Hades II Review

When Supergiant Games released Hades in 2018, not many people could have predicted how much it would change the roguelike genre. It wasn't just about fighting up close or running around randomly. Hades was different because it had both a story and the ability to be played again.

The game's narrative progressed through repeated failures, which made it even more interesting. It wasn't just a reset; every run was a part of a bigger story. Characters remembered things they had said before, new conversations kept coming up, and the underworld felt real in a way that few games do.

Five years later, Supergiant is back with Hades II.

It's risky to make a sequel to a modern classic, but Supergiant Games isn't afraid to try new things. The original game was very innovative in the way it told stories. Hades II builds on that by expanding the world, deepening the mechanics, and making the main character's journey more critical in a new way. This sequel doesn't completely change the genre like the first game did, but it shows that improvement can be just as powerful as change.

This time, you play as Melinoë, the daughter of Hades and Persephone and the sister of Zagreus. Melinoë's mission is not just to escape; she was raised by the witch Hecate. Kronos, the Titan of Time, has broken free from his chains, taken over the House of Hades, and taken her family. She has to face him, which takes her on a journey that goes far beyond the underworld and into the very heart of Mount Olympus.

The setup makes Zagreus's story of defiance seem small right away. Melinoë's journey isn't about rebelling against her father; it's about revenge, duty, and freedom. Her brother is more charming and naughty than she is, but her story is interesting.

Talking to allies like Odysseus, the master tactician, or Nemesis, whose anger simmers beneath loyalty, makes her journey more complicated. Characters from the past, like Artemis and other Olympians, also show up, but their new designs and roles sometimes cause arguments among long-time fans.

The same thing that made the first game great keeps the story interesting: persistence leads to a compelling narrative. Every time you fail, you get new interactions at the Crossroads, a new thread in Melinoë's relationships, or a better understanding of the war against Kronos. Some plotlines may feel a little off in terms of pacing, but the characters' conversations are so interesting that you'll always be looking for both victory and answers.

The core gameplay of Hades II remains the same: a roguelike hack-and-slash that made the original game so addictive. During runs, you fight in dungeon-like arenas, gather resources, and make choices about upgrades. It is different because it has more tools.

Melinoë is much more skilled than Zagreus, who dashes and slashes. She can use certain boons to channel circles of energy, unleash powerful Omega attacks, or change time and space. Sprinting takes the place of the dash as the primary method of movement, making positioning and pacing more interesting.

The new nighttime arms, which serve as her weapons, come in a vast range of styles. Each one has hidden features that alter its shape and properties completely, transforming a simple staff or blade into a powerful weapon with its own unique strategies and tactics.

The Black Coat Scythe, for instance, can be used as both a defensive weapon and an offensive missile launcher with its Omega special. It turns into a deadly long-range death machine with the right boons. When you combine Selene's ability to slow down time with explosive seeker missiles, you get moments of pure joy that you can only get when you find the perfect combination in a roguelike.

Progression connects everything.

You can use the resources you earn between runs to make upgrades at the Crossroads. These can be permanent ability boosts or spells that change how future encounters go. This meta-progression ensures that every loss is accounted for. Melinoë gets stronger over time, and so does your ability to use her weapons.

Combat in Hades II is more complex than in the first game, but it's still easy to get into if you want to slash and dash. Each weapon has an Omega version that requires resource management. This means that you need to decide when to use big attacks and when to conserve energy. The sprint mechanic makes the game move differently from Zagreus's dash. In later areas, it becomes crucial to learn how to switch between sprinting, attacking, and dodging effectively.

The system is beautiful because it is so flexible. Do you want to work on combos that are close together? Use axes or fists to build. Want to control from a distance? Use Omega specials or cast builds that cause waves of destruction to your advantage. There are so many boons that you rarely have to deal with a boring run, but the randomness can sometimes be too much, making it hard to choose.

Not every move, though, goes perfectly. Abilities like the delayed slam after a Scythe attack can leave openings that make fights more frustrating. Still, most of the fights are exciting, with tight controls and feedback that makes a difference. Boss fights are worth talking about in more detail. They require quick thinking and precise execution, and they often force you to think about how to combine things you hadn't thought of before.

Level design goes perfectly with combat.

The Fields of Mourning have big arenas with many levels of rewards, while Olympus has verticality and places to dive-bomb. Every biome feels different, and the difficulty curve ensures that wins are always hard to come by.

Roguelikes excel in the cycle of failure and growth, and Hades II does it best. You get resources like ashes, silver, and spell materials every time you run, and you can use these to make permanent improvements. The Crossroads is more than just a hub; it's a living, evolving base where you can engage in conversation, craft, and training to keep you interested.

Arcana cards, which you can get by spending resources, give you passive buffs that make each run more fun for you. Do you want more health, better bonuses, or more damage in some situations? What you choose here will influence how you approach the next attempt. Chaos trials offer different challenges and rewards, which keep the loop fresh even after dozens of hours of play.

This meta-progression makes sure that the grind never feels pointless. Even when you lose to Kronos's minions again, you've made progress, getting closer to a stronger Melinoë and more interesting story revelations.

Supergiant's hand-drawn style is back in full force, and it's as ever. From the spooky blues of shadowy caves to the golden heights of Olympus, colours and details bring environments to life. Character portraits remain impressively detailed with sharp lines and expressive features that bring each god or ally to life. Some redesigns, like Artemis, have caused controversy, but overall, the art is undeniably beautiful.

Animations move smoothly and gracefully.

Attacks have weight, enemies have different shapes and movements, and spell effects are bright and satisfying. It never gets old to see an Omega attack spread through enemies or the battlefield slow down under Selene's moonlight.

The audio makes Hades II unforgettable, while the visuals make it a feast for the eyes. Darren Korb's music once again mixes Greek mythology with rock and folk music. In hub areas, quiet, plucked strings set the mood. In boss fights, the music gets loud and fast.

The voice acting is still great.

The world is more interesting because of the care that goes into each line of dialogue. Melinoë's determination, Odysseus's charm, and Nemesis's simmering rage all feel real. Even small parts add to the story's depth, making sure that the Crossroads never feels like a dead end.

Syla and the Sirens' haunting melodies make essential parts of the story even better. The music doesn't just accompany the game; it enhances it by drawing you deeper into the rhythm of fighting and exploration.

Hades II doesn't attempt to overhaul roguelikes like its predecessor did, and it doesn't need to.

Instead, it takes everything that made the first game great and makes it even better. It's not just "more Hades" because it features a new main character, more complex combat systems, improved levelling mechanics, and a stunning presentation. It's a natural progression, a sequel that knows who it is while still paying homage to its past.

Melinoë might not be as charming as Zagreus, and some ability flows could use some work. These are just little things that are wrong with an otherwise excellent piece of art. Hades II has everything you could want, from the thrill of perfecting builds to the joy of discovering new stories to the beauty of its art and music.