Hades II was a welcome surprise when it was announced by developer Supergiant Games. Initially released in Early Access on PC, some fans experienced the game throughout its latter development cycle; but console players like me have been waiting patiently to dive into the full release and catch up with the Hades family.
Hades II does what every great sequel should do: take what was great about the original game, expand on its successes and downplay its shortcomings. Supergiant have undoubtedly proven themselves an indie powerhouse with their first sequel.
This Week on The Family of Hades…
The story of Hades II centers around Melinoë (daughter of Hades and sister to previous protagonist Zagreus) as she endeavours to defeat Chronos, Titan of Time. Chronos returns to destroy the entire pantheon of Greek gods, and in the process takes Melinoë’s family prisoner: Hades, Persephone, and Zagreus.
Though the isometric roguelite combat takes centre stage, the story never gets pushed aside. Bigger stakes grounded in genuine familial peril make the 30-50 hours you’ll spend in the Underworld wonderfully engrossing, full of twists and turns and reveals that reward fans of the first game without confusing newcomers. The strained nature of the relationship between the Hades family makes Melinoë’s need to save them all the more complex and engaging. Chronos is likewise a compelling villain, a metatextual curse on players destined to repeat an endless loop of roguelite gameplay.
Story is one of the few elements in a roguelite that is constantly changing or progressing, and I’m pleased to report that Hades II tells a strong one worthy of your attention.
One More Run
The replay value of a good roguelite relies on each run feeling worthwhile to the player. Whether it’s a new weapon or perk or simply increasing your own skill level, the best of the roguelite genre draws us back in for just one last run. Like the first game, you’ll choose one of two (or three) pathways every time you clear a combat arena, weighing up your most basic needs like health and currency with the time pressure to upgrade your skills and equipment for the next boss. Watching Melinoë grow more powerful, gain indispensable new abilities, and inevitably lose it all is thrilling and devastating all at the time
In short, Hades II is utterly addictive.
Each run, you’ll receive boons (a.k.a. perks) from a variety of demigods, witches, and monsters, ranging from damage boosts to increased Magick and better spells. Taking some of the Olympians off the board allows Supergiant to dip even further into the back catalogue of Greek mythology, making for a far more eclectic, surprising supporting cast to accompany Melinoë on her journey. Beating Hades II is a frankly Herculean task, and things won’t always go to plan, but it’s as fun to live, die, repeat as it’s ever been.
Never A Greek Tragedy
Between six weapons, thirty-three Keepsakes, and over one hundred boons, the opportunities for build crafting are near-endless in Hades II, and it’s what keeps thing fresh after so many hours. Let’s start with weapons. Will you play it safe from long-range? The Umbral Flames and Argent Skull have you covered. And what if you want to jump into the fray? May I suggest the Moonstone Axe. Or perhaps you wish enshroud your enemies in eternal darkness never to be seen again? The Black Coat of Xinth is probably for you. All that to say Supergiant have provided enormous variety to the most fundamental element of combat encounters. Throwing in Keepsakes makes that calculus all the more involved. Like in the first game, gifting Nectar to your allies grants you one of their Keepsakes; charms that provide passive bonuses to your stats. I preferred Keepsakes that boosted my HP like the Ghost Onion but there’s a variety of options that focus on Magick and Death Defiance instead.
Furthermore, boons drastically change a run’s build over time with new attacks and power-ups, and all of this comes together to create a system that rewards creativity without sacrificing the pick-up-and-play ease of its control scheme.
Visual Splendor That Could Distract Narcissus
Hades II features some of the best design and visuals I’ve seen as of late, the hand-painted art style and vibrant colors making every arena pop with a distinctive flair.
Each region I unlocked throughout my adventure only reinforced this feeling; from the dark woodlands of Erebus to the marble-laden bathhouses of Oceanus. The contrasting environments are the special sauce that make each run particularly satisfying as you progress from region to region. I was struck by foes whilst admiring the landscape more than I’d like to admit. Character models are similarly stunning: Cerberus looks as menacing as ever, the Olympian Pantheon shines, and even newcomer Chronos leaves a chilling atmosphere in his wake. Across two games, Supergiant have crafted a signature visual style that strengthens the already marvellous gameplay experience.
The Sweet Sounds of Vengeance
I’ve always believed that the sound of a game is equally important to the player experience. I was already in love with the soundtrack from composer Darren Korb and I was relieved to find that Hades II continues that tradition. While engaging in combat, the music picks up and intensifies before retreating to a softer tone in exploration or at hub area The Crossroads.
The voice cast are likewise a huge highlight. The Olympians feel like spoiled royalty, sophisticated yet capricious; even everyone’s favourite boatman, Charon, unnerves with his ghoulish grunts and mutterings. Supergiant have long been masters of audio design (who else remembers the iconic narrator in Bastion?) and with each new project, they only improve. Certain AAA developers and publishers could learn a few things.
Verdict
Hades II may seem like just more Hades at first glance, and it is indeed that, but it does make a number of key improvements. The story receives an injection of stakes that takes the sequel beyond its predecessor’s family squabbles. A fresh slate of weapons, charms, and perks allows for more character builds, fueling that addictive “one more run” mindset that drives the roguelite genre, and the inclusion of God Mode means that even casual players can enjoy Melinoë’s journey. Testing out different strategies and finding your preferred equipment becomes a game unto itself.
Hours upon hours will slip away as you attempt to stop Chronos, and with each run you’ll want to reach the endgame more and more. From start to finish, Hades II is a masterpiece.
Hades II is out now on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. It was previously released on PC and Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.
