15 Games To Play If You Loved Hades

Highlights

• There are many video games that offer a vibrant and fast-paced survival roguelike experience with a great story, similar to Hades.
• Whether you enjoyed Hades for the gameplay, style, or story, there’s a game you can play next out there waiting.
• For example, Dreamscaper takes players into the subconscious of the main character, delivering beautiful graphics and engaging hack-and-slash battles, making it a must-try for roguelike fans.

Hades is the Greek-themed roguelike game that everyone loves. So what other games should you play when you’re done? Hades seems to have taken the gaming world by storm. Everyone is enjoying battling and talking to well-known Greek Gods while dramatically defeating a hydra or Megaera herself as the game goes on.

Despite enjoying Hades, many find themselves a little lost after completing the now ‘True Ending’ of the game, even if you can go back and complete the game over and over again to collect all the weapons and meet all the characters you may have missed. So, to fill that indie roguelike game gap in your life, why not check out some of these wonderful experiences that will leave you obsessed?

Updated December 24, 2023 by Cameron Miller:Hades may be a legendary game at this point, and luckily, there are so many great options to try if you can’t get enough of it. If you love the fast-paced gameplay, roguelike elements, and creative storytelling of Hades, you’re going to love giving these great games a shot.

20 Dandy Ace

Dandy Ace is an extremely bright, colorful, and fast-paced game that will keep you smashing buttons endlessly as you traverse the landscape in which you are trapped. Dandy Ace is a game similar to Hades in the sense that this survival roguelike has a fantastic story that you will be able to learn more about as you go through the world and fight the often challenging enemies.

It’s one of those games that just works. It doesn’t take itself too seriously but still manages to be a game many will never forget and will often go back to, just like Hades.

19 Hotline Miami

Released back in 2012, this arcade-throwback game is a chaotic joy. Hotline Miami lets you play from a top-down perspective as you move through stages that slowly progress in difficulty.

The game may not feature all the same roguelike elements of Hades, but it does feature the same kind of chaotic gameplay and combat you probably love. You can try to come up with a plan for each stage, but the unique AI in the game will be sure to catch you off guard as often as possible, keeping the entire experience as dynamic as can be.

18 Dreamscaper

As soon as anyone loads up Dreamscaper, they will be hit with one thought – just how beautiful this game really is. It was released around the same time as Hades and brings that hack-and-slash to a new level when combined with beautiful graphics, interesting items, and brilliant battles.

Rather than being set in the depths of hell, Dreamscaper takes place in the main character’s subconscious, delving into their dreams and nightmares. All this makes the game an experience any fan of roguelikes needs to try.

17 Enter The Gungeon

Tired of playing with swords or fighting with your fists? Why not bring out some bullets and wreak havoc on any enemy you find? If that’s how you want to play, Enter The Gungeon is the perfect game to try. It’s filled with some often ridiculous weapons that are filled to the brim with power and awesome designs.

It’s worth noting that Enter The Gungeon is a rather challenging game to play, so if you want a step up from Hades, this may be a good plan. Nevertheless, this wonderful indie roguelike will take you on a journey you’ll absolutely adore.

16 Children Of Morta

One of the best things about most roguelikes is their graphics. So many games of this style and genre boast graphics that will leave you sitting in front of the screen admiring, whenever you get the chance to breathe after destroying more enemies than you can count.

This is entirely the case with Children of Morta and is one of the aspects that makes it such a popular game. There’s also the fantastic storyline, wonderful gameplay, a bunch of brilliant characters, and an all-around experience that means most fans of roguelikes like Hades will fall in love.

15 Unsighted

Often overlooked by roguelike fans because of its Metroidvania elements, Unsighted is bound to be a ton of fun if you love Hades. The time-limit imposed on each character will remind you of roguelike gameplay while the combat style will feel reminiscent of Hades for some.

If you were looking for more complex combat encounters, trickier mechanics, and a story that is just as good as Hades, you won’t go wrong with Unsighted. The game is even more perfect if you were craving more expansive exploration in Hades.

14 Curse Of The Dead Gods

If you love the mythological aspect of Hades, then Curse of the Dead Gods is the game for you. It explores some awesome gods and brings together a story that will stick in anyone’s mind for years to come.

That combined with the challenging gameplay, exciting style, and gorgeous graphics makes this game one that cannot be missed. The last few years have brought many roguelikes into the light and this one seems to be a fan favorite with ratings through the roof and players talking about it incredibly highly. Curse of the Dead Gods can’t be missed.

13 Dead Cells

This wonderful and beautiful game is inspired by the legendary subgenre, Metroidvania. Just like Hades, you control a character desperate to get out of the situation they’re in, but they are doomed to repeat their escape over and over again. Plus with a rating of 89 on Metacritic and a 10/10 on Steam, this game is certainly not to be missed.

However, what makes Dead Cells so intriguing is the lack of saving. As mentioned in the game’s description, “No checkpoints. Kill, die, learn, repeat”. This means that similar to Hades, you can’t just walk away or quit the run mid-game without starting from the beginning. Every run is different, so you really have to learn and repeat until you become a badass boss at defeating the many monsters put in your way.

12 Cadence Of Hyrule

While Cadence Of Hyrule is first and foremost a rhythm game, it also features some roguelike elements if that’s what you desire. The whole drive of this game is to move and fight to the beat of the music in order to succeed in your adventure.

It may not be as grim and stylistic as Hades, but the exciting gameplay and Zelda style are likely to appeal to most people. As long as you love music, roguelike gameplay, and trying out a unique combat system, you’ll find a lot to love here.

11 Gunfire Reborn

When it comes to Gunfire Reborn, it does have a pretty different style to it, especially with it being a first-person shooter. However, the artwork has a similar feel to it that will leave any gamer mesmerized.

Don’t get too comfortable with the idea of this game being easy and enjoyable, as it’s renowned for being hard as hell, but that just makes it all the more rewarding when you defeat those bosses. Gunfire Reborn is definitely worth a look and most certainly worth a try, especially since it’s relatively cheap and has a 9/10 on Steam.

10 Transistor

One of the best things about Transistor is how cheap it is now – oh, and the fact that it was made by the same people who made Hades. Nevertheless, Transistor is a must-try for fans of Hades. Especially when they check out the incredible artwork and style, as well as the incredible soundtrack to go with it.

It seems very similar to Hades at first, especially with similar ratings of 83 on Metacritic and 9/10 on Steam. Once you delve into this game, there’s a very likely chance that you will fall in love and struggle to pick a favorite in the end! Transistor couldn’t be recommended enough for Hades fans purely through it being so similar yet a completely different experience through the story and gameplay.

9 Scourge Bringer

Scourge Bringer is a little different from Hades, especially in the way the game is laid out, focusing more on 2D rather than exploring every corner of the map. Nevertheless, this fast-paced rogue-lite platformer allows you to hack and slash your way through the levels, giving the same feeling as the fast-paced Hades you know and love.

Just like it is with more roguelikes, this game can get rather frustrating at the beginning, which is one of the main reasons for the 76 rating on Metacritic and the 9/10 on Steam, but stick with it and you won’t regret it. This game will keep you entertained for months, as well as keeping the experience rewarding and progressive.

8 UnderMine

This one doesn’t have the same style as Hades at all, but that’s a good thing – it’s important to try new things, especially when they have a high rating of 9/10 on Steam and tons of great reviews! However, just like Hades, you can feel your character getting more powerful and more skilled with every run you do. Not only is that one aspect incredibly rewarding but you also meet and help out extremely well-written characters, making each journey feel like it isn’t a repeat of itself.

Unlike Hades, UnderMine is one of those games that if you have 20 minutes to play then it’s perfect, but it also has that ‘one more try’ vibe to it. This makes it extremely fun and relaxing to play, perfect if Hades is getting a little frustrating.

7 Into The Breach

Into The Breach is yet another example of a great strategy game that fans of Hades will love. With a few roguelike elements, chiefly the procedurally generated nature of the game, you’ll find a fun story to dig into and some tough gameplay.

It may not be as fast-paced as Hades, but if you’re willing to trade combat in for strategy, you’ll find a sleeper hit of the indie game world. The game is certainly a great option for Hades fans who crave some more sci-fi in their games.

6 Pyre

Another game made by Supergiant Games with an equally as high score of 82 on Metacritic and 9/10 on Steam and another absolutely fantastic roguelike that will keep you obsessed for years. Just as you would expect from Supergiant, Pyre has a beautiful style and a wonderful soundtrack that will fully immerse you and make it an experience not worth missing out on.

A few things that some fans may not like is how much reading there is in Pyre – it’s very heavy on that and has a few sports-like aspects, namely a mystical sort of rugby. Nevertheless, it’s one you should definitely try out, if not for the story or visuals but for the rewarding and heartfelt gameplay.

5 Neon Abyss

Neon Abyss most certainly has its problems, with many players calling for the developers to focus on fixing the game rather than creating more DLCs. However, with the high reviews, making it 9/10 on Steam, it’s a wonderful game to try out! Many say that this game is The Binding Of Isaac and Enter The Gungeon rolled into a 2D platformer with guns, and who doesn’t love that?

The cyberpunk/neon look to this game makes it incredibly aesthetically pleasing, especially when you get hold of a new weapon and unleash the incredible damage it does to foes. One of the main things that will keep you interested are the special abilities and the new exciting combats and gunplay that is presented in every run. It keeps you a little mad with power and makes you feel that you’re just causing chaos.

4 The Binding Of Isaac

Everyone has heard of The Binding Of Isaac with its 84 on Metacritic and 10/10 on Steam and that’s because it was a turning point for roguelikes and remains one of the most famous of its kind, with many fans still playing it relentlessly to this day. If you haven’t tried out this game then it will most certainly change your life.

If it isn’t playing as a bald and naked child who fights poos with his tears, then it will be the challenges that the game presents you with and the frustration of not getting past the third floor for a while that keeps you playing. Ultimately, if you are a fan of roguelikes, this is a rite of passage.

3 Ancient Abyss

Ancient Abyss is still in early access right now. Due to it being relatively new, it doesn’t have the highest ratings, making it a 7/10 on Steam. This makes it perfect to get in the game before it gets fully released, just like most did with Hades.

The design itself is very different, but most fans of Hades are fans of well-drawn and unique styles, so this one should be an interesting try! Moreover, this Zelda-like roguelike is completely randomized, giving players that unique experience they love, definitely watch out for this one.

2 Slay The Spire

At a glance, Slay The Spire and Hades have nothing in common. Slay The Spire is a phenomenal roguelike deck builder, but the fact that you are constantly on runs through a series of dungeons is really what Hades is all about, linking the games perfectly.

Slay The Spire is a great option for someone who prefers a bit more strategy in their roguelikes, trading in the fast-paced combat of Hades for something a bit more methodical. The story isn’t necessarily the game’s strong suit, but the varied decks and builds that are possible sure are.

1 Bastion

Bastion was the first of its kind released by Supergiant and most certainly changed the face of roguelikes forever. It’s a beautiful game with an entrancing soundtrack and an easy-to-follow story that keeps you hooked and is filled with fantastic reviews awarding the game with 10/10 on Steam and 86 on Metacritic.

It has a deep storyline and forces you to make some rather complex ethical questions that most roguelikes never focus on. However, don’t worry, it’s still a hack-and-slash if that’s what you’re looking for. Just play this one with a controller, the experience will be much more rewarding. Just like Transistor, this one is a rite of passage into Supergiant games.