Supergiant Games’Hadesis a masterpiece of a video game. Inspired by Greek Mythology, it follows the son of the Greek God of the Underworld as he fights through Hell itself to achieve freedom, and to unite with his birth mother, Persephone.

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The Hugo Award-winning game has gorgeous visuals, an excellent voice cast,diverse characters, and brutal difficulty. In playing the game, one will not only battle all kinds of monsters just to stick it to Zagreus’s father but also glean some experience that can be applied to many areas of day-to-day life. Here are seven such life lessons to be learned.

7Anything Worthwhile Takes Effort

Zagreus’s mission is far from easy. Multiple monsters await, Hades hires enforcers to block his path, and gladiators will want to vanquish him for the entertainment of the masses. Even still, this path is the only path to freedom, so Zagreus will just have to keep pushing through.

Anything in life requires effort, whether it be getting that promotion at work, supporting one’s family, or getting the next great American novel out in the world. If it is something worth fighting for, then the obstacles need to be fought and overcome.

Zagreus says “I’m going to find Mother. No matter how long it takes me."

6There Will Always Be Naysayers

During Zagreus’s quest, his father regularly mocks his attempts to escape, always telling him that he will be doomed to remain in his domain for eternity. Unfortunately, naysayers don’t only exist in the world ofHades.

There will always be those who say that a goal is impossible because they think it is too unlikely or that someone is not good enough, or that it is just not “realistic.” This can be for any number of reasons: perhaps they don’t want someone to succeed, or perhaps they have failed too many times and have given up hope. That noise will always be there, but it has to be drowned out.

An image of Hades, with a long beard and glowing red eyes. In large letters on the bottom is the word “Oaf,” and underneath, the caption: “Watch where you step, you oaf! My House is not a sty through which to track your filth!"

5The Path Does Not Have To Be Walked Alone

In the immortal words of the old man in the cave fromThe Legend of Zelda, “It’s dangerous to go alone.” While Zagreus’s journey is long, he does not have to fight on his own.Many of the Godsof Hades’ family offer their abilities to him, from Artemis with her deadly arrows to Dionysus with his hangover curse andHermes with his speed boost. Even old Skelly is there to be a training dummy for Zagreus.

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People are out there who may not have any Godlike abilities, but they still care. They might pay for one’s coffee or cover a coworker’s shift if there is a family emergency. Sometimes, it can be just as simple as someone saying some kind words to a stranger.

4Just Keep Trying

In 1997, the English music group Chumbawamba offered this ancient wisdom: “I get knocked down, but I get up again! You’re never gonna keep me down.” Zagreus will die in his quest.He will die a lot. But he tries again, every time.

People get knocked down in life all the time. Things don’t always go as planned. Everything can be going great, but then a chariot will come along and derail everything. People have to keep trying, though, because they get a little better at what they’re doing every time.

Dionysus (left), bare-chested, adorned with grapes, and holding a chalice in his left hand. The caption to the right reads “Whooaa, Zag. I bet you could use a little pick-me-up right about now, and I am here to offer you whichever one you please!"

3Enjoy The Journey

Zagreus faces many trials, but he always makes the time toenjoy the journey. He stops for conversations with Sisyphus, who is always glad to meet him, and who always has kind words to say. He also makes time to pet Cerberus, who isthe goodest guardian of the Underworld.

The journeys most people are on can be a struggle. Instead of only focusing on trying to get somewhere, it is also important to take stock of where one already is and be grateful for the little moments of simple companionship that arise.

Zagreus Faces Down the Bone Hydra.

2Be Mindful Of The Present Moment

Being that pretty much everything in Hades wants to kill Zagreus, he will have to dodge his fair share of swords and projectiles. This is why one must be mindful of their surroundings when navigating the gauntlet thatHadesthrows at the player. It is easy to enter a zen-like state when weaving through enemies and projectiles, in an effort to avoid almost certain death.

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One must constantly be aware of their surroundings when going about their life. Not paying attention to traffic may mean getting hit by a vehicle. Not watching one’s step up the stairs may mean a nasty tumble. It wouldn’t be as essentialif people could be revivedand try again, but that is not the case.

1Be Compassionate Towards All

Many of the characters ofHadeshave their own baggage. Zagreus is sick of being confined, Orpheus misses his dear Eurydice, and Sisyphus is pushing Bouldy up the hill all the time. Fortunately, it pays to be kind to these characters, as a gift of ambrosia leads to an item that may assist Zagreus in his task.

Everyone has something that they are struggling with, some boulder that they are pushing up a hill, so it is best not to judge too harshly, and instead just share some kind words.

Zagreus (center) petting Cerberus (center) as his father (right) works.

Hadesis available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Mac.

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Zagreus (center) in a green temple, surrounded by club-wielding enemies and explosives.

Zagreus and Skelly (center). A close-up of Zagreus (left) with the words (right) “I’m really giving this to you, mate. Now go enjoy it, will you? Once I’ve finished pummeling you some more just for the sake of it."