Everything You Need To Know About Hades On Xbox Game Pass

Hades is joining Xbox Game Pass this Friday, and after the hugely positive reception to the game last year, it's something we should all be very excited for. The game made a name for itself after releasing on Nintendo Switch and PC, but finally, we get to see what all the fuss is about on Xbox.

With its arrival into the service, a whole new audience is going to check out the game and see what the deal is. To get you started ahead of its arrival, we've put together this guide detailing everything you need to know.

What Is Hades?

Hades is a roguelike dungeon crawler, which has you running through procedurally generated rooms as you ascend higher and higher from the underworld. As you progress you’ll unlock power-ups, fight devastating bosses and meet a wide cast of characters. But if you die you’ll be forced to restart the entire escape again.

You may be thinking: “Where’s the fun in that!?” Don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it sounds, as each run-through gives you the means to permanently buff your character with upgrades and unlock new weapons. Unlike other roguelikes, death is built into its narrative and is a means of progressing the story. It’s very rare that dying feels like a failure, acting instead as a natural step of progression for the game.

Here's what the Microsoft Store listing says about Hades:

As the immortal Prince of the Underworld, you'll wield the powers and mythic weapons of Olympus to break free from the clutches of the god of the dead himself, while growing stronger and unraveling more of the story with each unique escape attempt.

What Is Hades' Release Date / Release Time On Xbox Game Pass?

Hades is launching on August 13 for Xbox Game Pass or is available to purchase on its own digitally for £20.99 / $24.99.

The release time for the game has also been revealed, which is as follows according to the Microsoft Store:

• Midnight, Thursday August 12 (AEST, EDT, BST, CEST, etc)

Which Xbox Platforms Is Hades Coming To?

Hades will be available on an array of different Xbox platforms, along with being playable via Xbox Cloud Gaming.

As for where you can download and play Hades, it will be launching on the following platforms:

• Xbox One
• Xbox Series X
• Xbox Series S
• PC

Can You Pre-Load Hades On Xbox?

Yes, you can! Xbox Game Pass members can also ensure they have the game downloaded ahead of launch too.

You can download it via the Xbox Game Pass app or Xbox Store, and it's currently sitting at 8.1GB on consoles and 11.04GB on PC.

Is Hades Optimised For Xbox Series X & Series S?

Yes! Hades will be enhanced on both platforms, giving next-gen players something to feast their eyes on.

Xbox One players can expect a 1080p resolution, with the game targetting 60fps, while Xbox Series X and Series S owners are said to receive a 4K output, again with a target of 60fps.

In fact, the team at Supergiant Games doubled down on Hades running at 4K/60fps on Xbox Series S when asked specifically on Twitter whether the console specifications were true.

Will Hades Support The Cross-Save Feature On Xbox?

Unfortunately not. While the Nintendo Switch version was capable of swapping saves between that console and PC, the Xbox versions will not support this feature. Supergiant Games confirmed the information last month to a fan on Twitter, meaning your progress will be locked to your console family.

Thankfully with Smart Delivery, if you make the jump from Xbox One to Xbox Series X|S, you can continue where you left off, so at least we can benefit from that luxury.

What Are The Reviews Saying About Hades For Xbox?

As it stands, Hades currently has an impressive score of 93 on Metacritic for Xbox, strikingly similar to its PC and Nintendo Switch counterparts. The transition doesn't appear to have to sacrificed anything, and that's great to see.

Along with a general roundup, we also went hands-on with the game. In our review of Hades, we called it a "genre-defining roguelike", adding that the Xbox version "knocks it out the park", despite a few frame rate hiccups.

"As expected, Hades knocks it out of the park, offering a stellar experience to Xbox players for the first time. It's every bit as incredible as it was a year ago, with punchy combat, an addictive gameplay loop and a cast of characters that prove to be charming and terrifying in the same breath. It's a shame a few frame rate issues sour the experience occasionally, but make no mistake, Hades is absolutely worth your time whether you're a fan of the genre or not."

Will Hades Be Too Challenging For Me?

We won't lie - Hades is a very hard video game. Whether you're taking on one of the many bosses or attempting to avoid an array of traps, it always feels as though something is trying to kill you.

If you're still finding it a bit too much, the developers at Supergiant Games have been kind enough to add a God Mode. With this feature you can become tougher and make the game a substantially easier experience, allowing you to focus on the story and the game's incredible combat.

That being said, while Hades is definitely tough, it never feels unfair. The constant progression in both its story and your character's stats means you always feel as though you're moving forward. Building up your skills ensures you're prepared for the fights ahead, and stages slowly become easier as you beef yourself up.

Looking forward to trying out Hades on Xbox Game Pass? Let us know in the comments below.