Hades
2020 · Action Roguelike · PC / Steam
Hades solved the roguelike genre's biggest problem by making failure feel like progress, and it did it with some of the tightest combat and most charming writing in any game of its era. Supergiant Games built a game where dying sends you back to the start but moves the story forward, turning repetition into something you actually look forward to. The weapon variety, the boon system, and the sheer personality packed into every interaction keep runs feeling fresh for far longer than they should. If you've ever bounced off roguelikes because they felt like a grind, this is the one that might change your mind.