Roguelikes are currently one of the hottest keywords in the gaming industry. Since the release of The Binding of Isaac, many roguelike masterpieces have emerged, especially in the late 2010s. Games like Enter the Gungeon, Nuclear Throne, Dead Cells, and Slay the Spire have gained significant popularity. In South Korea, Dead Cells and Skul, which was officially released earlier this year and enjoyed by many, are also roguelike games. However, despite the popularity of these roguelike games, they tend to underperform in terms of awards and recognition. At major award ceremonies, they are rarely selected as winners, and it is almost uncommon for them to even be nominated. Looking at historical award statistics, it is difficult to find roguelike games among the winners. This may be because award committees tend to place a greater emphasis on narrative, which is often weaker in roguelike games.

It seems that the article has not been able to shine much. In that regard, it was quite shocking that Hades became the second game to win the most Game of the Year (GOTY) awards after The Last of Us Part II in 2020. Released in early access through Epic in 2018 and then on Steam in early access in 2019, it officially launched in 2020. It created a significant impact, comparable to a major AAA game. In this segment, we will briefly explore why the game Hades is often mentioned and has received such high praise. 

First, let's talk about the developer of Hades, Supergiant Games. Supergiant Games is based in California, USA, and consists of fewer than 20 developers. The company was founded in 2011.

Mindy Game Development Company, which has been developing games for over ten years as of this year, has released its second title. The games released so far include Bastion, Transistor, and Pyre. The first game, Bastion, and the next title, Transistor, are both action role-playing games with a top-down perspective. While the worlds of the two games are somewhat different, they both take place in a world on the brink of destruction. Both games received tremendous acclaim upon release, thanks to their stunning graphics, elegant and grand background music, and a tragic storyline devoid of dreams and hope. As of 2011, the Metacritic scores stand at 86 for Bastion and 83 for Transistor. Considering that it's quite challenging for a game to score above 83 unless it is exceptionally well-made, we can see how high these scores are. It wasn't just the graphics, sound, and story that were outstanding; they also excelled as action games.

Both games have considerable gameplay quality. In Bastion, the combat, which utilizes various weapons such as swords, hammers, guns, and cannons, was impressive. Meanwhile, in Transistor, the fresh turn-based combat system, where time briefly pauses to issue attack commands, stood out. Both games featured a system that increases difficulty by enhancing the enemy's health, attack power, and speed, or by imposing restrictions. Additionally, the controls, which are fundamental to action games, and the impact of hits are very well executed. Ultimately, it seems that the foundation for creating a quarter-view action game has already been laid by Bastion and Transistor. In a way, it might be natural that Hades became a masterpiece because of the existence of Bastion and Transistor. I believe I've mentioned enough about the developers, so now let's delve into the story of Hades.

Hades is a game based on ancient Greek and Roman mythology, featuring Hades, the god of death, and the underworld, a realm filled with the souls of the deceased. The protagonist of the game is not Hades, but his child, Zagreus, who seeks to escape the underworld to meet his mother, Persephone, without his father Hades knowing. The objective of the game is to navigate through various regions of the underworld, defeating numerous monsters, and ultimately overcoming his powerful father, Hades. 

True to its roots in Greek and Roman mythology, the game features many familiar names from these myths. Most people, having watched at least one cartoon about Greek and Roman mythology in their childhood, will likely recognize names like Zeus, Poseidon, and Athena. However, the story of the underworld and Hades is relatively less well-known among the public.

It is impressive that the focus is placed so intensively on the themes. Usually, works based on Greek and Roman mythology often deal with the stories of the Olympian gods like Zeus. However, this game offers a perspective from the underworld, looking at the other Olympian gods, which feels quite fresh. A unique aspect is that some of the images of the gods we are familiar with are presented somewhat differently in this game. You could say there has been a bit of adaptation. For instance, Demeter, the goddess who governs agriculture and seasons, is often depicted as very beautiful in other contexts, but in Hades, she appears with a rather cold demeanor. In fact, the blessings she provides are related to coldness. Meanwhile, Poseidon, known as the god of the sea and as dangerous as Zeus, is portrayed in this game as a friendly, easygoing uncle or neighbor.

Not all gods have undergone a change in image; some gods maintain a very faithful representation of the original text and popular imagery, like this gentleman. For example, Please give me a shot of soju, and Have a drink. This also reflects the beginner level of writing. The paper highlights the connection to the game Genshin Impact, specifically referencing Ayaka. However, the image of the gods has only undergone slight adaptation, while the original text's authenticity is largely preserved. 

In fact, the story of Hades revolves around the conflict of Hades and Persephone, alongside various characters intertwined with them. This content is almost identical to the actual mythological story. The refreshing aspect is that the narrative is not viewed from an omniscient perspective but rather from Hades' point of view. There are brief conversations with characters residing in the underworld and the escape process.

Through brief conversations with the Olympian gods that you encounter, the story is conveyed in a way that enhances understanding and allows for natural immersion, making you look forward to what comes next. This is ultimately possible because the story is solid. The advantage of a strong narrative is not limited to just the story aspect; it serves as the most important motivation for repeatedly playing a game like Hades. As a roguelike game, you will inevitably find yourself revisiting the same dungeons over time. However, each time you play and defeat Hades, the narrative elements change slightly. The key event regarding Persephone, who left the Underworld, gradually unfolds as you play the game multiple times. The interactions with the Olympian gods also evolve during this process.

The three sisters, the Hydra, Theseus, and Hades, become tiresome to meet repeatedly, yet the experience subtly changes. This remains true even after seeing one ending. To truly appreciate the story, players still need to play the game repeatedly, encountering various gods and diligently continuing conversations. From the player's perspective, curiosity about the next part of the story drives them to keep playing. This aspect is what sets Hades apart from other roguelike games. In previous roguelike games, the story was generally not emphasized much. In most cases, the narrative was simplified to be easily understood at a glance, or the game’s setting was vaguely described through metaphors in backgrounds or item descriptions. There are few instances where time was taken to convey the story through dialogue between characters or narration.

There was hardly any emphasis on the story, so to speak. It wasn't that I particularly cared about the story, nor was there any need to. In contrast, Hades adopted well-known stories from Greek and Roman mythology and added a bit of their own twist without deviating significantly from the original text, resulting in a story with tremendous persuasion and appeal. The high quality of the story itself, combined with its integration into the characteristics of a roguelike game, effectively piqued the player's interest, which deserves a lot of praise. However, if you ask whether the game succeeded solely on its story, the answer would be no. If this game had only good graphics, sound, and story, it wouldn't have received such high acclaim. First of all, the controls and impact feel great. When we talk about good controls, it usually means...

In a short amount of time, players should become easily accustomed to the controls, and there should be no significant issues when moving the character in various situations for the controls to be considered good. The controls in Hades satisfy these two requirements excellently. This can be said to provide an outstanding experience. As for the impact of the attacks, the effects and sound differ depending on the weapons used, and the visuals are clear when hitting or being hit by enemies. The visual effects when delivering an attack are also intense and refreshing. Thanks to this, immersion while moving and attacking the character is greatly enhanced. It can be said that Hades captures the essence of action games well. Now, let's take a look at Hades from the perspective of roguelikes. Generally, when we think of roguelikes, they are known for random battles and the core concept of death, starting the game under the same conditions each time. In the case of Hades, players can use resources obtained from multiple playthroughs to upgrade their character and weapons.

It seems more appropriate to call it Rogue Lite rather than Rogue Like, as you can enhance your character and make the game easier to progress. If you play the game consistently, anyone can easily clear it. However, for those who find the game difficult, there is a separate beginner mode called Shin Mode. In fact, there are some limitations to calling Hades a complete Rogue Like game, as there are occasional unpredictable events that can occur, but the overall structure of the game does not change. You start in the underworld, deep in Tartarus, and then pass through the Elysian Fields filled with powerful warriors and lava spots, eventually making your way to the surface through the Temple of Styx. There are no branching paths to other locations, nor are there bonus-style additional dungeons. Each area features...

The bosses are always the same. Some bosses have slightly changed patterns, but Hades, whom you face at the very end, is always the same. With the game progressing in this consistent structure, there is bound to be a sense of boredom. However, the unique charm of the game lies in its great variety. At the start of the game, you can choose from six different weapons, and each weapon has four enhancements available. The characteristics of each weapon are so distinct that the gameplay feels almost like controlling different characters. The mere act of alternating between various weapons is enjoyable, and although there are some discrepancies, the performance differences among the weapons are not significant, making it fun to use multiple weapons. Additionally, since the clear rewards for each weapon reset, it is essential to utilize various weapons. The blessings from the Olympian gods, which grant different effects, are a core aspect of Hades.

The main reason this game is called a roguelike is that as you progress, you receive various blessings that symbolize values. Each time you receive a blessing from the gods, you are presented with three choices, allowing you to grow your character, Eos, in the direction you desire. However, since the gods and the blessings differ in each game, you experience the game with a different sensation every time. Sometimes, you might receive blessings focused on area damage, allowing you to quickly eliminate mobs, while at other times, you might get blessings that enable you to deal rapid damage to single targets, giving you an advantage in boss fights. Depending on the weapon you choose at the start of the game, there are also blessings that enhance your capabilities, and in some cases, you might receive primarily magical blessings, allowing you to tackle the game in a unique way. In this way, with four buttons and different synergies, you can maximize your value and enjoy the game differently each time, making it easy to play for a long time without getting bored.

This is why Hades is often praised as a great game. I have explained how this 2D game is remarkable and what makes it outstanding. The development studio, which has been around for over ten years, showcases a craftsmanship-like quality in its graphics and sound that is undeniably excellent. The story, drawn from Greek and Roman mythology, possesses significant persuasive power and immersion. Additionally, the controls and impact as a hack-and-slash action game are superb, allowing players to enjoy the game with a fresh experience each time. The fun of the game is well-preserved, which is likely why it topped the charts for the most Game of the Year awards last year and was selected as one of the best games of 2020 by many outlets. It boasts near perfection and offers a level of completion that allows for enjoyable long-term play.

If you are looking for a game, I can confidently say that Hades is a must-play. I hope that similar games will be released in Korea in the future. I will wrap up the video here. Thank you for watching!

하데스는 왜 초갓겜으로 불리는 걸까? 하데스 리뷰🔥 [인디왕]

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