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Dead Cells is the best gothic action game to play after Hades if you want a dark visual style and a fast learn-die-unlock loop. Curse of the Dead Gods is the closest top-down combat alternative, Have a Nice Death is the strongest death-themed 2D choice, Ravenswatch is the clear pick for co-op, and Hades II is the safest choice when you want the same design language and an expanded mythological story.
The important distinction is that none of these games is simply “Hades in a different setting.” They change the camera, platforming, progression, narrative delivery, or multiplayer support. The comparison below separates those differences so you can choose the right follow-up for your PC or console.
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How these games compare with Hades
Supergiant Games describes Hades as a rogue-like dungeon crawler in which you hack and slash your way out of the Underworld of Greek myth. Its appeal comes from several systems working together: real-time room-by-room combat, runs that reset after death, permanent progression between attempts, changing builds, and a story that continues as you keep returning to the House of Hades.
For this guide, “like Hades” means a game that shares at least some of that structure while adding a gothic or dark-fantasy identity. The useful questions are not just which game has a similar camera. Ask how each one handles combat, what survives a failed run, how dark the setting feels, how the story is delivered, and whether you can play with friends.
#1 Best Overall
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| Game | Combat perspective and pace | Run structure and progression | Atmosphere | Story approach | Solo/co-op and platform information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead Cells | Fast 2D action-platforming with melee and ranged combat | Permadeath runs, permanent unlocks, nonlinear levels | Castlevania-inspired, ever-changing castle | Worldbuilding is delivered through exploration and repeated attempts | PC, Mac and Linux Steam availability is listed; solo-focused in the cited material |
| Curse of the Dead Gods | Top-down room combat with deliberate positioning and weapon switching | Corruption rises during a run; curses alter the rules | Cruel, dark temple | Atmosphere and escalating hazards take priority over relationship drama | Multiplayer and a complete platform list are not stated in the cited material |
| Have a Nice Death | Side-scrolling 2D action | Roguelike attempts with more than 30 weapons and spells to find and upgrade | Hand-drawn office underworld | Workplace satire built around Death Incorporated | Multiplayer and a complete platform list are not stated in the cited material |
| Ravenswatch | Top-down, fast-paced action | Build variety across repeated runs | Dark fairy-tale and legend-inspired horror | Hero and world premise support the action; less relationship-centered than Hades | Solo or co-op for up to four players; Xbox highlights cross-platform multiplayer |
| Hades II | Direct continuation of Hades’ action-roguelike formula | Expanded weapons, boons and incantations | Greek myth with new locations and titans | Ongoing story centered on Melinoë | A May 26, 2026 roundup lists PC and Switch 2; verify current availability |
The table shows why the best answer depends on the part of Hades you want to preserve. If the camera and room structure matter most, start with Curse of the Dead Gods or Ravenswatch. If gothic presentation matters more than viewpoint, choose Dead Cells. If you want the same universe-level continuity, choose Hades II.
Dead Cells: best gothic action-platformer fit
Dead Cells is the strongest visual match for players who imagine a gothic castle, dangerous corridors and a constant cycle of discovery. Its official description calls it a “rogue-lite, Castlevania-inspired action-platformer” set in an ever-changing castle. That wording explains both its appeal and its main difference from Hades: the action is viewed from the side, and movement through the environment is as important as attacking enemies.
What feels familiar to Hades players
Every attempt asks you to make decisions with incomplete information. You fight through changing areas, collect equipment, learn enemy patterns and decide how much risk to accept before moving on. Death ends the current attempt, but unlocks and accumulated knowledge make future runs more capable. The loop is therefore recognizable even though the moment-to-moment movement is more platform-focused.
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The 2D perspective gives Dead Cells a different rhythm. You are not circling enemies in an isometric room; you are jumping, climbing, dropping through platforms and managing threats across horizontal space. The game combines souls-lite combat with permadeath pressure, so timing, spacing and route knowledge matter as much as selecting a powerful item. Players who love the speed of Hades but want more environmental movement will find the transition natural. Players who specifically want isometric room fights may prefer Curse of the Dead Gods.
Progression and replay value
Its nonlinear progression unlocks new levels after each death. That means a failed run can still change the routes available on later attempts. The changing castle prevents a single memorized path from becoming the entire game, while permanent unlocks give repeated play a purpose beyond chasing a higher score. This is the clearest recommendation when “learn, die, unlock, repeat” is the feature you want to carry over from Hades.
Who should choose it
- Choose it for a Castlevania-style gothic setting and fast 2D combat.
- Choose it if platforming and route selection sound appealing rather than distracting.
- Choose it when you want substantial solo replayability and permanent discovery.
- Skip it if an isometric camera or a character-driven relationship system is essential.
The official products information lists PC, Mac and Linux Steam availability and an Action GOTY Edition. Edition contents and store availability can vary by region, so check the current listing for the platform you use.
Rank #2
- 17 Levels - Each one with its own atmosphere, foes and secrets to discover
- 5 Bosses - Made by the most sadistic of the devs, raised on the salt of the testers
- 150 or so weapons and skills - Spears, swords, bows, magic spells, shields, pets, frying pans etc; You name it, we got it
- Unlock the four original Dead Cells DLCs, giving you late-game content plus an entire new pathway to follow, with an alternative ending and tons of new enemies, weapons & outfits
- Battle through the corridors of Dracula’s Castle; Wield weapons against monsters to reach the throne room of the Dark Lord
Curse of the Dead Gods: closest top-down dark-temple alternative
Curse of the Dead Gods is the most direct substitute for Hades’ top-down room combat. Xbox describes it as a skill-based roguelike set in a cruel, dark temple. The perspective and room-to-room structure make it immediately legible to a Hades player, but the game builds its identity around corruption and curses rather than a mythological household and its relationships.
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The arsenal includes swords, spears, bows and guns, and the temple contains enemy champions and bosses. That range supports different engagement distances: you can commit to close-range attacks, control space with a spear, or keep threats away with ranged weapons. The key is not merely finding a strong tool; it is using the right tool while the temple’s hazards continue to accumulate.
Corruption and curses
Corruption increases as you move through the temple. Curses then apply double-edged modifiers that change the conditions of an attempt. This creates a pressure system that is easy to understand but difficult to ignore: progress itself can make the run more dangerous. A successful player is constantly weighing whether the next room is worth the additional exposure.
Atmosphere and narrative expectations
The dark temple is more oppressive than Hades’ colorful Underworld. Its tone comes from hostile architecture, escalating corruption and the feeling that every choice can make the next encounter worse. Choose it for mechanical tension and gothic menace, not for a large cast of relationship-focused characters. The cited Xbox description does not establish multiplayer support or a complete platform list, so verify those details in the current store listing before buying.
Best fit
This is the recommendation for someone who says, “I want Hades’ camera, rooms and weapons, but I want a harsher gothic atmosphere.” It is also a good choice if you enjoy systems that force you to adapt during a run rather than simply assemble the strongest build.
Have a Nice Death: best death-themed 2D alternative
Have a Nice Death makes the central idea literal. Its official site describes a 2D action roguelike in which you play as Death, the burned-out CEO of Death Incorporated. Instead of escaping a mythological realm, you move through the company’s underworld-like departments while dealing with an organization that has become unmanageable.
Rank #3
- 17 Levels - Each one with its own atmosphere, foes and secrets to discover
- 5 Bosses - Made by the most sadistic of the devs, raised on the salt of the testers
- 150 or so weapons and skills - Spears, swords, bows, magic spells, shields, pets, frying pans etc; You name it, we got it
- Unlock the four original Dead Cells DLCs, giving you late-game content plus an entire new pathway to follow, with an alternative ending and tons of new enemies, weapons & outfits
- Battle through the corridors of Dracula’s Castle; Wield weapons against monsters to reach the throne room of the Dark Lord
Why the setting stands out
The hand-drawn gothic presentation combines office satire with an afterlife premise. Departments replace the traditional dungeon rooms, and the workplace framing gives the game a distinct kind of dark humor. It is a strong thematic match for players who like the death imagery of Hades but want a more overtly comic and contemporary setting.
Weapons and spells
The game offers more than 30 weapons and spells that can be found and upgraded. That pool gives runs room for experimentation: one attempt may encourage close-range aggression, while another may revolve around a spell or a different combination of upgrades. The important comparison is perspective. Combat is side-scrolling rather than isometric, so the challenge comes from controlling a 2D lane and reading attacks in that space.
Story and tone
Death’s role as a burned-out executive makes the narrative premise easy to grasp, while the departments provide a framework for meeting the problems inside Death Incorporated. Its office satire is more overt than the mythic drama of Hades. Pick it when personality and presentation matter as much as the run loop; do not expect it to reproduce Hades’ exact room layout or relationship structure.
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- Best for players who want a protagonist directly tied to death.
- Best for hand-drawn gothic art and workplace humor.
- Best for a side-scrolling alternative with a large weapon-and-spell pool.
- Not the first choice if you require top-down combat or confirmed co-op.
The cited official material does not provide a complete platform or multiplayer list. Check the current store page for your PC or console before purchasing.
Ravenswatch: best co-op gothic fantasy pick
Ravenswatch is the clearest answer to the question, “Which Hades-like game can I play with friends?” Nacon describes it as a top-down action roguelike in which heroes from fairy tales and legends battle nightmarish hordes in fast-paced combat. The publisher says it supports solo play and co-op for up to four players, while Xbox highlights cross-platform multiplayer.
How co-op changes the run
Four-player support changes the decision-making that defines a solo roguelike. Instead of building one character around every role, a group can divide attention, cover different ranges and coordinate around threats. That does not make the game a simpler version of Hades; it makes positioning, target priority and build variety social decisions. A run can succeed because the team complements its abilities, not because one player assembled a perfect sequence of boons.
Rank #4
- FAITHFUL TABLETOP ADAPTATION: First of its kind, this rogue-lite board game captures the thrill of exploration, relentless combat, and evolving strategies that define the video game masterpiece!
- AN ARTISTIC MASTERPIECE: A true tribute to the Dead Cells aesthetic for fans of the iconic game, making for one of the most exciting and immersive deck-building experiences for gamers ages 14+!
- ADDICTIVE GAMING EXPERIENCE: Each game is about playing and dying again and again - going further and discovering more every time - a perfect gift with endless value for teens and fans of video games!
- "NEVER-ENDING" GAMEPLAY: Unlock new layers of difficulty every time you play through the Boss Cells system - adding fresh enemies and challenges in one of the most fun strategy card games for teens!
- SOLO MODE INCLUDED: Challenge yourself in single-player mode with Serenade, your animated sword companion, or bring it to game night with friends as a fun multiplayer cooperative board game option!
Dark fairy-tale atmosphere
The cast comes from fairy tales and legends, but the enemies and setting push those familiar sources into nightmare territory. This gives Ravenswatch a gothic fantasy identity without copying the Greek Underworld. It is a good choice if you want recognizable archetypes, a darker reinterpretation and enough variety to support repeated group sessions.
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Narrative trade-off
Hades uses repeated returns to develop its characters and relationships. Ravenswatch puts more emphasis on heroes, builds and coordinated combat. Choose it for shared action, not as a replacement for Hades’ particular style of character-driven writing.
Platform and cross-play checks
The cited Xbox information highlights cross-platform multiplayer, and Nacon states that co-op supports up to four players. Because cross-play rules and supported platforms can change with updates, confirm that your friends’ systems are included in the current listing before organizing a session.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Hades II: best direct continuation
Hades II is the obvious first stop when you want more of the original game’s design language. It is the direct sequel, with expanded locations, gods, titans, weapons, boons and incantations. The ongoing story centers on Melinoë, giving the sequel a new protagonist while retaining the mythological foundation that made the first game distinctive.
Why it is the safest mechanical choice
A direct sequel is the least disruptive option. You can expect the same broad relationship between fast action, repeated attempts and permanent development, while the new systems provide reasons to keep experimenting. If your priority is the feel of building a run through mythological abilities rather than finding a different gothic setting, start here.
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What is new in the sequel
Expanded locations provide more places to learn, while additional gods and titans widen the mythological scope. New weapons, boons and incantations increase the number of possible build decisions. The story remains ongoing, so the narrative experience is best understood as an evolving continuation rather than a closed replacement for the first game.
Best Value
- 2D souls-little action: tough but fair combat, the iconic dodge roll, more than 90 weapons and spells with unique gameplay...
- Roguevania: the progressive exploration of an inter-connected world, with the Replay ability of a rogue-little and the adrenaline pumping threat of perm death.
- Nonlinear progression: sewers, ossuary or ramparts? Once unlocked, special permanent abilities allow you to access new paths to reach your objective.
Platform caveat
A GamesRadar+ roundup published May 26, 2026 lists Hades II for PC and Switch 2. Platform availability and release status can change, so verify the current listing for your region and edition before purchase. Do not assume that a platform mentioned in a past roundup is still the complete list.
Which Hades alternative should you play?
Choose by combat perspective
- Want top-down rooms: Start with Curse of the Dead Gods for a dark temple, or Ravenswatch for fast combat with friends.
- Want 2D action: Pick Dead Cells for platforming and a castle, or Have a Nice Death for side-scrolling office satire.
- Want the closest overall formula: Pick Hades II.
Choose by atmosphere
- Castlevania-inspired gothic: Dead Cells.
- Oppressive temple horror: Curse of the Dead Gods.
- Hand-drawn death and workplace satire: Have a Nice Death.
- Dark fairy tales and legends: Ravenswatch.
- Greek mythological continuity: Hades II.
Choose by progression
For permanent unlocks tied to discovering new routes, Dead Cells is the clearest fit. For run-long pressure that changes as you proceed, choose Curse of the Dead Gods. For a broad pool of weapons and spells, Have a Nice Death offers more than 30 options to find and upgrade. For group build experimentation, choose Ravenswatch. For expanded boons, weapons and incantations inside the same mythological framework, choose Hades II.
Choose by multiplayer
Ravenswatch is the only recommendation in this group with explicitly stated co-op for up to four players and Xbox-highlighted cross-platform multiplayer. The cited material does not establish co-op for Dead Cells, Curse of the Dead Gods, Have a Nice Death or Hades II. Treat those games as solo recommendations unless the current platform listing says otherwise.
How to avoid a disappointing purchase
Do not confuse gothic art with identical combat
A dark castle, temple or underworld can look like a visual continuation of Hades while playing very differently. Side-scrolling games ask for platforming control; top-down games emphasize room positioning; co-op games add communication and role coverage. Decide which control scheme you actually enjoy before relying on screenshots or atmosphere alone.
Check the platform and edition
Platform support is not uniform. Dead Cells has cited availability on PC, Mac and Linux through Steam, while the cited 2026 roundup lists Hades II on PC and Switch 2. The other entries require a current store check for a complete platform list. Editions such as the Action GOTY Edition of Dead Cells can also package content differently, so read the listing for your region.
Set expectations about story
Hades II is the closest narrative follow-up because it continues the mythological setting and centers on a new protagonist within that world. The other games deliver story through different priorities: exploration and discovery in Dead Cells, pressure and atmosphere in Curse of the Dead Gods, office satire in Have a Nice Death, and dark legendary heroes in Ravenswatch. None should be selected on the assumption that it reproduces Hades’ full relationship-focused presentation.
Final recommendations
Start with Hades II if you want the closest continuation of Hades’ combat, progression and mythology. Choose Dead Cells for the strongest gothic visual match and a demanding 2D action-platformer loop. Choose Curse of the Dead Gods when top-down rooms and oppressive risk systems matter most. Choose Have a Nice Death for a hand-drawn, death-centered office underworld. Choose Ravenswatch when playing with up to three friends is the deciding feature.
Quick Recap
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