Summary
Hades 2is still in the early phases of Early Access, but Supergiant Games has shown that its first-ever sequel is among the greats. Nearly every part ofHades 2is an improvement on its predecessor, with a new cast of diverse characters, great voice acting, a compelling story, interactive game mechanics, a ton of new areas, and beautiful art. Rather than a rehash of old themes or a dissection of them,Supergiant Games has taken what was great aboutHadesand multiplied it. Random encounters with friendly NPCs in the different parts of the Underworld resulted in some of the most popular subplots inHades, such as reuniting Achilles and Patroclus.
Hades 2has taken cues from this popular mechanic and made it better by increasing the number of random NPC encounters tenfold. Greek mythology enthusiasts and those new to the lore alike will be thrilled to meet and befriend heroes and controversial figures from the stories of legend, earn their help, and build relationships with them.
Hades 2 Expands on What Worked in Hades
Alongside the characters come the new mechanics. Instead of just a few collectibles, there are now dozens. Melinoe cancollectHades 2resourcesthat include seeds, plants, metals, rocks, wood, fish, and so much more on her journeys through the Underworld and Greece. This makes the world ofHades 2feel more fruitful, but it also helps to characterize Melinoe’s role as a witch, where she can use resources to cast spells, tend a garden, and make her arcana tarot cards more powerful.
Melinoe is a different fighter from Zagreus, but different doesn’t mean worse. Melinoe’s strengths lie in the sheer variety of builds open to her, the clever ways that the story and characters tap into Greek mythology, and the encounters that are both fun and frustrating. Melinoe’s failures and triumphs become the player’s, and it’s hard not to become invested in her personal journey of rescuing the family she doesn’t even know yet.
Hades 2 Has a Bigger Cast of Characters to Love
The new characters inHades 2supporting Melinoe’s fight against the Titan of Time and his armies are a unique and varied bunch. They come in four main groups: the moon goddesses and witches, the children of Nyx, the Olympians, and helpful shades. The differentmoon goddesses inHades 2form a sisterhood who stand against Chronos. Selene’s moon-based hexes grant Melinoe an entirely new skill tree that’s unique to each run, while Artemis now appears as an ally during random encounters, then grants her boon in the aftermath. Hecate serves as Melinoe’s teacher and role model. As the god of witchcraft, she serves as an interesting contrast to Hades as an inspiring and encouraging maternal figure who appears to want the best for Melinoe.
The Crossroads, Hecate’s sanctuary, serves asHades 2’s home base and serves as a sanctuary for the children of Nyx. Among them are Nemesis, Moros, Eris, Hypnos, and occasionally Charon. With Melinoe’s own brother conspicuously absent, it’s wonderful to see sibling dynamics play out between Nyx’s children, all with different personalities and histories with each other. The different shades that inhabit the Crossroads and Underworld are likewise similar, with encounters with characters from across Greek mythology exchanging dialogue and gifts with Melinoe that run both hilarious and touching. Melinoe truly feels like the goddess of spirits as she forms connections with the shades encountered, with those who speak, and with those whom she returns to safety.
With so much more content to come in the future, Supergiant has created something truly special withHades 2. It’s clear a lot of care and love has been poured into their first sequel, and their godlike roguelike is in good hands going forward. None of the character relationships or storylines have been resolved as yet, but it looks likeHades 2has a bright future ahead.
Hades 2
WHERE TO PLAY
The first-ever sequel from Supergiant Games builds on the best aspects of the original god-like rogue-like dungeon crawler in an all-new, action-packed, endlessly replayable experience rooted in the Underworld of Greek myth and its deep connections to the dawn of witchcraft. BATTLE BEYOND THE UNDERWORLDAs the immortal Princess of the Underworld, you’ll explore a bigger, deeper mythic world, vanquishing the forces of the Titan of Time with the full might of Olympus behind you, in a sweeping story that continually unfolds through your every setback and accomplishment.MASTER WITCHCRAFT AND DARK SORCERYInfuse your legendary weapons of Night with ancient magick, so that none may stand in your way. Become stronger still with powerful Boons from more than a dozen Olympian gods, from Apollo to Zeus. There are nearly limitless ways to build your abilities.MINGLE WITH (MORE) GODS, GHOSTS, AND MONSTERSMeet a cast of dozens of fully-voiced, larger-than-life characters, including plenty of new faces and some old friends. Grow closer to them through a variety of new interactions, and experience countless unique story events based on how your journey unfolds.EVERY RUN IS ITS OWN ADVENTURENew locations, challenges, upgrade systems, and surprises await as you delve into the ever-shifting Underworld again and again. Reveal the mysteries of the Arcana Altar, tame witchy familiars, and gather reagents using Tools of the Unseen to get closer to your goal.THE PERKS OF IMMORTALITYThanks to a variety of permanent upgrades and the return of God Mode, you don’t have to be a god yourself to experience whatHades IIhas to offer. But if you happen to be one, you may brave escalating challenges for greater rewards, and prove just how divine you really are.
