The action RPG roguelike genre has become saturated with fantastic games on Steam, and fans of these types of games have a new entry to look forward to on August 20. Ever since the original Hades took the world by storm in 2020, Steam has been filled with roguelikes trying to recapture its same stylish vibe and smooth action gameplay. Last year’s Hades 2 upped the ante for the genre, and now a new game is looking to follow in its footsteps.
Grim Trials comes from developer Glory Jam, which has already released several games on Steam to generally Very Positive reviews. The Hades inspirations are worn on Grim Trials‘s sleeve, as players are tasked with slaying demons in the underworld as part of their training to become a new Grim Reaper. Between its action roguelike gameplay and colorful cast of characters, Grim Trials looks to be the perfect title for players looking for more games like Hades 2.
Grim Trials releases on August 20, 2026.
Grim Trials Features at a Glance
- Endless hex-grid arenas filled with monsters, traps, sinful souls, and 7 sacrilegious bosses
- Craft new and ever more powerful weapons, armor, and consumables
- Customize gear and create a personalized build
- Experience and materials carry over between runs
- Take on quests to build your relationships, and unlock sage advice, knowledge, and powerful support from your peers at The Academy
Prove your worth. Hack and blast your way through the Grim Trials. Explore the (after)life of the Academy – a training ground for aspiring Grim Reapers. Befriend fellow Reapers, learn from your mentors, and uncover the secrets of your life and love before your death.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)
Part of what makes Hades 2 such a beloved game is what it includes beyond the action RPG roguelike elements at the core of its gameplay. The characters of Hades 2 and the style with which they are presented contribute to the game’s charm and replayability, and Grim Trials is taking notes from that aspect of Hades 2 just as much as it is from its gameplay. Grim Trials puts its own spin on Hades 2‘s charm with its heavy metal soundtrack and school setting, making it a unique blend of adrenaline and social simulation.
The Story of Grim Trials
In Grim Trials, players take on the role of newly-deceased character Avelin, who finds that she has been recruited into the Death’s army of Grim Reapers in the afterlife. As part of her Reaper training, Avelin must fight through hordes of demons and impure souls if she ever hopes to return to the land of the living. Reapers in training attend The Academy, where Avelin will meet a variety of faculty and students who will help shape her journey, much like those Melinoe meets at the Crossroads in Hades 2.
The Gameplay of Grim Trials
Action-based combat is at the core of Grim Trials, and players will get access to a variety of different weapons, including customizable scythes and crossbows, to take on the game’s seven major bosses. Like the Boons of Hades 2, Grim Trials gives Avelin access to special powers granted by the Gods of Death. Making good use of both these powers and the upgradeable weapons will be the key to overcoming the trials that await her on the path to becoming a Reaper.
Between runs, players can upgrade and customize their builds to give Avelin the best shot at success on the next outing. Players will be able to carry over materials and experience gained during a run and work with their mentors at The Academy to improve equipment and expand Avelin’s skill tree. Building relationships with the characters at The Academy has benefits like gifting Nectar to characters in Hades does, opening the door to new unlocks for Grim Trials players to take advantage of.
Grim Trials has a demo available on Steam for players to try before the game’s full release.
How Grim Trials Sets Itself Apart from Hades 2
At first glance, Grim Trials looks remarkably similar to Hades 2 both in its gameplay formula and visual style. While it certainly takes a lot of inspiration from Supergiant Games’s hit roguelike franchise, Grim Trials carves out its own identity through the use of its killer heavy metal soundtrack that takes boss battles a step beyond the bosses of Hades 2. Gameplay-wise, Grim Trials seems to take build customization to a whole new level through the use of a skill tree with permanent unlocks to flesh out Avelin’s abilities and combat strategies.
Grim Trials will also feature and Endless Mode in the Training Ground, allowing players to push their builds to the limit. 2026 is already proving to be a huge year for Hades-like and roguelike games on Steam, and Grim Trials is shaping up to be a standout among the group. In addition to launching on Steam, Grim Trials will also be released on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch simultaneously.
