I’ve been playing roguelikes for years now, and I can tell you most of them feel pretty similar. You die, you start over, you grind. But Hades on Switch? It’s different.

This game took me by surprise. The combat stays fresh. The story actually matters. And every single run feels like it has a purpose.

I’m going to show you exactly why Hades deserves a spot on your Switch.

I’ll break down the combat system, talk about what makes the story work, and explain why this port runs so well on Nintendo’s hardware.

By the end of this Hades Switch review, you’ll know if this game is worth your time and money.

What is Hades? Story and Setting

Hades puts you in the role of Zagreus, son of the god Hades himself. You’re trying to escape the Underworld, and your dad isn’t happy about it.

The setting is Greek mythology, but it’s not the stuffy version you learned in school.

The gods have personality. They crack jokes. They gossip about each other. Aphrodite flirts with you. Ares wants blood. Dionysus offers you wine.

Each time you die, you wake up back in your father’s house. But here’s the thing: death moves the story forward. You learn more about why Zagreus wants to leave.

You build relationships with other characters. The narrative doesn’t reset when you do.

It’s a story that works perfectly with the roguelike format.

Hades Switch Review – Combat and Roguelike Mechanics

The gameplay in Hades is where everything clicks. This is what kept me coming back for over 100 runs.

Core Loop: Run, Fight, Die, Repeat (But Better)

Each run starts in the House of Hades. You pick a weapon and fight through four regions. The combat is fast and responsive. Enemies come at you hard, and you need to dodge, attack, and use your special moves.

When you die, you keep some resources. This matters because you can upgrade permanent stats. So even failed runs help you get stronger. You’re always making progress, which keeps frustration low and motivation high.

Weapons That Keep It Fresh

Hades gives you six weapons to choose from. Each one plays completely differently:

• Stygian Blade: Fast melee attacks, good for beginners
• Heart-Seeking Bow: Ranged damage, requires aim
• Shield of Chaos: Defense and offense combined
• Eternal Spear: Medium range with spin attacks
• Twin Fists: Rapid punches, high risk and reward
• Adamant Rail: Gun with special grenades

Every weapon has four hidden aspects that change how it works. I still find new strategies after dozens of hours.

Boons – The Genius Build System

Here’s where Hades gets interesting. Gods offer you boons during runs. These are temporary power-ups that stack and combine.

Zeus gives you lightning damage. Ares adds doom effects that trigger after a delay. Athena provides deflection abilities. You can mix and build crazy combinations. Some boons work together for duo effects.

No two runs feel the same because your build changes every time. I’ve had glass cannon builds and tanky defensive ones. The variety is incredible.

Progression That Defies Roguelike Norms

You’re constantly earning something useful. The Mirror of Night lets you boost health, damage, and add extra lives.

Keepsakes from characters give you starting bonuses. Even when you fail, you’re building toward the next attempt. That’s what makes Hades less punishing than most roguelikes.

Permanent Upgrades:

Graphics, Art, and Performance on Nintendo Switch

The art style in Hades is hand-drawn and gorgeous. Each character has a detailed portrait that conveys emotion. The environments differ across regions.

Tartarus feels grim and fiery. Asphodel is covered in lava. Elysium has Greek columns and golden light.

But what matters most in this Hades Switch review is how it runs.

The Switch version runs at a steady 60 frames per second in both handheld and docked modes. I never experienced lag, even when the screen was filled with enemies and effects.

Load times are quick, too. You’re back in action within seconds after death. The controls feel tight and responsive.

I actually prefer playing on Switch because I can take runs anywhere. The portable format suits the quick-session style perfectly.

Soundtrack and Voice Acting – Supergiant Magic

Supergiant Games always nails audio, and Hades might be their best work yet.

The Music

Darren Korb composed the soundtrack, and it’s incredible.

The main theme kicks in hard with electric guitar and drums. Combat tracks pump you up during fights. The music shifts based on what’s happening. Boss battles get their own intense themes.

I’ve listened to this soundtrack outside the game multiple times.

Voice Performances

Every single character is fully voiced. Logan Cunningham voices Hades with this deep, intimidating tone. Zagreus sounds cocky but vulnerable. The cast brings personality to Greek gods in ways I haven’t heard before.

Characters remember what you said in past runs. They comment on your deaths and victories. This makes the world feel alive and reactive.

Replayability – Why You’ll Never Quit

I finished the main story after about 30 hours. But I’m still playing. Here’s why Hades keeps pulling me back.

• Multiple Endings: The story doesn’t end with your first escape. There are more plot threads to resolve and family secrets to uncover.
• Weapon Mastery: Each weapon has aspects to unlock and master. Getting good with all six takes serious time and practice.
• Character Relationships: Romance options and friendships deepen over many runs. You need to gift nectar and ambrosia to see their full stories.
• Heat System: After beating the game, you can add difficulty modifiers for better rewards. This cranks up significantly.
• Prophecy List: A checklist of challenges that rewards completionists. It kept me engaged long after the credits rolled.

Final Verdict

Hades on Switch is one of the best roguelikes you can play right now. The combat stays engaging for hundreds of runs. The story gives meaning to every death. And the performance never drops, even if you’re docked or handheld.

I’ve spent over 80 hours with this game, and I’m not done yet.

If you like action games with replay value, buy it. If you’re new to roguelikes, this is the perfect starting point.

So what’s next? Start your first escape attempt. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

This Hades switch review barely scratches the surface of what makes this game special.