The dungeon crawler rogue-lite, Hades, took the genre to a whole new level with its unique gameplay, an awesome soundtrack, a compelling narrative, and a ton of hidden mechanics. It’s developer Supergiant’s best game in recent years, and it continues to surprise both new and seasoned players who discover something exciting on every run.
Hades keeps the grind interesting by rewarding players with new interactions after each run. Fans of the game will rarely ever find themselves tired of battling the same characters over and over again, as each fight is never exactly like the one that came before it. Some of the changes that happen in the Greek-inspired setting may go completely unnoticed for players who get too caught up in the fights, but these changes can be just as interesting and may often add even more depth to Hades’ exciting world.
Develop Romantic Relationships
Early on in the game, players are taught to give Nectar to NPCs in the House of Hades to continue with the story. Zagreus can interact with characters like Orpheus and Megaera, who often hang around different areas in the house.
What some players might not know is they can develop romantic relationships with some of these NPCs, particularly Dusa, Megaera, and Thanatos. The best romantic relationship Zagreus can have in Hades is with Megaera and Thanatos – if he plays his cards right, he can reach maximum affinity with both of them and have them meet up in his room to start a polyamorous relationship.
Unlock Hidden Dialogue
Hades is known for its rich narratives based on Greek mythology. Whether players know it or not, they can delve into hidden parts of these narratives throughout the game. By equipping certain weapons or playing with specific boons, Zagreus can have some interesting conversations with gods and other NPCs in the game.
There are several hidden dialogues for players to uncover, which add to the appeal of the rogue-lite. For instance, finishing a run with Distant Memory (Orpheus’ keepsake) equipped unlocks a new dialogue with Orpheus back at the House of Hades. Zagreus can also have a unique conversation with Chaos if he encounters the primordial after a run using the Infernal Arm, the Shield of Chaos. There seems to be an endless number of these interactions to unlock for players who put in enough hours to discover them.
Become An Expert Fisherman
Players don’t have to go on a hundred runs to figure out that there are fishing spots all over the game. The fun minigame allows Zagreus to relax for a minute and spend some time trying to catch common, rare, or legendary fish. These can be exchanged for rewards with the Head Chef in the House of Hades.
However, what players may not know is that catching legendary fish isn’t dependent on luck at all. Since the game never really explains that this is the case, it may not occur to players that they have to react as quickly as possible to the movement of the fishing line to catch legendary fish. This minigame isn’t as relaxing as it seems.
Purchase Interactive Furniture
Decorating the House of Hades with the help of the House Contractor is one of the many things the game uses to keep players hooked. Earning enough gemstones to purchase furniture from the Contractor’s expansive catalog isn’t an easy thing to do, which is why it’s only fitting that there are some hidden rewards.
One of the cheapest items, the All-Seeing Bat Cage, allows Zagreus to 'zoom out' and get a view of the house from above. Players can also spend a few hundred gemstones to purchase the Splendid Lyre, which, at first, seems way too expensive for what it is. A little-known fact is that Zagreus can actually learn how to play the lyre with Orpheus’ help. To unlock this feature, he has to pluck the strings a few times, make sure to develop his relationship with the musician, and attempt enough escapes.
Unite Lovers
One of the most rewarding things about playing Hades is coming across strong fighters and using their boons to Zagreus’ advantage. However, along the way, the player may not realize that they have the power to repair relationships between the characters, bridging ancient rifts in between battles.
To max out Achilles’ affinity gauge, for example, Hades must attempt enough escapes to unlock his major favor. Achilles wishes to be reunited with his lover, Patroclus, who Zagreus will often meet in Elysium. This is no simple task, as players will have to build relationships with the two (and Nyx, too) through several runs and a few Diamonds.
Talk To A Fan
The fight against Theseus and Asterius is one of the most challenging obstacles in the game. The formidable duo is hard to beat for players who are not familiar with their attack styles and patterns. It doesn’t help that the entire stadium is full of Hades' supporters who want to see Zagreus fail.
Among these blue Shades, however, is a singular red Shade, holding a banner with Zagreus’ face instead of the Minotaur’s. It’s a small detail that a lot of players might miss, and most may not even attempt to walk up to this Shade after the battle for a charming interaction between Zagreus and his only fan.
Steal Charon’s Gold
In Greek mythology, Charon is the ferryman who brings the dead across the River Styx for a price. He plays a smaller role in Hades, as a shopkeeper who sells various boons and power-ups that Zagreus can use in his escape attempts.
With a bit of luck and enough hearts with Charon, players will sometimes spot a sack of obol (gold coins) that randomly appears behind his shop. If Zagreus steals this sack, Charon will send him to a room full of treasure he has accumulated over the years. The ferryman won’t be too happy about Zagreus’ theft and players will have to defeat Charon to get out of the room. This secret battle also unlocks a hidden dialogue with Thanatos, who is Charon’s younger brother.
Go To Extreme Measures
One major point of improvement for Hades that fans often complain about is its anti-climactic ending. After all, players likely feel that they deserve something more after grinding over and over again to reach the end of the story.
After the credits roll, some players may be tempted to put the controller down and totally miss out on an epic boss fight. Zagreus will eventually be able to obtain Extreme Measures 4 from the House Contractor, which can be activated via the Pact of Punishment. This will significantly change the final battle against Hades, turning it into the most challenging fight in the entire game. This fitting secret ending will put every skill Zagreus has learned to the test – it’s a surprising difficulty jump for even the most seasoned players.