I absolutely adore Hades 2, and this epic from Supergiant Games lives up to my wildest expectations

Quickly move, strike, use magic, and avoid the laser. Then, move fast and fire a lunar ray before attacking. If you’re even a little slow dodging a tentacle, you’ll lose and have to start all over.

Hades 2 is the sequel to the hugely popular Hades from Supergiant Games, originally released in 2020. I loved the first game – it really helped me through a tough time – so I had high expectations for this follow-up.

Hades 2 has actually been playable for a while now. It first became available in May 2024 through early access, allowing players to experience part of the game while the developers continued to build and improve it with substantial updates.

I’ve been playing through the complete version of Hades 2 quite a bit, reaching the end and exploring the full story. I’m thrilled to report that it’s even better than I’d hoped – it completely surpasses my expectations.

What is Hades 2?

Hades 2 is an action-packed roguelike game from Supergiant Games. Players battle through randomly generated levels filled with enemies and powerful bosses, becoming stronger with upgrades called Boons – gifts from the gods.

The game is a sequel to the original Hades, taking place years later with a much bigger threat. You play as Melinoë, who is on a quest to save her family from Chronos, the Titan of Time, who has returned.

Hades 2 is available now for $30 on Windows PC (through Steam and the Epic Games Store) and on Nintendo Switch and the new Nintendo Switch 2.

Hades 2: Story and characters

Hades 2 features a huge cast of characters – a wide array of gods, goddesses, and creatures from mythology. You’ll meet many different personalities, some helpful and some hostile, but almost all of them are beautifully designed.

Hades 2 has a much richer and more complex story than the first game. Instead of a straightforward plot, it explores themes of revenge, family issues, and the challenges that span generations.

It’s interesting to see how this feels like Supergiant Games building on its own previous successes. Naturally, things get messy, and resolving the consequences of various issues takes time and effort to sort out.

Melinoë’s journey to defeat Chronos isn’t simple, and the story offers plenty of thought-provoking moments. Along the way, you’ll also encounter a variety of friendships-and maybe even something more, depending on your preferences.

I’m really impressed by the sheer amount of detail in this game. The first *Hades* had a lot of conversation based on your choices, but *Hades 2* takes it to a whole new level. Did you use a specific item in a battle? Almost complete a task, only to fall short? The game remembers, and characters will definitely comment on it.

Hades 2: Gameplay and features

Like the first Hades, Hades 2 focuses on fast-paced combat where you’ll battle countless enemies using a variety of weapons – think axes, sickles, and even powerful, high-tech suits. Each run will be different thanks to a huge number of randomly generated challenges and boons that can either help or hinder your progress.

What really sets Hades 2 apart are the ways it changes things up. Unlike Zagreus, who was a skilled fighter, Melinoë is a witch. This gives her access to magical upgrades and spells that boost her powers, and she also gets stronger by forming bonds with animal companions, called Familiars, each offering unique assistance.

Every loose flower, mystery seed, or special grain of sand can serve a purpose.

Frinos the frog is a great teammate because she can bravely intercept enemy attacks that would otherwise hit you. Raki the raven, on the other hand, boosts your chances of landing a critical hit, and other characters offer similar advantages.

Melinoë collects ingredients for spells, steadily working towards her objectives. Even small items like flowers, seeds, or grains of sand can be useful in her magical work. This approach to witchcraft is engaging and deeply connected to the game’s story in a way that feels fresh and innovative.

Hades 2: Visuals and audio

Hades 2 is visually stunning, and surprisingly doesn’t need a powerful computer to run well. It’s not about realistic details, but a fantastic art style and bold use of color that embraces a vibrant, sometimes chaotic, look.

This also includes the highly detailed character designs you’ll be looking at throughout the many conversations in the game.

Supergiant Games does a wonderful job reimagining gods and mythical creatures, filling the game with clever allusions and references to mythology. I especially love their take on the Titan Prometheus, but honestly, every god, undead being, and legendary figure – both new and returning – is visually impressive.

Darren Korb, the audio director behind Supergiant Games’ music, returns with another expansive soundtrack. It’s full of diverse tracks, seamlessly shifting from sad melodies to energetic rock music.

Hades 2: Accessibility and approachability

Hades 2 includes several accessibility options to help players customize their experience. These include options to turn off screen shake and adjust subtitle settings. Like the original Hades, players can also activate “God Mode” for a more forgiving gameplay experience.

God Mode gradually reduces the damage players take, eventually ignoring up to 80% of it. This makes most battles much easier as the fight goes on, helping players who are having trouble.

Players can also enable “God Mode,” just like in the first game.

Hades 2 continues the story directly from the first game, so it’s best to play the original Hades first to fully understand what’s happening.

As an analyst, I’ve noticed that while the game does a solid job explaining characters and onboarding new players, certain story beats and reveals really lose their impact if someone hasn’t experienced the initial storyline. It’s like there’s a level of emotional resonance that’s lost on those jumping in later – those moments just don’t land with the same weight.

Hades 2: My final thoughts

✅You should buy this if …

You enjoyed the original Hades.
- Practically every aspect of Supergiant’s first outing into Greek myth returns here with an even more polished sheen, and if you enjoyed the trials and tribulations of Zagreus, seeing the narrative continue through the eyes of his young sister is well worth your time.

You enjoy roguelike games.
- As mentioned above, I’m not usually a fan of roguelikes, as the random nature of everything can impede progress in ways counterintuitive to the overall game design if the developers aren’t careful. My love of Hades 2 is a testament to just how well the systems work here, and anyone who normally enjoys most roguelike titles will feel right at home.

❌You shouldn’t buy this if…

You don’t like games that have fast reflexes
- While there are plenty of options that make the game easier (such as the myriad boosts you build up over time to improve various runs, as well as the God Mode feature), Hades 2 is, at its core, a challenging, fast-paced game. You can dilute that, but it can’t be removed entirely. If that kind of thing isn’t your speed, you may not enjoy it.

While the first Hades explored the theme of refusing to give up, Hades 2 is fundamentally a story about continuing forward despite challenges.

While both games share similarities as roguelikes, Hades focuses on Zagreus relentlessly tackling the same challenges to achieve a single objective. Hades 2, however, presents a more intricate experience, with Melinoë carefully investigating and dismantling a larger mystery.

Despite any minor frustrations with the game’s random elements, Supergiant Games masterfully crafts an incredible experience. Everything – the story, characters, art, and music – is truly outstanding.

Even over a year ago, when I first tried Hades 2 in early access, it was already excellent. Now, it’s a true masterpiece – not only as good as the original Hades, but even better.

Hades 2 will be released on September 25, 2025, for Windows PC, Nintendo Switch 2, and the original Nintendo Switch. Players on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 will be able to play the game sometime after that.

2025-09-25 17:41