The Impossible Follow-Up
When Hades launched into full release, it didn't just top best-of-year lists — it redefined what a roguelike could feel like. The combination of tight action, rich narrative, and endless mechanical depth made it one of the most complete-feeling games of its generation. So when Supergiant announced Hades II, the question wasn't just "will it be good?" — it was "can it possibly live up?"
Based on a significant amount of time in Early Access, the answer is a carefully optimistic yes — with some asterisks worth understanding before you spend your money.
What Hades II Gets Right Immediately
The moment-to-moment gameplay is excellent. Melinoë, the new protagonist, moves with a distinct fluidity that feels both familiar and fresh compared to Zagreus. Her kit emphasizes magic and cast-based combat, giving runs a noticeably different strategic flavor even before you account for the new weapon set.
The new Olympians feel meaningfully distinct in how their boons interact. Chaos has been expanded, and the new peripheral characters bring their own upgrade trees that layer in complexity over time. If you loved building synergies in the original, you'll find even more to experiment with here.
The New Setting and Story
Hades II takes place above and below the surface of the underworld, splitting progression across two distinct map paths. This dual-direction design adds real variety to runs and keeps the routing interesting as you unlock more of the world. The surface areas, in particular, introduce new enemy types and environmental hazards that force adaptation.
Narratively, the game is still building. Early Access story content is present but clearly incomplete — you'll get strong character introductions and intriguing threads, but the full emotional arc isn't there yet. Fans of the original's storytelling should expect to wait for the full release before the narrative lands its punches.
What's Missing or Rough
- Content gaps: Several weapon aspects and boon paths are clearly placeholders or underdeveloped. Some runs feel less varied than they will at full release.
- Balance: Certain builds are significantly more powerful than others right now. This will be patched, but it can make the meta feel narrow.
- Story completeness: As noted, major narrative beats are absent. If story is your primary motivation, wait.
- Quality of life features: Some UI elements and accessibility options from the original haven't made it in yet.
Should You Play It Now?
Here's an honest breakdown by player type:
| Player Type | Buy Now? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Hades superfan | Yes | Plenty of content, exciting to watch develop |
| Casual roguelike fan | Maybe | Great gameplay, but incomplete experience |
| Story-first gamer | Wait | Narrative is unfinished — better at full release |
| New to Hades | Play original first | Context enriches the sequel significantly |
Final Thoughts
Hades II in Early Access is already better than most finished games. The foundation is extraordinary — polished, creative, and genuinely fun to play for dozens of hours. Supergiant has earned enormous trust, and based on what's here, they're on track to deliver something special again.
If you're a fan of the genre or the original game, this is a safe and exciting Early Access purchase. Just go in knowing you're experiencing a work in progress, and the best is still to come.