Hades is Proof Art Direction can Help Boost Character Development

gamerant.com:

Roguelike games have massively increased in popularity over the last decade, and companies are continuing to improve on the trial-and-error formula. Among the plethora of titles that are leaving Xbox' Game Pass service at the end of August, Hades is perhaps the game that gamers are saddest to see go. It's one of the few experiences that has stood alongside Spelunky, Dead Cells, The Binding of Isaac, and Rogue Legacy as one of the best roguelike games ever made, but where it perhaps stands even taller is how the story unfolds, as well as they way it looks.

While Hades is, first and foremost a grueling experience with fast-paced combat and punishing enemy encounters, it's far more than initially meets the eye. Its genre isn't known for intricate character development and story beats, but Supergiant Games' latest masterpiece is proof that what it learned with Bastion, Transistor, and Pyre has not gone to waste. Hades shows that the developer is an industry leader in fusing innovative gameplay with a gripping story and memorable interactions. The tale is littered with exceptional personalities who are developed even further by the game's stunning visual style, further showing that art direction can be a useful tool in forging great characters.

What's Next for Hades Developer Supergiant Games

As so much artistic innovation comes from the indie scene, Hades had a monumental challenge ahead of it during development to rival the visuals of titles like Gris, Hotline Miami, and Inside. Thankfully for both the developer and fans of the roguelike genre, Hades is a visual marvel, and its stunning take on the Greek gods of Olympus is head and shoulders above what's come before. The writing is fantastic, and each god's character subverts