Hades

Supergiant Games

PC, Nintendo Switch, macOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, iOSPremium

Health Score

DECENT

Watch Gameplay

About This Game

Super Review

Hades is a fast-paced action RPG set in Greek mythology, offering deep narrative and strategic combat with no in-game purchases. Its roguelike design builds resilience through repeated challenges. Parents should note the Teen rating for fantasy violence and mild suggestive themes; it's a qualified fit, best for those seeking a challenging single-player experience with a rich story.

Super Review

Parent verdict

Hades is a decent choice for families, especially those with older children who appreciate challenging action and rich storytelling rooted in Greek mythology. Its premium, one-time purchase model is a significant advantage, removing concerns about in-game spending. However, the game's Teen rating, driven by fantasy violence, mild language, and suggestive themes, means it works best with clear limits and parental discussion, particularly for players younger than 13.

What players actually do

Players repeatedly attempt to escape the Underworld, battling mythological enemies and bosses in fast-paced combat, which helps develop reflexes and strategic decision-making.
Players gather resources and divine boons during each escape attempt, planning character upgrades and weapon choices to overcome increasingly difficult challenges.
Players interact with a diverse cast of Greek gods and heroes, advancing an unfolding narrative that progresses through both successful and failed escape attempts.

Where it shines

Hades offers substantial educational value, immersing players in Greek mythology and introducing a wide array of gods, heroes, and their interconnected stories in an engaging way.
The game's core loop, centered on repeated attempts and permanent progression, cultivates resilience, strategic thinking, and adaptation as players learn from each failure.

Parent watch-outs

The game carries a Teen rating due to stylized fantasy violence with blood effects, mild language, references to alcohol, and suggestive themes, including depictions of Aphrodite.
The roguelike design is inherently repetitive, requiring players to restart from the beginning after each death, which may not appeal to all players and could lead to frustration for some.

Family rules worth setting

Set clear expectations for play sessions, discussing the game's mature themes and ensuring the content aligns with your family's values.
Establish time limits for play to balance engagement with other activities, as the game's progression encourages repeated attempts.

Talk about this

Discuss the mythological figures and stories encountered in the game. How do they compare to other versions you know, and what can we learn about ancient Greek culture?
Talk about perseverance and learning from mistakes. How does the game reward repeated attempts, and how can that apply to challenges in real life?

Play style

Players engage in fast-paced, isometric action combat, dying frequently but making permanent narrative and power-up progression with each run. The difficulty is moderate to high, requiring skill and strategic thinking, but adjustable options are available. It is a strictly single-player experience, with no need for online interaction. Players may need help understanding complex upgrade synergies or navigating particularly challenging boss encounters.

Score Breakdown

Positive Aspects

Educational Value

4/5

Creativity

1/5

Pro-Social

0/5

Risk Factors

Addictive Monetization

0/5

Time Pressure / FOMO

0/5

Social Risk

0/5

Content Intensity

2/5

Why this rating

Educational Value

4/5

Hades excels in educational value, scoring a 4, by deeply integrating Greek mythology into its narrative and character interactions. Players learn about a vast pantheon of gods and heroes, making the experience both entertaining and informative.

Addictive Monetization

0/5

The game earns a perfect 0 for addictive monetization because it is a premium, one-time purchase with no in-game purchases, microtransactions, or loot boxes. This straightforward business model respects players' wallets and provides a complete experience upfront.

Content Intensity

2/5

Content intensity receives a 2 due to the ESRB T (Teen) rating, which includes descriptors like 'Blood,' 'Mild Language,' 'Suggestive Themes,' and 'Violence.' While the violence is stylized, and suggestive themes are artistic, parents should be aware of these elements.

Negatives

•The game's Teen rating is due to fantasy violence, mild language, references to alcohol, and suggestive themes.
•The core gameplay is repetitive by design, which may not appeal to all players.
•Lacks any cooperative or multiplayer modes for family play.
•Offers very limited opportunities for player creativity or self-expression.

Positives

•Strong educational value, introducing players to a wide cast of characters and stories from Greek mythology.
•A safe, single-player experience with no online interaction or social risks.
•No in-game purchases, loot boxes, or time pressures
•the game is a one-time purchase.
•Helps develop skills like strategic thinking, planning, and resilience through its challenging gameplay.