Overview
Developer: Supergiant Games | Genre: Roguelite Action RPG | Platforms: PC (Early Access)
When Hades launched in 2020, it set a new standard for roguelite game design — tight combat, deep narrative integration, and relentless replayability. Hades 2 had enormous shoes to fill. After spending significant time with the Early Access build, it's clear that Supergiant hasn't just matched the original: in many areas, they've surpassed it.
What's New in Hades 2
Hades 2 shifts protagonists from Zagreus to Melinoë, a witch and daughter of Hades, fighting her way through a new underworld landscape to confront the Titan Chronos. This isn't a rehash — the narrative, tone, and mechanics feel fresh and distinct.
- New Weapon Arsenal: Melinoë wields a range of weapons including a magical staff, daggers, an axe, and an enchanted torch. Each plays very differently from the other.
- Omega Attacks: A new charged-attack system adds a layer of depth to combat, rewarding players who manage their cast resources carefully.
- Grasp System: A new resource management layer called Grasp limits how many boons and arcana cards you can equip simultaneously, encouraging meaningful build choices.
- New Olympian Boons: Gods like Apollo, Hestia, and Hephaestus join returning favorites with entirely new boon sets.
Combat: Deeper and More Demanding
Combat in Hades 2 feels slightly more deliberate than the original. Enemy attack patterns are more varied, and the Omega Attack mechanic means you'll occasionally pause your aggressive offense to charge up a powerful ability. The result is a more layered rhythm that rewards attentiveness without punishing newcomers.
Boss encounters are a clear highlight. Each major boss has multiple phases and attack patterns to memorize, providing real challenge for players who've mastered the earlier zones.
Narrative & Characters
Supergiant's trademark storytelling is fully intact. The relationship-building system returns, allowing Melinoë to develop bonds with NPCs through repeated conversations across runs. The writing is sharp, the voice acting is exceptional, and the worldbuilding expands meaningfully on the mythology established in the first game.
Chronos makes for a compelling antagonist — more menacing and narratively substantial than Hades himself was as a villain in the original.
Early Access Caveats
As an Early Access title, Hades 2 is not yet complete. At the time of writing, the game includes:
- Two main route options (toward Olympus and into Tartarus), with more planned
- A large but not final roster of weapons and boons
- Some narrative threads left deliberately unresolved for future updates
Performance is stable, and the content available already represents excellent value. But players who prefer waiting for a polished final product should note this is still a work in progress.
Verdict
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Combat & Feel | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Build Variety | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Story & Characters | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Early Access Completeness | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Overall | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Hades 2 in Early Access is already among the best action RPG experiences available right now. If you enjoyed the original, or if you're a fan of tight combat and layered roguelite progression, this is an easy recommendation. Supergiant continues to raise the bar for what independent game studios can achieve.
Reviewed on PC via Steam Early Access.