I can see Hades (Supergiant) sneaking away with GOTY awards later this year

[Earvin Infinity]

Somewhat under the radar due to it being an Early Access title on PC, but it is nearing completion and the game itself is fantastic all-around. Close to 20,000 reviews on Steam and currently "Overwhelmingly Positive".This is the first Early Access title that I've purchased and don't regret it one bit, it's a-ok to get into this one if you're on the fence about it not being "complete" yet. If you've played any of Supergiant's games (Bastion, Transistor, Pyre), then Hades may look and feel familiar with an added rogue-like flair. And as you can expect from Supergiant, the gameplay is tight and responsive with gorgeous visuals. I also think the voice acting is superb in this game and features some really fun banter between all of the characters you interact with. They're getting ready to launch v1.0 on PC and console platforms later this year, so I hope they also have a CE of some sort with an artbook. Anyone else think Hades could sneak into some GOTY lists later this year?

Some art from the game:

Gameplay:

 

[JonCha]

I played the beginning of early access and it was superb fun and challenging. It controls very well and it's easy to distinguish the environments and where enemies are. I don't have a PC now so when it launches I'll happily jump in.

 

[UnluckyKate]

its an amazing game.

Fun, gorgeous, deep, generous, varied and touching.

Also, trademark Supergiant godlike art & music.

 

[Bucca]

Fantastic game with Supergiants best art to date.

 

[commish]

Well, most of us haven't played it, so I don't think we can say right now.

It's def on my most anticipated list tho

 

[Adulfzen]

is it finally hitting consoles this year ? While being PC only wouldn't necessarily prevent the game from getting some recognition it would certainly give it more of a spotlight once they're out of early access.

Otherwise from everything I've seen it has certainly strong chances, especially with how strong the story and gameplay is in most SuperGiant games.

 

[Cobra]

I want to get this, but I want to wait for the PS4 version. It does look amazing though.

 

[lt519]

Fantastic game but my 8 year old PC could barely keep up with it, played Early Access as soon as it released and then put it down after a few days because I want to play what they consider a polished release on a console that can handle it properly.

 

[Zookfoodle]

Fantastic game but my 8 year old PC could barely keep up with it, played Early Access as soon as it released and then put it down after a few days because I want to play what they consider a polished release on a console that can handle it properly.

Click to shrink...

You might want to try jumping back in, the most recent update, Blood Price, included a large technical overhaul to help optimize the game better

 

[Uthred]

I picked it up when it hit EGS. It's very slick but I found it just couldnt hold my interest.

 

[MatrixMan.exe]

It's that good huh? I'm really tempted but how meaty is it at the moment? Early Access worries me.

 

[Zookfoodle]

It's that good huh? I'm really tempted but how meaty is it at the moment? Early Access worries me.

Click to shrink...

It's 95% gameplay complete, the only thing really missing at the moment is story content (and more specifically story after beating a run of the game)

 

[Launchpad]

The game is incredible but honestly I don't see mainstream outlets giving it to a rogue-like. It's become a dirty word to too many media editors.

 

[lt519]

You might want to try jumping back in, the most recent update, Blood Price, included a large technical overhaul to help optimize the game better

Click to shrink...

Hmm, maybe I will try it on PC first when 1.0 releases. It played largely fine in windowed mode 1080 but Megaera had some slow down when shit got hectic. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Alastor3]

not to diminish Hades but does a game in early access ever won GOTY?

 

[MadLaughter]

I am confident in saying that Hades is one of the best roguelikes ever made.

• Incredible art, some of Supergiant's best character designs. A lot of it, too
• The most well-thought-out, polished early access game I've ever seen (Dozens of hours and not a single bug that I'd even call an inconvenience)
• Tons of great, well-realized characters
• Excellent voice acting, and a LOT of it (Last update alone had more voice lines than the entirety of Bastion)
• Plays like a dream (super responsive, quick action)
• Huuuuge amount of variety (A bunch of weapons that are INCREDIBLY different, and the perks you get each run change them DRASTICALLY)
• Engaging story, a really enjoyable take on the mythology it's based on
• Great progression, every run it feels like you come out of it with something earned
• Every run feels new and unique, half because of the combat variety and half because of story events
• Difficulty is handled well, incentivized to challenge yourself incrementally by adding challenge modifiers for additional rewards
• Doesn't feel cheap, no instakill unless you very specifically go for a really risky build with hard challenge modifiers

I've done something like 80+ runs of this game and have been invested in every single one of them.

 

[His Majesty]

It's definitely on my list but I usually refrain from buying early access titles.

 

[Dr. Lucien Sanchez]

I'm really looking forward to the console release. Absolutely loved Pyre (and all supergiant games)

 

[Deleted member 32822]

I've never heard of this game but after watching some trailers, it looks like a very cool version of Diablo. Even the names are similar!

 

[Border]

Independent games rarely get GOTY recognition.....2D rogue-like games even more rarely receive that distinction.

In a year with Halo Infinite, The Last of Us 2, Animal Crossing, and Ghost of Tsushima, I think Hades will be edged out pretty easily.

There's also the problem that it was released over 18 months ago. It may technically be eligible for awards due to its Early Access status, but critics will largely favor titles that debuted and released within calendar 2020. The hype and interest surrounding the game has kinda come and gone. I can't think of a time where a game with over a year in Early Access went on to win GOTY.

 

[Jaded Alyx]

not to diminish Hades but does a game in early access ever won GOTY?

Click to shrink...

PUBG must have won a few. It was competing with BotW and Mario Odyssey at the Game Awards.

 

[Tygre]

It's a roguelike, it's not on consoles, and it's not an exclusive.

So it will pick up a low single digit number of GotYs.

 

[Thrill_house]

I hate rogue likes in most cases but I can not wait for this games full release. My ass will be getting it day one. This dev always does an amazing job.

 

[texhnolyze]

It's a rogue-like, right?

I hate this genre, especially when the premise and gameplay looks interesting.

 

[RAWRferal]

This game is the real deal people. Trust the guy with the BOI avatar ;)

Even if you don't usually check for roguelites/likes, please give this game a try. The reviews on Steam are wholly justified.

• The gameplay is fantastic
• The visuals are beautiful
• There is a ton of content

Seriously, just go buy it now. You're welcome.

I hate rogue likes in most cases but I can not wait for this games full release. My ass will be getting it day one. This dev always does an amazing job.

Click to shrink...

It's barely early access as it is, seriously I can wholeheartedly recommend a purchase right now. The 1.0 release will be long since released by the time you get anywhere near bored!

 

[MadLaughter]

It's a rogue-like, right?

I hate this genre, especially when the premise and gameplay looks interesting.

Click to shrink...

Yep, it's run-based. When you die you go back to a hub, spend whatever you earned to get a bit stronger and try again. Which part of the genre is it that turns you off?

 

[Lord Fanny]

is it finally hitting consoles this year ? While being PC only wouldn't necessarily prevent the game from getting some recognition it would certainly give it more of a spotlight once they're out of early access.

Otherwise from everything I've seen it has certainly strong chances, especially with how strong the story and gameplay is in most SuperGiant games.

Click to shrink...

Nothing has been said about console versions.

 

[Dennis8K]

That seems doubtful but thanks for putting this game on my radar.

 

[5taquitos]

I'm holding off for 1.0, I love rogue-lites but don't want to get burned out during EA. Definitely looking forward to it.

 

[Earvin Infinity]

It's a rogue-like, right?

I hate this genre, especially when the premise and gameplay looks interesting.

Click to shrink...

Let me tell ya, I largely ignore rogue-likes for the most part, but this game is the real deal.

 

[GangWarily]

I've never had a roguelike grab me the way this game has (Sorry younger brother...still love Risk of Rain :P)

The way that you get small upgrades and story between run makes me feel like I'm making progress also.

 

[formasymphonic]

So are Supergiant or Jen Zee ever going to bless us with an art book?

 

[Deleted member 8852]

It's on my wishlist but seeing as it's still in EA i've been holding off. I'll pick it up when it's actually out.

 

[texhnolyze]

Yep, it's run-based. When you die you go back to a hub, spend whatever you earned to get a bit stronger and try again. Which part of the genre is it that turns you off?

Click to shrink...

The randomized nature of it, and the lack of narrative focus.

These games are so close to being a proper ARPG but they lack the story and map design. It's just mindless.

 

[robotzombie]

The game is absolutely phenomenal on every level.

You never get tired of runs because of the insane diversity of the weapons and combinations you can create with boons

 

[Kunka Kid]

I picked the game up this week and man, it's fantastic.

I expected the gameplay to be good, but the art and character interactions have blown me away.

 

[ezekial45]

I've been playing it the last couple days. I REALLY like this game. I tend to trail off from other roguelike games because they feel samey after awhile, and I usually hit a wall at some point and can't progress, but the story in the game makes me want to keep going plus. Plus after almost every run, a new event happens in your base, which I appreciate.

This might be in the running for my favorite Supergiant game. It's really cool.

 

[Lord Fanny]

Let me tell ya, I largely ignore rogue-likes for the most part, but this game is the real deal.

Click to shrink...

But did you hate rogue-likes?

 

[Deleted member 29682]

Certainly deserves some nominations for the OST, but it's Darren Korb so that's no surprise.

 

[VinFTW]

Glad I just bought it then lol

Looks awesome

 

[Earvin Infinity]

Nothing has been said about console versions.

Click to shrink...

From a Supergiant developer that responded to an inquiry on Steam last year:

Originally posted by kid_zomb:

Click to shrink...

Hey, we expect to bring Hades to additional platforms once our Early Access is complete sometime in the second half of next year. I'm reluctant to flat-out say 'Yes!' only because we haven't officially decided on all those platforms yet, though we're definitely thinking about console as part of our plans going into next year. Thank you for your interest!

Click to shrink...

 

[Deleted member 4212]

I was holding off on this because it's not 'released' yet, but it sounds like it's worth getting into now.

 

[Party]

Is there a linear story progression in this game? Like you uncover more story as you get farther in your runs? I love everything about Supergiant games, but the writing is such a key part of the experience for me. I can't wait to dive in when this game comes to consoles. Haven't they only confirmed that it is coming out of early access later this year, but not confirmed any consoles at this point?

 

[Richietto]

I just bought it on sale but won't touch it until it leaves EA which they said is soon. Can't wait to play.

 

[Deleted member 5028]

not to diminish Hades but does a game in early access ever won GOTY?

Click to shrink...

PUBG

 

[Deleted member 17388]

It looks very cool!

 

[Viale]

I really wish I liked rogue likes more. There's clearly a ton of love put into this and the Gameplay and story that's there is great. I just also bounced off rather hard after like 30 minutes which was a bummer.

Really glad people are enjoying their time with it though!

 

[Speely]

It's honestly one of the best games I have ever played.

 

[Lightjolly]

Difficulty wise how does it compare to dead cells? Only got to 1bc and never bothered again

 

[Deleted member 29682]

Is there a linear story progression in this game? Like you uncover more story as you get farther in your runs? I love everything about Supergiant games, but the writing is such a key part of the experience for me.

Click to shrink...

Yes, of a sort. There's a proper story framework for the roguelike structure and as you do more runs and get further in, you meet more characters to chat to between runs, unlock more lore tidbits and push the overall goal of game further forward.