My question to you roguelike vets out there: Are Returnal and Hades considered the creme de la crop of the genre? I feel incredibly lucky that the first 2 games that served as an introduction to the genre have been these two. While I don't think Hades will reach Returnal level for me, I can tell I'm already starting the cycle of not playing anything else until I platinum this game too.

Also, the dynamic script that plays into how well/poorly you do on your runs is just fantastic. The fast frenetic gameplay is there, the story is interesting, and again, that gameplay loop that I've grown to love as someone new to the genre is very much present. Well, I started Hades on the weekend and haven't put it down. I was aware of all the acclaim it got, but honestly, I wasn't really sure I'd like it in the same way I did Returnal because I just adored the dark horror vibes I got from Returnal so much. Hades was the game that kept on getting recommended everywhere I went. In an effort to hopefully capture me in the same way, I wanted to give another roguelike a try. Got the platinum for the game, but I have to say, I still think about my time and experience with it constantly. Surprising to say the least, since it was my first roguelike game and I didn't know how I'd take to it. It quickly catapulted into one of my favourite games of all time. The quick/flashy gameplay, the eerie story, the awesome music, the horror visual design of it all. When I bought Returnal, I quickly became obsessed with it.

Indie games like anno