LogFAQs > #949291877

I've had the same experience as you. Never enjoyed rougelikes, but finally picked this up after trying it at a friend's a couple weeks ago. I've already put more hours into it than I put into most games last year and cleared it 13 or 14 times so far.

As for Theseus, always target Austerius first and try to keep him and Theseus separated. Keep a close eye on Theseus's pink target and use the pillars to block his projectiles. I think the first time I cleared them I had a high level of Ares' doom on my shield special and just kept bonking them both from a safe distance. But basically just keep playing and you'll eventually become strong enough to clear them without using even one death defiance.