Hades III Early Access Review - Supergiant Does It Again

Supergiant Games returns with Hades III, the next chapter in their critically acclaimed roguelike series. Even in early access, the game demonstrates the studio's mastery of the genre, introducing new protagonist Melinoë, refined combat systems, and the gorgeous art direction fans expect. While incomplete, what's available is exceptional.

The Verdict (Early Access)

Score: 9/10

Pros:

• Melinoë is a compelling new protagonist with unique abilities
• Combat feels refined with new mechanics and weapon types
• Stunning art direction and character design
• Excellent voice acting and narrative progression
• Meaningful early access content with clear roadmap

Cons:

• Only 2 of 4 planned regions available in early access
• Some balance issues with certain weapon combinations
• Limited endgame content compared to Hades II at launch

A New Protagonist

Hades III shifts focus to Melinoë, sister of Zagreus and daughter of Hades. As a witch trained by Hecate, Melinoë's abilities center on magic and summoning rather than direct combat. This fundamental shift changes how the game feels while maintaining the fast-paced action that defined previous entries. Her mission to stop Chronos, the Titan of Time, provides compelling motivation and introduces new mythological elements.

Melinoë's personality contrasts with Zagreus's charm. She's more serious and focused, shaped by her training and mission. The character development is excellent, with relationships evolving through repeated runs. Interactions with gods, allies, and enemies reveal layers to her character that make each conversation meaningful.

Combat Evolution

Combat builds on Hades II's foundation while introducing new mechanics. The Omega Cast system allows charging special attacks for devastating effects, adding strategic depth to ability usage. Hex system replaces the Call mechanic, summoning familiars that fight alongside you with unique behaviors. These changes make combat feel fresh while retaining the responsive, satisfying feel of previous games.

Weapon variety is impressive even in early access. The Moonstone Axe offers slow, powerful strikes with area control. The Umbral Flames provide ranged magic attacks with status effects. Each weapon has distinct aspects that dramatically change playstyle, encouraging experimentation. The synergies between weapons, boons, and hexes create build diversity that rivals the full release of Hades II.

Boon System Refinements

Gods return with new boons that interact with Melinoë's abilities. Apollo offers boons focused on precision and critical hits, rewarding skilled play. Hestia provides defensive buffs and area denial. The boon combinations feel more intentional than previous games, with clear synergies that encourage specific build paths without forcing them.

The Arcana Card system from Hades II returns with modifications. Cards provide permanent upgrades and unlock new gameplay options. The progression feels meaningful, with each unlock noticeably impacting runs. The system encourages long-term planning while maintaining run-to-run variety.

Regions and Exploration

Early access includes two regions: the Rift of Thessaly and the Mourning Fields. Both showcase Supergiant's exceptional environmental design. The Rift features floating islands and temporal anomalies that create dynamic combat arenas. The Mourning Fields present a haunting landscape of lost souls and ancient ruins. Each region has distinct visual identity and enemy types that require different strategies.

The level generation feels more varied than Hades II at launch. Room layouts offer multiple paths and secrets to discover. Environmental hazards add complexity without feeling cheap. The pacing between combat encounters and safe rooms is well-balanced, providing moments to breathe without losing momentum.

Boss Encounters

The available bosses are exceptional. Hecate serves as the first major boss, testing your mastery of basic mechanics with multiple phases and attack patterns. The Titan Polyphemus provides a massive spectacle fight with environmental hazards and minion waves. Each boss feels distinct and memorable, with attack patterns that are challenging but fair.

Mini-bosses appear throughout runs, offering optional challenges for greater rewards. These encounters test specific skills and encourage adapting your build mid-run. The variety prevents repetition even after dozens of attempts.

Narrative and Characters

Supergiant's storytelling excellence shines through. The narrative unfolds gradually through runs, with new dialogue and revelations maintaining interest. Character relationships develop naturally, with meaningful choices affecting how NPCs interact with you. The voice acting is superb, bringing personality to every character.

The Crossroads hub area serves as your base, expanding as you progress. NPCs gather here, offering quests, upgrades, and character moments. The hub feels alive, with characters interacting with each other and reacting to your progress. This creates investment beyond the core gameplay loop.

Art and Audio

Hades III is visually stunning. Character portraits showcase Supergiant's distinctive art style with incredible detail. Environments are richly detailed with atmospheric lighting and particle effects. The animation is fluid, making combat feel responsive and impactful. The game runs smoothly even during chaotic encounters with dozens of enemies.

Darren Korb's soundtrack is exceptional, blending orchestral and electronic elements. Each region has distinct musical themes that enhance atmosphere. Combat music dynamically shifts based on intensity, maintaining energy without becoming repetitive. The sound design for abilities and weapons provides satisfying feedback.

Early Access Roadmap

Supergiant has outlined a clear early access roadmap. Two additional regions will be added over the next year, along with new weapons, boons, and bosses. The final region and true ending will arrive with the 1.0 release. Regular updates will address balance issues and add quality-of-life features based on community feedback.

The current content provides 20-30 hours of gameplay before seeing most of what's available. Completionists will find more through relationship progression and unlocking all weapon aspects. The foundation is solid enough that the wait for additional content feels worthwhile.

Technical Performance

On PC, Hades III runs excellently across a wide range of hardware. The game maintains 60fps on mid-range systems at high settings. Load times are minimal, and the game supports ultrawide monitors and various aspect ratios. Controller and keyboard/mouse controls both feel responsive and customizable.

Some minor bugs exist, typical for early access. Occasional ability interactions don't work as intended, and rare crashes occur during extended play sessions. Supergiant has been responsive to bug reports, with patches addressing issues quickly.

Value Proposition

At $29.99 for early access, Hades III offers excellent value even in its incomplete state. The available content rivals many full-priced games, and the price won't increase at 1.0 release. For fans of the series or roguelikes in general, this is an easy recommendation. Those who prefer complete experiences might wait for full release, but they'll miss the opportunity to influence development through feedback.

Final Thoughts

Hades III demonstrates why Supergiant Games is considered one of the best indie developers. Even in early access, the game showcases exceptional design, compelling narrative, and addictive gameplay. Melinoë is a worthy protagonist, and the new mechanics feel like natural evolution rather than forced change. While incomplete, what's available is polished and engaging enough to recommend without reservation.