Hades, an exhilarating action roguelike that shook up the game industry following its 1.0 launch in 2020, secured the #8 spot on Digital Trends’ best video games of all time list. And now, it is making its way to a new platform – iOS.
As teased earlier, Hades will be available on mobile through the Netflix Games initiative. Subscribers can download and play Hades from the App Store at no extra cost starting March 19. Prior to its release, I attended a presentation by Netflix and Supergiant Games to uncover more details about the process of porting Hades to mobile, why it’s exclusive to iOS, and how it will tie in with the upcoming Hades 2 early access version.
Hades is a run-based roguelike where players assume the role of Zagreus, son of Hades, attempting to escape the underworld. With its smooth gameplay, challenging combat, and engaging story progression, Hades keeps players hooked in its roguelike loop. According to Creative Director Greg Kasavin, the design of Hades naturally lends itself to handheld play, making the transition to iOS a logical move for Supergiant Games.
After over a year of development, Supergiant has crafted an uncompromising iOS port of Hades, ensuring no content is sacrificed. The game runs at 60 frames per second, features intuitive touchscreen controls with customizable settings, and supports mobile gaming controllers for those who prefer that setup.
Although cross-saves with other platforms are not supported and the game is iOS-exclusive, Supergiant has put in the effort to make the mobile version of Hades a high-quality experience.
While most Netflix games are available on both iOS and Android, the exclusivity of Hades to iOS is a letdown. Supergiant’s decision was based on their expertise in iOS development, as confirmed by Publishing Director Will Turnbill and Creative Director Greg Kasavin.
Despite the iOS exclusivity, Supergiant’s focus remains on delivering a top-notch gaming experience with Hades mobile and building anticipation for Hades 2. The interplay between the two titles is something the team is excited about.
Hades arrives on iOS through Netflix Games on March 19, and pre-registration is already available on the App Store. Hades 2 early access is scheduled for PC in Q2 2024.
