Hades II Review

Overview

Hades II had an almost impossible task: follow up one of the most acclaimed games of the last decade. Supergiant Games answered that challenge not by playing it safe but by expanding their ambitions in every direction. Players take on the role of Melinoe, Zagreus's sister, on a mission to defeat Chronos, the Titan of Time, who has seized control of the Underworld. The game entered early access in May 2024 and even in its incomplete state, it is already one of the finest roguelikes ever made. The combat loop is tighter, the build variety is deeper, and the narrative weaves itself into the run structure with the same magic that made the original Hades a genre-defining experience.

Gameplay

The combat in Hades II is exceptional. Melinoe wields a diverse arsenal of weapons — from the Witch's Staff to the Sister Blades to the devastating Moonstone Axe — each with distinct movesets, special abilities, and upgrade paths that create wildly different run experiences. The addition of magic as a core resource adds a strategic layer that Zagreus's kit lacked. Casting spells costs mana that regenerates through combat, creating a rhythmic flow of melee engagement and magical burst that feels incredible when mastered. The Boon system returns with gods both familiar and new, and the synergies between them are more creative than ever. An Aphrodite-Hephaestus combo build plays entirely differently from a Demeter-Apollo frost-light setup, and discovering these interactions remains the core joy of each run. The new gathering and crafting system adds between-run progression that gives purpose to resources found during runs, funding incantations that permanently alter the game's structure. Boss encounters are brilliantly designed — the fight against Chronos is a masterwork of escalating difficulty that tests everything you have learned.

Visuals

Supergiant Games has always been an art-forward studio, and Hades II may be their most beautiful work yet. The hand-drawn character portraits are breathtaking, with Melinoe's design standing alongside the most iconic protagonists in gaming. Every god, NPC, and enemy is rendered with incredible detail and personality. The environments span from the silver fields of Erebus to the surface world of Thessaly, each biome distinct and atmospheric. Spell effects are dazzling without being visually noisy — a critical balance for a game where screen clarity can mean the difference between a successful run and a swift death. The UI is elegant and intuitive, building on the original's clean design philosophy. Animation quality is exceptional, with Melinoe's movement carrying a dancer's grace that makes even basic traversal feel stylish.

Story

Supergiant's greatest achievement with the original Hades was proving that narrative and roguelike structure could coexist beautifully, and Hades II deepens that marriage. Melinoe is a compelling protagonist — driven, haunted by her family's fractured legacy, and carrying a burden of expectation that mirrors the game's own position as a sequel. The writing is sharp, funny, and emotionally resonant in equal measure. Conversations with the gods reveal new facets of Greek mythology that feel fresh even to those familiar with the source material. Romance options are handled with Supergiant's characteristic warmth and respect. The central narrative around Chronos's imprisonment of Hades and the Underworld's destabilization unfolds gradually across runs, with story beats triggered by specific accomplishments. This means narrative pacing is partly subject to RNG, which can occasionally leave players waiting for the next plot thread to advance. When it hits, though, the emotional payoffs are remarkable.

Verdict

Hades II is that rarest of sequels — one that honors its predecessor while confidently charting its own course. Melinoe is a worthy new protagonist, the combat is deeper and more varied than ever, and Supergiant's artistic and narrative craftsmanship remains unmatched in the indie space. The early access caveat is real; some content is incomplete and weapon balance has room for tuning. But even in this state, Hades II offers dozens of hours of extraordinary gameplay. When the full release arrives, this has every chance of surpassing the original. Supergiant Games has done it again.