Supergiant Games had already set the bar high with Hades, but Hades 2 goes above and beyond, offering an experience so refined that it doesn’t feel like it’s in Early Access at all. It’s truly remarkable to see a game at this stage that has the depth, scope, and polish of a full release. Hades 2 is not just a worthy successor to the first game; it’s a game that shines even in Early Access. I never expected that I’d want to nominate an early access game for Game of the Year. This alone is a crazy achievement!
I never buy Early Access games. Typically, I prefer finished products because I don’t want to feel like I’m paying to become part of a QA team for developers. Early Access games often feel incomplete and buggy, requiring more time than enjoyment. Take Baldur’s Gate 3, for example: though it ultimately won Game of the Year, its early access was far from the polished masterpiece it eventually became. However—and I mean a really big “but”—Supergiant Games has achieved something I didn’t think possible: an Early Access title that feels polished, complete, and is already bigger than its predecessor.
Story
In Hades 2, you step into the shoes of Melinoë, the Princess of the Underworld, daughter of Hades and Persephone, and the younger sister of Zagreus. Melinoë’s mission is to challenge Chronos, the Titan of Time, and she’s not alone in her quest. Along the way, she receives aid from various Olympian gods, each of whom brings their own flair and unique powers to assist her in her fight.
The story is complex and full of twists and turns, with surprises that I won’t spoil for you here. Just like the first game, Hades 2 is very much story-driven. Dialogue is abundant, and each conversation feels fresh and meaningful. One of the game’s most impressive aspects is how well-written and varied the dialogue is. Even after 40 hours of gameplay, I never once felt like I was encountering repeated conversations, something that is incredibly rare in roguelikes.
Melinoë herself is a standout character. I fell in love with her almost immediately, and I dare say she is as strong, if not a stronger protagonist than Zagreus from the first game. She’s sharp, determined, and brimming with personality, making her the perfect lead for this adventure. Her interactions with the gods and other characters are compelling and give the game a fresh dynamic compared to Hades.
Gameplay
Here’s where Hades 2 shines even more, if that’s even possible. If Hades was a near-perfect roguelike, then Hades 2 feels like “Hades++.” The core mechanics of the game are familiar: you fight your way through different layers of the Underworld, gaining upgrades, boons, and weapons from the gods to help you along the way. But the gameplay has evolved in smart ways, making this sequel even more enjoyable.
One of the key differences between Hades 1 and Hades 2 is the increased complexity of the power-ups you receive from the gods. Each god offers a more nuanced and customizable set of abilities, allowing you to mix and match your powers in ways that feel fresh and exciting every run. The game has introduced new gods and boons, adding variety to the already diverse mechanics. Whether you’re experimenting with new powers from Chronos or refining your build with upgraded boons from the returning gods, every run feels unique and keeps you coming back for more.
The upgrades themselves are more varied, and the rooms you fight through often feature multiple upgrade options, allowing you to tailor your build to your playstyle in new and interesting ways. The Underworld itself has evolved too, featuring larger and more expansive levels compared to the first game. The third world, in particular, features sprawling maps that give off a Diablo-like vibe. These wide, open spaces are a stark contrast to the more claustrophobic levels of the first game, and they make combat feel more dynamic. It’s as if Supergiant is teasing us with the possibility of an open-world game in the future, and honestly, if they went in that direction, I’d be all in.
In the first Hades, you had just a single route, but here, after conquering the Underworld, you can progress to the Surface, which serves as an entirely new route and area. After completing the Underworld and the Surface several times and reaching Supergiant’s message that the game is still in development, I found myself wanting more. If there weren’t any limitations due to early access, I think I would have played the game twice as much as I have already.
The Mechanics
The hub, known as Crossroads, has also been upgraded compared to the first game. It’s bigger, more expansive, and features new elements.
The introduction of Arcana Cards is a significant new gameplay mechanic. These cards act as special buffs that you can activate during your run. They add another layer of strategy to the game because, unlike boons which you accumulate over time, Arcana Cards Abilities are constant. These cards come in a variety of types, offering boosts to attack power, defense, and special abilities that synergize with your boons and upgrades, allowing for even more experimentation with builds.
At the Crossroads, you’ll find the Cauldron, which plays a crucial role in unlocking various systems in Hades 2 by allowing you to cast Incantations. These Incantations are acquired through repeated runs and by triggering specific events in the game. This system offers a gradual introduction to the game’s mechanics, ensuring a smooth experience for newcomers while maintaining depth for seasoned players. As you progress, the game steadily reveals more layers of complexity, with each Incantation unlocking new features or mechanics to explore. If you encounter something that seems inaccessible, it’s likely tied to an Incantation you haven’t yet unlocked.
The Harvest mechanic adds an intriguing new layer to Hades 2. It revolves around gathering rare resources scattered across the Underworld, which can be used to enhance your abilities or unlock powerful upgrades. These resources aren’t easily obtained, requiring careful exploration and often taking significant risks to collect. Additionally, you’ll need to select specific tools at the Crossroads to harvest particular items, adding another strategic decision to your runs.
Overall, I find the mechanics in Hades 2 to be more rewarding compared to the original game.
Graphics
I loved how Hades looked, and Hades 2 takes that signature Supergiant Games art style to the next level. The visuals are stunning, maintaining the rich, hand-drawn look of the first game while introducing new colors and settings that make this world feel both familiar and fresh.
While Hades leaned heavily into a palette dominated by red and orange hues, Hades 2 feels more green and turquoise in tone, reflecting the time-traveling, chronologically-driven narrative. It gives the game a fresh identity while maintaining the same stylized aesthetic fans adored from the original. The character animations are as fluid as ever, and the environmental design is full of little details that make each area feel alive and immersive.
As for performance, Hades 2 ran smoothly on my Rog Ally, delivering fast-paced combat with framerates reaching as high as 100 FPS during the most intense battles. The action is as fluid and responsive as ever, and I never encountered any significant technical issues throughout my 40-hour experience. Supergiant has absolutely nailed the combat, making each hit feel satisfying and every ability upgrade impactful.
Music
The music in Hades 2 is nothing short of phenomenal, following in the footsteps of its predecessor. Darren Korb, Supergiant’s in-house composer, returns to create a soundtrack that is equal parts atmospheric and adrenaline-pumping. The melodies are intricate and perfectly match the game’s tone, ebbing and flowing between serene orchestral arrangements during quiet moments and intense rock-infused beats during combat. Every boss fight feels even more exhilarating because of how well the music ramps up the tension.
The soundtrack isn’t just background noise; it’s an integral part of the experience. Each track feels crafted to enhance the moment-to-moment gameplay, whether you’re deep in a conversation with a god or frantically dodging attacks in the heat of battle.
Overall
Hades 2 has absolutely blown me away. I loved the first Hades and didn’t expect Supergiant Games to improve on what was already an incredible experience. Yet, they’ve done exactly that. Every aspect of Hades 2 feels refined, polished, and expanded in meaningful ways, from the storytelling to the gameplay, graphics, and music.
After nearly 40 hours of gameplay that flew by in a blur of excitement and joy, I find myself facing the big question: will I return when the full version launches? It’s hard to say for sure, but I hope I do. There’s so much more to discover, and I can’t wait to see how the story unfolds and the world expands.
Although I loved the game, I noticed that it felt easier than the first, especially with the introduction of the “Umbral Flames” weapon. In Hades 1, my fingers would get sore from the constant button pressing, but with this weapon, you only need to hold the attack button, and it functions similarly to a specific boon from the first game. This makes combat less physically demanding, but also lowers the challenge a bit compared to the original.
If this is how good the game is now, I can’t even imagine what the full release will bring. Supergiant has done it again, setting a new gold standard for Early Access games. The last update was on July 24, and we haven’t received any new information since then. Could the release be coming soon?
My final score for Hades 2 Early Access is a 9/10, reviewed on PC.