Hades II Review

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While not every sequel to a game I enjoy has been a letdown, *Hotline Miami 2* definitely made me cautious whenever I hear about developers making a second installment. So, when *Hades II* was announced, I was conflicted. I’ve loved everything Supergiant Games has made, but this was their first time revisiting a previous idea. I worried they might play it safe and simply offer more of the same, which, while not necessarily a bad thing considering how good the original *Hades* was, still left me feeling hesitant at first.

I hadn’t been truly captivated by a roguelike since *Spelunky* until I played Hades. Supergiant Games created something special with its compelling story, beautiful design, fantastic music, and incredibly polished gameplay – it kept me coming back for years on different devices.

In Hades, you play as Zagreus, the son of Hades, who is trying to escape the underworld and find his mother. Escaping isn’t easy, but Zagreus gets help from the Olympian gods, who offer powerful boons. With their aid, he grows stronger with each attempt, learning more about them and their unique personalities along the way. The game cleverly portrays these gods as both powerful and relatable, developing their characters through Zagreus’ repeated escape attempts and interactions with them, ultimately leading to a confrontation with Hades himself.

Hades II improves upon the original game in almost every aspect. While it’s still an action roguelike with an isometric perspective, the changes are so significant it feels like we’re getting two sequels worth of content. It’s an impressive evolution for Supergiant Games, especially considering this is their first sequel – and arguably their best work yet. I used to consider *Transistor* my favorite game from Supergiant, but Hades II has taken its place.

If you’re familiar with the first Hades, it might take a little while to get used to how the sequel plays and its new features. However, I’ve had fun switching between both games while writing this review.

In Hades II, you take on the role of Melinoë, the Princess of the Underworld and sister of Zagreus. While fans of the first game will enjoy how Hades II builds on that story, Supergiant Games has also made it easy for new players to jump in. As Melinoë, a powerful witch, you’ll venture through a world that’s both darker and more vibrant on a quest to defeat Chronos, the Titan of Time. It’s a challenging journey, and you’ll receive help from the Olympian gods-along with a few unexpected allies.

Hades II isn’t simply a continuation of the original; it significantly expands on everything players loved. Instead of a few dungeons, you’ll explore two extensive and distinct paths. As you become more skilled at combat and defeat increasingly challenging enemies and bosses, you’ll find a playstyle that suits you and be able to focus on either descending further into the underworld or venturing upwards towards the surface.

The initial path isn’t open right away, and without giving too much away, the later part of Hades II feels significantly more challenging than the first. It quickly throws you into tough rooms with complicated enemies, intense fights, and massive bosses, really ramping up the difficulty. You’ll also need to change your strategy with each playthrough, making Hades II feel more diverse and unpredictable than the original game.

Hades II excels at keeping gameplay exciting, even for players who are very familiar with the first game. You can’t rely on old habits because Melinoe plays differently, and the new weapons, magic system, Arcana cards (which replace the Mirror of Night), and variety of enemies and bosses create a unique experience that feels both recognizable and new.

Hades II doesn’t simply refine what made the first game great; it introduces entirely new features. You’ll now have companions called familiars who assist in both combat and gathering materials. While you can still collect and plant seeds, the most exciting addition is the alchemy system. This lets you cast spells to simplify gameplay and gradually unlock deeper game mechanics. Supergiant Games truly embodies the witch theme with Melinoe, weaving magic into every aspect of Hades II – from the menus and gameplay to the core combat itself.

Hades II is visually stunning, building on the already incredible art style established in Supergiant Games’ previous work. The animations, effects, and overall art direction are a significant step up, extending even to the menus and interface – putting Supergiant on par with studios like Atlus who are known for their beautiful UI. Of all the fantastic characters and gods in the game, Nemesis stands out as a personal favorite. Her impressive design perfectly matches her direct personality, and the voice acting brings her to life in a way that makes her interactions with Melinoe consistently enjoyable.

I tested Hades II on the new Switch 2, as well as the original Switch, Steam, and Steam Deck. The game runs beautifully on all platforms, and I’ve detailed the differences in a separate article (you can find it here). You won’t be disappointed playing Hades II portably on Steam Deck, Switch, ROG Ally, or Switch 2. However, if you’re looking for the best visual experience on a 4K TV, the PC version is currently the best choice.

Supergiant Games first gained attention with Bastion, which was visually striking, but truly stood out for its audio. I became a fan thanks to the incredible work of Darren Korb, who handled the music and sound design, and Logan Cunningham, who provided the voiceover. It’s been fantastic to see them, along with other talented artists, consistently create unique and beautiful soundtracks for each of their games. With Hades II, they’ve really outdone themselves. Darren’s compositions were a pleasant surprise throughout the game, featuring not only his own performances but also contributions from guests like Louis Cole, a versatile multi-instrumentalist and producer, and the phenomenal Spanish guitarist, Pau Figueres.

Hades II’s music is noticeably darker and more intense than the first game, featuring heavier use of distorted guitars and unusual rhythms that perfectly match the game’s story. Fans will likely love the vocals from Scylla and the Sirens, especially after getting a taste in the early access period. These characters feel as impactful as the Fury Sisters from the original Hades, making a strong impression as early bosses. While the first game’s soundtrack drew inspiration from Megadeth, Hades II expands on that with a doom metal influence, reminiscent of bands like Black Sabbath, Mastodon, and Dream Theater, while still retaining what made the first soundtrack so great.

It’s been years since I last played guitar, but working on this review of Hades II and listening to its amazing soundtrack inspired me to dust off my acoustic and 7-string guitars. Thanks, Darren! I’m really hoping Darren Korb releases a full metal album based on the music from both Hades games – I’d be so disappointed if he didn’t.

Beyond the fantastic music, the voice acting in Hades II is exceptional. Becca Q. Co as Nemesis, Logan Cunningham in numerous roles, Darren Korb voicing multiple characters, Sarah Grayson as Selene, and Ben Starr as Prometheus all deserve special mention for helping to create the game’s epic and impressive atmosphere, alongside the other great audio elements.

I’ve spent over 40 hours playing the full version of Hades II, plus a good amount during early access, and I can honestly say I love everything about it. Even the songs I wasn’t initially keen on have become enjoyable. Hades II is a more refined, smoother, and content-rich game than its predecessor, and it’s easily one of the best games of 2025 so far.

Okay, so I’m calling it now: *Hades II* is easily one of my top two games of 2025, right up there with *Fantasy Life i*. And honestly, if you’ve got a Switch 2, it’s *the* game to play, along with *Donkey Kong Bananza*. It’s just perfect – the gameplay is amazing, it looks fantastic, and I’m already planning on sinking another hundred-plus hours into it. Seriously, it feels *so* good to play.

10

Versions tested: Nintendo Switch 2 (Primary) and PC. Hades II is also available on Nintendo Switch.

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2025-09-27 06:58