Developer: Supergiant Games
Publishers: Supergiant Games, Private Division, Take-Two Interactive
Release Date: 2020
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Age Rating: T for Teen
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Indie,
Format: Videogame
Awards or Honors:
BAFTA Games Award Winner: Best Game, Artistic Achievement, & Narrative (2021)
The Game Award Winner: Best Action Game, Best Independent Game (2020)
Hugo Award Winner for Best Video Game (2021)
Plot Summary
Zagreus, the son of Hades and Prince of the Underworld is desperate to escape his father’s domain and reach Mount Olympus. Fight against the minions of Hades through an ever-changing dungeon landscape with help from various Greek Gods who bestow boons on you. But beware, for if you die, you will be sent back to the Underworld and must start your quest from the beginning. As you make progress in your escape, you will also begin to learn more about the Gods that aid you. By gifting them nectar, you can deepen your relationship with them and reveal information about their past.
Critical Evaluation
I would be hard-pressed to find something I didn’t like about this game. In terms of the animation and visual aspects, it is almost like an anime in how detailed the art is. There is also an unusual amount of voice work for a relationship simulator - each interaction with the NPCs is fully voiced, which is actually very rare for a videogame. This allows you to get to know the characters more and feel fully immersed in the gameplay.
When I started playing this game, I was definitely frustrated by having to go back to the
beginning when you die, but when I saw how that played a role in your progression, I quickly realized that it wasn’t such a bad thing. Across all the games I’ve played that makes you start over when you die, none of them have rewarded you for dying as this one does. Dying allows you to learn new things about the Gods, try out new weapons, and upgrade your skills before you attempt to escape again. This game is highly addictive in a really unique way - I honestly had to force myself to stop playing because it was so engaging and took up too much of my time. I think teens who are interested in Greek mythology will love seeing all the figures from myths imagined in such unique ways. Teens who love video games will also be drawn to the way this game combines a dungeon-crawler rogue game with a relationship sim.
Creative Use for a Library Program
Create a Greek mythology-themed escape room at the library or attend a nearby escape room to play out Zagreus’s experience in real life.
Speed-Round Book Talk
Do you have what it takes to escape the Underworld? Muster all the powers of Prince Zagreus to fight against mythic monsters and heroes to make it to Olympus. But, beware: if you die, you will be sent back to the beginning.
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation
There are no recorded challenges for this item. However, fantasy violence is a big factor in the gameplay of Hades. I would defend the violence by explaining that the game is rated T for Teen and the Entertainment Software Rating Board has deemed it appropriate for this age group. The ESRB also describes fantasy violence as "situations easily distinguishable from real life" (Entertainment Software Rating Board, n.d.).
Reason for Inclusion
Everything about this game is absolutely fantastic and I know teens will appreciate the great mechanics as well as the flawless storytelling. There are so many variations on gameplay to explore that all styles of videogame fans will definitely be able to adapt to this game.
References
Ayato, N. [@NigelJenz]. [2020, October 23]. Why can't we pet all three heads? [Image attached] [Tweet]. Twitter. https://twitter.com/nigeljenz/status/1319815254881296391
Entertainment Software Rating Board. (n.d.). Ratings guide. Retrieved from https://www.esrb.org/ratings-guide/
Epic Games. (2020). Hades [Cover Image]. Retrieved from https://www.epicgames.com/store/en-US/p/hades
Grimothys-emporium. (2021, October 22). Transmasc Zagreus mood board [Image]. Tumblr. https://grimothys-emporium.tumblr.com/post/665785305337610240/transmasc-zagreus-mood-board-for-anon-i-dont
Nathex [@nath3x30]. (2020, October 24). Hades is rotting my brain [Image attached] [Tweet]. Twitter. https://twitter.com/nath3x30/status/1320070611750641664
Zee, J. [@0jenzee0]. (2020, September 17). ...and here's a lil' something to celebrate #Hades going 1.0! Blood and darkness, Hades fam!!! [Image attached] [Tweet]. Twitter. https://twitter.com/0jenzee0/status/1306647826579951620
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