With Hades 2 having just launched on Early Access, we might be waiting a little bit until we finally get to consume a little merch. However, if the new title reinvigorated your passion for the original and you find your home bereft of Hades branded goods, then you can still get on mercha??ndise featuring Zagreus an?d friends.

Here are some of the great material objects that will help build a physical bridge between you and the Hades series.

10. Hades itself

With everything pushing digital these days, physical media has started to feel like a luxury. But if the internet one day imploded (we can only hope), wouldn’t you still want to play Hades? Thankfully, you can ge?t the game pressed into plastic, just like the good old days.

Unfortunately, as of right now, the Switch version seems to be elusive. The PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S versions are still ?available, but it seems physical Hades is out of print, ??so you probably don’t want to hesitate.

9. Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold by Stephen Fry

This is cheating. I’ll cop to that. Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold isn’t actually Hades merch, but knowing more about the Greek pantheon will enhance your enjoyment of the game, I guarantee it. However, a lot of it can be dry, much of it contradicts other tales, and the density of its imagery can be very confusing. So, to make things easier, you can learn it through the ?words of comedian Stephen Fry.

There are actually three books (the fourth is out soon), but Mythos is the first and focuses on the basic mythology, so you’ll probably get the most mileage out of it. If you don’t like reading or touching paper, there is al??so an audio book read by Stephen Fry himself.

8. Developing Hell: The Making of Hades Blu-ray

Speaking of enriching your enjoyment of Hades, why not take a look at the work that went into the famed roguelite? Developing Hell: The Making of Hades is ??a two-d?isc Blu-Ray set that takes you through the game’s development from conception to execution.

The bad news is it is not available quite yet. It’s coming this summer according to Fangamer. However, if you can’t wait, the Blu-Ray set is actually a compilation of the six-part series done by Noclip, which is available via their Youtube channel.

7. Hades Administrative Desk Mat

My desk mat has performed admirably over the years, soaking up countless c??ups of spilled tea. That’s why you get a dark color: so it doesn’t show your mistakes. So, it w??as a good choice by Fangamer to lean on darker colors; especially brown, the color of our favored beverages.

The Hades Administrative Desk Mat is 35�x 16�with a rubber back??ing making it perfect to slide beneath both your keyboard and mouse. A coaster is not necessary, but is helpful to designate a spot f?or your future spill.

6. Hades Character Pin Set 1

Pins are pretty great. You can stick ‘em on your bag. You can pin them to your hat. Or both �I do both. Fangamer has a pack of four pins based on Hades characters. Pin set 1 feature Zagreus, Megaera, Nyx, and Thanatos. They feature a cu??te chibi look, and I think Thanatos is flirting with me.

There are other pins you can get. Personally, I want Hypnos because I really like sleeping. However, you only get a deal when you buy the characters that I just listed. Bummer, bu??t maybe that will get updated later.

5. Skelly Talking Plush

Need something to beat up? Out of all the plushies on this list, Skelly is easily the most punchable having been Hades' helpful training dummy. He won’t take your thrashings lying down, either, as he talks, throwing sass at you with every blow. 8 inches ta??ll, 12 unique lines of dialogue, and you don’t have to hit him if you’re feeling merciful.

4. Dusa Talking Plush

While Castlevania has made me terrified of Medusa’s severed head, her new role as a disembodied custodian in Hades has made me re-assess my evaluation. If she’s won you over, you might want to grab your own severed head of ???unimaginable horror to lull you to sleep at night. She even talks, but that’s maybe not the best thing to have happen in the middle of the night.

She even comes with a little feather duster, but dry dusting is not recommended as it just puts that dust right back into the air. It has to go somewhere.

3. Cerberus Plush

If you aren’t into severed heads, why not cuddle up to the Underworld’s most famous good boy? The three-headed guardian of Hades could be yours with the Cerberus plush. Unlike Dusa, he doesn’t talk, but that’s because he has been trained well not to boof. Do you think Cerberus is a food-motivated dog? That sounds horrifying?.

2. Zagreus Nendroid

Nendroids are like Funkopop for people with standards and personality. If those things describe you (I think they do), then Good Smile has you covered with a Nendroid of our boy Zagreus. Like all Nendroids, this one comes with different faceplates, weapons, and even a bottle of Nectar to ply your friends with. Keep the parts you’re not using in a small ??box or something, because those things get lost easily.

In the rare case that Zagreus is not your boy, there are also Nendroids for Megayla and Thanatos.

1. Hades: Original Soundtrack

One of the best-tasting pieces of the Hades pie is its soundtrack. Crafted by Supergiant’s in-house composer, Darren Korb, and with vocals provided by Ashley Barrett, it’s a tight, varied, and atmospheric mix of tunes. And what better way to listen to it than pressed into vinyl and?? spun on a platter? 

In all seriousness, physicality is a great way to make the music you listen to more meaningful. It’s also available on CD, but the 4LP vinyl gives you great big cover art to admire. The standard edition is pressed onto smoky grey, but iam8bit sells a special edition directly from their site that features a smoke red version of the vinyl.

The post Best Hade?s Merch To Check Out In 2024:? Our Top Picks appeared first on Destructoid.

The first Hades game sparked a thunderous surge of excitement in the gaming community, thanks to its gripping storyline and dynamic gameplay. Since then, fans have been eagerly awaiting a sequel, and now, that moment has finally arrived with its Early Access. But, you might be wondering: Is it necessary to play Hades 1 before diving into Hades 2? Here's what you need to know.

Can you play Hades 2 without playing Hades 1?

According to the Hades 2 FAQ page, playing Hades 1 before 2 is not a prerequisite, as it offers a relatively stand-alone storyline. However, it does maintain a connection to its predecessor, unfolding the events that follow the original. In Hades 2, you won't be stepping into the shoes of the previous protagonist Zagreus, but instead, you??'ll be immersed in the life of his sister Melinoë.

While Hades 2 can be enjoyed as a stand-alone experience, veteran players can anticipate nostalgic callbacks from the original. But that's not all. New mechanics and challenges are also in store, promising to shake up the series' classic rogue-lite elements and keep you on your toes. Also, the story of Hades 2 incorporates characters that you get to meet and grow close to in Hades 1, adding a bi??t of a sentimental attachment to spur on ??more runs.

Even if it's not a strict requirement, I still highly recommend playing the first Hades game. It's a fantastic way to grasp the gameplay and the rich narrative, heavily inspired by Greek my?thology. This way, you can truly understand the buzz around the game and fully immerse y?ourself in the complete story. 

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Zagreus has found his new home: Netflix. Revealed during Netflix Geeked Week, Supergiant Games' Hades is coming to Netflix's gaming service in 2024.

The 2020 roguelike is joining the ranks of Immortality, Spiritfarer, and Oxenfree as one of the available games in the service. Netflix Gaming is free for all Netflix subscribers, so owners of the streaming giant can play at no extra cost. The announcement also came with the news that Braid, Death's Door, and Katana Zero would be added in 2024.

It's in the Blood

Hades follows the son of the titular ruler of the underworld, Zagreus, as he tries to escape the Underworld. With the help of the gods of Olympus, you die, die, and die a?gain as you battle through ever-changing maps. Upon its release on Switch and PC, the game was lauded for its character design and addicting roguel?ike gameplay.

Our own Jordan Devore rated the game a 9/10, citing Supergiant Games' strong storytelling and stellar RPG combat. Hades was nominated for multiple Game of the Year awards and e?ven won Destructoid's own Overall Best Game of 2020.

I played the heck out of Hades when it was on Game Pass. Seeing it made available for all Netflix subscribers is a joy. Now, more people can play this stellar game whenever and wherev?er they want. It's a trip to Hell I am dow??n to go to.

The timing for Hades to come to Netflix is pretty coincidental, as Supergiant Games is expanding the universe next year with Hades II. The game, which made its way onto my RPGs to look out for, follows Zagreus' sister, Melinoë. Instead of her father, she'll face the Titan of Time alongside new faces. The game is set to go Early Access in Q2 of 2024 for PC. While ??it's ??set to release on consoles, no specifics were given.

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Supergiant Games released a development update for Hades 2 today, shedding some light on the roguelike action RPG's Early Access release plans. The sequel to Hades will launch in Early Access in Q2 of 2024 on both Steam and the Epic Games Store. The team went on to clarify that the exact date, pricing, and system requirements will be revealed later. Prior to the Early Access release, there will also be a limited technical test ?for a handful of players. This test will serve as a way to solve ??technical and compatibility issues before Early Access.

Early Access worked wonders for the original Hades

The original Hades also followed this Early Access schedule. The Early access period lasted almost two years, and really helped shape and polish Hades ahead of launch.

Similarly, Hades 2 ?w??ill have several major updates that add content as EA progresses. The story will expand and add more characters with each update leading up to the v1.0 launch.

Hades is roguelike done right, and I'm excited to see what Hades 2 will expand on. I'm typically not a fan of the Early Access model but it seems like Supergiant Games utilizes it in all the right ways. Hades was great in EA, and even better when it was released fully. Hopefully, Hades 2 will follow the same route and end up better ??for it in the long r??un.

Hades 2 will enter Early Access in Q2 of 2024 on PC. No other platforms have yet to be confirmed, though Supergiant Games indicates in a FAQ on their website that they expect Hades 2 to eventually be available on consoles as well.

Update: Originally this post indicated Hades 2 will also be on all consoles. However, Supergiant Ga??mes has corrected us that no console platforms have been confirme?d yet.

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Sexual tension: Now in chibi form

Good Smile Co. has opened pre-orders on its second Nendoroid figure pulled from Supergiant Games' excellent roguelite, Hades �Joining the huge collection of dinky PVC pop-culture characters is our first boss, the guardian of Tartarus, and Zagreus' rival in both love and war, Megaera.

Megaera stands a miniature 100mm in height (just under four inches) and is packed out with the posing power that comes as standard with the Nendoroid range. The harsh-whisperin' fu??ry sister comes complete with a selection of al??ternate hands and faceplates, including her trademark RBF and even a rarely-seen smile. Of course, Meg would not be Meg without her trusty whip, though she can also be posed with her Skull Earring Keepsake or her cute, but surprisingly powerful, Battie Companion.

The Hades Megaera Nendoroid is available to pre-order now over at the Good Smile Co. website and other collectible retailers. Meg retails for ¥8,500, (or roughly $58 USD), not including shipping or any potential customs charges. The fury sister will ship in the summer of 2023. Previous Hades Nendoroids Zagreus and Thanatos ar?e available now. I'm not really a Nendo collector, but if they release all three Fury Sisters then I'll definitely pick the ??trio up.

They can keep me in line on days I don't?? want to work. ??Today is a fine example, to be honest.

The post Hades’ Megaera is now available to order in Nendoroid form appeared first on Destructoid.

Gods, monsters, and some coffee all hit Game Pass this month

One god game is leaving Xbox Game Pass at the end of August, but a few "immortal" games are stepping up to take its place. As Supergiant's Hades leaves at the end of the month, Xbox Game Pass picks up Immortals Fenyx Rising, Immortality, and several other new games for the service.

The selection for this month is a solid selection of indie gems, both new and old. Coffee Talk arrives today, letting you play barista to a host of creatures in alt-Seattle. Opus: Echo of Starsong arrives later on, bringing a vibrant art style? and deep narrative to the service.

A notable arrival this month on Game Pass is Immortality, the new FMV adventure from Sam Barlow and Half Mermaid. It was pretty impressive when I previewed it, and seems like it'll be worth che?cking out when it launches on August 30.

Or if fighting Greek mythology is more your thing, Immortals Fenyx Rising should fit the bill. It's a Breath of the Wild-adjacent adventure with a heavy helping of myth, and I've heard mostly alright things about it.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEStlPKIGL8

Of course, as some games arrive, others leave. This month sees another batch of games leave Xbox Game Pass, and there are some heavy hitters worth checking out before they take off. Hades is a big one, with a little roguelite action mixed with Greek myth and Supergiant charm.

We also see What Remains of Edith Finch, Spirifarer, Twelve Minutes, and more leave the service at the end of August. Hades aside, those are some games?? you could absolutely squeeze into a weekend before they're gone.

Here's the full lineup for the second half of?? August.

Xbox Game Pass - August arrivals

• Coffee Talk (Cloud, Console, PC) - August 16
• Midnight Fight Express (Cloud, Console, PC) - August 23
• Exapunks (PC) - August 25
• Opus: Echo of Starsong - Full Bloom Edition (Console, PC) - August 25
• Commandos 3 - HD Remaster (Cloud, Console, PC) - August 30
• Immortality (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S) - August 30
• Immortals Fenyx Rising (Cloud, Console, PC) - August 30
• Tinykin (Console, PC) - August 30

Xbox Game Pass - August departures

• Elite Dangerous (Cloud and Console)
• Hades (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Myst (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• NBA 2K22 (Cloud and Console)
• Signs of the Sojourner (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Spiritfarer (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Twelve Minutes (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Two Point Hospital (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• What Remains of Edith Finch (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• World War Z (Cloud, Console, and PC)

The post Xbox Game Pa?ss sees gods arriving and leaving at the end of August appeared first on Destructoid.

But where's muh gurl Tisiphone?

[Update: Fangamer added Hades merch to its onl??ine store today, including pins, posters, and prints. The adorable Cerberus and Dusa plushes are $32 each, while the three-print Tartarus, Asphodel, and Elysium set?? is a whopping $179.]

Supergiant's fantastic action-RPG Hades is custom designed for merchandise, thanks to its attractive visuals, cool aesthetic style, strong colors, and varied cast of memorable characters. Bafflingly, however, Hades gear has been incredibly hard to? come by, with nary an art book or pair of Zubaz pants in sight.

Enter merch-makers Fangamer, who has finally decided, two years after release, to bless fans of Zagreus and his Hades brethren with a fun line of items styled after the game's underworld denizens. While the full line is yet to be revealed, a teaser? image appears to include long and short-sleeved shirts, art prints, and a badge set featuring Nyx, Thanatos, Megaera, and, of course, Zagreus? himself. No Artemis or Tis, but it's fine.

//twitter.com/Fangamer/status/??1549439138587222016?s=20&t=GrFE6W8m9nXAia2XjKzXrg

Perhaps best of all, the image features plush dolls of two of The House of Hades' most important employees: three-headed, bone-munching Good Boy Cerberus, and the lovely, hardworking, and ever-fan?girling housemaid, Dusa. Better still, the Dusa plush talks! Yes, I will be purchasing both of them.

Hopefully, the full range will include further shirt designs and/or other cool gubbins, but I'm still stunned by the possibility that Hades is yet to receive a lavish, hardcover art book �which seems an absolute given for such a striking-looking release. Regardless, the fun-looking Hades range is set t??o la?unch on the Fangamer site on Tuesday, July 26.

For my wallet, There is No Escape.

The post Hades finally has a merch range, court?esy of Fangamer appeared first on Destructoid.

Get some Switch hits for a good deal

The Nintendo eShop has got a sale on, and it's a pretty big one at that. The Big Ol' Super Sale on the eShop has some solid deals for those looking to fill out their Nintendo Switch backlog.

Running now until July 6 at 11:59 p.m. PT, several staples of the Nintendo Switch library are on sale. For Nintendo fans in particular this is a good one,? as several Nintendo first-party games are seeing discounts.

Super Mario Odyssey, for example, is up for 30% off. The remake of The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is down 30% as well, as is Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and Super Mario Maker 2.

If third-party is more your speed, there are some fairly deep discounts there too. Persona 5 Strikers and No More Heroes 3 are both 50% off, a sizable discount. And Doom Eternal rolls in at a whopping 67% off.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3cvskLI-oM

Picks of the Big Ol' Switch Sale

There are s??ome heavy hitters discou?nted in this eShop sale, so it's fairly hard to go wrong. A few of my personal picks from the bunch:

• Chicory: A Colorful Tale - 30% off
• Shin Megami Tensei V - 30% off
• Paper Mario: The Origami King - 30% off
• Tetris Effect: Connected - 40% off
• Hades - 40% off
• Ori and the Will of the Wisps - 40% off
• Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic - 25% off

You can find the full lineup of Nintendo Switch deals in the Big Ol' Super Sale here.

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Meet Apollo, the god of music

Hades is one of my favorite games of all time. It was my go-to game at the start of the pandemic, and after all was said and done I think I put close to 400 hours into that bad boy. I have played and replayed Hades to death, so anything new to help switch it up is a welcome change. Enter Apollo �the Greek god of music who was left off of the game's original lineup, but has since been added to the game by way of a mod thanks to AlexKage's project, OlympusExtra, which was originally spotted by ResetEra.

The mod adds Apollo to the game as if he were just like any of the other gods, including Boons (solo and duo), a Keepsake, a Wrath (you know, the environmental attack the gods spring on you when you're in a two-Boon chamber), and of course, plenty of dialogue. An artist named Reikiix did Apollo's port?rait, wh?ich honestly looks so good you can't tell that it wasn't part of the base game.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbeHCKiDB7M

Apollo's specialty is a blind??ing effect, which makes enemies more likely to miss their attacks. I can imagine that would go really well with Aphrodite or Athena's Boons if you want to go for a low-damage or even no-hit run. There are already some videos out there of modder?s playing with the Apollo mod, so those might be worth checking out if you want to see what he can do to help Zagreus escape the Underworld.

OlympusExtra is still in its early stages �not only will Apollo's inclusion of the game be more built out in the future with some more voice lines and duo Boons on the way, but other gods will also be added to the mix, including Hera, Hestia, and Hephaestus. Hades has fostered a huge cult following sinc?e its release in 2020, and it's great to see the modding community getting in?? on the action.

The post This Hades mod adds Apollo to the game’s roster of gods appeared first on Destructoid.

Multitasking at its finest

When I'm exhausted, my goal with media is t??o help me shut my brain off so I ca??n relax a bit. One of my favorite ways to do that, I've found, is to play games while listening to a podcast, show, or some music at the same time. Do I need to bombard myself with stimuli to shut my brain up so I can breathe for a minute? Who's to say, but I do know that I think it's a lot of fun.

At this point I feel like something of a gaming-while-also-listening-to-a-podcast connoisseur, and I've tried out a whole bunch of different titles so you don't have to. Without further ado, here is my list of the best games to play? while y??ou're also listening to something else.

Slay the Spire

Recently, this game has had a chokehold on me. Slay the Spire is a combination of my two favorite ?sub-genres in games: deckbuilding and roguelikes. It's one of those games where the more time you put in, the more you'll get out of it, because you get to know the decks really well and start maximizing your builds. Turn-based gameplay makes it perfect for picking up and putting down any time you want to, and this is also just a well-designed game full of fun surprises that more people need to know about.

Hades

So I have around 400 hours in this game, and whi?le that's because it's a near-flawless action roguelike, it's always ??because it was the perfect activity to keep me engaged while I was listening to my podcast of choice. It's beyond worth it to play Hades the first time through with the sound o?n, trust me. Once you get a decent way in?to the post-game, though, you've pretty much heard everything there is to hear, and that's when a podcast is perfect. 

Stardew Valley

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. This is another game I've put way too many hours into, and for good reason. The gameplay might feel a bit repetitive to some after a?? while, but I find the routine relaxing, and the perfect way to keep myself occupied as I listen to, well, whatever I want to listen to. It's a modern classic of a simulator game, which is a genre that lends itself well to listening to podcasts?, music, or shows in the background.

Shadow of the Colossus

I definitely recommend playing this one the first time through with the sound on, because it's one of the most iconic soundtracks in all of gaming. In any subsequent playthroughs, though, this is a ??perfect game to use to pass the time. It has a much slower pace than more recent entries in the open-world action-adventure genre, which means it's a great option while you're traversing its expansive world. You might need to pause and concentrate during the boss fights, though.

Mario Maker

A classic mistake while? trying to bea??t an especially difficult Mario Maker level is to think too hard, or as my Southern grandma would have said, to work yourself into a lather. I find that listening to something else while I'm trying to beat a game that's giving me trouble can be really? helpful, because it keeps me from overthinking things, and distracts me just enough to get the job done.

The Binding of Isaac

I honestly prefer to play Binding of Isaac this way, because I find the sound design to be prett??y grating. I know it's supposed to be like that, but that doesn't make it any m??ore enjoyable. It's another roguelike, which means it can be played in perfect bite-sized bits, and isn't so overwhelming that you'll miss whatever your podcast hosts of choice are talking about.

Forza

This goes for most racing games, but Forza can be a great way to keep yourself busy while listening? to a podcast. L??ike a Hades or Cuphead, it's a real-time game so you're paying closer attention, and it's easy to get into a flow state. I've found th?at paying attention to someone talking actually helps me play better, because I'm not?? overthinking what I'm doing.

Civilization

Strategy games are another great option, because they require that same type of flow state, engaged-but-not?-really kind of thi??ng. You reach a point, too, where a lot of stuff is going on its own anyway, so it falls into just the right level of attention it requires from you. Civilization, and other like games, also don't? really require the average player to need the sound on, so it's fine to have any ot??her audio you want going on in the background.

Cuphead

The Mario Maker logic also appli??es here. I've b?een stuck on the same boss in Cuphead for weeks (again??), and having something else to concentrate on helps keep me from getting too frustrated when I keep dying. At this point, it feels more like I need a podcast on to help get me through the game, rather than wanting to ju?st have something on in the background. Either way, it works well for me.

The post Nine of t?he best games to play while you listen to a podcast appeared first on Destructoid.

Any excuse to simp, am I right?

It's another Valentine's Day in quarantine, which means it's another Valentine's Day alone for? a lot of us. What we do have, though, is access to plenty of video games, and that got me thinking about my sexiest video game characters, or more specifically, what I think are the sexiest video game voices. Anyone can create a hun??ky beefcake or a busty blonde of a character model, but for me, so much of what makes certain video game characters sexy is their voices.

I can't let the sultry tones of t?hese s?tandout performances go unnoticed, so here's my list of the sexiest video game voices out there.

[caption id="attachment_308533" align="alignnone" width="1920"] _{[Image Source: Twinfinite]}[/caption]

1. Meg from Hades

Hades is chalked full of sexy character designs and voices, but the standout for me was Megara. I have a thing for low, gravelly voices, what can I say? Plus there was the whole negging thing that I usually hate, but really go??t me in a tizzy when it comes ??to her. There were lots of fun romance options in this game, but there was no contest when it came to my playthrough: it had to be Meg.

[caption id="attachment_308534" align="alignnone" width="1240"] _{[Image Source: Medium]}[/caption]

2. Booker from BioShock Infinite

Booker was one of my first video game crushes. Everything about his character design is appealing to me, with the obvious exception of him being a mass murderer. Gaming is packed to the brim with DILFs, but Booker is really top tier in my opinion. Infinite is a first-person game, so don't get to see much of him at all during its run time �that means his voice has to do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to making him sexy, and as questionably as Troy Baker has been behaving recentl?y, I can't discount the perfor??mance he gave when making this game.

3. Garrus from Mass Effect

I'm gonna level with you guys �the prospect of being able to smash some aliens in Mass Effect is like 70% of why I decided to play those games, and I do mean in a sexy way. As soon as I got to meet the cast, Garrus was at the top of my list. He's already got a leg up as being the least a??nnoying squad member in my opinion, and there's something about the voice effects they put on him that really does something for me. I was a bit disappointed to learn that I don't get to smash him until the second game, but it giv??es me something to look forward to.

[caption id="attachment_308535" align="alignnone" width="640"] _{[Image Source: Thunder Wave]}[/caption]

4. Chloe from Uncharted

The low, gravelly voice is back, and I can't get enough of it. Chloe was introduced to the Uncharted series as another potential love interest for Nate, and as much as I love Elena, I would have gone for Chloe every time. She's flirty, adventurous, and has one of the best voices in a series full of incredible voice talent. Like Bo??oker, Chloe was one of my first video game crushes, so I'll always hold a special place in my heart for her.

[caption id="attachment_308536" align="alignnone" width="799"] _{[Image Source: Literary Hub]}[/caption]

5. Arthur Morgan from Red Dead Redemption 2

You know what else I have a thing for? Cowboys. And Arthur Morgan is just about as sexy as they come, vocally speaking. I mean I guess that is how you talk, isn't it? Anyway, Arthur's got it all �the sout??hern accent, the twang, the grit. He may not be reinventing the idea of how cowboys sound, but if it ain't b?roke, don't fix it. He's giving us quintessential southern American country boy, and as someone who thinks this accent is criminally underrated in talks of supposed sexiness, I'm kind of obsessed with it.

6. Lady Dimitrescu from Resident Evil Village

Another entry on this list that's kind of a given. I think I'm in the minority of people who feel the height thing just doesn't do it for them, but I have to admit that her voice is among the sexier I've heard from a video game character. Lady D ??has a certain poshness to her voice, which is a nice contrast to some of the other more rugged characters I have on this list. Don't get me wrong, I'm still terrified of her and this game, but I have to admit that there's something about her voice ??that I'm really drawn to.

[caption id="attachment_308537" align="alignnone" width="1920"] _{[Image Source: Art Abyss]}[/caption]

7. Boxer from Transistor

Boxer technically doesn't have a name within the world of Transistor, but it's what fans affectionately call him, so it's what I'm gonna go with, too. I made a point to talk about the amazing voicework Logan Cunningham did in this role in my column about Transistor, beca?use it's one ??of my favorite vocal performances in a game ever (and I also happen to think it's the sexiest).

It's ironic that Boxer is on this list, because in the game he's basically only a voice. There's also just something so romantic about his relationship with Red in the game, although whatever it is we don't really know. Either way, it's making me want to replay Transistor today, in the spirit of the holiday.

Well, that's my list for Valentine's Day. Do you agree with my picks? What do you think are some of the sexiest voices in video game??s? Let's discuss in the comments!

The post Here are 7 sexy video game voice??s that make me sw??oon appeared first on Destructoid.

Welcome to Cloudbank

In my eyes, Supergiant can do no wrong. Everything they release is a banger, they have some of the most talented developers working in all of the games industry, and by all accounts they have really good labor practices. Hades has continued to get the love that it so rightfully deserves, and while its massive success has introduced a score of new players to the studio's work, that also means that there are tons of fans out there who haven't yet checked out the rest of their catalog, which needs to be remedied immediately. That's why I'm dedicating this week's column to Supergiant's 2014 action RPG Transistor.

I recently played through it with a friend, and was immediately blown away. Its story follows a woman named Red, who wakes at the start of the game to see the aftermath of an attack that?? was unleashed with a giant sword known as the Transistor. Formerly a singer, Red's voice becomes trapped in the weapon, along with the soul of an unnamed man who was killed in the attack. I don't want to give too much more away, because figuring out the plot of the game is half the fun. Do yourself a favor and don't look up anything about the game before diving in yourself.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJmtn6JP7Ug

What I will say, though, is that Transistor is easily one of the most stylish games I've ever played. The word that comes to mind when I think about it is sexy, but not in a horny way, in like?? a "wow, that car is sexy," kind of way, you know what I mean? Everything is themed around coding and feels very cyberpunk-y, and the story is told out of order in really sm??all, subtle ways.

That's something I appreciate most about Transistor �how restrained it is in its storytelling. I'm not usually one to enjoy a game where I have to seek out the lore too much, but Transistor gives you enough bits and pieces that putting it all together makes you feel like the coolest detective in town. It's a refreshingly unique take on inte??ractive storytelling, and one I?? hadn't seen prior.

Because most of its story ??takes place in the aftermath of the inciting incident, its themes are explored in small moments, but when you put them all together, you're left with a big, beautiful tap??estry that interweaves the world and its characters.

I honestly missed out on most of it my first time through because I was focusing so hard on trying to get the mechanics down, because they are complex in their own right. Transistor is certainly harder to wrap your head around than something like Hades, wh??ich I believe is part of the reason why it didn't take off as much as its successor, and you have to play through the game a few times to really get the full effect.

That may sound daunting at first, but Transistor is meant to be played multiple times �it's designe??d that way. The run time only comes in at around six hours, plus it has modular difficulty settings (something Supergiant has always done? spectacularly well), so you can challenge yourself on subsequent playthroughs.

The gameplay system is also one of the coolest I've seen. The combat is a hybrid of real-time and a frozen time mode called Turn(), which allows you to plan your moves and unleash them all at once. Your power-ups are called Functions, and each one has its own unique properties when used in one of four active ability slots, as well as passive abilities and upgrade slots. I've heard that there are over 900 different permutations of builds you can run with all of the Functions in different slots, which easily makes it one of the most complex gameplay systems I've ever seen. It was overwhelming to dive into, but once you get the hang of it, it feels so good to play.

[caption id="attachment_305824" align="alignnone" width="1909"] _{[Image Source: Transistor Wiki]}[/caption]And the performances. Oh my god, the performances. Logan Cunningham, who also voices Hades, Poseidon, Achilles, Charon, Asterius, and The Storyteller in Hades, is a particular standout. He just won a BAFTA for his work, and rightfully so. He's always great, but the voice he uses for Transistor, man, I could listen to him read ??the phonebook. Twice.

If Hades is a stylish but approachable sedan, Transistor is a sports car. It may be harder to drive, but man, does it have some punch. I don't know to whom Supergiant sold their souls to be such talented devs, but they never miss the mark, and with all of the rightful love Hades got, I just want to encourage people to give their other projects some attention. Long story short: if you haven't already, go play Transistor. If you already have, go and play it again.

Story Beat is a weekly column discussing anything and everything to do with storytelling in video games.

The post We need to talk about Supergiant’s other masterpiece: Transistor appeared first on Destructoid.

Pint-size troublemaker

We all love Hades, right? Of course we do, we're not monsters. But I'm sure you'd agree that for such a cool-looking, stylish game, packed with the hottest cast this side of Asphodel, there is a shocking lack of available merch �Where the hell is my plush Art??emis? Still, Good Smile Company is trying to get the boulder rolling, opening pre-orders on a new Nendoroid of Hade??s' swoonsville protagonist, Zagreus.

As is t??ypical of the Nendoroid line, the trouble-causing Prince of the Underworld stands a dinky four-inches high, and will also come complete with a selection of fun accessories �including a Bloodstone cast, his trusty Blade of Stygius, his Captain America-esque Shield of Aegis, and a little bottle of nectar to offer Dusa, Than, Nyx, or Good Boy Cerbereus. Zagreus comes packaged with a base, weapon stands, and alternate faceplates, seemingly depicting "grin" and "rogueish grin".

If you fancy the bad boy (who doesn't?) for yourself, then you'll be pleased to know that pre-orders are now live over at the Good Smile Co. website. The Zagreus Nendoroid retails for ¥5,500 (or roughly $55 USD) and is expected to ship toward the very end of 2022. He's almost a year away! Good Smile Co. will close pre-orders on March 9, so you still have over a month to get your name o??n the list.

Hopefully, this will kick the Hades merchandising game into gear. Can we get an art book? A Nyx figma? ??Hell, at this point I'll even take a pair of three-headed Cerberus slippers. ?You're sitting on a gold mine.

The post Hades’ cutie-patootie Zagreus Nendoroid now available to pre-order appeared first on Destructoid.

Giving some small indie games a chance

In recent years, I haven't branched out as much as I'd like when it comes to my gaming taste. I did venture away from exclusively playing AAA games, but the indies I played were the huge titles that may as well be AAA at this point just based on their ubiquity, like Hades, Disco Elysium, Stardew Valley, and so on.

I really love AAA games, but when I sit down to play one, I pretty much know right away what to expect in terms of the overall experience. When I got to thinking about everything that's releasing in 2022, I found myself feeling less enthused than usual. Don't get me wrong, there are some huge, genuinely really exciting games coming out this year, like Horizon Forbidden West, Elden Ring, and God of War Ragnarok, but none of ??them have me counting down the days until their release.

That got me thinking, is there anything I'm excited about when it comes to games this year? Well yeah, of course there is. I wouldn't write about them for a living if that wasn't the case. As I started thinking about it, I realized I'm more excited f??or the games I don't know about than the ones that I d?o.

[caption id="attachment_303920" align="alignnone" width="1600"] _{[Image Source: Common Sense Media]}[/caption]There are so, so many games out in the world, and a vast majority of them won't get a fraction of the attention even lesser-known indie games will receive. The? thing is, though, these super small indie games are often the ones doing some of the most unique and interesting things to push games forward. They tell the stories we wouldn't otherwise hear, and they incorporate experimental mechanics that would never make the final cu?t of a triple-A game. Without all the corporate red tape, small games really get to shine, and show off the endless potential of what the interactive medium can do.

Most of these super-small games won't even get trailers �you kind of have to hear about them through word of mouth, or just actively seek them out. While I wish many of these types of games would get more of a chance, there is something cool about coming across a passion project someone worked really hard on but didn't expect anyone to see. When you take away the business si??de of any art, you know you're getting someone's vision, pristine and undisturbed, for better or for worse.

[caption id="attachment_303926" align="alignnone" width="1920"] _{[Image Source: Overland on Steam]}[/caption]My plan this year is to just be on the lookout for anything and everything that piques my interest. When I see someone post about their game on Twitter that's finally out, I want to take a look, or really listen when? my friends tell me to check out a game they liked.

There are tons of amazing indie festivals and conferences that showcase these types of projects. Reddit is home to some great indie communities where devs post their progress, so I'll be scouring those, too. Organizations like WINGS and GLITCH are invested in funding and publishing diverse indie voices. I also have one of those ??massive itch.io bundles that I bought last summer that I haven't even looked through yet, so I know there's gonna be a lot of good stuff in there, too.

With all of the huge games that are constantly coming out of bigger studios, it can be easy to forget how much of the gaming industry is little games made by single people or small teams, simply because they love them. Open source tools, and websites like itch.io have made it easier than ever for people to share their work, so at this point I really have no excuse. Now I'm looking forward to 2022 being the year that I really immerse myself into the indie scene, because although indies make up most of my "favorite games of all time" list, there is still so, so much to see. Looking forward, I think it's a pretty safe bet to say that my favor?ite game of 2022 will be one I haven't even heard of yet.

The post The games I’m most excited for in 2022 are the ones I don’t know about appeared first on Destructoid.

Learning to love the grind

First and foremost, game?s are supposed to be fun. This was the argument I used to explain why I didn't like playing games that presented me with too much of a challenge, because I can tend to get a bit frustrated and give up. Something I failed to understand when I was first getting into games, though, was that there is more than one way to have fun playing a game. I certainly didn't predict that I would actually come to appreciate and enjoy ?other styles of play.

Because I was still getting into games, saying I wasn't a very good mechanical player would be a bit of an understatement. I thought of myself as someone who didn't like difficult gameplay because it wasn't something I enjoyed, not as someone who was struggling because she was still learning. Well, after being drawn into various games because of my interest in their storytelling or visuals or what have you, I gradually just got better mechanically. The real turning point, though, was when I started to enjoy challenging myself, which was at the time I really got into Hades.

Supergiant is genius in any number of ways, but something I really love that they do is their modular difficulty system. A feature they've included in all of their titles since the debut of Bastion in 2011, modular difficulty is a more elegant replacement for traditional difficulty settings, and allows you to customize exactly how you want to challenge yourself. You can switch on settings that make enemies hit harder, or give bosses m??ore powerful abilities, or make items in shops more expensive, etc.

Not only is your game catered to exactly how you want to play, but you're also able to see exactly how the game is getting harder as you progress, which makes beating it all the more satisfying. As someone who really didn't see the appeal of challenging myself, Hades' modular difficulty was exactly what I needed. I could see myself getting better, and it completely changed the way I think? about and play games.

So since I got hooked, and finally understood the triumphant feeling of mastering a game's mechanics after the initial struggle, my taste in games has branched out a lot. That brings me to my current endeavor: Cuphead. It's a game that I was d?rawn to since I first saw it �I love old cartoons and big band music, and seeing the combination of those two things, plus the love and dedication MDHR put into that game, it was always at the top of my list. However, the thought of h?aving a screen that ominously reads "You Died!" staring back at me for most of my playthrough was enough to keep me away.

[caption id="attachment_303139" align="alignnone" width="1280"] _{[Image Source: Attack of the Fanboy]}[/caption]One day, I just said screw it, and bought Cuphead. I'm not gonna lie, there were a few times when I had to walk away, or make myself stop for the day, and yes, a controller has been slammed onto the desk more than I care to admit. But I am pleased to report that I have in fact made good progress through Cuphead �or that was, until I encountered the dragon.

His name is Grim Matchstick, he's the last boss I need to finish World 2, and I hate him. I hate his stupid green face and those stupid fireball guys and his stupid other heads that shoot flames at me. If this were Noelle from a year ago, I would give up from sheer frustration and shamefully stare at the Cuphead icon in my Switch libr?ary for the rest of eternity. B?ut this is the new Noelle. This is 2022 Noelle.

[caption id="attachment_303136" align="alignnone" width="1829"] _{[Image Source: Reddit user u/Correct Increase]}[/caption]I have ??been stuck on this goddamn dragon boss for over two weeks. I know nothing but these ever-scrolling clouds. I see them when I close my eyes, taunting? me.

But I refuse to give up. It's slow, but I can see myself making progress. Every day, the little red Cuphead silhouette gets a little closer to the end of the screen. Just the thought of the dopa??mine hit I'm going to get when I finally hear that announcer yell "Knockout!" is enough to keep me going. At this point, I'm not just trying to finish a game �I'm trying to prove something to the version of myself that didn't think I could ever do it. I used to roll my eyes when they'd say "git gud," but now I not only understand it, I embrace it.

So I wanna know: what's a game that you refuse to give up on? How long have you ??been at it, and did you have to walk away for a while? What are your strategies for keeping sane when you just keep hitting a wall?

The post Do you have a game you just won’t give up on? appeared first on Destructoid.

Buckle in, folks

I don't know about you, but I'm a bit of an anxious flyer. There's something about being on a plane that makes it impo?ssible for me to get comfortable. I think it might have to do with being in such close proximity to strangers, especially right now. That can make it a bit difficult to get through the five-hour flight I've had to take to get home the past few years since I moved to the West Coast. Thankfully, gaming has been the one thing that seems to help during my holiday travels.

Of all the things I've tried to bring onto a plane to keep me busy, games seem to be the only thing I can have with me that helps me relax?? a little. I think it's because games are such an active activity, I usually get so involved with what I'm playing that I completely forget I'm on a plane at all.

So, in an attempt to help any other travelers who get a bit nervous during their journey, here's my guide to the types of games to play when you're traveling. Oh, and I travel with my Nintendo Switch, so you're going to need one of those?? if you want to fol??low along.

Simulators

Alright so you're gonn?a wanna go ahead and start with your favorite simulator game. I find these are great for the ride to the airport, waiting in line for TSA, waiting at the gate, and waiting for takeoff once you've boarded. They're obviously some of the most relaxing games you can play, which is going to help you deal with all the stress of getting through the airport. 

Animal Crossing is a great one as you can use this time to get all your daily chores done,?? but Stardew Valley is also a solid go-to for me here b?ecause it divides up time into nice, digestible chunks. You need to wait an hour? Nah, that's only four days in Stardew time. Plus, the slow-paced nature of this game means that you can easily?? look up from your console as needed without risk of dying or loss of progress.

Other good simulator games to try are My Time at Port??ia, Story of Seaso??ns: Pioneers of Olive Town, Spiritfarer, and Farming Simulator.

Turn-based

If you're someone who needs a little more action in your life, turn-b?ased games are a great way to go. Like simulators, they're easy to have going when you're multitasking, because they kind of pause themselves every few seconds while waiting for you to do your button in??put, whether it's making your turn or simply pressing A to progress the dialogue. These are great for any of the lead up to your trip, plus the first half of your flight when you're waiting to be interrupted by the drink cart. 

My favorite turn-based or otherwise visual-novel-esque games t?o tra??vel with are Ace Attorney and Slay the Spire. Ace Attorney has the benefit of its episo??de structures, because I can make ?it through one during the five-hour flight it takes to get back to the East Coast. Slay the Spire is such a fun game and it's honestly slept on �it's a deck-?builder roguelike that's perfect to play in short bursts.

??Other great turn-based or visual-novel-style games to try are Pokemon (duh), Octopath Traveler, Fire Emblem, Paper Mario: The Origami King, and pretty much any of the famous JRPGs.

Immersive

Okay, this one will come in clutch for any of my other anxious flyers out there �download an open-world game you know you love. You're gonna start playing, and soon you're going to be so consumed with what you're doing that you totally forget about your holiday trav?els. Anything with real-time action will be your best friend, because it forces you to focus more on what you're doing.

My personal go-to is Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, bec??ause no matter where I jump into a save file, I can immediately have fun with it. It's become something of a comfort game on planes for me, honestly. I've also considered trying out shooters that I know I enjoy like the BioShock series, bec??ause the storytelling and gameplay are so involved, I think it would have the same effect. More than genre, what's key here is to find a game that you feel sucked into.

Other imme?rsive games to play while traveling are Minecr??aft, The Witcher 3, Monster Hunter, Assassin's Creed, and Xenoblade Chronicles.

Twitchy

If all else fails, that's alright, we just need to bring out the ??????????????????????????big guns. If I'm really having a hard time on the plane, I put on whatever game has the twitchiest controls I can find. I want fast-paced, real-time gameplay that requires dodging, strategy, timed jumps, and so on. These types of mechanics not only require all of my attention, but my active brainpower, so I really have no other choice than to focus on the game over my anxiety.

The one catch with this one is that you usually need to bring a Switch Pro Controller along, set up?? the screen on the tray table, and play that way. It actually works pretty well, if you don't mind the extra bit of hassle. Hades is hand??s down my go-to for this, and has gotten me through those last few exhausting hours of the flight pretty nicely.

Other twitchy games to try are Hollow Knight, Celeste, Cuphead, Super Smash Bros., and really any other fighting game that you? might enjoy.

Man, typing this all out really makes me feel crazy, but this is really the process I go through playing games? during my travels. If nothing else, I hope that this could help someone else as they navigate one of the most stressful times of the year. And of course, feel free to give these a try if you're just at home needing an escape from your fami??ly this Christmas. I have a feeling I'm going to this year. Good luck out there, gamers.

The post Gaming through your holiday travels: a guide appeared first on Destructoid.

'Tis the season for adding to the Steam backlog

The 2021 Steam Winter Sale starts today, with the usual bout of deals and side activities. There are Steam Awards to vote on, stick?ers to gather, and of course, many discounts to be had. The sale will run from now through Jan. 5 at 10 a.m. PT.

As part of this year's Winter Sale, a free mystery sticker can be redeemed in the Points Shop. A few extr?a winter items have been adde??d too, so if you want an animated abominable snowman for your Steam profile, you can pick one up.

The Steam Awards for 2021 have also opened up for voting. Categories range from Game of the Year and Most Innovative Gameplay to more out-there subjects, like Best Game You Suck At. For every vote you cast, you can earn a random card form this y?ear's Winter Sale Trading Card set.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLIgM8XX1X0

And of course, the sales. So, so many sales. New games like Deathloop and Jurassic World Evolution 2 are spotlight discounts. But there are also deals on pretty popular games, like Hades and the Early Access for Satisfactory. Plus, entire franchises like Dark Souls and Final Fantasy are discounting their catalogs, offering low prices on games both new and old. Or hey, you can just build a zoo in Let's Build a Zoo.

It would take up way too many words to list them all out here, but here's a small selection of deals that popped out at me w?hile I browsed through the front page offerings.

• Hades ($16.24)
• Satisfactory Early Access ($20.99)
• Undertale ($2.99)
• Deathloop ($29.99)
• Days Gone ($29.99)
• Frostpunk ($8.99)
• Let's Build a Zoo ($15.99)
• The ??Witcher 3: W??ild Hunt - Game of the Year Edition ($9.99)
• Horizon Zero Dawn ($24.99)
• Loop Hero ($8.99)
• Hollow Knight ($7.49)
• Red Dead Redemption 2 ($29.99)

Check out the full Steam Winter Sale 2021 on the Steam Store here. Hope your holidays are full ??of finding great deals and filling up that library, and backlog, even further.

The post The Steam Winter S?ale 2021 is l??ive with awards, goodies, and deals appeared first on Destructoid.

First video game to receive literary honor

Supergiant Games' Hades, not content with already being the sexiest video game in existence, has gone and added yet another gong to its long list of accolades �a prest??igious Hugo Award, no less. This marks the first time ever that a video game has received a prize from the judges of the World Science Fiction Society, so it's understandably a grand gesture.

The Hugo Awards, hosted annually at the World Science Fiction Convention, offers a range of prizes to some of the best literary and science fiction works. The 2021 iteration of the event hosted a category for video games for the first time ever, with Hades beating out fellow nominees The Last of Us Part II, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Spiritfarer, and Blaseball. One of these titles is doing its own thing.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXq0yBmfiC8

"Wish I could have attended the Hugo Awards in person," wrote Supergiant creative director, Greg Kasavin. "I wasn't able to make an acceptance speech [at the convention] on behalf of the team though did have a few words here. I'm grateful that the aw??ards are recognising work in this category, much less t?he work we did!" The tweet is accompanied by a short acceptance video.

The World Science Fi?ction Society is considering making the video game category a permanent fixture going forward.

Released in 2020 on PC and Switch, before coming to other console platforms in 2021, Hades is a slick, stylish, and utterly engaging journey through a world inspired by Greek mythology and brought to life through lurid artwork, brilliant voicework, and compelling gameplay. Since its release, Hades has won a slew of international awards including multiple BAFTAs, a Nebula award, and multiple Game of the Year nominations and wins, including Destructoid's humble choice. It even got a controller.

And it's deserving of every last one of the above awards. Hades is, simply put, a fantastic release.

Hades Makes History a??s the First V?ideo Game to Win a Hugo Award [Gizmodo]

The post Hades adds a literary Hugo Award to its jam-pa??cked trophy case appeared first on Destructoid.

It doesn't end with Arcane

Like everyone else in the world, I finished watching Arcane, Netflix and Riot Games�show tied to the League of Legends universe. Admittedly, I don’t really enjoy playing League, but, like with most games, I still really enjoy the lore. So despite not having an especially personal connection to the source material, I found the star relationship of Arcane, the now undeniably canon one between Vi ??and her siste??r Jinx, to be compelling.

I have a sister (our relationship involves 100% less bombings than Vi’s), and seeing Arcane take an emotional look at this sometimes infuriating, mostly fulfilling familial bond that girls have was a nice surprise from games media. It made me think, though, that most game siblings are brothers or brother and sister. And often, when sisters are depicted, they’re presented as ultra-sexy rivals , something that League the game does, t??oo, which is undoubtedly more about gameplay (and appealing to male eyes!) than siste?rs themselves.

So, I came up with four of my favorite sisters in video games that provide alternatives to those conventions with lore or less conventional gameplay. Let me know your favorite video game siblings in the comments!

Quelaag and Quelaag’s Sister, Dark Souls

Quelaag and Quelaag’s Sister are probably my favorite video game sisters �their story makes me so sad! Blind and sick, Quelaag’s Sister is only able to talk to fellow Daughter of Chaos Quelaag, who provides her comfort and care despite their disagreements over how to rule. Their sisterhood is more core to them than any disagreement.

[caption id="attachment_300577" align="alignnone" width="1366"] [Source: Dark Souls Wiki][/caption]

Giana and Maria, The Great Giana Sisters

Although this 1987 game was an obvious Super Mario Bros. knockoff (and the loading screen is so insanely, unnecessarily sexual “lol� , I think the story is sweet. Little sleeping Giana ends up in a dangerous dreamworld and fights her way through it to return to Maria. It’s nice to have girls looking out for girls in games, and Nintendo eventually got over the whole copyright infringement thing.

Furies, Hades

The Furies are technically more a Greek mythology landmark than beacons in video game history, but they make for a fun boss fight. I like the idea of these three sisters sticking together to try to pummel your ass, and although not necessarily central to the game’s lore, the Furies�inclusion as a boss is a nice alternative to games that put sisters on the sidelines.

Witch Sisters, Witch Sisters�Sugary Dreams

Okay, I mainly picked this arcade-style game because it’s incredibly cute, but sisterhood can be cute, too! This game is about tiny witch? sisters, Keet and Kat, who team up for a noble quest: reg??aining their stolen candy. I highly recommend playing with a younger sister, especially if she’s not typically into video games, but usually into candy.

The post You need to know these video game sisters appeared first on Destructoid.

A somewhat unconventional Turkey Day spread

I don't think ??????????????????????????I'm alone in saying that as far as its origins go, Thanksgiving is by far the worst holiday of the latter part of the year. In light of this, I do my best to forget how the celebration got its start, and instead focus more on how much I love the food that I could eat year-round if I wanted, but only choose to eat on this holiday because it feels more special. Video games are known to have some of the most delectable-looking food that I'll sadly never get to eat, but I can at least compile a list of all the virtual Thanksgiving dishes I wish I could down this year on my food holiday.

7. Fried Chicken - I Love You, Colonel Sanders!

[caption id="attachment_297593" align="alignnone" width="1200"] [Image Source: Gamebyte][/caption]I learned recently that KFC is a big holiday tradition in Japan, so I'm gonna go ahead and say that's fair game for the sake of this patch??work list. Now as fa?r as how good this chicken looks in the game, I don't think they could have made it look more tantalizing if they tried. It's also presented to us in the format of a dating sim, which somehow makes it look even more dreamy and amazing. Honestly, screw a turkey this year, this game that was created solely for the purpose of selling me chicken has done an excellent job of making me want said chicken. And those mashed potatoes? Say no more.

6. Pumpkin Pie - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

[caption id="attachment_297595" align="alignnone" width="1024"] [Image Source: Amino Apps][/caption]The desserts aren't something to make super often in this game, because they don't have a ton of utility and their ingredients are often valuable and hard to come by. Did I mak??e them anyway simply because they look amazing and I have a sweet tooth? Absolutely, yes. It feels like a special little treat to give Link a cake after he narrowly escaped death after running through a field of Guardians. It feels only fair. All of the des?serts in Breath of the Wild look amazing,?? but I'm gonna have to go with the pumpkin pie on this one for obvious reasons. Plus, it'll give me an armor buff for when those Thanksgiving tensions start rising, am I right?

5. Stupendous Stew - Super Mario Odyssey

[caption id="attachment_297598" align="alignnone" width="1280"] [Image Source: IGN][/caption]When I was playing the Cookatiel boss fight in the Luncheon Kingdom, I swear I could barely focus �all I could think about was how good that stew looked. I love a good cream-based soup, and those big chunks of potatoes, carrots, corn, and zucchini looked amazing to me. The only thing it's missing is a little bit of protein to give it that rich flavor, but I assume that's what the Cookatiel is for. This is one of those recipes that gets replicated online a lot, and for good ?reason. I might just have to try and make my own S?tupendous Stew for my own Thanksgiving celebration.

4. Butterscotch Cinnamon Pie - Undertale

[caption id="attachment_297586" align="aligncenter" width="488"] [Image Source: An Undertale Lover][/caption]Okay, I know the circumstances surrounding this pie are�questionable, but you cannot tell me that it isn't your dream to wake up from a nap and have the most incredible, warm, ooey-gooey butterscotch cinnamon pie just sitting out for you. It sounds cozy, and it's exactly what I would want if I found myself in some mysterious underworld that was full of monsters. To be honest, neither butterscotch or cinnamon are usually something I'll go out of my way to eat, but in this case, I just have to make an except??ion.

3. Stuffing - Stardew Valley

[caption id="attachment_297589" align="aligncenter" width="493"] [Image Source: Stardew Valley Wiki][/caption]Stuffing is a classic Thanksgiving staple, and one of my personal favorites, so I couldn't very well leave it out. It's simple, sure, and the low-res pixel art doesn't do it many favors, but when you take into account that it's going to be made with fresh ingredients right off of your farm, you know it's gonna be delicious. The recipe is simple �bread, cranberries, and hazelnut �and while that doesn't quite stand out as the most involved stuffing recipe I've ever received, the thought of it somehow still makes my mouth water. Plus, you get a +2 defense bonus. What is it with all t??hese Thanksgiving foods giving me defense buffs?

2. Sweet Potatoes - Cooking Mama 2: Dinner With Friends

[caption id="attachment_297602" align="aligncenter" width="250"] [Image Source: Cooking Mama Wiki][/caption]Le??t's be honest, I could have included pretty much any dish from any of the Cooking Mama games, but I chose Dinner With Friends because it was the one I played gro??wing up. Now these sweet potatoes are certainly one of the more simple dishes you can make, but that's part of what makes them look so tasty. You're really taking your time to make sure they're slow-roasted to perfection, and that you get that nice sweet glaze on top. This is a much different way to prepare sweet potatoes than I was used to growing up, but I honestly think I would prefer it. Mama knows best, which means these bad boys have got to be incredible.

1. Ambrosia - Hades

Alright, I'll admit that this one is a bit of a wildcard, but I mean, c??ome on. Never has a video game food or drink drawn me in with its siren song like the Ambrosia from Hades. In real life, ambrosia is a horrifying monstrosity of a dessert that mixes fruit, mars?hmallows, and sour cream. Who does that? No, no, no, I want whatever sweet, golden liquid is in those fancy glass bottles. I once had this amazing drink made of fresh-squeezed orange and grapefruit juices, and it was probably the closest thing I'll e??ver get in this earthly realm, goddamn it was so good. The fact that there is no real-world equivalent to this truly breaks my heart.

So, what video game foods would you want to add to your Thanksgiving plate? What real-life f??oods do you look forward to during the holiday season?

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Getting to know you, getting to know all about you

When you think about it, the way we "get to know" characters in video games is kind of bizarre �sometimes it's about do??ing special missions for our potential new friend, or being nice to them in the ?dialogue options, but most of the time it comes down to giving them enough presents until they decide they like us.

I'm not trying to be pedantic here, I just really think it's fascinating that, in trying to create an immersive experience for the player, we've gamified one of the most complicated parts of being alive: human intimacy. We've come up with our own solutions as to how best to do this, but it begs the question, how do you turn the infinitely complex, mysterious process of growing close t??o someone else into concrete game mechanics that mesh with other gameplay systems? Well, plenty of games have certainly tried.

Take games like Stardew Valley or Hades, which simplify this problem by going the just-shower-them-with-presents route. At first glance, this seems a bit ?strange, as if we're sayin??g that people can be won over just by giving them gifts. While this is a case for a portion of the population, most people are more complicated than that. If someone just kept pushing fruit baskets at you while never actually saying a word, you'd think they were a psychopath.

But certainly, when gift-giving is the name of ?the game, the gifts have to stand for something more than that. I imagine that yes, you're giving another character a present, but it really stands for the way you've been bonded to that character, and how you feel about them. Games have a shorthand for many other aspects of life, like eating instantaneously, or having time pass more quickly, or allowing you to carry way more items than you would ever be able to reasonably hold, so it makes sense that we've found a way to sort of symbolically show the player getting to know characters in the game. At least that's the way I read it.

Stardew even takes it a step further by having the townspeople react differently based on what you gave t??hem, because they have favorites, likes, and dislikes, so there's another step of work in getting to know what ??they might want to receive as a gift. Even so, there's obviously something missing, because we're not literally spending that time with the characters, and being endeared to them in the same way that our player character supposedly is.

[caption id="attachment_292964" align="alignnone" width="951"] [Image Source: Reddit user u/hdpinto][/caption]Then there are games like Mass Effect, The Witcher, or any large, open-world game, where much of the process of getting to know another character comes in the form of speaking to them, as well as doing the side missions that specifically cater to something they? want or need. This approach feels like we're getting closer to a more realistic way of getting to know someone, because you're, you know, actually takin?g time to show them you're interested in their life and their own interests.

There is still something missing however. I know that when I personally play these games, I want to be able to have a more intimate conversation with them, even about something small, rather than whatever the universe-thr?eatening stakes may be, or setting up some grand gesture to try and win them over.

A more linear approach also has its own pros and cons. Take The Last of Us for example �that game's whole point is to get you to care about this relationship between its two main characters. Instead of the player acting as one of those characters, however, Joel is a sort of avatar through which we get to know Ellie. Then there's the fact that none of The Last of Us' gameplay is ded??icated to getting to know their relationship better, unless you count those sections where you're just walking and talking.

So the trade-off here is that the player doesn't have any input in the whole relationship aspect of that journey, but instead we get to see every tiny, nuanced detai??l of how they grow so close in a way that is hyper-specific to both of their characters. Our agency is taken away in that we don't get to choose what they say or do, but in return, we get a heightened, highly-curated presentation of a relationship forming before our eyes. This really works for some people (like me), but I know that for some it has been a criticism of the game.

Another one of my favorite games that centers on a relationship is the 2018 indie game Florence. Its runtime is short at only about a half an hour, but it takes that time to make you care for the titular character, and her budding romance with musician Krish, in an unconventional way. Florence is one of the few games I've played that I would c?onsider interactive poetry �rather than focusing on giving the playe??r in-depth mechanics or dialogue, it tells us its story through a series of symbolic vignettes.

My personal favorite sequence shows the pair's first few dates. We see a panel of them talking, and below a series of puzzle pieces. The player must complete the puzzle to progress, and is then presented with ?the visual of the next date, which is accompanied by another puzzle, only this time, there are fewer pieces. This continues for a few cycles until the player is presented with a puzzle that consists of only two pieces, and a ?visual showing how the couple has grown closer over the course of their dates.

It's a really simple mechanic, but it has to be one of the most effective depictions of getting to know someone I've ever seen in a game. As we've seen so far, it's been difficult to pin down the feeling of forming a close bond in an exact one-to-one recreation, which is why Florence's approach feels so elegant. It's stylized, it's metaphorical, and on top of that it's emotionally moving, which does more work to make me c??are about them than some stale dialogue and a f?etch quest.

There's no right or wrong way to make the player care about fictional characters in a game, but as ?the interactive medium continues to progress, I'll be delighted to see the different solutions designers come up with. Hell, we might even get to a point in the next few years where we can effectively implement AI that reacts to us with more realism, rather than giving predetermined responses to predetermined answers. One thing is for sure, though �I will never stop being delighted by giving an NPC? a gift and watching a little heart pop up over their head.

Story Beat is a weekly column discussing anything and everything to do with storytelling in video games.

The post How we g?et to know characters in games is weird, but I love it appeared first on Destructoid.

Tiny Tearaway

Is it actually possible for Hades' anti-hero Zagreus to be any cuter than he already is? Good Smile Co. seem to think so, with a weekend announcement that the hell-raiser is about to be immortalized in teeny, tiny plastic form, the newest pop culture character to join the merch-maker's Ne?ndoroid range.

As this was merely an initial announcement, there are unfortunately no prototype images of Hades Nendoroid Zagreus, but Good Smile did bestow upon us an artist's impression of the wild prince's final form. We can expect Zagreus to stand four inches in height, and the likelihood that he will be accompanied by alternate faceplates and even a few accessories... If he doesn't come with a Dusa head then Good Smile has absolutely missed a trick. More information will be revealed soon, and we'll be sure to let you know when the Hades Nendoroid line is open for pre-orders.

Back on digital Mount Olympus, Supergiant Games' Hades continues to pull in new fans every month, drawn in by its compelling gameplay loop and insanely sexy cast of characters. Since its official PC and Switch release in late 2020, the roguelike RPG has continued to win numerous awards and plaudits, and just last month received a long-awaited port to PlayStation and Xbox platforms. Licensors and brands �such as Good Smile and Nendoroid �are no doubt salivating at the continued merch possibi??lities... As am I, quite frankly. Yer boy needs his Nyx... or Artemis... or Eurydice... or...

//twitter.com/GoodSmile_US/status/143897107318228992??3?s=20

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I sure didn't, and I've played a silly amount

After spending hundreds of hours with a game, even the most insignificant things can start to feel significant. That's where I'm at with the revelation that �wait a sec �there's a rarely-seen food room in Hades. Across countless runs, I've never spotted it.

This food chamber in Asphodel popped up recently on Reddit, and it's not the first time it has elicited oohs and ahhs from Hades players who feel like?? they've seen it all before.

//www.reddit.com/r/HadesTheGame/comm??ents/peo334/after_more_than_450_runs_i_didnt_even_know_this/

For the non-Hades-obsessed folks in the audience, one of the first things you really get to know in the game is which specific door symbols correspond to which rewards.

Some of these gate symbols �like the Obol (a gold coin) or C?entaur Heart (??a blue-and-red heart) �are easy enough to grasp, but then you've got all of the god-specific boons to figure out, as well as long-term items (like Keys and Darkness), and other trinkets.

Food is a commonly offered item at Charon's shop, so the symbol isn't mind-blowing by any means, but I am surprised to learn that the underworld's health-replenishing happy meal c??an appear on a door like this. Well, who knew? (I'm sure some of you.)

The whole chamber situation, as explained by Reddit user darchangels13:

And here's an example of one possible ??setup in a Chaos Gate:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeOlel9Z7Zo

This is wild, but I'll admit it �I don't think I've ever consciously noticed there are blue laurels around those doors. Not on PC originally, and not on PS5, either. I'm losing my grip!

The post Hades has a food room, who knew? appeared first on Destructoid.

The "Witches Circle" in Asphodel isn't *really* the worst encounter in Hades, but I'd ditch it

Thanks to the recent PlayStation and Xbox ports of Hades, I've rediscovered Sup?ergiant's underworld action game and gotten hooked all over again with its superb hack-and-slash combat, well-paced sense of character ability progression, and thoughtful story roll-out.

I already experienced the main story and epilogue on PC last year, something I thought I'd only ever care to do once. Starting from scratch with the new PS5 version, I figured I'd pummel Hades, unlock all of the ?weapons (and Hidden Aspects), crank up the Heat with Extreme Measures, reconnect with Meg, and call it a day. Silly me. I never stood a chance.

Instead, I've ended up playing Hades obsessively these past few weeks, with even more of a burning desire than my original playthrough, to the point where all that's left for me to do is finish Achilles' questline (Patroclus has been weirdly elusive) and max out a handful of Keepsakes (to get the grindiest trophy). Then I'm out. I mean, not really �this is a game with combat possibilities I can keep coming back?? to indefinitely �but it's a nice thought.

I don't have any wild new takes; Hades is still a roguelike masterclass. Instead, as I spend entirely too much time with this game, I've been thinking about individual rooms. There's one, in particular, I'd love to never see again. You might not know the encounter by name, but if you've run into a cramped room with four spamming witches ("Spreaders"??) that waste no time filling up your screen with streams of projectile junk, you've been there.

This capture from Reddit user andrewlsa0918 shows the fight in a not-so-great light:

//www.reddit.com/r/HadesTheGame/comments/pa36eu/why_yes_thank_you_so_much_for_the_?fun_here_ladies/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

Maybe you had a helping hand from Athena, and you made short work of the Dire Spreaders' bullet hell with easy deflections. That'??s me, most of the time.

I'll almost always go for one of Athena's boons, if not more, if I can. At that point, it's a matter of avoiding the lava pools and not being overconfident. Lately, though, I've had some real bad run-ins with these wicked witches. There are ways to dispatch them even with less-than-ideal weapon and boon choices, but that doesn't mean I enjoy it. They're such pests! Especially since I like to roll with the no-hit-rewarding Pierced Butterfly.

I used to always like Elysium the least out of Hades' major areas, but it hasn't been too bad to me outside of those pesky mini chariots that blow up in Zagreus' face. Actually, the more I replay Hades, the more I could do without Asphodel �or at least some of its more annoying enemy setups. The lava, you know? It complicates things. After a hu??ndred-plus runs, I wanna go fast. Stupidly fast. Faste??r than my reflexes can sometimes handle.

If there was a way to erase one room from future runs �to guarantee that it couldn't bubble u??p out of the never-ending depths �I'd probably go with the Witches Circle.

What about you?

The post Is there a room in Hades you never want to run into again? I’ve got one appeared first on Destructoid.

You probably don't need me to tell you that Hades rules, but here I go again

Hades is too great of a game to be tied down to select platforms, so it's wonderful to finally see it playable on more machines. The PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S versions are out today, and pre-release, I was able to try Hades on PS4 and PS5. This story-focused acti??on roguelike game is, in a word, fantastic. Did you expect any different?

I imagine many of us have already dipped in, and there isn't a big exciting reason to download (or pick up; there are physical versions too) any of these new ports if you've already got Hades elsewhere. Supergiant h??as called them "esse??ntially identical."

Performance-wise, you're getting 4K60 on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, while the PS4 and Xbox One versions of Hades run a?t 1080p �exactly ?what I'd expect. It all looks nice.

I appreciated the DualSense feedback on PS5, but it's less of a groundbreaking "ooh and ahh" generator like it was in Astro's Playroom, and more of a subdued nice-to-have.

During my testing, which involved one weekend with the PS4 version (that was over before I knew it), and then another with the PS5 copy, I didn't come across any ??noticeable issues. My only real gri??pe is that the PlayStation versions, in particular, are treated as separate games �meaning progress won't carry over and the trophy lists are separate.

To be clear, you only have to pay once to get the PS4 and PS5 versions, and Xbox is all-enc??ompassing with Smart Delivery, as usual. They all cost $25.

On a similar note, unlike the Nintendo Switch and PC copies of Hades, which have cross-saves, there's no such support here due to "a variety of technical constraints." If you were hoping to leverage an existing PC save file so you could hop right into a hi?gh-heat escape run on PlayStation or Xbox, no luck. We're all starting from scratch this go-around.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlvEVPSFuYk

As someone who is ??probably too obsessed with the Heart-Seeking Bow and its Aspect of Chrion (that's the one that sends your Special volley of arrows toward the last foe you hit with a normal single-arrow Attack), it was an adjustment to work my way back up the ranks, one failed run at a time. But if you know the drill �if you know which godly Boons pair well with others �then ?it won't take too long to teach your Old Man a lesson.

Even if Hades doesn't hit quite as hard when you know where the story is headed (reminder: there is an actual ending), it's still a joy to see the denizens of Mount Olympus and the Underworld interact with our boy Zag. I mean sure, you could ignore those countless character moments to solely focus on the almost perfectly "deep but not overly complicated" hack-and-slash gameplay, and you'd still have a wonderful time �I think the combat is that well-tuned. You'd be missing out, though. You'd be missing the soul of Hades, the very thing that has elevated this game to go??d-tier status for so many of us.

Sometimes, you fall head over heels for a game, play it obsessively, ??and ultimately move on once you've exhausted every morsel. When you pop back in to recapture some of that initial adoration months or years later, it's still pretty good, but the magic isn't quite?? there.

Not with Hades. Between the best-in-class roguelike storytelling that isn't strictly dependent on "winning," all the great character and environmental art, the memorable voiced lines that don't repeat, the satisfying long-term/permanent upgrade progression, and the one-more-run appeal of the combat that always seems to keep me weighing my options even when I've "seen it all," there is so much to cling onto. Hades still slaps.

Again, getting this game on more platforms, even if it's just r??eplicating the same experience with no major new features, is enough for me. It's justified.

I also feel compelled to talk about �and once again praise �God Mode, which is present here too. If you're struggling to make meaningful progress in Hades (which can really vary from person to person depending on your goals), or you simply want ??an easier experience, flip on God Mode in the settings whenever you want. With it enabled (it's easily reversible), every time Zagreus is dragged back to hell, he'll get a damage reduction bonus. This starts at a meaty 20 percent and slowly climbs two percent higher every time you die on a run. It's one of the smartest parts of an already super-smart roguelike game.

You likely won't feel the urge to double (or triple?) dip with Hades on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, or Xbox Series X/S (unless maybe you're going physical), and that's okay.

But if you're a new pla??yer, and this is your platform of choice, abso??lutely. Go for it.

_{[These impressions are based on a retail copy of the game provided by the publisher.]}

The post Hades is still fantastic on PS4 and PS5 appeared first on Destructoid.

Cblogs of 7/17 to 7/23/2021

-Dinoracha reviews Paper Mario: The Origami King on the Nintendo Switch.

-Black Red Gaming reviews Hades.

-Lord Spencer reviews Legend of Mana as part of his PS1 REVIEWS blogging series.

-Black Red Gaming looks at 10 of this week's biggest news stories.

-PhilsPhindings discusses the similarities between the soundtrack of Landstalker and the music of Johann Strauss Jr.

-ChronoLynxx opens this week's TGIF community forum.

-Electric Reaper shares thei??r opinion on the latest trend of Virtual Private Networks.

A smaller selection of offerings from the Cblogs this week, but that's fine, some weeks inspiration hits you, others it does not. We still appreciate each and every one of you who took to the Cblogs to share your gaming thoughts with us. Some great reads here. Thanks, as always, to Lord Spencer for this week’s recap. Have a gre??at weeken??d, folks!

The post Which cla?ssic characters and ??worlds need to make their Paper Mario debut? appeared first on Destructoid.

Umurangi Generation takes home the IGF Grand Prize

Both the Game Developers Choice Awards and Independent Games Festival Awards took place yesterday as part of GDC 2021. At the former, Supergiant's Greek myth roguelite Hades took home the big award, while indie photography sim Umurangi Generation won the Seumas M??cNally Grand Prize at the IGF A??wards.

The GDCA Game of the Year award wasn't the only trophy Hades took home that night, as Supergiant also won the Best Design and Best Audio awards. Sucker Punch Productions also picked up two awards, in Best Visual Art and Audience Award, for Ghost of Tsushima. And Best Debut went to the multiplayer indie horror game Phasmophobia, from developer Kinetic Games.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxD0bn9nIvw

On the IGF side, Umurangi Generation took the Grand Prize as well as the award for Excellence in Narrative. Genesis Noir also picked up two awards, for Excellence in Audio and Excellence in Visual Art, and the community-driven narrative sports sim Blaseball won the Nuovo Award, for games that ?"think differently?? about games as a medium."

The Game Developers Choice Awards also gave a Pioneer Award to Tom Fulp, who created the Flash game-hosting site Newgrounds, and a Lifetime Achievement Award to Laralyn McWilliams, who holds 28 years of experience in the industry, including being the Creative Director for Sony Online Entertainment's Free Realms and as the lead designer for Full Spectrum Warrior.

Here's the full rundown of the awards:

2021 Game Developers Choice Awards winners:

Best Audio: Hades (Supergiant Games)

Best Debut: Phasmophobia (Kinetic Games)

Best Design: Hades (Supergiant Games)

Best Mobile Game: Genshin Impact (miHoYo)

Innovation Award: Dreams (M?edia Molecule / Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Best Narrative: The Last of Us Part II (Naughty Dog / Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Best Technology: Microsoft Flight Simulator (Asobo Studio / Xbox Game Studios)

Best Visual Art: Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch Productions / Sony Interactive Entertainm?ent)

Best VR/AR Game: Half-Life: Alyx (Valve)

Audience Award: Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch Pr?oductions ?/ Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Game of the Year: Hades (Supergiant Games)

Pioneer Award: Tom Fulp

Lifetime Achievement Award: Laralyn McWilliams

2021 Independent Games Festival Awards

Best Student Game: Vessels (Local Space Survey Corps, LLC)

Excellence in Audio: Genesis Noir (Feral Cat Den)

Excellence in Narrative: Umurangi Generation (Origame Digital)

Audience Award: Arrog (Hermanos Magia and Leap Game Studios)

Excellence in Design: Teardown (Tuxedo Labs)

Excellence in Visual Art: Genesis Noir (Feral Cat Den)

Nuovo Award: Blaseball (The Game Band)

Seumas McNally Grand Prize: Umurangi Generation (Origame Digital)

Archives of the full ceremony for both awards can be found over on the GDC Twitch channel or YouTube channel.

The post Hades wins Game of the Year at Game Developers Choice Awards 2??021 appeared first on Destructoid.

Running out of space in the underworld trophy case

For what, at first glance, appeared to be a niche indie title, Hades sure cleaned up when awards season rolled around. Supergiant Games' rougelike has bagged gong upon gong since its release in the fall of 2020. And Hades is still winning today, having just snatched the Best Game Writing award at The SFWA's Nebula Awards, which specifically recognizes stellar sci-fi and fantasy writing?.

Hades' tale of a disenchanted young prince and his flight to Mount Olympus was penned by writer Greg Kasavin, and won an army of underworld denizens with its huge cast of charismatic, sexy characters and its epic story of warring gods troubled by relatable familial issues �decorated with stylish artwork and a streak of sly, dark humor. Hades would go on to sell 300,000 copies during its first few days of release which, when added to Early Access sales, pushed the title past the one million mark. Hades would also bag numerous Game of the Year awards (including Destructoid's own).

Already an undeniable success story, Hades' tale is not over just yet. A recent listing on the Korean Ratings Board suggests that a PlayStation port is imminent, while fans are already clamoring for a DLC expansion or a full-blown sequel. With Hades' Zagreus adding the Nebula to a litany of awards tucked under his exquisite, sculptured... glistening... abs... ... ... Erm, ?it seems cl?ear our anti-hero, his allies, and his enemies are all set to return at some point in the future.

//twitt?er.com/sfwa/status/1401350575237734402?s=20

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Sexiest game ever spreading its love to Sony's black box

The greatest spoiler organization on the planet, The Game Rating and Administration of Korea, are at it again. As spotted by eagle-eyed Resetera users, the board has released a new listing that appears to show Supergiant Giant's much-loved dungeon crawler Hades is preparing to cut loose on PS4.

Launching on PC and Nintendo Switch in September of 2020, Hades won over an army of fans with its compelling story, super-cool style, wry sense of humor, and hot-as-hell (literally) cast of "heroes" and villains. Hades would go on to sell over one million copies by the end of 2020 — winning numerous end-of-year awards — and is still finding new followers all the time. A PS4 port would on??ly add to this Army of The?? Damned.

For clarification, there has been no official confirmation that Hades is headed to the PlayStation platform, but time has long shown that once a title appears on the Korean listings site, it's more or less all the confirmation that you need. Here's hoping Hades arriv?es soon, I really miss Dusa... and Zagreus... and Nyx... and Megaera... a?nd...

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Supergiant Games' roguelike bags numerous gongs

The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS) has revealed its winner's list for the 2021 iteration of The DICE Awards, celebrating som??e of the fi??ne releases that hit the market during last year — arguably one of the best gaming years in recent history.

The list reads as a who's who of 2021's finery, with awards dished out to Naughty Dog's The Last of Us Part II, Sucker Punch's Ghost of Tsushima, Square Enix's Final Fantasy VII Remake, Nintendo's Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and Activision's Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2. Even VR got in on the action, with an appearance by Valve's Half-Life: Alyx.

The big winner of the evening, however, is Supergiant Games' fantastic roguelike Hades, which walked away with five awards in total, including the coveted Game of the Year. Hades is going to need a bigger mantelpiece, having already won a glut of honors, including five BAFTAs and Destructoid's very own Game of the Year 2020. Well deserved.

You can check out the full list of winners below. The full DICE Awards ceremony is available for viewing over on the official Academy of Interactive Arts and Sc??iences website.

• Action Game of the Year: Hades

• Adventure Game of the Year: Ghost of Tsushima

• Family Game of the Year: Animal Crossing: New Horizons

• Fighting Game of the Year: Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate

• Game of the Year: Hades

• Immersive Reality Game of the Year: Half-Life: Alyx

• Immersive Reality Technical Achievement: Half-Life: Alyx

• Mobile Game of the Year: Legends of Runeterra

• Online Game of the Year: Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout

• Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game: Hades

• Outstanding Achievement in Animation: The Last of Us Part II

• Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction: Ghost of Tsushima

• Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design: Ghost of Tsushima

• Outstanding Achievement in Character: Miles Morales (Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales)

• Outstanding Achievement in Game Design: Hades

• Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction: Hades

• Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition: Ghost of Tsushima

• Outstanding Achievement in Story: The Last of Us Part II

• Outstanding Technical Achievement: Dreams

• Racing Game of the Year: Mario Kart Live

• Role-Playing Game of the Year: Final Fantasy VII Remake

• Sports Game of the Year: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2

• Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year: Microsoft Flight Simulator

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