HADES

A second trip to the underworld proves even more enjoyable than the first

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Every eight weeks for the past year, Hell has been torn apart and rebuilt again. For the most part you could never tell. The underworld remains colourful and alluring, its foundations as rock-solid as ever – though that’s no great shock when a studio like Supergiant is responsible for the renovations. But every so often you’ll notice the place has changed in some way. It might be the decor. It might be a new character. Occasionally, it’s an intangible something – subtle adjustments here and there that you can’t quite put your finger on but that collectively add up to make the House Of Satan feel appreciably different to your last visit.

That’s exactly what you want from a Roguelike, of course. Each return should offer a fresh discovery; an unfamiliar encounter; new items, weapons, perks. What sets Hades apart is that its surprises often come between runs. Rather than diving back into the action, you’re invited to linger in its beautiful hub, whether you’re unlocking a new ability with the keys you’ve pocketed during previous runs, boosting an existing perk with dark crystals or paying a contractor – one of several features introduced over the last 12 months – to build a restorative fountain chamber somewhere within the labyrinthine depths.

If preparing carefully for a new run is hardly exclusive to