Can You Beat Hades on Your First Playthrough? A Deep Dive
The short answer is: highly unlikely, but technically possible. While Hades is a masterpiece of game design, its roguelike nature means it’s built upon repetition, learning, and incremental progress. The game is designed to be challenging and requires players to improve their skills, upgrade their character, and learn enemy patterns over many attempts. While a flawless run on the first try isn’t impossible, it demands an improbable combination of extraordinary skill, luck with boons (godly power-ups), and a deep understanding of the game mechanics right from the start.
Why a First-Run Victory is So Rare
Several factors contribute to the difficulty of beating Hades on your initial playthrough:
- Limited Upgrades: At the beginning, Zagreus, the protagonist, has minimal upgrades. You haven’t unlocked powerful boons in the Mirror of Night or upgraded your weapons. These upgrades significantly enhance your survivability and damage output, making later runs much easier.
- Unfamiliarity with Enemies: You’ll be facing a variety of enemies with unique attack patterns. Learning these patterns is crucial for dodging and effectively dealing damage. Your first run will likely be a learning experience, filled with unexpected attacks and strategic missteps.
- Boon Dependency: The game’s progression heavily relies on collecting boons from the Olympian Gods. These boons grant you special abilities and significantly alter your playstyle. A successful run depends on acquiring a synergistic set of boons that complement your weapon and playstyle. On your first run, you lack the experience to effectively choose and combine these boons.
- Resource Management: You need to learn how to manage your resources, such as Darkness, Gems, and Keys, to unlock crucial upgrades. This understanding usually comes with experience and experimentation.
- Boss Battles: The boss battles in Hades are notoriously challenging, requiring precise timing, strategic positioning, and a strong build. Without prior experience, these encounters can be overwhelming.
What It Takes to Succeed (Against the Odds)
While a first-run victory is improbable, it’s not entirely impossible. Here’s what a player would need to achieve such a feat:
- Exceptional Skill: Near-perfect execution of dodges, attacks, and positioning is a must.
- Godly Luck: The player would need an incredibly lucky set of boon drops that synergize perfectly with their chosen weapon.
- Pre-Existing Knowledge: While it is a “first playthrough,” if someone has watched extensive gameplay or read detailed guides before playing, their chances increase considerably.
- Strategic Play: Meticulously planning each room, prioritizing upgrades, and making optimal choices at every turn.
- Patience and Focus: Remaining calm and focused throughout the entire run, even when facing difficult challenges.
Learning and Progression: The Core of Hades
Ultimately, Hades is a game about learning and progression. The game’s narrative encourages failure and restarting, using each death as an opportunity to grow stronger and unravel the story further. The “God Mode” option provides a passive buff after dying to make it easier and help struggling players. The developers designed the game so each run will give you valuable experience and help you get better.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How long does it typically take to beat Hades for the first time?
The average player takes around 20-30 hours to beat Hades for the first time, meaning complete a full run of the Underworld and complete the game’s main narrative. This timeframe varies based on skill level and playstyle.
2. Is Hades a difficult game?
Yes, Hades is a challenging roguelike game. It demands patience, skill, and strategic thinking. However, its forgiving progression system ensures that players gradually improve over time.
3. What are the best weapons for beginners in Hades?
The Sword (Stygian Blade) and the Bow (Adamant Rail) are generally considered good starting weapons due to their versatility and ease of use.
4. What are the best boons to look for early in the game?
Athena’s boons are excellent for defense, providing deflect abilities. Zeus’s boons offer powerful chain lightning attacks. Aphrodite’s boons weaken enemies, making them easier to defeat.
5. Does Hades get easier as you play?
Yes, Hades gets easier over time. You can upgrade Zagreus’ abilities using Darkness and purchase permanent upgrades using Gems. You also become more familiar with enemy patterns and the best strategies for each encounter.
6. What is the Mirror of Night?
The Mirror of Night is a key feature that allows you to spend Darkness to unlock permanent upgrades, such as increased health, Death Defiances (extra lives), and enhanced damage.
7. How important is it to choose the right boons?
Choosing the right boons is crucial for success in Hades. Synergistic boon combinations can significantly boost your damage output and survivability.
8. What is the Pact of Punishment?
The Pact of Punishment is a system that allows you to increase the difficulty of the game after beating Hades once. This unlocks new rewards and challenges.
9. How many times do you have to beat Hades to see the true ending?
You need to beat Hades at least ten times to see the true ending and exhaust all of Persephone’s dialogue with Zagreus.
10. Can you romance characters in Hades?
Yes, you can attempt to romance Dusa, Megaera, and Thanatos by gifting them Nectar.
11. What is Heat in Hades?
Heat is a difficulty modifier that increases the challenge of each run after completing the main storyline. You earn rewards for completing runs at higher Heat levels.
12. What happens when you die in Hades?
When you die in Hades, you are sent back to the House of Hades, losing all boons and upgrades acquired during that run. However, you retain any permanent upgrades unlocked through the Mirror of Night and other systems.
13. Will there be a Hades 2?
Yes, Hades II is currently in development and is scheduled to be released in Early Access in Q2 2024 on Steam and the Epic Games Store.
14. What makes Hades so addictive?
Hades is addictive due to its engaging gameplay loop, compelling story, charming characters, and rewarding progression system. Each run feels unique and offers new opportunities for growth. It is even being studied in educational settings, as seen with the research and work shared at Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org.
15. What is the fastest known speedrun time for Hades?
The current world record for the fastest Hades speedrun is approximately 5 minutes and 57 seconds.
While beating Hades on your first try is an exceptional feat, the game is designed to be enjoyed through repeated attempts, learning from your mistakes, and gradually mastering its intricate systems. Embrace the challenge, experiment with different builds, and enjoy the journey through the Underworld.