It’s been a long time, PlayStation Nation! The last time you saw my name in these games, we were just about to launch our third game, Pyre. Fast forward a million years later (okay, more like four years later), and it is with great pleasure that I announce that our rogue-like dungeon crawler, winner of the game of The Year, Hades, arrives on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles on August 13!
Underworld is our studio’s fourth game, and combines the best aspects of our past critically acclaimed titles, including the fast-paced action of Bastion, the rich atmosphere and depth of Transistor, and the character-driven storytelling of Pyre. As the immortal prince of the Greek underworld, you will wield the mythical powers and weapons of Olympus to free yourself from the clutches of the god of the dead himself, while growing stronger and unraveling more history with each attempt at unique escape.
We were absolutely blown away by the initial response to Hades, which was named Game of the Year 2020 by over 50 sources. We were incredibly honored to be up for the top accolades of the year alongside a number of outstanding PlayStation titles, and we’re delighted that Hades is joining them soon on PlayStation.
If you are familiar with Hades, you might be wondering how the PlayStation versions are different. The PlayStation 5 version runs at 4K at a 60fps target, while the PS4 version runs at 1080p at a 60fps target. On the PS5, the 4K visuals really bring out all the wonderful detail our art team has put into the hand-painted characters and environments.
We also take advantage of the DualSense controller’s immersive haptic feedback in some cases, such as when you’re going to pet the famous hellhound, Cerberus. It’s a good way to cheer yourself up between escape attempts, and you’ll practically feel his breath when you stroke him (especially if you hold the trigger!). Additionally, later in the game you’ll have the option to call for help from certain companions, and the quick, high-intensity pulses on the left trigger will reassure you that help is on its way immediately. The PS4 and PS5 versions of Hades also feature small details with the controller’s light bar, which will match the color scheme of any Olympian god you interact with. Plus, there are 50 trophies to unlock, including a Shiny Platinum if you can get everything else.
I also wanted to mention that in addition to the digital versions slated for August 13, physical editions released by Private Division will be available at launch. These new boxed versions of Hades include a free download code for the Hades soundtrack, including two and a half hours of blood-pumping music by Darren Korb, and a 32-page full-color booklet with illustrations from the game. by Jen Zee. The first pressing of these versions also features a unique aluminum cover! Note that the commercial and digital PlayStation 4 versions of Hades include a free upgrade to the digital version PlayStation 5.
We really appreciate your interest and patience as we put the finishing touches on Hades ahead of its launch on PlayStation. Our small team put everything we had into this game, and we went to great lengths to make these new releases for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 look great on every console. We love hearing from new and old players, so let us know what you think if you have the chance to give Hades a try! Thanks for your support, and good luck getting out of hell!
