Hermes: War of the Gods

Hermes: War of the Gods is a real-time time management game set in classical antiquity, where players must answer the call of Zeus to battle an evil force threatening to destroy Earth. Developed by Platinum Games and published by Alawar Premium Limited, the game features a diagonal-down perspective, point-and-select interface, and a fantasy setting inspired by Greek mythology. Players take on the role of Hermes, navigating challenges and managing resources to prevent the world’s downfall in this action-packed adventure.

Hermes: War of the Gods – A Divine Time Management Odyssey

Introduction: The Call of Olympus

In the pantheon of casual time management games, Hermes: War of the Gods (2019) stands as a vibrant, if somewhat overlooked, gem. Developed by Platinum Games and published by Alawar Casual, this title weaves Greek mythology into a fast-paced, resource-driven adventure where players assume the role of the eponymous messenger god, tasked with saving humanity from the wrath of a vengeful deity. At its core, Hermes is a game about strategy, quick thinking, and divine intervention—but does it ascend to the heights of Mount Olympus, or does it stumble like Icarus?

This review will dissect Hermes: War of the Gods across its development, narrative, gameplay mechanics, artistic design, reception, and legacy, ultimately determining whether it deserves a place among the gods of casual gaming.

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Development History & Context: A Game Forged in the Fires of Alawar’s Legacy

The Studio Behind the Myth

Hermes: War of the Gods was developed by Platinum Games, a studio with a history of crafting casual and time management titles under the Alawar umbrella. Alawar Entertainment, a Russian publisher founded in 1999, has long been a dominant force in the casual gaming market, particularly in the time management and hidden object genres. Their portfolio includes franchises like Rescue Team, Incredible Dracula, and the Hermes series itself.

The Hermes franchise began in 2007 with the original Hermes, followed by sequels like Hermes: Tricks of Thanatos (2017) and Hermes: Sibyls’ Prophecy. War of the Gods (2019) is the fourth major entry, refining the formula while expanding its mythological scope.

Technological Constraints & Design Philosophy

Built in Unity, Hermes: War of the Gods is a 2D diagonal-down time management game, a perspective that allows for clear visibility of resources, obstacles, and objectives. The game’s point-and-click interface is intuitive, designed for accessibility—critical for a casual audience.

The development team, led by Chief Developer Sergey Zhulin and Producer Tamara Komarova, prioritized:
– A learn-as-you-play tutorial to ease newcomers into the genre.
– Two difficulty modes (Casual and Advanced) to cater to both relaxed and hardcore players.
– A mythological narrative that justifies the gameplay mechanics (e.g., rebuilding temples to earn divine favors).

Given its 2019 release, the game’s technical requirements were modest:
– Minimum: Windows 7, 2 GHz processor, 2 GB RAM, 512 MB GPU.
– Recommended: 3 GHz processor, 4 GB RAM, 1 GB GPU.

This ensured broad accessibility, aligning with Alawar’s tradition of low-spec, high-replayability casual games.

The Casual Gaming Landscape in 2019

By 2019, the casual gaming market was dominated by:
– Mobile time management games (Cook, Serve, Delicious!, Diner Dash).
– Hidden object hybrids (Dark Parables, Mystery Case Files).
– Idler and incremental games (Adventure Capitalist, Cookie Clicker).

Hermes: War of the Gods entered this space as a premium PC title, competing against free-to-play mobile alternatives. Its $6.99 price point (frequently discounted) positioned it as a budget-friendly but content-rich experience.

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Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive: A Mythological Rescue Mission

Plot Summary: Zeus Calls, Hermes Answers

The game’s premise is simple yet engaging:

“When an angry goddess appears in billows of fire and smoke on the first day of the Olympics and declares war on mankind, Zeus has no choice but to call on the mischievous god Hermes to save the people of Greece.”

Players assume the role of Hermes, guiding Greek villagers through 70 levels (50 main + 20 bonus) of resource gathering, village rebuilding, and monster slaying. The narrative unfolds through:
– Divine quests (e.g., rebuilding Zeus’ altar to unlock his lightning powers).
– Mythological encounters (stone titans, hissing snakes, and a “dark, yawning abyss”).
– A lighthearted tone that balances urgency with whimsy.

Characters & Dialogue: Gods as Gameplay Mechanics

Unlike deeper narrative-driven games, Hermes treats its characters as functional entities rather than complex personalities:
– Zeus – The stern but benevolent ruler who rewards players for rebuilding his temples.
– The Angry Goddess – A faceless antagonist whose wrath justifies the gameplay loop.
– Villagers – Generic NPCs who require food, shelter, and protection.

The dialogue is minimal, serving primarily to explain objectives rather than develop lore. This is not a flaw but a design choice—Hermes is a gameplay-first experience.

Themes: Divine Intervention & Human Resilience

The game’s themes revolve around:
1. Divine Favor as a Gameplay Mechanic – Players must earn the gods’ help by completing tasks, reinforcing the idea that mortals must prove themselves worthy.
2. Rebuilding Civilization – The act of restoring villages mirrors the myth of Prometheus bringing fire to mankind—a struggle for survival against divine odds.
3. Time as a Resource – The time management genre’s core theme is literalized: every second counts when a goddess is trying to annihilate you.

While not a story-driven masterpiece, Hermes uses mythology effectively to justify its mechanics, making it more engaging than a generic “farm simulator.”

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Gameplay Mechanics & Systems: The Divine Time Management Loop

Core Gameplay: Click, Build, Survive

Hermes: War of the Gods is a real-time time management game with the following structure:
1. Objective-Based Levels – Each level tasks players with:
– Gathering resources (wood, stone, food).
– Rebuilding structures (houses, temples, bridges).
– Defeating monsters (titans, snakes, harpies).
– Rescuing villagers from disasters (fires, collapses).
2. Point-and-Click Controls – Players click on objectives to assign workers, removing the need for complex inputs.
3. Divine Powers – Completing side quests (e.g., rebuilding Zeus’ altar) unlocks godly abilities (lightning strikes, healing auras).

Progression & Difficulty

• Casual Mode – No time limits, ideal for relaxed play.
• Advanced Mode – Timed challenges for score-chasing players.
• Bonus Levels – 20 additional stages with unique mechanics (e.g., navigating the “dark abyss”).

The game’s tutorial is excellent, gradually introducing mechanics without overwhelming players. However, veterans of the genre may find the early levels too slow.

Innovations & Flaws

✅ Strengths:
– Mythological Integration – Unlike generic time management games, Hermes ties its mechanics to Greek lore.
– Varied Level Design – Each stage has unique layouts, preventing monotony.
– Achievement System – 32 Steam achievements encourage replayability.

❌ Weaknesses:
– Repetitive Late-Game – After 30+ levels, the core loop feels stale.
– Underutilized Gods – Beyond Zeus, other deities (Athena, Poseidon) have minimal impact.
– Achievement Bugs – Some players report glitched achievements (e.g., “4 Statues” not unlocking).

UI & Accessibility

The user interface is clean and functional, with:
– Clear objective markers.
– Resource counters for wood, stone, and food.
– A minimalist HUD that avoids clutter.

However, the lack of a pause button in timed modes can frustrate players needing a break.

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World-Building, Art & Sound: A Vibrant Olympus

Visual Design: A Colorful Mythological Playground

Hermes: War of the Gods employs a cartoonish, vibrant art style that:
– Pops with color – Lush greens, golden temples, and fiery monsters create a living diorama.
– Uses diagonal-down perspective for strategic clarity.
– Animates smoothly – Workers chop wood, villagers cheer, and monsters crumble satisfyingly.

The Greek aesthetic is faithful but simplified, avoiding historical accuracy in favor of gameplay readability.

Sound Design & Music: Divine Ambience

Composed by Konstantin Ustinovich, the soundtrack is:
– Upbeat and orchestral, blending lyres, flutes, and percussion for an authentic Greek feel.
– Dynamic – Music intensifies during monster attacks or divine interventions.
– Subtle but effective – Sound effects (villager cheers, temple chimes) reinforce immersion.

Atmosphere: A Lighthearted Apocalypse

The game strikes a balance between:
– Urgency (a goddess is trying to destroy humanity).
– Whimsy (Hermes is a trickster god, after all).

This tone makes Hermes more approachable than darker time management games (This War of Mine).

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Reception & Legacy: A Niche Gem with a Small Following

Critical & Commercial Reception

Hermes: War of the Gods received:
– Positive Steam reviews (91% approval, 12 reviews).
– Praise for its accessibility (casual mode, tutorial).
– Criticism for repetitiveness in later levels.

Commercially, it was a modest success, appealing to:
– Casual gamers who enjoy mythology-themed games.
– Achievement hunters (32 easy-to-earn Steam achievements).
– Fans of Alawar’s previous titles.

Influence & Legacy

While not a genre-defining title, Hermes contributed to:
– The mythological time management subgenre (e.g., Trials of Olympus).
– Alawar’s reputation for polished casual games.
– Proving that Unity could handle low-spec but visually appealing games.

Its biggest legacy is as a gateway game—easy enough for newcomers but deep enough to reward mastery.

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Conclusion: A Divine Distraction, Not a Masterpiece

Hermes: War of the Gods is a well-crafted, accessible time management game that leverages Greek mythology to elevate its gameplay. It excels in:
✔ Tutorial design (great for beginners).
✔ Visual & auditory charm (vibrant, immersive).
✔ Mythological integration (more than just a reskin).

However, it struggles with:
✖ Late-game repetition.
✖ Underdeveloped divine mechanics.
✖ Minor technical hiccups (achievement bugs).

Final Verdict: 7.5/10 – A Worthy Offering to the Gods of Casual Gaming

• For Fans Of: Diner Dash, Trials of Olympus, Rescue Team.
• Play If: You want a relaxing but engaging time management game with mythological flair.
• Avoid If: You dislike repetitive gameplay loops or prefer deep narratives.

Hermes: War of the Gods may not be ambrosia for the gods, but it’s a solid, enjoyable mortal feast—one that deserves a place in the casual gaming pantheon.

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Now, answer Zeus’ call—will you save Greece, or let it burn? 🔥