How Long Does It Take to Get to the End of Hades?
The answer to “how long does it take to get to the end of Hades?” is multifaceted, depending on what you consider “the end.” For the most basic playthrough, focused on reaching the final boss for the first time, you can expect a time investment of roughly 22.5 hours. However, reaching the true ending, which involves multiple encounters and story progression, will substantially increase that number. For players who strive for 100% completion, expect to spend upwards of 95.5 hours exploring every aspect of this critically acclaimed rogue-like. In short, there’s a lot of Zagreus to experience, and playtime varies greatly depending on how deeply you dive into the Underworld.
Initial Completion: The First Escape
Reaching the Credits
The initial goal in Hades is to escape the Underworld and reach the surface. This isn’t a one-and-done affair. You’ll be making numerous attempts, each run offering new challenges and upgrades. On average, players will take around 22.5 hours to finally achieve their first successful escape, culminating in defeating the final boss, Hades himself. This timeframe can vary based on skill, experience with rogue-likes, and a little bit of luck with the random boons that impact your build.
Key Factors Affecting Time
Several factors contribute to how long it takes for a player to reach this point:
- Skill Level: Players experienced with rogue-like games will likely clear runs faster than newcomers.
- Understanding Game Mechanics: Learning which Boons and upgrades complement your playstyle will significantly speed up the process.
- Weapon Choice: Some weapons might be a better fit for your playstyle, allowing for quicker runs. The Twin Fists of Malphon, known for their aggressive playstyle and high attack speed, are a fan favorite.
- Randomness: Hades has elements of randomness with Boon and room layouts, so some runs may simply go more smoothly than others.
The True Ending and Beyond
Unlocking Persephone’s Story
Defeating Hades for the first time is just the beginning. To experience the “true ending,” you’ll need to unravel more of the story by exhausting Persephone’s dialogue, which requires speaking to her a total of ten times. This means you’ll have to defeat Hades nine additional times. These wins don’t need to be consecutive, allowing you some breathing room and chances to upgrade.
Post-Credits Content
Hades doesn’t simply end after the credits roll. The game has a wealth of post-game content and an epilogue. You will still have plenty of things to explore, unlock, and accomplish after the “ending,” making each run feel unique and engaging.
100% Completion: A Journey of Dedication
Exploring Every Facet
Achieving 100% completion in Hades is a significant undertaking. It requires players to see and do everything the game has to offer. This includes:
- Completing all Fated List prophecies.
- Maxing out all character relationships.
- Upgrading all weapons and aspects to their maximum.
- Obtaining all cosmetic items.
- Unlocking and progressing through all story elements.
Time Commitment
Reaching the 100% mark usually involves around 95.5 hours of playtime. The exact time depends on your playstyle, completionist tendencies, and ability to optimize your runs. You could easily spend hundreds of hours mastering the game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you beat Hades without dying?
Yes, it is possible to beat Hades without dying. Although significantly harder, skilled players can start a new game and defeat the final boss on their first attempt. This requires mastery of combat mechanics and perfect Boon and weapon optimization.
2. How many times do you need to beat Hades to get the true ending?
To reach the true ending, you must beat Hades a total of 10 times; once for the initial escape and nine additional times to progress through Persephone’s dialogue. These wins do not need to be in a row.
3. Is Hades a difficult game?
Hades is known for its challenging but rewarding gameplay. It forces players to become competent and understand the best upgrades to prioritize. However, while the game is challenging, it is also accessible due to its meta-progression system, allowing players to grow stronger with each run.
4. What is the max Heat level in Hades?
The maximum Heat level in Hades is 64. At this level, the game becomes incredibly difficult, adding numerous challenges like increased enemy damage, faster movement, and no healing.
5. What is the fastest time to complete Hades?
The current speedrunning world record for Hades is 5 minutes and 57 seconds, achieved by French player Lili. These speedruns involve incredibly skilled players optimizing their playstyle for maximum efficiency.
6. Is Hades worth replaying?
Yes, Hades has very high replay value due to its randomized nature, continuous meta progression, and diverse gameplay. This means you can play it repeatedly and find each run to be fresh and engaging.
7. Will there be a Hades 2?
Yes, Hades II is currently planned for early access launch in Q2 2024, with the player taking on the role of Melinoe, Zagreus’ half-sister. It is a direct continuation of the story.
8. Is the Twin Fists of Malphon the best weapon in Hades?
The Twin Fists of Malphon are a fan-favorite and widely regarded as one of the best weapons, especially with the Aspect of Demeter for aggressive play styles. The weapon is also notable for being the fastest in the game.
9. What does Boiling Blood do in Hades?
Boiling Blood increases damage taken by enemies hit by your cast, with each rank giving 10% bonus damage. This synergizes with other damage-enhancing effects.
10. Who can you romance in Hades?
You can attempt to romance three characters in Hades: Dusa, Megaera, and Thanatos. Giving Nectar to other characters will enhance your relationships but not lead to romance.
11. What is the easiest way to beat Hades?
Using ranged attacks and focusing on powerful Godly Boons such as Divine Dash, Blinding Flash, and Aphrodite’s Aid is generally considered to be the easiest strategy for defeating Hades.
12. Is it possible to beat Hades on your first run?
While incredibly difficult, it is possible for a skilled player to beat Hades on their first run, though this is not common. Most players will require multiple attempts to learn the game’s mechanics.
13. What is the hardest run in Hades?
The hardest run in Hades is a 64-Heat run, which adds numerous debuffs and challenges, essentially making it a brutal experience.
14. Should I play Hades 1 before Hades 2?
While you don’t need to play Hades 1 before Hades 2, it is recommended. Knowing the characters and story of the first game will enhance your experience with the sequel, as it’s a direct continuation.
15. Who is Zagreus?
In the world of Hades, Zagreus is the immortal son of Hades and the protagonist of the first game. He is also the God of Rebirth in Greek mythology.