By the time Hades 2 arrived in early access in May 2024, everybody knew to watch it closely. The first Hades had presented thrilling roguelike RPG gameplay that had us saying “just one more run” well past bedtime. The sequel, released in full for PC and consoles the following September promised more of the same and wound up delivering one of the very best games of 2025.
For players who have followed Supergiant Games for years now, that latest success hardly came as a surprise. The developer has produced a string of must-play titles, going all the way back to its first one: the unforgettable Bastion.
Originally released in July 2011, Bastion launched on Xbox Live Arcade first before arriving on numerous other platforms. The game introduces players to a silent protagonist named “the Kid,” who is hard to miss with his white hair and red bandana. Although the hero doesn’t have anything to say, the game features memorable voiceover work that accompanies the on-screen action. The narrator’s slow drawl helps the player feel like they are contributing to a story someone might tell around a campfire at the world’s end.
Levels unfold in the isometric perspective players will recognize from Supergiant’s later games, such as Transistor. Venturing through environments that mix urban sprawl with remote beauty, the Kid survives a post-apocalyptic world by blasting powerful enemies and discovering powerful artifacts that might enable a better future. Between runs, weapon upgrades are available at the Bastion, an upgradeable hub area.
Bastion features several interesting mechanics, including an upgrade system that lets players mix and match to discover the best combination of equipment for their play style. Mixing weapons feels fresh and exciting, even if success means the Kid’s adversaries no longer pose much of a threat. Fortunately, advanced challenges and post-game content challenge players searching for something to test their mettle.
Besides offering engaging gameplay, Bastion benefits from a beautiful art style that resembles watercolor landscapes. The world, comprising islands in the sky, comes together as the Kid explores. Chunks of land rise at his feet, bringing items and barriers with them. Colors are vibrant and explosions are numerous. Besides that, musical accompaniment fuses folk, stringed instruments, and percussion to provide rousing melodies that get one’s blood pumping.
The team at Supergiant Games has earned a reputation for games that capably blend terrific art direction, sound, and compelling gameplay to provide standout moments you’ll want to experience time and time again. For Hades 2 fans who wonder what to play next and still haven’t touched Bastion, the choice is clear. It’s an experience that holds up remarkably well, even all these years later. It’s available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Windows PC, and Xbox.
