Hades and the Power of Perseverance: A Timely Message for Trying Times

Hades’ core mechanic of incremental progress through repeated failure reflects real-life experiences of overcoming obstacles, and applies as a metaphor to various challenges, while its refined combat mechanics and masterful design make it a must-play for any gamer.

This blog post is part of an ongoing series where I analyze the top 100 best video games of all time as part of the David Perry Challenge. Hades is ranked #13 out of 100.

Hades is a rogue-like action video game developed by Supergiant Games, known for their previous hits like Bastion and Transistor. Hades is set in the Underworld of Greek mythology and follows the journey of the prince of the underworld, Zagreus, as he tries to escape and reach the surface.

The game’s core mechanic is simple: the player must fight through the depths of the Underworld, repeatedly dying and returning to the starting point, but with incremental progress each time. The player gains new weapons, abilities, and resources after each death, which can be used to strengthen their next attempt. This “rogue-like” structure is a reflection of real-life experiences, where we learn from our mistakes and use that knowledge to guide us forward.

The metaphor of overcoming obstacles is prevalent throughout the game, as it applies to various challenges. The player character’s journey out of the Underworld can easily be applied as a metaphor for overcoming personal obstacles ranging from difficult relationships, personal struggles to global frustrations. The game’s portrayal of Hades, the god of the Underworld, as an overbearing and abusive father figure, resonates with those struggling with parental or authority figures in their own lives.

Moreover, the game’s message of perseverance amidst external challenges was particularly timely when it was released in 2020, just before COVID lockdowns. As people faced unprecedented challenges imposed by powerful external forces, Hades provided a much-needed escape and a source of motivation to keep pushing forward.

Hades’ refined combat mechanics are also top-tier. The game’s combat system is fluid and fast-paced, with a wide variety of weapons and abilities to choose from, which encourages experimentation and creativity. This combat system allows players to adapt to different challenges and playstyles — once again mechanically aligning the combat with the presented storyline.

The game’s art style is vibrant and distinctive, with character designs and environments that draw inspiration from ancient Greek mythology. The voice acting and music are also top-notch, with performances from well-known voice actors like Logan Cunningham and Ashley Barrett. Truly, I struggle with voice acting in video games in general, but everything Supergiant has ever put out is auditorily cream of the crop stuff.

Hades is a masterpiece of game design and storytelling, encapsulating the experience of overcoming obstacles and making incremental progress through repeated failure. Its metaphorical resonance applies to various challenges, making it a relatable experience for players from all walks of life. Its message of perseverance in the face of external challenges was particularly timely during the COVID pandemic, providing players with a much-needed source of motivation and escape. The game’s refined combat mechanics and masterful design make it a must-play for any gamer, and it is undoubtedly deserving of its spot in the 100 best games list.