reach the throne room of the Dark Lord
That combination is the key to the game’s review case: the run-based structure is not merely a sequence of fights, and story progression is not confined to a separate mode. If you like learning combat patterns and trying different approaches while a story unfolds over multiple attempts, the critical case for playing it is strong. If repeated runs are not appealing, that structure is the main reason it may not suit you.
Which platforms have Hades, and what changes by edition?
Supergiant announced Xbox and PlayStation releases for August 13, 2021, following the PC and Switch launch. The publisher also documented physical editions for Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation. That establishes release history, not current regional stock or availability.
| Platform | Documented edition or upgrade detail | PC cross-save |
|---|---|---|
| PC | Version 1.0 launched on PC; digital availability includes Steam and Epic Games Store. | Not applicable as a destination platform; publisher FAQ says Xbox and PlayStation do not support PC cross-saves. |
| Nintendo Switch | Version 1.0 launched on Switch; physical edition documented by the publisher. | Publisher FAQ distinguishes Switch cross-saves from Xbox and PlayStation; consult the FAQ for the supported save pairing details. |
| Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S | Xbox editions use Smart Delivery to access the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions. | No PC cross-save, according to the publisher FAQ. |
| PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 | Physical and digital PS4 editions include a free upgrade to the digital PS5 edition. | No PC cross-save, according to the publisher FAQ. |
Upgrade and cross-save details are from Supergiant’s platform announcement and its Hades FAQ. The FAQ’s distinction matters if you want to continue a save between PC and console: the publisher identifies Switch differently from Xbox and PlayStation, and says Xbox and PlayStation do not support PC cross-saves. Check the FAQ’s exact pairing guidance for your devices before choosing a version.
The documented platform information does not establish current prices, frame rates, resolution, loading times, or performance differences. Choose based on the device you want to play on and the upgrade or save-transfer details above rather than assuming one edition runs better.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #2
- Mediterranean Horror: Explore the forsaken capital of an awe-inspiring archipelago. Do not let yourself be fooled by the gentle sea breeze, the Mediterranean vistas or the comforting summer sun. Since the Devil's Fevers pandemic ravaged the city, it was abandoned, and now only horrific nightmares await there.
- Survive your Nemesis: Someone is relentlessly hunting you. Suffer and agonize while you try to run away from the encounters with this strange stalker obsessed with you.
- Intense Challenges: Solve environmental riddles, physics puzzles and other similar challenges in an interconnected vertical world. Even while being chased and hunted.
- Accessibility and Photomode: Tweak more than 20 Accessibility settings to create a tailored experience for you. Use the Photomode to make perfect shots and unlock many secrets using it.
Does Hades have cross-save?
Cross-save support depends on the platforms involved. Supergiant’s FAQ distinguishes Nintendo Switch cross-saves from Xbox and PlayStation, which do not support PC cross-saves. If moving a save is essential, confirm the supported platform pairing in the publisher’s cross-save FAQ before buying; the answer is not a blanket yes across every version.
Is Hades worth playing?
For players who enjoy action combat, repeated runs, and stories that develop alongside play, Hades has a clear case: its design connects those elements rather than treating them as separate attractions. GameSpot’s review specifically highlights the narrative-combat relationship and the postgame’s changing weapons and bosses. It is a less obvious fit if you want a linear, one-pass adventure or prefer not to repeat encounters.
Supergiant’s v1.0 announcement also confirms a digital original soundtrack through Steam and Epic Games Store. The studio describes it as two and a half hours of music by composer and audio director Darren Korb. The boxed console editions included a soundtrack download code; that does not establish current retail stock or a separate physical soundtrack release. See Supergiant’s v1.0 announcement.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
