Introduction

Welcome to my deep dive into the brilliant mechanics of Hades, a rogue-like dungeon crawler from Supergiant Games. In this post, we'll explore the core systems that make Hades an engaging and endlessly replayable experience.

Core Systems

• Combat: Fast-paced and fluid, involving a variety of weapons and abilities.
• Exploration: Procedurally generated rooms and biomes to keep each run fresh.
• Boons from the Gods: Dynamic power-ups that significantly alter gameplay.
• Resource Collection: Gather materials for permanent upgrades.
• Narrative Progression: Deep storylines that unfold with each escape attempt.

Smallest Loop: The Room Encounter

Each encounter in Hades starts with entering a room, fighting off waves of enemies, choosing a reward, and proceeding to the next level. This loop is immediate and action-packed, offering a quick burst of excitement and strategy.

Biggest Loop: The Escape Attempt

An escape attempt is a series of room encounters strung together, culminating in boss fights and the ultimate goal of reaching the surface. This loop combines short-term action with long-term strategic planning, requiring careful resource management and decision-making.

Comparison of Loops

• Room Encounters: Focused, immediate challenges.
• Escape Attempts: Cumulative, strategic, and rewarding.

Both loops emphasize combat and decision-making but on different scales. The room encounter is the core gameplay unit, while the escape attempt ties these units together into a cohesive journey.

Ludonarrative Arc

Hades masterfully intertwines gameplay with narrative. Zagreus's internal story of growth and determination to escape is mirrored by the overarching narrative of familial relationships and personal growth. Smaller narrative arcs, like completing a biome or acquiring specific boons, add depth to the overall experience.

Arc-Loop Sandwich

The gameplay structure of Hades can be visualized as an "arc-loop sandwich." Players collect boons and upgrades, fight through rooms (the loop), and progress towards escaping (the arc). This design keeps players engaged and invested in both short-term actions and long-term goals.

Conclusion

Hades excels in creating a balanced and engaging experience through its core systems and loops. Whether you're tackling a single room or striving to escape the Underworld, every moment in Hades is filled with strategic depth and narrative richness.

by Hasina Esteqlal

CMPM 176

Game Blog Assignment

July 27, 2024