Supergiant Games’ Hades has been hailed as one of the most influential and best roguelikes of all time since its early access release in 2020. Its sequel, Hades II, demonstrates that the studio’s talent has only grown, delivering a game that refines its formula to near perfection. With more complex yet intuitive combat and a story that is bigger and more thrilling than ever, Hades II stakes its claim as the pinnacle of the roguelike genre.
What Makes Hades II So Special?
For those new to the franchise, Hades is an action roguelike where each run allows players to collect a series of upgrades, called boons, transforming their character into a deadly weapon of destruction. Most runs end in death, returning players immediately to a central hub where they can interact with companions, unlock new story content, and power up using rewards from previous attempts.
This simple yet brilliant gameplay loop turns failure into instant gratification and motivates you to dive into another run—again and again.
Story and Setting
Hades II picks up years after the events of the first game, this time following Melinoë, the daughter of the underworld god and sister of Zagreus. Many of the familiar underworld inhabitants are imprisoned by her grandfather, Chronos, the time-wielding god. Instead of escaping, Melinoë ventures into the underworld, navigating Tartarus to confront her grandfather.
The way the game reimagines familiar locations and characters reminded me of the relationship between The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom: a fresh twist on old favorites, making exploration exciting and rewarding.
Combat: Six New Weapons and Omega Attacks
Melinoë wields six new weapons, each drastically different from the last—from dual magic wands to a gravity axe. Each attack has an Omega variant, triggered by holding the attack button, producing stronger or entirely different effects. For example, a dual-blade standard attack performs slashes and stabs, while the Omega version teleports you behind the nearest enemy for explosive damage.
The mechanic is so intuitive that it sometimes feels like it has always been part of the series.
Endless Discovery
The sheer amount of new content in Hades II could feel overwhelming, but the game introduces it steadily. By my 40th run, I had fought every boss, unlocked the sixth weapon, and met a god I had never encountered before. Even after dozens of runs, the game still felt fresh, with countless secrets and unlockables encouraging exploration for many hours.
Rewards and Player Motivation
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of Hades II is how it rewards players. Unlockables include new weapons, boons, companion cards, pets, fish, seeds, minerals, and more. Each failure is interrupted by a stream of rewards, making runs feel satisfying and fun rather than frustrating.
Narrative and Characters
The story structure revolves around failure, with each unsuccessful run unlocking new dialogue and character interactions. While the first game did this effectively, Hades II expands the world significantly, maintaining seamless narrative flow regardless of player choices. Dialogue remains character-focused, making relationships and personalities immediately clear.
The story concludes in a surprisingly profound way, exploring generational trauma through mythology, leaving a lasting impact without being overly complex.
Visuals and Soundtrack
Every new god or Titan is presented with striking modern designs, maintaining the series’ visual excellence. The game runs beautifully, even on Switch 2, with no noticeable performance issues.
The music by Darren Korb continues to impress, reimagining the first game’s themes and introducing dynamic boss battle tracks that evolve as the battle progresses—a brilliant audio experience that enhances gameplay.
Final Verdict
Sixteen months of early access have shaped Hades II into a truly memorable experience. After roughly 50 hours and 53 runs between first iteration and final release, I still find myself eager to dive back in.
Melinoë’s journey showcases Supergiant Games’ mastery in world-building, combat design, and sharp dialogue, surpassing even one of my all-time favorite games. Hades II isn’t just a game—it’s godlike.
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