Hades 2 review: A God-tier sequel

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Hades 2 is a remarkable achievement, exceeding expectations in countless ways. Supergiant Games has built upon the success of the first game with innovative ideas, resulting in what is arguably the best roguelike game available today.

Hades 2 shares a lot of similarities with the first game, and that’s a good thing. While revisiting the world of Greek mythology and its characters might have felt stale, each interaction – with both new and familiar faces – feels warm and welcoming, like catching up with old friends instead of being forced into another meeting.

A big part of what makes this game work so well is the character Melinoe. I was worried going back to the Underworld that the creators wouldn’t be able to create a lead character as compelling as her brother, Zagreus, but Mel, as I’ll call her, is wonderfully written and performed.

I was immediately captivated by Hades 2. After just a few hours of playing as Mel in its beautiful but challenging Underworld, I found myself completely hooked, playing for hours on end. It’s already a strong contender for Game of the Year.

Hades 2 screenshots

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What is Hades 2 about?

Chronos, the Titan of Time, was furious that Zeus, Hades, and their siblings had taken over. Seeking revenge, he attacked the Underworld, ruled by Hades, and captured all of Hades’ family.

After escaping a coup and being hidden away by her mentor, Hecate, Mel is raised with one goal: to defeat Chronos, free the Underworld, and save her family.

Like her brother, Mel must journey through the dangerous underworld to find Chronos, battling (and sometimes befriending) the creatures she encounters. However, Mel is much more prepared than Zag was, arriving with a full arsenal of weapons and abilities.

Leaving The Crossroads, you’ll face a significant challenge. Similar to the first Hades, you’ll make choices that affect your upgrades before each boss battle. However, Supergiant has changed things up with the level design in Hades 2, offering a fresh experience without giving away too much of the story.

See you at The Crossroads

The Crossroads is Mel’s cozy hangout – a busy place decorated with everything witchy and home to a lot of famous figures from Greek mythology. They’re all there to support Mel, and they’ll definitely have a lot to say about everything!

Beyond the impressive world they’ve created, it’s worth paying attention to what these characters say, particularly at the beginning. They clearly explain key aspects of the Crossroads, including the Arcana system, which is arguably the best new feature in Hades 2.

Okay, so in this game, you collect Arcana – they’re basically like tarot cards you can equip. These cards stick with you for the whole run and are super important for building your character. Forget just picking a weapon, the Arcana are *the* core of how you customize your playstyle. They give you things like extra lives, boost your health and damage, and generally give you more resources to work with. It’s kinda like the Mirror of Night from the original Hades, but way more in-depth and honestly, a lot more fun to mess around with and find cool combinations!

It might seem strange to spend so much time talking about the central hub area, but The Crossroads is actually one of the most enjoyable parts of Hades 2. After each attempt, it constantly offers new things to discover and explore.

I never felt discouraged, even when I failed a run. Whether I won or lost, I always learned something that helped me improve and go further in the game. Actually, dying repeatedly early on quickly helped me understand and enjoy the improved combat system in Hades 2.

Build-a-god

Maybe it was because I had just finished playing the fast-paced *Silksong*, but at first, Mel in *Hades 2* felt a bit slow. I died repeatedly because she can’t dash endlessly – she has a sprint instead – and I wasn’t thrilled with her starting weapons. It felt like an unfair comparison, but those initial impressions were definitely a struggle.

Initially, I wasn’t convinced by the biggest new feature in Hades 2 – the mana system. It’s used to power up your skills, but at first, it felt more like a hindrance than a help. However, after experimenting and changing my approach, I started to understand its value. The Moonstone Axe, which works especially well with mana, quickly proved the system was a good addition, delivering the satisfying gameplay I’d been hoping for.

The game offers incredible build variety, especially with its greatly improved Boon system. I was able to clear whole rooms of enemies on one playthrough simply by creating lightning storms while sprinting – a big thanks to the Zeus Boon!

What really stands out about the combat in Hades 2 is that every upgrade you unlock is useful. It’s incredibly satisfying to discover how each one fits into your unique playstyle.

Verdict

Hades 2 is incredibly replayable, making it a standout roguelike. Supergiant Games has surpassed even its own success with a sequel that’s better than the original Hades in almost every way.

As a huge fan of roguelikes, I’m always looking for games that stay fresh, even after dozens of runs. Some Hall of Famers in the genre manage that, but *Hades 2* absolutely nails it – even better than games like *The Binding of Isaac* and *Balatro*, which are great, but don’t really focus on a strong story. *Hades 2* keeps me hooked run after run, and I think it’s truly something special.

I dealt with Chronos a long time ago, but there’s still a lot I haven’t discovered in Hades 2. Right now, I’m going back to see Scylla – I enjoy listening to her sisters perform, so I’ll be indulging in that again.

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2025-09-24 19:17