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How Many Times Do You Have to Clear Hades to Beat It?

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The short answer is that you need to clear Hades a minimum of 10 times to “beat” the game in the sense of rolling the credits and reaching the initial conclusion. However, that’s just the beginning! To experience the true ending and complete the overarching narrative, you’ll need to clear Hades at least 10 times, with the caveat that you must also exhaust all of Persephone’s dialogue. Therefore, you will need to beat Hades a minimum of 9 times to access all her dialogues and “beat the game.” The true ending/epilogue is unlocked when you have high enough relationship with everyone. After that the game becomes more about replayability and the added value of all possible permutations.

Beyond the Surface: Understanding Hades’ Ending Structure

Hades isn’t your typical game with a simple linear storyline. It cleverly integrates its narrative with its roguelike gameplay, meaning that each run, whether successful or not, contributes to the overall story and character development.

The initial 10 clears are essential to understanding Zagreus’s motivation and discovering what lies beyond the Underworld. These runs gradually reveal the core plot and the circumstances surrounding Zagreus’s desire to reach the surface. It’s a well-crafted story that unfolds piece by piece, with each escape attempt providing more context and insight into the world and its characters.

But the game is also replayable, and many permutations offer new insights. The game will never get boring.

The True Ending: Unveiling the Full Story

After your tenth successful escape, the game doesn’t simply end. Instead, it opens up a new layer of content centered around the “true ending.” This epilogue delves deeper into the relationships between the characters and resolves some of the lingering plot threads.

Achieving the true ending requires more than just brute force. It demands relationship management, as you need to build strong bonds with various characters by gifting them Nectar and Ambrosia. It also involves continuing to escape the Underworld and interacting with Persephone whenever she returns to the House of Hades.

Exhausting Persephone’s dialogue is a crucial element of unlocking the true ending. This requires speaking to her a total of ten times (including your initial conversation with her). Since she typically appears in the House of Hades after you’ve successfully escaped, this means toppling Hades himself nine more times after your first victory.

Maximizing Your Escape Attempts

While the number of clears needed for the ending is fixed, the difficulty in achieving those clears varies depending on your skill, weapon choice, and boon selection. It’s worth experimenting with different builds and playstyles to find what works best for you.

Experiment with Weapons: Each of the Infernal Arms offers a unique playstyle. Find the one that clicks with you. The Twin Fists of Malphon are a popular choice for aggressive players, while the Adamant Rail can provide powerful ranged attacks.
Master Boon Synergies: The Olympian Gods offer powerful boons that can significantly enhance your abilities. Look for synergies between different boons to create devastating builds.
Upgrade Your Mirror of Night: The Mirror of Night offers permanent upgrades that can make your runs significantly easier. Prioritize upgrades that suit your playstyle.
Learn Enemy Patterns: Understanding the attack patterns of enemies and bosses is crucial for survival. Practice makes perfect!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about clearing Hades and reaching its various endings:

Do I need to beat Hades 10 times consecutively? No, thankfully! The game tracks your total number of clears across all runs, so you don’t need to worry about winning 10 times in a row.
How long does it take to reach the true ending? This varies depending on your skill and playstyle. However, expect to spend at least 30-50 hours to reach the true ending, as it involves building relationships and completing various objectives.
What happens after I beat Hades 10 times? Persephone returns to the Underworld (after initially living on the surface). That is when you start exhausting all her dialogues in the game. You can also pursue the true ending, which involves continuing to escape the Underworld and building relationships with other characters.
Is there an end to Hades after the true ending? While there isn’t a definitive “end” in the traditional sense, the game remains infinitely replayable. You can continue to experiment with different builds, challenge yourself with higher Heat levels, and unlock all the game’s secrets.
What is Heat, and how does it affect the game? Heat is a difficulty modifier that you can apply to your runs after beating Hades for the first time. Each level of Heat adds new challenges and nerfs to Zagreus, increasing the difficulty of the game.
What is the maximum Heat level in Hades? The maximum Heat level is 64. Beating the game at this level is considered a significant achievement, as it requires mastery of the game’s mechanics and builds.
Can I still unlock achievements in God Mode? Yes, using God Mode will not lock you out of any achievements or content. However, God Mode run records are stored separately from non-God Mode runs.
Who can I romance in Hades? While you can build relationships with many characters, you can only romance three: Dusa, Megaera, and Thanatos.
What is the best weapon in Hades? There is no definitive “best” weapon, as each has its strengths and weaknesses. However, the Twin Fists of Malphon and the Adamant Rail are often considered among the most powerful.
How many levels are there in a Hades run? Each run consists of four distinct regions: Tartarus, Asphodel, Elysium, and Styx. Each region contains several chambers filled with enemies and rewards.
How do I increase my relationship with characters? You can increase your relationship with characters by gifting them Nectar and Ambrosia. Some characters also have specific requirements for advancing their storylines.
What are Boons? Boons are temporary power-ups offered by the Olympian Gods that enhance your abilities during a run. They can significantly impact your build and playstyle.
Can I transfer my save between platforms? Yes, you can transfer your save between platforms, but there may be some limitations. For example, transferring your save from Steam to Switch will turn off God Mode.
What is the purpose of dying in Hades? Dying is an integral part of the Hades experience. Each death allows you to return to the House of Hades, where you can upgrade your abilities, learn from your mistakes, and progress the story.
Is Hades suitable for new gamers? Hades is an excellent game for both new and experienced gamers. Its roguelike structure allows for incremental progress, and its engaging story and characters will keep you hooked.

Continuing Your Journey

Hades is more than just a game; it’s an experience. The game encourages players to challenge themselves and learn new things. Beating Hades requires dedication, skill, and a willingness to adapt. And even after you’ve reached the true ending, there’s always more to discover in the Underworld. The game has many values that could be beneficial for learning. You can read more about the intersection of games and learning at the Games Learning Society: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

So, grab your weapon of choice, embrace the cycle of death and rebirth, and prepare to escape! The Underworld awaits.