Is this a good first roguelike? And how similar is the gameplay loop to Diablo?

[Workshed]

So of course I keep reading how amazing this game is and "you should just play it" etc..

Would this be a good roguelike? And also how similar is it to playing a Diablo style game? I know these games are based more on dying/starting over but is there some kind of character progression that happens alongside with that?

[Jerroser]

The game does have a story that carries over between runs which is overall quite good. Basically since the main character and many supporting characters/bosses are gods they can't permanently die. So there's a level of acknowledgement among the characters about each of Zagreus' continued attempts to break out of the underworld and how its going, as well as other side stories that progress overtime.

There are also a few elements that you get to carry over, such some stats that can be boosted as well as gaining other items that can increase the chances of gaining certain bonuses during an escape attempt.

Not really sure what it would have in common with Diablo though as although I've never played it, my understanding was that it's a completely different kind of game outside of playing from a top down perspective.

[Suzaku]

It's an amazing roguelite. If you're new to this genre, or struggle with the difficulty, there is a God Mode available to help reduce the damage you take with every death until you feel comfortable.

The only similarity to Diablo-style games is the camera angle.

As you fight your way through Hell, you'll acquire several different currencies that can be used to upgrade your character, unlock additional gear, or add things to a run that can further aid you. You can also progress the story and other side content with every attempt.

[admiral1018]

This game is an excellent first rogue-like, and it does an amazing job of slowing easing you into its mechanics and eliminating the annoyance of death via a great story and persistent progression systems.

It's not like the Diablo games at all, however. Those are action-RPGs; this game has no levels/EXP or equipment hunting

[Orb]

I like this game more than Diablo. It doesn't have loot or anything but it does have progression in the game. It's a fantastic game.

[Quyzbuk]

This is a fantastic starting point for your foray into roguelikes/lites. Extensive control over the difficulty if you crave a challenge, near endless variety for each run, and all the other bells and whistles that make up a must-have game (music, gameplay, replayability, etc).

If you're looking for something similar to the action RPG style of Diablo though, the usual go-to on Steam is Path of Exile.

[chris.ferrantegerard]

Originally posted by Workshed:

Would this be a good roguelike? And also how similar is it to playing a Diablo style game? I know these games are based more on dying/starting over but is there some kind of character progression that happens alongside with that?

Hades is a pretty good entry point for the genre. Very polished, permanent progression systems, an easier difficulty mode that mitigates damage + more if you keep failing runs, decent combat and for a roguelite, a decent story and set of characters. Achievements largely don't require anything too difficult really, many are just kind of grindy. Once you complete your first clear, you unlock the Pact of Punishment and can take pacts to earn bounties to earn new rewards from bosses and increase the challenge.

It's quite different from Diablo style games through. Diablo clones are all about farming loot and exp.

[wpegg]

Regarding Diablo - Combat in Diablo is pretty much a pure DPS mechanic, you don't have a huge number of options to avoid being harmed and you don't have a huge number of mechanics to overcome with the enemy. The skill ceiling for Diablo is low. Hades is almost all skill with the aim being to complete encounters with little to no damage. It's mostly about damage avoidance (later on with you have some very particular builds that can tank a little bit). A really skilled player can complete the entire escape on the first attempt, whereas Diablo you simply have to level up first because the numbers don't allow otherwise.

Regarding the other points - it's one of the best games ever made and you should just play it.

[FredDie]

No similarities with DIablo at all. As far as roguelikes goes, it is decend. Bit short, but fun.

[CHEF]

Its similar in that its an isometric hack-n-slash. No loot. This was my first roguelike and now I'm completely in love with the genre. Cult of the Lamb, Dead Cells, etc etc. This is an amazing first stepping stone.

[DaBa]

Originally posted by FredDie:

No similarities with DIablo at all. As far as roguelikes goes, it is decend. Bit short, but fun.

If 80+ hours is short to you, then yeah it's a very short game! That's how much it took me to finish the while game on the Switch, along with all the optional challenges and almost 100% completion. And I dare say I am far better than most at those kinds of games (judging by reading other people describe how many times it took them to beat the game for the first time). The game doesn't end the first time you beat the last boss, or when the credits roll you know?

Also, it's not just "decent", it's widely considered one of the best rogue likes up to date, it takes it's rightful place as a venerable classic right next to other greats like BOI, Dead Cells or Enter the Gungeon.

[DaBa]

And yeah, the game is nothing like Diablo, in almost any way. This is a skill based action game with very limited character progression mechanics. You don't get better by getting loot, you get better by learning how to play the game, how different enemies and mechanics work, and how to best use each of the weapons.

There are some ways to you make you objectively stronger outside of runs themselves and, while they are definitely very useful, they only get you so far and are alone not enough to guarantee victory. Your success is based entirely on you and how well you can play the game. Even if the game deals you bad hand during one of your escape attempts, a good player will still be able to make most of it and turn it into a win.

[FredDie]

Originally posted by DaBa:

Originally posted by FredDie:

No similarities with DIablo at all. As far as roguelikes goes, it is decend. Bit short, but fun.

If 80+ hours is short to you, then yeah it's a very short game! That's how much it took me to finish the while game on the Switch, along with all the optional challenges and almost 100% completion. And I dare say I am far better than most at those kinds of games (judging by reading other people describe how many times it took them to beat the game for the first time). The game doesn't end the first time you beat the last boss, or when the credits roll you know?

Also, it's not just "decent", it's widely considered one of the best rogue likes up to date, it takes it's rightful place as a venerable classic right next to other greats like BOI, Dead Cells or Enter the Gungeon.

80 hours is just decend...its not like rimworld where you can easily put 500+. It is good, but little bit overated imo. After 10 escapes the incentive to play is quite low imo, at least was for me.

[DaBa]

Originally posted by FredDie:

Originally posted by DaBa:

If 80+ hours is short to you, then yeah it's a very short game! That's how much it took me to finish the while game on the Switch, along with all the optional challenges and almost 100% completion. And I dare say I am far better than most at those kinds of games (judging by reading other people describe how many times it took them to beat the game for the first time). The game doesn't end the first time you beat the last boss, or when the credits roll you know?

Also, it's not just "decent", it's widely considered one of the best rogue likes up to date, it takes it's rightful place as a venerable classic right next to other greats like BOI, Dead Cells or Enter the Gungeon.

80 hours is just decend...its not like rimworld where you can easily put 500+. It is good, but little bit overated imo. After 10 escapes the incentive to play is quite low imo, at least was for me.

You have pretty ridiculous standards if you think 80 hours of great entertainment for 25$ is not a good deal (even less now, it's 50% off). I mean, you're welcome to have as high standards as you want. But I feel like trying to set the bar for game length that is based extreme outliers like Rimworld, Factorio, Terraria or Binding of Isaac is a recipe for very easy disappointment. It's really hard to call it a standard as well when these are, as I said, outliers.

[harken23]

I've played about 980 hours, and have no plans to uninstall it any time soon. Started in EA, but right at the end.