Recommended Free Tools
For a ranking that balances combat, storytelling, style, and replayability, Supergiant’s five released games fall in this order: Hades, Hades II, Transistor, Bastion, then Pyre. That order is a judgment, not a studio-approved verdict: each game pursues a different kind of play, and the best starting point depends on what you want from it.
Supergiant Games is an independent studio based in San Francisco, founded in 2009. Its own FAQs identify Hades as its fourth game and Hades II as its fifth—and its first sequel. The five released titles considered here are Bastion, Transistor, Pyre, Hades, and Hades II. Supergiant’s official site presents the studio and its games; its Hades FAQ and Hades II FAQ establish the game count.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Hades - Nintendo Switch | $59.47 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Hades II - Nintendo Switch™ 2 Edition | $49.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Hades Limited Edition (Nintendo Switch) | $62.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![- Hades - [PlayStation 5]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51fwy58kArL._SL160_.jpg)
|
- Hades - [PlayStation 5] | $26.28 | Buy on Amazon |
The ranking weighs how well each game makes its central play loop compelling, how effectively story and character work are woven into play, and how much its style and structure invite a return. It favors Hades’s balance of those strengths, while recognizing that a player who wants tactics, sports-like competition, or a more contained adventure may reasonably put another game first.
1. Hades
Hades is the strongest all-around expression of Supergiant’s strengths. Its repeated attempts to escape the Underworld give combat a clear, satisfying rhythm, while character encounters and story developments make returning feel like more than replaying the same challenge. The structure connects action and narrative: progress through runs keeps the game moving, and the world gives those runs context.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems#1 Best Overall
- Battle out of hell in Hades, recipient of more than 50 Game of the Year awards
- Includes a download code for the Hades Original Soundtrack, by composer Darren Korb, best known for his work on developer Supergiant's past titles like Transistor and Bastion.
- Also includes a full-color 32-page character compendium booklet, featuring beautiful artwork of the game's colorful cast of gods, ghosts, and monsters, all by Supergiant's art director Jen Zee.
- Defy the god of the dead as you hack and slash out of the Underworld in this rogue-like dungeon crawler from the creators of Bastion and Transistor.
- As the immortal Prince of the Underworld, you'll wield the powers and mythic weapons of Olympus to break free from the clutches of the god of the dead himself.
It takes the top spot for the combination of immediate action, expressive presentation, and a repeatable loop that continues to serve the story. Start here if you want the most balanced introduction to the studio’s work, especially if you enjoy action and gradual progression.
2. Hades II
Hades II carries the rogue-like dungeon-crawling approach into a new mythic adventure centered on Melinoë. Supergiant describes it as a game in which players battle beyond the Underworld of Greek myth with dark sorcery against the Titan of Time. Its premise and witchcraft-inflected combat give it a distinct identity rather than making it simply another trip through the first game’s setting. Supergiant’s Hades II FAQ describes the game and its release platforms.
It ranks just behind the original because Hades remains the more compelling first recommendation as a complete entry point, while the sequel builds on that style for players who already want another such journey. Choose Hades II if its new mythic premise appeals more, or if you have played the original and want a related but separate adventure.
Rank #2
- Battle beyond the Underworld using dark sorcery to take on the Titan of Time in this bewitching sequel to the award-winning rogue-like dungeon crawler.
3. Transistor
Transistor is the pick for players who value atmosphere and deliberate combat over the continuous run structure of the Hades games. Supergiant calls it a science-fiction action RPG that blends strategic planning with fast action and atmospheric storytelling. Its futuristic setting and extraordinary weapon give it a more focused, unusual feel. The official Transistor page describes its premise and genre.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
It sits third because its appeal is more specific, not because its ambitions are smaller. If tactical planning, a strong sense of place, and a concentrated story matter more to you than repeat-run progression, it may be the best Supergiant game for you.
4. Bastion
Bastion earns its place as the earliest game in this five-title ranking. It offers a more direct action-adventure route into the studio’s work than Transistor or Pyre, and is a natural choice for someone who wants a self-contained starting point rather than a longer-running rogue-like structure.
Rank #3
- As the immortal Prince of the Underworld, you'll wield the powers and mythic weapons of Olympus to break free from the clutches of the god of the dead himself, while growing stronger and unravelling more of the story with each unique escape attempt.
- The Olympians have your back! Meet Zeus, Athena, Poseidon, and many more, and choose from their dozens of powerful Boons that enhance your abilities. There are thousands of viable character builds to discover as you go.
- A fully-voiced cast of colourful, larger-than-life characters is waiting to meet you! Grow your relationships with them, and experience thousands of unique story events as you learn about what's really at stake for this big, dysfunctional family.
- New surprises await each time you delve into the ever-shifting Underworld, whose guardian bosses will remember you. Use the powerful Mirror of Night to grow permanently stronger and give yourself a leg up the next time you run away from home.
- Permanent upgrades mean you don't have to be a god yourself to experience the exciting combat and gripping story. Though, if you happen to be one, crank up the challenge and get ready for some white-knuckle action that will put your well-practiced skills to the test.
Its fourth-place position reflects how later games sharpened or expanded the qualities prioritized in this ranking. Play it first if you want to follow Supergiant’s catalog from its beginning, or if a direct action-adventure sounds more appealing than the tactical, competitive, or repeat-run alternatives.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.5. Pyre
Pyre is the most distinctive fit for a player willing to trade conventional action for an unusual competition structure and character-driven progression. That difference makes it the hardest of these five to recommend universally, but also means it can be the right choice for someone looking for a less familiar kind of game.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
It ranks fifth because this list gives extra weight to immediately readable combat and replayable action loops. That is a preference in the criteria, not a claim that Pyre is an inferior experience for every player. Choose it if its sport-like contests and narrative focus sound more inviting than another action RPG.
Rank #4
- Die Macher von Bastion und Transistor präsentieren einen actiongeladenen Dungeon Crawler im Rogue-likeGewand.
- Nutze die Kräfte und mythischen Waffen des Olymp, um aus der Unterwelt und seinem Herrscher höchstpersönlich zu entkommen.
- Mit jedem einzigartigen Fluchtversuch wirst du stärker und entdeckst mehr der Geschichte.
- Diese Edition enthält die folgenden Bonusinhalte: Einen Download-Code für den epischen Hades Original Soundtrack von Darren Korb – ein zweieinhalbstündiges Fest für die Ohren. Ein 32-seitiges Charakter-Booklet mit Artworks von Jen Zee, die die kunterbunte Riege an Göttern, Geistern und Monstern zeigen.
Which Supergiant game should you play first?
| What you want | Start with | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| A well-rounded action game with repeat runs | Hades | Its action loop and story progression work together, making it the most balanced introduction. |
| A new mythic rogue-like adventure | Hades II | It centers on Melinoë, witchcraft, and a fight against the Titan of Time. |
| Strategic planning and sci-fi atmosphere | Transistor | It combines action RPG combat with tactical planning and atmospheric storytelling. |
| A direct action-adventure and the studio’s earlier work | Bastion | It is a straightforward way into the catalog from its beginning. |
| Atypical competition and character-focused play | Pyre | Its sport-like structure offers a different experience from the action-RPG and rogue-like entries. |
Where to play Hades II
Hades II version 1.0 launched on September 25, 2025, for Steam, the Epic Games Store, Nintendo Switch 2, and Nintendo Switch. Supergiant’s FAQ records PS5 and Xbox Series X|S releases on April 14, 2026. Cross-saves are supported between Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, and separately between Steam and Epic; they do not bridge those two platform groups. Check the platform details before choosing where to play. The official FAQ lists the platforms and cross-save limits.
A physical game-card edition is available for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch. It includes a full-color 32-page Character Compendium, a reversible cover, and a download code for a soundtrack with nearly four hours of music, according to Supergiant’s announcement. The studio says it has no plans for PS5 or Xbox physical editions at this time. This edition is specifically for Nintendo Switch consoles, not PlayStation or Xbox. Supergiant’s physical-edition announcement gives the package details.
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.
