Hades: Controls Guide for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and How to Play

Supergiant Games’ award-winning Hades has made its way onto PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S – coming via Xbox Game Pass for the Microsoft consoles.

The rogue-lite action dungeon crawler sees players take on the role of the son of Hades and Prince of the Underworld, Zagreus, who wishes to escape and join the other Gods on Mount Olympus.

In this article, we detail all of the Hades controls for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Series X|S and delve into the core mechanics to give you the edge against the beasts of the Underworld.

Hades controls for Xbox and PlayStation

In this controls guide, the analogue sticks on either console controller are shown as L and R while pressing down on the analogues is denoted as L3 and R3.

How to remap the Hades controls

You can customise the button layout of your Hades controls by pressing the Options/Menu button, selecting ‘Controls’ from the pause screen, and then scrolling onto the action that you wish to change. You can then select the button input and then press the button that you wish to replace the current bind.

You can also adjust your analogue dead zone and toggle the aim assist from this menu.

How the death mechanic works in Hades

Zagreus is aided in his quest by the Olympian Gods, bestowing Boons that offer different stat increases or effects, depending on which God blesses you. These buffs reset if you die during your run, with a random God gifting you a new selection of Boons on your next attempt to beat the game.

Each time Zagreus’ health reaches zero, you’ll be transported back to the House of Hades and must start your run again. Still, you’ll have the opportunity to unlock or upgrade weapons and attributes using the treasure that you gained during your previous attempt to escape the Underworld.

Charon’s Obols

These coins are earned during a run-through and can be spent at either Charon’s shop or one of the Wells of Charon that appear randomly throughout the Underworld. You’ll be able to purchase power-up, healing items, and Boons in return for Obols.

Keep in mind that these boosts are only active during that run, and should you die, you’ll lose the boosts and all of your Obols; this is the only currency that resets upon your death.

The House Contractor

After a couple of run-throughs, you’ll gain access to the House Contractor, allowing you to spruce up the House of Hades and unlock bonuses as you journey the Underworld. Here, you’ll spend gemstones, which can be found as rewards during a run.

You can find the House Contractor to the right of Hades’ desk in the main chamber of his residence.

The Mirror of Night

You can upgrade several talents by using the Mirror of Night within your bedroom. The upgrades will cost you Darkness, which can be found while attempting to escape the Underworld.

There are four talents available at the start of the game, but more can be unlocked by using Chthonic Keys. After several runs, you can spend a key to reset your purchased talents and reassign them using Darkness.

The Training Room

To start another escape attempt, head to the left as you enter the Training Room, and you’ll see a door with a purple light shining. Approach it, and you’ll be prompted to press R1/RB to initiate an escape.

As you get further into the game, you’ll be able to access Keepsakes. These artefacts are held in a cabinet within the training room, the final room in the House of Hades, before you can attempt an escape. Gifting characters Nectar will unlock Keepsakes, and they’ll grant you unique bonuses during your run, depending on which one you choose to equip.

Another feature of the Training Room is its access to different weapons or Infernal Arms. The weapons can be unlocked by spending Chthonic Keys and can be further upgraded by using Titan Blood – once you have unlocked the Rail and collected at least one Titan Blood, that is.

Near the centre of the room is Skelly. This little guy is effectively your training dummy, ready and waiting for you to beat them eternally until you’ve mastered your weapon of choice and are ready to face Hades’ hordes.

That’s all for the Hades controls and tips for your journey through the Underworld; good luck against the endless monsters lurking in the halls of Hades’ domain.