Why You Should Be Playing Hades II Right Now
2024-10-13 · 5 min read
Hades II entered early access in May 2024 and immediately proved that Supergiant Games understood what made the original special while having the ambition to expand it significantly. The sequel stars Melinoe, sister of Zagreus, on a quest to defeat Chronos, the Titan of Time.
The combat system builds on the original's tight, responsive foundation while adding new weapons, spells, and a magic resource system. The witch's staff, sister blades, and other weapons each offer distinct playstyles. The addition of gathering and crafting adds a progression layer that gives purpose to even failed attempts.
Supergiant's storytelling approach remains their secret weapon. Every NPC has fully voiced dialogue that evolves across dozens of runs. Melinoe's relationships develop organically through repeated interactions. The narrative is woven into the roguelike structure itself.
The art direction is stunning even by Supergiant's standards. Character designs by Jen Zee are immediately iconic, and the environmental variety between the surface world and the Underworld gives the game visual range the original lacked.
The soundtrack by Darren Korb, featuring vocals by Ashley Barrett, is predictably excellent. Supergiant has always been among gaming's best music studios, and Hades II delivers compositions ranging from driving combat themes to haunting vocal pieces.
Even in early access with content still being added, Hades II is one of the best games available. The base gameplay loop is so satisfying that runs don't feel repetitive even after dozens of hours. When the full release arrives, this will likely be remembered as one of the defining games of the decade.
