Hades II Is Now on Xbox and PS5 — Everything You Need to Know About the Game Pass Launch

Hades II is now available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, following its full release on PC and Nintendo Switch last September. The game first launched in early access on PC in May 2024. Plus, it’s available immediately with an Xbox Game Pass subscription (all tiers) and through Xbox Cloud Gaming, giving millions of players instant access at no additional cost.

If you’ve been curious about all the excitement surrounding this game from PC and Nintendo fans, now’s your chance to see what everyone’s been talking about.

What Is Hades II and Why Does It Matter

As a huge fan of the original Hades, I’m so excited about Hades II! It’s Supergiant Games’ first sequel, and that first game was incredible – it won tons of awards back in 2020 and really changed the roguelike genre. What I loved about the original was how tight the combat felt, the way you could really build up your character, and how all the gods and characters were fully voiced and actually reacted to you each time you played. It was amazing!

Hades II faced a huge challenge: how do you improve on a game that already felt finished? Thankfully, it delivered. When the full version launched on PC and Nintendo Switch (including the new Switch 2) on September 25, 2025, it received the highest review scores of any game that year, according to both Metacritic and OpenCritic. PlayStation and Xbox players are now getting that same complete, fully updated version – not an early or unfinished copy.

Price and Platform Availability

Before jumping in, here is a full breakdown of where you can play and what it costs:

You can buy PlayStation 5 games directly from the PlayStation Store. They aren’t included with a PlayStation Plus subscription on day one. Be sure to check the store for the latest prices before you buy.

You can enjoy Xbox Series X|S by buying the game outright or through an Xbox Game Pass subscription. It’s included with Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass at no additional cost. Plus, you can stream it on your phone, tablet, or computer through Xbox Cloud Gaming without needing to download it. For current prices if you want to purchase the game separately, please visit the Microsoft Store.

PC (Steam and Epic Games Store) — Available as a standalone purchase at $29.99 on Steam.

As a huge fan, I was really excited to learn about cross-save! Basically, you can move your progress between the PC versions (on Steam and the Epic Games Store) and Nintendo Switch/Switch 2. Supergiant says there’s a menu in the game where you can do it. Sadly, it doesn’t work with PlayStation 5 or Xbox – if you’ve been playing on PC or Switch and want to switch to those consoles, you’ll have to start a new game. It’s a bummer, but at least it works between PC and Switch!

What Has Changed From the Original

The biggest change in this sequel is who you play as. The first Hades let you control Zagreus, Hades’ son, as he tried to escape the Underworld. This time, you’ll play as Melinoë, Zagreus’ sister and a princess of the Underworld. The goal is different too – instead of escaping, you’ll guide Melinoë on a journey upwards through a vast mythological world to defeat Chronos, the Titan of Time.

While the core combat still feels like Hades, playing as Melinoë is a noticeably different experience. She uses longer dashes and a sustained sprint, unlike Zagreus’s quick bursts. Instead of a standard ranged attack, Melinoë has an area-of-effect ability that traps enemies. These adjustments might seem minor, but they significantly impact how each run plays out, especially when facing challenging enemies, and require a different approach to positioning.

Hades II offers a much bigger world to explore than the first game. It includes more diverse environments, each with its own unique look, enemies, and challenges. Unlike the original, which focused on a single path upwards, this new game lets you venture in multiple directions, making each playthrough feel different.

The game’s upgrade system is much larger now. You can get Boons – special powers – from over a dozen Olympian gods, including new ones like Apollo and Hephaestus. There are far more ways to combine these Boons than in the original game. Plus, a new system called the Altar of Ashes lets you unlock permanent upgrades that get stronger over time.

Instead of the Companion system from the first game, Hades II features Animal Familiars. These are little creatures that join Melinoë on each playthrough and offer unique benefits. Each Familiar has a special passive ability that boosts Melinoë’s stats or helps her in different ways – some improve combat, while others offer helpful effects like faster cooldowns or the ability to find hidden items. What’s more, these Familiars aren’t just stat boosts; they’ll react to what’s happening in the game, making them feel like true companions.

Gathering introduces a new element to each playthrough. Melinoë can use Tools of the Unseen to collect resources while exploring. These resources are used for crafting and upgrading items back at camp, providing players with more ways to improve their character beyond just combat skills.

What the Xbox and PS5 Versions Include

Supergiant Games has announced that the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X versions of the game will support up to 120 frames per second for smoother gameplay. While performance on the Xbox Series S hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, both new versions will include all updates and improvements released for the PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 since September 2025, plus some extra bonus content and quality-of-life features.

Hades II is available on Xbox with the Play Anywhere feature, meaning one digital purchase lets you play on both your Xbox console and PC. Plus, with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, you can stream and play the game without needing to download it.

Is It Worth Playing If You Have Not Played the Original

While you can enjoy Hades II on its own, playing the first Hades first will significantly enhance your experience. The sequel continues the story directly from the original, featuring familiar characters and moments that will have a greater impact if you’re already familiar with Zagreus’ story.

I’m really excited because you don’t need to have played the first game to enjoy the sequel! If you’re like me and have Game Pass, both games are available, and honestly, playing them in order is the best way to jump into this amazing series.

Development Timeline

May 6, 2024 — Early Access launch on PC
September 25, 2025 — Full v1.0 launch on PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2
March 26, 2026 — Xbox and PS5 release confirmed for April 14
April 14, 2026 — Full launch on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Game Pass, and Xbox Cloud Gaming

Hades II doesn’t drastically change the formula of the first game. If you didn’t enjoy the original’s roguelike elements – like repeated runs, gradual improvements, and runs ending at exciting moments – this sequel likely won’t change your mind. It builds on what made Hades successful, offering more of the same experience with improvements and refinements, but it’s not a complete overhaul.

If this game sounds interesting, now is the perfect time to try it! It’s currently available on Xbox Game Pass and offers smooth gameplay up to 120fps on both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Plus, you’ll get the latest version with all the improvements Supergiant Games has made since its initial release. Players on Xbox and PS5 are getting the definitive edition of the game. Just be aware that if you’re starting a new game on PS5 or Xbox, you won’t be able to transfer progress from previous saves on PC or Nintendo Switch.

2026-04-14 03:29