Supergiant Game’s 2018 indie platformer Hades is a masterclass in video game storytelling, hack-and-slash gameplay, and character design. Receiving universal acclaim from gamers and critics alike, Hades won multiple awards at the Golden Joystick Awards, the Game Awards 2020, and the prestigious Hugo Awards.
Revolving around the god of the underworld’s son, Zagreus, Hades has players slash their way out of the different areas of the underworld. Along the way, they meet different Greek gods and mythological personalities that will either bless them with boons or make it harder for them to escape the realm of the dead. Those who have enjoyed the game will be delighted to know that there are plenty of titles that have the similar atmosphere and experience Hades has.
Slay The Spire
Just like Hades, Slay the Spire is an indie roguelike where players have to slay monsters in procedurally generated levels. However, Slay the Spire is more focused on deck building and turn-based combat.
In the game, players will have to choose between four classes in order to climb up the titular spire. Each class has its own set of cards to discover, and along the way, players will gain new cards and figure out the best strategies for every climb. While it may not have an engrossing story, Slay the Spire does allow for strategic planning, something that is reminiscent of Hades’ boons and weapon aspects.
Dreamscaper
In Dreamscaper, players control a woman named Cassidy. The roguelite game from Afterburner Studios offers dungeon crawlers that are centered on the trauma of the main character. Players can collect loots, unlock new rooms, and battle bosses in Dreamscaper’s dungeons. If they do meet their demise while battling, the main character wakes up from the dream and the player will have to start from the top.
Dreamscaper’s visuals and lore might be a far cry from the excellent narrative and polished graphics of Hades, but it does carry the same roguelite hack-and-slash action the award-winning indie game has.
The Binding Of Isaac
The Binding of Isaac is a roguelike game loosely based on the biblical story. In the game, Isaac will have to escape the monster-infested basement of their home and run away from his mother.
The Binding of Isaac has a ton of fun content for players who are willing to get lost in its world — from extremely difficult and grotesque stages to a myriad of power-ups and trinkets. The gameplay and roguelike mechanic of The Binding of Isaac is somewhat similar to Hades, but the latter definitely has a more polished and appealing art style.
Risk Of Rain 2
Risk of Rain 2 shares similar roguelike elements with Hades, as well as familiar looting mechanics found in the game Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. However, Risk of Rain 2 involves third-person shooter combat instead of hack-and-slash gameplay. In the game, players assume control of a lone individual stuck on an alien planet. In order to escape their intergalactic predicament, they will have to go through different areas, loot chests, and kill alien monsters.
Gamers should prepare themselves as Risk of Rain 2 is known for its randomized and difficult runs. Thankfully, the game allows for co-op runs, making it easier for players to finish the game.
Dead Cells
Developed by Motion Twin, Dead Cells is a roguelike game about a creature stuck on a diseased island and is tasked with killing its King. Similar to Hades, the player loses whatever buffs and items they gain from each run if they succumb to the monsters waiting for them.
The game also has a well-executed and polished art style that meshes perfectly with its sound design and gameplay loop. Gamers shouldn’t get too comfortable with the game, though, as they will often need to make quick choices that can affect their success rate for every run.
Returnal
Released for the PlayStation 5, Returnal is an AAA roguelike game is partnered with stunning visuals and immersive audio design. It also features third-person shooter gameplay that has players fighting hostile alien enemies.
Returnal is similar to Hades in the sense that it constantly forces players to make a decision between alien weapons, mods, and consumables — which is kind of like the latter game’s boons system. Roguelike fans who like Hades should pick up Returnal if they want a game that’s full of fun discoveries and has agile protagonists.
Children Of Morta
The Bergson family is one of the most famous families in video game history. The protagonists of the retro roguelike game Children of Morta, members of the Bergson family are tasked with defending the titular mountain from a sinister force known as the Corruption.
The game carries an expansive storytelling style akin to Hades. It also features a well-executed run-based gameplay that allows the players to gain tangible growth, making the next run easier than the last. The game has been well-received by critics for its smooth progression system, engaging 2D graphics, and co-op feature.
Dandy Ace
Some gamers think that Mad Mimic’s Dandy Ace is a visual cross between Hades and Persona due to its vibrant isometric visuals and magical theme. Dandy Ace uses a deck-building gameplay system that encourages players to be smart with the cards they gain in order to defeat villainous monsters and bosses.
In the game, players control a magician who needs to get out of a cursed mirror and defeat a sinister illusionist. However, that proves to be a gargantuan task for the magician, as each run has a fresh set of challenges for players to overcome. While some gamers think that the gameplay can get monotonous at times, Dandy Ace is still worth the try for its great combat mechanics and eye-catching visuals.
Enter The Gungeon
In the roguelike game Enter the Gungeon, gamers will have to choose between four protagonists who need to battle their way out of a shape-shifting dungeon. Along with the randomly generated rooms, players will also have to prepare themselves as the enemies they encounter differ in strength, attack behavior, and endurance.
Enter the Gungeon’s and Hades’ weapons system is similar in some ways. In Enter the Gungeon, gamers will have to decide between customizable destructive weapons like the Alien Engine and The Scrambler. Meanwhile, in Hades, players choose between different mythological Infernal Arms like the Aegis or Malphon. All in all, both games adopt an addicting roguelike mechanic that’s further improved by its weapons systems.
Wizard Of Legend
Wizard of Legend is a 2D dungeon crawler game that puts the spotlight on a magical wizard and his journey towards finding power and fortune. With its top-down gameplay, Wizard of Legend is a gripping adventure game that forces players to use spells in order to defeat enemies and safely travel through the dungeons.
Just like Hades, Wizard of Legend has a couple of bosses that will test the players’ skills. So while players might safely traverse a dungeon and survive the monsters it holds, they should brace themselves for the game’s extremely challenging major bosses.
