To that point, Supergiant Games was an indie studio known for always having a new story to tell. It had never released a sequel to any of its previous games. Imagine the pressure on this developer when it decided to buck that trend to craft a sequel to one of the best games of the modern era—one that helped define what it means to be a roguelite.
With all of that said, Supergiant Games has not only crafted one of modern gaming’s best roguelites with **Hades 2**, it has also created one of the best sequels in recent memory. It might sound cliché to say *Hades 2* is everything *Hades* was and more, but it’s also accurate. This sequel isn’t just good—it’s godlike.
—
### Time Marches On
*Hades 2* takes place years after the events of the original game, and much has changed in the time that has elapsed. The original protagonist, Zagreus, is nowhere to be found, and neither is the original antagonist, Hades. Instead, players are introduced to a new setting called The Crossroads, where they meet a new lead character.
Melinoe, the daughter of Hades, has spent her life under the tutelage of the all-powerful witch Hecate. The House of Hades has been taken over by Chronos, the Titan of Time, who seems to be waging a grander war against all the gods. It’s up to Melinoe to topple this fiend, retake the Underworld, and find her family.
That’s the gist of the story, but much of it is shrouded in mystery. Questions about the whereabouts of Hades and Zagreus linger, as do similar mysteries surrounding the original game’s supporting characters. A prime example is Hypnos, the God of Sleep, who has fallen into an eternal slumber for reasons unknown.
As players progress, more characters and mysteries emerge, showcasing some of Supergiant’s most masterful storytelling to date. Each roguelite run not only challenges players from a gameplay perspective but also reveals new facets of the story, introduces characters, pushes narrative arcs forward, and brings players closer to unraveling the overarching mysteries.
—
### Familiar But Expansive
On the surface, *Hades 2* might seem to follow a similar formula to the original *Hades*. If you’re going to take inspiration from something, it’s wise to take it from the best—especially if that’s your own work.
However, as the game unfolds, its scope expands dramatically, surpassing that of the original. Chronos’ true machinations reveal that the Underworld runs are only the beginning. Players have much more to explore, meet far more characters, and experience a variety of ways to interact and advance both story and gameplay.
New features include the Cauldron in the Crossroads, where Melinoe crafts run-altering spells; an Arcana system using Tarot cards that grant useful buffs; and an upgrade system for Melinoe’s weapons, known as the Nocturnal Arms.
—
### A New Supporting Cast
While the original game’s minor characters are beloved, *Hades 2* introduces a compelling new supporting cast with well-crafted stories that unfold at a smooth and engaging pace.
– **Dora:** Melinoe’s roommate, smarter than other Shades but content living in her room, unable to remember her past.
– **Hecate:** A calculating leader who serves as both Melinoe’s mother figure and strict teacher.
– **Moros:** The incarnation of Doom, wishing to help but constrained by the Fates.
– **Eris:** A devil-may-care free spirit who may be a double agent, sowing chaos simply for the fun of it.
Other characters like Narcissus and Echo start as quirky figures but reveal greater depth as the game progresses.
—
### Melinoe: A Complex Protagonist
Melinoe will inevitably be compared to Zagreus—and she doesn’t quite have his defiant charm. Zagreus was driven by a personal desire to find the mother he never knew, and his conflict with Hades, though violent, was framed with a certain playful rapport.
Melinoe’s motivation is different. Driven by the mission to defeat Chronos and having never truly known her family, she starts the game almost single-mindedly focused. Early character development can feel stunted as a result.
However, as Melinoe interacts more with others and deepens her relationships with the gods, her personality blossoms. She transforms from a fighter shaped solely by duty into someone who fights for others. This growth is reflected in the game’s gift-giving mechanics and the meaningful interactions they unlock—a narrative thread that becomes one of *Hades 2*’s most compelling ongoing storylines.
—
### A Sequel for Newcomers and Veterans Alike
Because *Hades 2* uses mostly new characters and settings, newcomers can jump in blind and still enjoy Supergiant’s rich storytelling without feeling lost. However, fans of the original get even more out of the experience.
There’s a bittersweet feeling upon encountering familiar characters like Hypnos in his current state. There’s pride seeing Skelly’s evolution into Commander Schelemeus, a full-blown Shade commander, although he still serves his tutorial role. There’s intrigue and curiosity surrounding what happened to key figures from the original game—questions that gradually unfold over dozens of hours, culminating in a deeply fulfilling experience.
—
### Time Loop Gameplay
At the start, *Hades 2* follows a structure similar to the original. Players choose a Nocturnal Arm, descend into the realm of Erebus, battle hostile Shades and monsters, and confront bosses on their way to a final showdown with Chronos.
The main difference is in the direction of the journey: instead of fighting upward through the Underworld, the goal is to fight downward to reach it. Chambers are randomized, each featuring their own enemies, hazards, and rewards. Godly Boons assist Melinoe, boosting her capabilities in diverse ways.
Combat remains as crisp and satisfying as before, with each weapon featuring a main attack, alt-fire, and a dash move. New mechanics reflect Melinoe’s upbringing as a witch:
– A **casting circle** can trap enemies and be enhanced by godly Boons.
– A **magic meter** allows charged magical attacks.
– A **Hex meter**, unlocked by moon goddess Selene, can be filled for special effects like healing, boosting attacks, or resurrecting minor foes as allies.
Mastering combat offers both accessibility and depth, raising the ceiling without feeling unattainable.
—
### Imaginative Bosses
Boss battles in *Hades 2* are marvels of design. The opening boss, Hecate, tests Melinoe but is just a warm-up.
One standout is the second boss fight against **Scylla and the Sirens**—reimagined as a punk girl band. Players endure a deadly rock performance where the game’s soundtrack cleverly weaves into the mechanics, creating a fresh and inventive battle.
Other bosses feature unique narrative and mechanical twists, further enriching the experience without spoiling surprises here.
—
### Expanding the Experience: The Surface Run
After about 10-15 hours, the game dramatically evolves. Upon meeting Hermes, the messenger god hints at a war raging on Mount Olympus, introducing a new type of run fought on the surface world.
Players soon discover that Melinoe cannot survive on the surface long-term due to her heritage pulling her back to the Underworld. The new challenge is to solve this puzzle and find a way to live above.
This “surface run” adds a whole new dimension to the game. Unlike the Underworld runs, it features entirely different objectives, radically altered level layouts, and new progression mechanics.
Think of it like *The Legend of Zelda’s* “Second Quest”—a significant jump that refreshes the gameplay and narrative experience.
The final boss on the surface tests players like never before, pushing skills and strategy to the limit. Even after gearing up and mastering the Underworld challenges, this battle feels like it just scratches the surface of what’s to come.
—
### See You at The Crossroads
While the runs and combat offer deep engagement, *Hades 2* shines just as brightly in the moments between runs.
The original game introduced the concept of fresh dialogue and interactions within the House of Hades. *Hades 2* builds on this extensively with The Crossroads—a hub world that gradually grows and evolves alongside the player.
At the heart of The Crossroads is the **Cauldron**, where players combine ingredients gathered during runs to cast spells that affect gameplay. These spells can unlock resting areas, special stations, and new story content.
—
### Gardening, Relationships, and More
One of the most enjoyable elements unlocked via the Cauldron is gardening. Players plant seeds found during runs to grow ingredients for spells, Arcana cards, or weapon upgrades.
Gathering specific materials can sometimes hinge on luck, requiring multiple runs—a minor frustration amid the overall joy.
The hub expands further to include areas like hot springs, fishing holes, and a tavern, feeding into an engaging relationship system. Players can build friendships and even find romance with certain characters, portrayed with a sincere and lighthearted tone.
While the relationship options are somewhat limited and could benefit from more expansion, they provide meaningful connections that enrich the game world.
—
### Always On Time
*Hades* remains one of the most influential games of the modern era, introducing many players (myself included) to the roguelite genre. Since its release, the popularity of roguelites has soared, inspiring many imitators such as *Returnal*, *Curse of the Dead Gods*, *The Rogue Prince of Persia*, and *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate*.
While some of these have added their own unique twists, few have reached the critical and popular heights set by *Hades*.
Supergiant Games not only helped build the foundation of this genre but continue to prove themselves as masters of the craft. *Hades 2* reinforces their reputation by building upon the original in meaningful ways—deepening the story and characters, raising the stakes, refining and expanding combat, and offering plenty to do between runs.
This sequel exemplifies what a great game sequel should be. It keeps me coming back for more, whether on PC or the upcoming Switch 2 (with cross-save support working flawlessly).
—
### Endless Discovery
Even after conquering Chronos and mastering surface runs, there’s still so much more to uncover in *Hades 2*.
Every time I felt I had the game or its story figured out, something new happened that upended my understanding. As the late “Rowdy” Roddy Piper used to say, “When I thought I had the answers, *Hades 2* changed the question.”
I look forward to uncovering more surprises. There’s always something new to find in the House of Hades—a house that’s eternal and yet never grows old.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146142/hades-2-review-score