2023/3/18: Playstation 4: Hades

[VideoGameCritic]

So this is the game of the year I've been hearing so much about? Well, I can see how it can be habit-forming.
But I feel like a game like this needs to do a better job of stringing the player along.
Now let's hear your opinions.

[DaHeckIzDat]

Ironically, the game is SUPPOSED to feel like running on a treadmill. Hades' main plan to stop his son from escaping the underworld is to bore him into submission. How many times will he have to kill Zagrius and make him start the journey over before his little rebellious streak ends and he starts behaving again? Obviously, not everyone will want to play a game that intentionally makes you feel like you're going nowhere, but it does add to the theme they were going for.

[DrLitch]

I can understand the criticism and perhaps this style of game appeals more to those that have an inbuilt RPG/Souls-like grinding tolerance (or love of it) including lengthy side missions involving NPC's. If you can spend hours pickpocketing in Skyrim to level up or can wonder the Wasteland in Fallout looking for oil canisters, then I would guess some of Hades grinding mechanics will not appear chore like. The combat was the highlight for me. Equip the fists, rush in, and just mow em down. Final boss no chance, dead in 60 seconds on some runs. Or play a more strategic game with the bow or shield. Beating the game with the worst weapon (the Sword) was satisfying. Graphics wise I did not have any issue with making out enemies or following the action. Even the butterfly balls left well resolved butterflies for me. I did play the game at 4K via Steam so I guess YMMV depending on your panel. Roguelikes are generally repetitive, but Hades has enough content and story I always wanted to know what was next. I would always be disappointed if I never came across Euridice in Asphodel while trying to unite her with Orpheus. Different strokes for different folks

[BlasteroidAli]

So you have a ps5 and playing games in 1080p? It does seem pointless. Though time to get that 85 incher.. show you are a REAL American!
my bad, I see it is the ps4 not ps5. Though I think you can get an upgrade online. Anyway ps4 is a good system. I played the game a lot on Xbox S on games pass. I just could not get into it. It was winning all of these game awards. Game of the year and I played it. I thought it was okay but as it progressed I stopped liking it.

[Retro STrife]

I’m glad you tried this game, but as one of the guys who recommended it, you know I have to disagree. This one started out as a C for me too, but quickly grew to an A and one of the most addictive games I’ve played in years.

One line of the review says it all for me: “I rarely know the significance of items I pick up.” The boons you pick up are everything is this game- the strategies behind them are the key to progressing, key to enjoying the game, and key to it not being repetitive. Without learning their significance and finding the best combinations, it is a much different game.

[DaHeckIzDat]

On the subject of roguelikes, you mentioned a while ago that you bought a copy of Slay the Spire after posting my review of it. I'm really interested to know if you liked it as much as me. You don't have to write a review or anything, I'd just like to hear your thoughts.
EDIT: I just found this https://videogamecritic.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=202512&t=20913&hilit=Slay+the+Spire

[DrLitch]

One line of the review says it all for me: “I rarely know the significance of items I pick up.” The boons you pick up are everything is this game- the strategies behind them are the key to progressing, key to enjoying the game, and key to it not being repetitive. Without learning their significance and finding the best combinations, it is a much different game.

Yeah good point, I forgot to mention this. Particularly that each run presents a different character build. The only build you have control over (assuming you have maxed out the mirror) is your weapon and whatever upgrade you have spent titan's blood on. It makes a big difference the boons you get. Choices choices. A door with the weapon boon or Athena's symbol which could have the boon you want that reflects some projectile attacks (essential for Satyrs). Then of course weapon choices each run. Railgun? Can be a tough one at default but the right boon makes it near invincible. Such a friggin great game. One of the very few I would give a perfect 10 to. The developers released a pretty decent game in Transistor but really knocked it out of the park with this one.

[velcrozombie]

I own the game physically on PS4. I played it for about 3 hours right after I bought it and was just getting into it and then I just sort of stopped. I really need to get back to it. I actually spent a few hours with Bastion a few months ago and even though the narration started to wear on me I could see how the gameplay in Hades was a advanced evolution of what I saw in that game, which made me want to return to it. I'm a fan of Enter the Gungeon and The Binding of Isaac and what I played of Hades felt like the most accessible and polished version of this genre that I've yet seen.

[crimefighter]

For some reason I want to think this is a clone of Diablo 2 or 3...