Hades II: A Worthy Successor or Just More of the Same?
Supergiant Games' original Hades was widely considered the gold standard of roguelike games when it launched. Hades II entered Early Access with enormous expectations. After spending considerable time with it, here's an honest look at what the sequel does well, where it stumbles, and whether it's worth your time.
What Is Hades II?
Hades II follows Melinoë, the princess of the Underworld, as she battles her way through a new set of mythological realms to confront the Titan Chronos. Like its predecessor, it's a top-down action roguelike — you run through procedurally generated levels, pick up boons (power upgrades) from Olympian gods, die, and try again with accumulated knowledge and meta-progression upgrades.
Gameplay: Faster, Deeper, More Complex
The core combat feels sharper and more varied than the original. Melinoë has access to a wider range of weapons from the start, and the boon system has been expanded significantly. New mechanics like Hex abilities (powerful, chargeable attacks tied to the moon goddess Selene) add a satisfying extra layer of build-crafting.
The sheer volume of possible synergies between boons, weapons, and keepsakes means no two runs feel exactly the same, even after dozens of hours. Players who loved theorycrafting builds in the original will find even more to experiment with here.
Story and Characters
Supergiant's signature strength has always been storytelling within a roguelike structure — the way narrative advances through repeated deaths and runs. Hades II continues this tradition admirably. The cast of new and returning characters is charming, the voice acting is exceptional, and the writing is witty without being exhausting.
That said, as an Early Access title, the story is incomplete. Some narrative threads feel unresolved, which is expected — but worth noting if you prefer a complete story experience before diving in.
Visuals and Audio
Hades II is gorgeous. The art direction expands the visual palette with moonlit underworld environments that feel distinct from the original. The soundtrack — again by Darren Korb — is immediately iconic, blending prog rock and Greek mythology-inspired instrumentation into something unique.
What Could Be Better
- Early Access state: Some runs can feel unbalanced, and certain weapon paths feel underdeveloped compared to others.
- Steeper learning curve: The expanded systems can feel overwhelming to newcomers unfamiliar with the first game.
- Incomplete content: The full story and some planned features aren't yet available, which may frustrate players who prefer waiting for a 1.0 release.
Who Should Play It Now?
| Player Type | Should You Play Now? |
|---|---|
| Loved Hades 1 | Yes — jump in immediately |
| New to roguelikes | Maybe — consider Hades 1 first |
| Prefer complete games | Wait for 1.0 release |
| Build-crafter / theorist | Absolutely yes |
Verdict
Hades II is, even in Early Access, one of the best roguelikes available. It takes everything that made the original exceptional and expands on it with more depth, more variety, and more heart. The incomplete story is the only real reason to hold off — but for fans of the genre, it's already an unmissable experience.
Rating: 9/10 — Outstanding, with room to grow to a perfect score at full release.