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 and 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 delivered one of modern gaming’s best roguelites, but it has also created one of the best sequels of modern times. It’d be cliché to say *Hades 2* is everything *Hades* was and more, but it would also be accurate. This sequel isn’t just good—it’s godlike.
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### Time Marches On
*Hades 2* takes place years after the events of the original game, but much has happened in the time that passed. The original protagonist, Zagreus, is nowhere to be found. Neither is the original antagonist, Hades.
Instead, players are transported to a new setting called The Crossroads, where they meet a new lead character. Melinoe is the daughter of Hades, raised under the tutelage of the all-powerful witch Hecate. The House of Hades has been overtaken by Chronos, the Titan of Time, who appears to be waging a grander war against all the gods.
It’s up to Melinoe to topple Chronos, retake the Underworld, and find her family.
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### A Story Shrouded in Mystery
While this is the gist of the story, much remains shrouded in mystery. Questions about the whereabouts of Hades and Zagreus linger, as do questions surrounding many of the original game’s supporting characters.
One of the most visible examples is Hypnos, the God of Sleep, who has fallen into an eternal slumber for unknown reasons. Other supporting characters reveal mysteries that point to some of Supergiant’s most masterful storytelling to date.
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### Storytelling Through Gameplay
Although roguelite runs focus heavily on gameplay success, there isn’t a single run in *Hades 2* where players don’t learn more about the story, meet new characters, advance character arcs, and come closer to solving overarching mysteries.
To this point, much of this sounds like the original *Hades* — and that’s not a bad thing. If you’re going to borrow a formula, borrow from the best, especially if that’s you.
As the game progresses, however, its scope expands and eventually surpasses that of the original. As Chronos’ true plans come to light, it becomes evident that the *Hades 1*-style Underworld run is only the beginning. There’s much more to explore, many more characters to meet, and additional ways to interact with them.
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### New Mechanics and Progression
The game introduces several new ways to advance both the story and gameplay, such as:
– **The Cauldron** in The Crossroads, where Melinoe crafts run-altering spells.
– **Arcana cards** with tarot-themed buffs.
– An **upgrade system** for the Nocturnal Arms, Melinoe’s weapons of choice.
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### A New Supporting Cast to Love
While it’s impossible to replace beloved minor characters from the first game, *Hades 2* offers a compelling new supporting cast whose stories unfold beautifully:
– **Dora**, Melinoe’s roommate, is smarter than other Shades but can’t remember her past and is content with her afterlife, never leaving her room.
– **Hecate**, a calculating leader who acts as both a mother figure and strict teacher, equipping Melinoe with the tools she needs to survive.
– **Moros**, the incarnation of Doom, desires to help but is limited by what the Fates allow.
– **Eris**, a devil-may-care free spirit who may or may not be a double agent causing mischief just for fun.
The developers have expertly paced the unfolding of these stories, providing just enough to keep players interested and eager for another run to continue the narrative.
Other characters met during runs—like **Narcissus** and **Echo**—start as quirky figures but reveal deeper layers over time.
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### Melinoe: A New Protagonist
Unavoidably compared to Zagreus, Melinoe doesn’t quite match his defiant charm. Zagreus was driven by his desire to find the mother he never knew, a motivation that added emotional depth and humor to his struggles with Hades.
Melinoe, by contrast, is defined by a wholesome determination born from never having known her family. She only has a portrait of her family together as a baby to keep her motivated.
Her mission to defeat Chronos dominates her character development during the early hours of the game. There’s even a moment with Chaos, a returning entity from the first game, lamenting how much more amusing Zagreus was.
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### Growth Through Relationships
As Melinoe meets more characters and builds relationships with the gods, she develops a richer personality. Having spent much of her life training to fight, she grows to fight for others.
Her motivation evolves from being solely about the mission to helping others be their best selves—a transformation evident in the game’s gift-giving mechanics. This development becomes one of *Hades 2*’s most captivating ongoing storylines.
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### Balancing Newcomers and Fans
Using primarily new characters allows newcomers to jump in without feeling lost, enjoying Supergiant’s storytelling at face value. However, players of the original *Hades* find additional layers, emotional weight, and nostalgic callbacks.
– There’s heartbreak upon seeing Hypnos in his current state.
– Pride in watching Skelly evolve into Commander Schelemeus, a full-blown Shade commander.
– Engaging mystery around the fate of key characters from the first game.
This blend of fresh and familiar creates a seed of curiosity that grows over dozens of hours into deep fulfillment.
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### Gameplay: The Time Loop Continues
At its core, *Hades 2* initially follows a similar structure to its predecessor. Players enter the realm of Erebus, select a Nocturnal Arm, battle hostile Shades and monsters, and face bosses en route to confronting Chronos.
A notable twist: instead of fighting upward like in the first game, players fight downward to reach the Underworld.
Rooms and foes are randomized, making each run unique, especially as gods and characters provide Boons that modify Melinoe’s abilities.
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### Refined Combat Mechanics
Combat remains crisp and satisfying. Each weapon has a primary and alternate fire, along with a dash move. Building on Melinoe’s witch upbringing, new mechanics include:
– A **casting circle** to trap enemies, enhanced with divine Boons.
– A **magic meter** to unleash charged attacks by holding attack buttons.
– A special **Hex meter**, unlocked by the moon goddess Selene, which fuels powerful Hex actions offering healing, attack boosts, or summoning minor foes as allies.
The combat system balances accessibility with a high skill ceiling, engaging both newcomers and mastery-seekers alike.
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### Imaginative Boss Battles
Boss fights are inventive and memorable:
– **Hecate** serves as the game’s first boss, putting Melinoe to the test—a warm-up for what’s to come.
– In the second world, *Oceanus*, players encounter **Scylla and the Sirens**, reimagined as a girl punk band performing a deadly rock concert. This encounter cleverly integrates the game’s soundtrack into the boss fight.
Other bosses possess unique narrative and mechanical quirks, promising surprises without spoiling them here.
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### Expanding the Experience: The Surface Run
About 10 to 15 hours in, the game expands with a new objective after Melinoe meets Hermes, the messenger god. He references a war brewing atop Mount Olympus, introducing a surface run—an entirely different gameplay experience.
Unlike the familiar journey to the Underworld, the surface run features:
– Different objectives and level layouts.
– New ways to progress from chamber to chamber.
This expansion is comparable to the *Second Quest* in *The Legend of Zelda* in terms of scope and impact.
The surface culminates in an epic final boss fight that tests players’ skills and preparation more than ever before.
Even after optimizing builds for the Underworld, I faced this climactic fight feeling unprepared—an indicator of challenges yet to come.
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### See You at The Crossroads
Beyond combat and runs, *Hades 2* shines through its engaging hub world, The Crossroads.
Where the first *Hades* briefly explored hub interactions with Zagreus talking to everyone and exploring parts of the House of Hades, *Hades 2* vastly expands this concept.
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### The Crossroads and The Cauldron
The Crossroads initially feels modest but grows as players progress.
At its heart is the **Cauldron**, where Melinoe uses collected ingredients to brew spells affecting runs in various ways:
– Adding special stations or rooms for rest and recharge.
– Unlocking further story content.
– Opening new areas and activities in the Crossroads.
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### Gathering and Gardening
A key feature is gardening—players plant seeds found during runs. The resulting plants serve multiple purposes:
– Ingredients for Cauldron spells.
– Unlocking Arcana cards.
– Upgrading Nocturnal Arms.
Seeds and materials are found in specific locations, though relying on chance for particular ingredients means multiple runs may be necessary.
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### Expanding Activities and Relationships
Cauldron spells also unlock new spots within The Crossroads, such as:
– Hot springs.
– A fishing hole.
– A tavern.
These areas integrate into an enriched relationship system where players build friendships and even romance certain characters. These scenes blend sincerity with lightheartedness, adding emotional depth to the hub.
While primarily focused on defeating Chronos and exploring the surface, I found myself invested in helping loosen up Dora, Melinoe’s reserved roommate.
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### One Minor Downside
The only minor gripe is that there could be more friendship and romance options—after all, there can never be enough love.
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### Always on Time: The Sequel’s Legacy
The original *Hades* remains one of my favorite modern games, opening my eyes to the roguelite genre.
Since then, roguelites have exploded in popularity, with imitators and homages ranging from *Returnal* and *Curse of the Dead Gods* to *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate* and even *Splatoon 3*’s *Side Order* DLC.
Some have added unique twists, but few have reached the heights that *Hades* achieved among critics and fans alike.
Supergiant Games has proven to be the undisputed master of this craft, and *Hades 2* only reinforces that reputation.
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### Building on Success
This sequel didn’t need to improve on every facet of the original but chose to build upon it:
– A more engaging story and higher stakes.
– Fluid, evolved combat with new dimensions.
– Abundant activities between runs that keep the game compelling long after playing.
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### Cross-Save and Platform Flexibility
Whether playing on PC or the upcoming Switch 2, the Cross-save functionality works flawlessly, letting players continue their journey seamlessly across platforms.
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### Endless Discovery
Even after conquering Chronos and reaching the surface, there’s still so much more to uncover.
Every time I thought I had the game or story figured out, *Hades 2* surprised me by changing everything.
As the late “Rowdy” Roddy Piper used to say, “When I thought I had the answers, *Hades 2* changed the question.”
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### Final Thoughts
I’m certain I’ll continue discovering mind-blowing secrets even after this review is posted. There’s always something new to find in the House of Hades—a house that is eternal yet never grows old.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146142/hades-2-review-score