Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about Hades.
What is Hades?
Hades is an award-winning roguelike dungeon crawler developed by Supergiant Games that blends fast-paced action with a rich, evolving narrative. Players control Zagreus as he attempts to escape the Underworld while fighting through procedurally generated chambers and interacting with Olympian gods.
Who are the main characters in the game?
The story centers on Zagreus, the son of Hades, who is supported or hindered by a cast including his father King Hades, his mother Persephone, and various Olympians like Demeter and Poseidon. Other key figures include the Furies, Megaera, and the Titan Nyx, each offering unique upgrades and storylines.
Where should new players start?
Newcomers should begin by playing through the first escape attempt to understand the core combat loop and unlock the initial dialogue options in the House of Hades. There is no need to worry about missing content early on, as the game's narrative unfolds gradually over multiple runs.
How does the roguelike gameplay work?
Each run involves Zagreus descending through four distinct regions of the Underworld before facing a boss, with all progress resetting upon death. However, players permanently unlock new weapons, boons from gods, and story scenes that carry over between attempts.
Can I die in Hades and keep my progress?
Yes, dying is an essential part of the game design rather than a failure state, as it triggers new conversations and advances the main plot. While you lose your current run's currency and items, all narrative discoveries and permanent upgrades remain intact.
What are Boons in Hades?
Boons are powerful buffs granted by visiting Olympian shrines that alter Zagreus's abilities to match the specific god's theme, such as Zeus's lightning chains or Artemis's critical hits. Players must strategically choose these gifts to create synergistic builds for each escape attempt.
Does the game have a definitive ending?
The game features multiple endings depending on player choices and relationship levels with key characters, culminating in several distinct conclusions to the main story arc. Even after completing the primary narrative, players can continue playing to unlock additional secrets and epilogue scenes.
What is the House Contracts system?
House Contracts are optional challenges issued by Charon that force players to complete runs under specific restrictive conditions or with unique modifiers. Successfully finishing these contracts rewards rare resources and unlocks new dialogue options for various characters.
How does romance work in Hades?
Players can develop romantic relationships with certain characters through repeated dialogue choices, gift-giving, and completing specific story requirements across multiple runs. These relationships offer unique narrative depth and special bonuses that are not available to other characters.
Is the game suitable for players who dislike difficult games?
While Hades is challenging by design, it includes a built-in difficulty modifier called God Mode that automatically grants damage resistance if the player struggles with combat. This feature allows anyone to experience the full story regardless of their skill level in action games.