For the past month we have been shouting about the games we consider to be the best games of 2025. As is tradition, our choices for the RPS Advent Calendar haven’t appeared in an order from least good to best – to us, they’re all special.
However, that’s not true of the game behind door number 24. When the team’s votes were counted, it was a close thing, with only five points in it, but there was a winner.
RPS’s favourite game of 2025 is Hades 2.
Now, perhaps someone would like to explain why we didn’t give Supergiant’s roguelite wonder a Bestest Best sticker?
Mark: Right, so, it’s time I come clean and answer the question ‘Why, if Hades 2’s truly this good, did my review of its 1.0 release not boast the coveted bestest best sticker reserved for the best of the best?’ You might not believe me, but as I outlined in the comments on that review, Nemesis wouldn’t let me put one next to her in the thumbnail image.
I pleaded. I told Melinoë’s frenemy that besides an ending that’s not as elegant and cathartic as its excellent build suggests it’ll be, Hades 2 is every bit as much a banger as the original. I protested that the combat’s varied and satisfying, that the characters are capable of being equally funny and dramatic, that the visuals and music are top-tier. I even swore I’d omit mentioning any of the moments when Nem’s carefully-cultivated veil of brooding toughness slips, showing you the real person beneath that armoured shell.
She wasn’t having it.
“Stop trying to blame your own failings on me, dickhead,” she said. “Own what you’ve done.”
Ok. I’ll be honest. Hades 2 was the first game I reviewed since moving to RPS that deserved a bestest best sticker. But in my rush to complete it ahead of embargo, I forgot they existed – therefore, I didn’t remember to ask James or Edwin where to find one.
There you go. I’ve come clean. Now, Nem, do you mind if I cower behind you while the rotten fruit’s thrown? Fine. I’ll face the tomatoes alone.
Ollie: Supergiant Games does not miss. The only reason I don’t include all five of their titles in my top 25 games list each year is for the sake of variety.
Hades 2 may not quite be my favourite of their games, but it’s probably their best. Just as with the first Hades, metaprogression is not just about becoming more powerful, but about meeting new characters, learning their stories, and unfolding a fascinating story of gods and mortals. Precious few roguelites can match this impulse to jump back in immediately after your previous run ends. There’s a colossal amount of content here, much of it very pleasantly surprising. And every bit of it maintains Supergiant’s signature quality and style.