Hades II review: Improving on perfection

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A star rating of 5 out of 5.

Hades II launched into early access exactly one day before I was due to go on holiday.

I didn’t jump in right away when the game first came out, and instead of trying it briefly then, I decided to wait until the complete game was released before playing any of it.

After sixteen months, I’m thrilled to say Hades II was absolutely worth the wait! It not only meets the high standards of the first game, but actually surpasses them in impressive ways.

Hades II is set after the events of the first game. Chronos, the Titan of Time, has now taken over the House of Hades, defeating Zagreus and all its inhabitants.

But before that could occur, Hades’s new daughter, Melinoë, was secretly brought out of the underworld and raised by the powerful witch Hecate, who guarded the crossroads.

Melinoë is being trained by Hecate to become a warrior, skilled in both fighting and magic. Her mission: to defeat Chronos and reclaim her family’s power in the underworld. Our story starts as she first enters the shadowy realm of Erebus.

Similar to the first Hades game, Hades II quickly throws you into a world filled with gods, mortals, and famous stories, moving at a very fast pace.

The familiar helpers of Asphodel, like Nyx and Achilles, are now joined by figures such as Nemesis and Odysseus, and many others. These new characters are just as famous and captivating as those they replace.

On the surface, Hades II should be a rather boring experience for anyone who played the first game.

Okay, so the enemies and bosses are fresh, but honestly, the way you actually *play* the game – the combat and how the story unfolds – feels pretty much identical to what I’ve played before. There are a few little changes and some new stuff added, but it’s not a huge overhaul.

Hades II is a remarkable achievement, proving just how talented Supergiant’s developers are. Even though the core gameplay is similar to the first game from several years ago, clever writing and small but meaningful improvements have kept me completely engaged from start to finish.

Melinoë is exceptionally well-written. While I generally enjoy Zagreus’s humor and sharper attitude more, Melinoë’s direct personality often allows the other characters to stand out.

This is particularly noticeable when she reacts to the game’s more eccentric characters, like Narcissus, who is upset that Melinoë doesn’t seem to reciprocate his feelings.

Combat, while again, largely the same, does come with some tweaks that improve it significantly.

The gods have been updated! You’ll still find familiar faces like Zeus, Poseidon, and Aphrodite, but they each have a completely new collection of blessings. Plus, several new gods – Apollo, Hephaestus, Hestia, and others – are now in the mix.

In the original Hades, some gods offered unhelpful boons I actively tried to avoid. Thankfully, in Hades II, the boons from each god feel much more balanced, although I still have personal preferences.

Melinoë tends to fight from a distance more than Zagreus, who usually prefers getting up close with his sword, spear, or fists.

Okay, so instead of my usual Cast ability, I’ve got this magic circle now. It’s pretty cool – depending on the Boons I’ve found, it messes enemies up in different ways. It’s like, each Boon changes what the circle *does* to them, which is a nice change of pace.

Since I’m already used to how combat works, I’ve noticed that most regular enemies in Hades II aren’t as challenging as they were in the first game.

The bosses, though, are a different story. Many are incredibly difficult – Chronos, for example, is much harder than Hades – and their battles are even more elaborate and dramatic than those of previous bosses.

Scylla is a really tough boss, even for experienced players like me. But despite how challenging she is, fighting her is incredibly exciting! She has a fantastic theme song that plays during the battle, and I always look forward to it.

The story mainly moves forward by interacting with a cauldron that’s always bubbling near Hecate in the Crossroads, which serves as your central location.

Each time you try to reach Chronos, you’ll learn new Incantations. These let you cast spells using the resources you collect – everything from summoning powerful beings to creating relaxing hot springs.

As a player, let me tell you, getting the materials you need in Melinoë is a real grind! Some of them are only found way out in the furthest areas, and it can take hours – seriously, multiple trips all the way to Chronos – just to unlock everything. It’s a bit of a time commitment, honestly!

Like the Mirror of Night in Hades, it gives you a clear feeling of making progress. However, unlike that feature, your choices here actually change the story as you go.

After playing for a few hours, the gods suddenly hit me up with a huge favor! They basically told me to pause my own stuff and rush to Mount Olympus to help them fight off Chronos. It’s a total game shift, but I guess saving the gods is pretty important!

By performing certain rituals, you discover a way to ascend to Olympus instead of descending into Asphodel. However, Melinoë, being a creature of the underworld, needs additional rituals to survive on the surface and continue her journey.

Wow, this new feature totally changes how you play! It’s not just about rushing to the end anymore – you really have to think things through and decide what’s the best move. It adds a whole new layer of strategy, which I love!

Just like the original Hades, the real journey in Hades II starts after you beat the final boss for the first time.

This is when the game’s story really shines. The characters, whether powerful gods or humble spirits, develop the most during this time, as you gradually build connections with them.

This game is incredibly well-made, with smooth combat, beautiful art, and fantastic music. Supergiant Games deserves huge credit for not only expanding the world of Hades, but also for crafting a new story and characters that are just as captivating as those we already loved.

You’ll likely spend a lot of time with your companions at the Crossroads, discovering the sad stories of how they died and sharing your own experiences over drinks of Nectar and Ambrosia.

The most captivating part of Hades II, and what makes it truly special, is the connection you build with its characters. It’s frustrating, though, because I can’t even discuss my favorite moments with them without ruining the experience for others.

The game captures the same captivating quality as its predecessor – a gameplay experience that feels endlessly replayable, with conversations that change based on your choices.

Supergiant Games consistently delivers exceptional games, seemingly getting better with each new release. They’re currently at the height of their creative abilities.

I thought I’d seen the best of the roguelite genre when I played Hades, and honestly, I still think Supergiant Games pretty much nailed it. No other game has ever blended that gameplay loop with a story quite as brilliantly, and I haven’t seen anyone even come close since.

Hades II somehow manages to surpass its already incredible predecessor, one of the best indie games ever made. It doesn’t just copy the original; instead, it builds upon it in meaningful ways, creating a game that feels both fresh and comfortably familiar.

I’ve only just started playing Hades II, but I already know I’ll be hooked for a long time, constantly trying to achieve that perfect playthrough.

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2025-09-24 19:06