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We’ve finally broken out of the early access underworld, as the latest Hades 2 update brings the game into its full release. This Greek mythology-inspired dungeon-crawling roguelike from Supergiant Games delivers with luscious art and lovingly crafted characters, as well as slick combat that seems to never grow dull.
Anyone familiar with Supergiant, especially those who have been following along with the early access, will be anticipating the Hades 2 full release date of September 25, when the game is due to land on PC, macOS, Switch, and Switch 2. Those awaiting Hades 2’s graduation from early access will be pleased to know that it escapes the original’s long shadow, providing a host of meaningful innovations.
Top of the Mountain
You’re told everything you need to know right from the start. The new protagonist emerges in a bleak woodland, stepping through an arcane sigil, she utters her main objective: “death to Chronos”. From there, you launch into your first dungeon run to try and take down the Titan of Time himself.
The first room of this dungeon is a delightful microcosm of the whole game, skillfully selling you on the core gameplay loop. Melinoë, Hades 2’s controllable Princess of the Underworld, reacts to the world with purpose. She speaks to the gods above, who give you a choice of starting upgrades, before you’re thrown into your first combat. This places Hades 2’s central formula front and centre: gain boons, progress deeper, die, repeat.
Set some time after the original, Hades 2 is set after a great supernatural calamity has wracked the ancient world. As Melinoë, God’s Favourite Princess, it’s your job to set things right by battling your way through a series of procedurally generated rooms, all to reach the final confrontation and defeat Chronos.
Visually, the Hades 2 characters allow you to marvel at the deep detail – and not just their Olympian physiques. From the wry and mysterious headmistress Hecate to the gruff and no-nonsense Hephaestus, the roster of visually diverse, charming, and intriguing characters offers distinctive first impressions with the depth to match.
The voice acting is exceptionally strong, especially as the game is heavily reliant on conversations and characters’ charisma to push your understanding of the plot forward against a literal Titanic threat. Despite the epic stakes, the actors give nuanced and, at times, understated performances even in intense moments that allow Hades to offer moments of calm between the frantic melee of its central quest.
Nothing worth fighting for is easy
The game’s sleek design extends readily to combat. Fighting is frantic but never out of your control; you don’t have many options to block damage, so you are reliant on your dash to avoid taking hits.
This, along with the way enemies flinch when you strike them, encourages you to reposition offensively constantly. You’ve got to keep on your toes, as any incoming blow can easily spell the end of a run and an inglorious return to the Crossroads, the game’s hub area.
The Hades 2 weapons choices grant an excellent variety of playstyles for each run. The first weapon, Melinoë’s Witch’s Staff, provides more varied options than Zagreus’ first blade, with a wide attack and ranged special. This, alongside the new unique omega moves (read: charged attacks), means you’re already starting with a more varied arsenal before we even begin to factor in the wide range of supernatural boons and permutations on offer.
Between changeable trinkets, arcana card boosts, and the variety of godly boons you’re offered, there’s plenty of choice for your build. Experimentation is necessary to establish which buffs and approaches work best with each weapon. The game also encourages you to take risks by offering paths with mini-bosses, with guaranteed better rewards.
Each region faces you with enemies unique to that level, including a terrifying end boss. These diverse supernatural biomes are all distinct tests of skill, capable of taking you out even after you’ve beaten them numerous times.
Scylla, Hades 2’s rocking siren, is a stand-out end boss in the early game, encapsulating the flavour and generosity of the title’s character design. In battle, she forces you to face multiple foes and plenty of area attacks against a backdrop of characterful, in-setting rock music. Given their charm, it’s hard not to at least partially root for Hades 2’s roster of villains, even as they bludgeon you to death.
O, brother, where art thou
Hades 2 masterfully straddles the line between roguelike impermanence and genuine, concrete progression, ensuring that no attempt feels wasted. You’re always working towards multiple upgrades that need resources. Your home base, the Crossroads, provides a place of calm to talk and think over changes for your next foray to the underworld.
Exemplified by characters like the brutal, standoffish Nemesis and your mysterious tutor Hecate, Hades 2 offers exciting new conversations every time you’re forced back to your home. You can also increase their relationship levels with gifts or salts for the unlockable hot spring. Conversely, each new run gives you a chance to run into new vibrant characters, offering a steady flow of engaging conversations as a reward for pressing on.
Hades 2 does much to differentiate itself as a sequel. The struggle against Chronos takes the form of a more classic, heroic campaign and stands in stark contrast to the Sisyphean rebellion of the original. Melinoë acts as a humble and serious foil to the arrogant and sarcastic Zagreus of the original Hades.
Combat presents more options than its predecessor, and even with more regions and bosses than the first, the combat design has come out tighter and less frustrating.
The world is more gorgeous than ever, and it’s a joy just to be able to make a return. Hades 2 stands as a worthy sequel and companion to the original, both of which stand together as brother and sister.
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