Hades is finally available on PlayStation 5 and PS4, and as you may have heard, it's a fantastic rogue-like action game. It's certainly one of the highest profile indie games in recent memory, and has been incredibly well received; it was even in contention for Game of the Year at 2020's Game Awards. PS5 owners have been especially spoiled this year, as not only do we now have Supergiant's celebrated hack n' slasher, Housemarque released its own rogue-like title, Returnal, which also happens to be excellent.
Two of the best-known titles to employ rogue-like elements as part of their core design, it's a great time to be a fan of these games. Greg Kasavin, creative director at Supergiant Games, is unsurprisingly enthusiastic about them, and has recently shared his love for the PS5 exclusive arcade shooter — which shares a lot of similarities with Hades.
In an interview with ComingSoon, Kasavin is very complimentary, calling Returnal "one of my favourite games this year so far". Despite struggling to clear a run, he's put "several dozen hours" into it, saying he's "pretty deep into that game". He continues by describing Housemarque as a "super cool developer".
Despite being fundamentally very different games — an isometric dungeon crawler versus an arcade bullet hell shooter — Kasavin draws some parallels between Hades and Returnal. Aside from the obvious similarities with their rogue-like structure, the two games aim to tell meaningful narratives within that framework.
This is the internet, so of course, Housemarque caught wind of Kasavin's kind words and responded on social media:
It's just good vibes all around. We could've just posted that Predator handshake meme, to be honest.
Are you a Hades and Returnal fan? Which is your favourite? Keep the love going in the comments section below.
[source comingsoon.net, via twitter.com]
Comments 37
I look forward to picking up Hades on PS5.
Returnal is a superb game I'm excited to see what Housemarque do next!
Not played either yet but looking forward to jumping in soon.
Always nice to see some peace and kind words every once in a while instead of the usual childish console war bull💩 from “fans”
Having played both now (still not very far in Hades but enough to see what it's about) - I like how these two share some design concepts but take them in completely opposite directions - and it works in both cases.
Both awesome games. The way they work to slowly reveal the story is fantastic and that they also have addictive gameplay is what keeps you coming back.
I have a feeling I'll rack up an equal number of deaths in Hades as I did in Returnal!!
I've got both games, and to be fair I haven't had a chance to get stuck into Hades at all yet (literally only had two quick runs the other day), but where's the love for Spelunky 2?! I'm looking forward to trying out more in Hades but it's gonna have to be something bloody spectacular to beat that game. Returnal, though technically amazing, didn't come close for me personally.
I love when stuff like this happens, just developers supporting developers
Both fantastic games! And kudos to the developers for supporting and acknowledging eachothers work
Ironically, I’ve spent so many hours with Returnal (and enjoying it immensely) the last month that I’m going to wait a little while before getting Hades. I’m excited to play it, but I need to take a break from Rogue-likes for a while.
Real recognize real.
There’s no game on the level of Returnal so far this year.
Sorry Ratchet, still love ya.
Absolutely loved returnal definitely my game of the year so far. Only played a little bit of Hades so far need to give it a proper session to get into it have beaten the first boss. But from what I've played so far I would say I prefer returnal but that could change. Also got the plat for returnal so will try and do the same with Hades if I get deep into it.
Whilst I enjoyed Hades, I found it to be grossly overrated. It's a very good game, but not nearly as amazing as everyone keeps saying it is.
Returnal is a game that you could easily spend 100+ hours...worth every penny
Returnal is a truly amazing game The quizzical story, the sounds, and smooth game play all add up to game of the year for me.
So far Hades is fantastic as well. I'm not as good at it yet though. I'm stuck at Bone Hydra, coming close many times. It is amazing that I only heard one dialogue twice.
Will be starting Hades pretty soon. I sure hope the game design is better than Returnal.
Returnal has excellent combat and graphics but I hate the “story” presentation and the game design is one of the worst I’ve ever played. It’s like it was deliberately created to make things as awful as possible for players. Bloodborne blows Returnal out of the water for me. I hated Returnal so much I just stopped playing it which is a shame because the moment to combat is so good.
I'll play hades this night, already download it from pc gamepass. Returnal is good but I already done with it after the 4th boss.
Aww, the only two roguelites I’ve ever been able to really get into are fwiends.
@Elodin I felt the same the first 5 or 6 escapes and then it clicked and now I eat Bone Hydra for supper. lol
He has great taste;)
Having spent way over 100 hours playing Returnal and frequently screaming at my TV screen I’d have to say it’s easily my personal favourite game of the year. Yes, it’s a tough ride and yes, I nearly gave up after a corrupted save threw me from the Abyssal Scar back to the beginning but after a short break I felt compelled to try again and a now back in the Abyssal Scar with the end in sight. No other game has compelled, excited, frustrated and motivated me as much this year and with its fantastic use of sound and haptic feedback that only serves to make the experience even better it’s a game that will definitely infuriate but is so rewarding as and when you finally pass the next hurdle. Can’t wait to see what Housemarque come out with next not to mention the street party I’ll no doubt throw when I complete the game. Everyone is excited but bring your own damn drinks, okay?
@commentlife Add Dead Cells to the mix and it’s the holy trinity of roguelikes that aren’t… something that feel like the hordes of roguelikes.
Yeh nah, rouguelike can screw off
@somnambulance that one’s in my Steam backlog atm, I should probably give it a higher priority, keep hearing great things
Hades is phenomenal and so addictive right now. I love it. Prefer it over Returnal and Dead Cells right now, but those are my games just now haha I must hate myself.
Dont like either returnal or hades
Probably my two favorite recent games and certainly the two studios I'm most excited about the future of.
@commentlife Definitely. It’s the first roguelike I ever played that I truly enjoyed.
Not my type of games. I am actually enjoying exploring The Ascent a lot more than Hades on GamePass right now. The world is crazy.
But glad they are doing well
I'll just WeMod Hades for the story and art. Wish I could do that for Returnal (Art looks incredible)
Hi there fellow gamers.
Two of the most amazing rogue like games.
Hades is soooo good. Fantastic art style, great characters and the part that still gets me.
I´ve done 96 runs and there is always new dialogue.
Not once have I seen or heard the same lines. Not Once.
How is that even possible? SuperGiant Games rules.
And Returnal is exactely what I wanted from Housemarque.
An awesome, addictive, fun and challenging shooter with a very compelling story done right. Still have to Platinum the game.
It is great to see both devs enjoying and praising both games.
Cheers, stay safe everyone and happy gaming to us all
Yo dawg, I heard you like rogue-likes....
@Old-Red I've found that to be true with pretty much every super-hyped game on the internet. I don't get the masses...
It helps that I can't stand rogue-likes, it crystalizes every pet-peeve I have in video games into a single actual genre. But I can see what some people like about Hades in terms of combat and tone, even if the game structure is terrible. But deserving that kind of hype? Nah.
I often hold games that make sense of game mechanics organically in a higher regard than those that gloss over "gameiness" just because it's a game mechanic.
Hades is the best example of a game making sense in-world/story of its own mechanics that I've ever played. It's also just supremely fun, gorgeous, and feels good to play. It's one of the best games I've ever played.
I'm sooo excited to get around to Returnal.
Platinumed Returnal...Hades is 100% on my list, just got enough plates spinning at the mo and Elden Ring pre-ordered for Jan 😎
Any sign of a continue option? I do like playing more than one game 😜
Returnal is my goty already, truly love it
Game game recognize game game.
Won’t lie I quit after Act 2! Returnal is one thing, but out and out repeatal I just will not do. It’s a strange thing to watch the credits roll only to discover you haven’t completed a game…
I heard that hades has like 300, 000 words. And given that every character speaks like 2 lines every run, I don't think its easily possible to hear all of it.
I keep hearing great things about both games, but will prob never play them...I suck at these sort of games.
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