A Worthy Successor Already in Early Access
When Hades launched in 2020, it set a new bar for roguelikes — and honestly, for narrative game design in general. Following it up was always going to be an enormous challenge. Hades II entered Early Access in 2024, and it's already a remarkable game. Here's what you need to know.
The Setup
You play as Melinoë, the Princess of the Underworld, training to confront the Titan of Time, Chronos. The story takes place parallel to the first game rather than as a direct sequel, which gives it room to build its own mythology. The tone is slightly darker and more arcane, reflecting Melinoë's character as a witch versus Zagreus's warrior archetype.
What's Already in Early Access
Even in its current unfinished state, Hades II offers a substantial amount of content:
- Two distinct biome paths with multiple areas each
- A large roster of Olympian gods offering boons, including some new faces
- The Arcana Cards system — a new meta-progression layer replacing the Mirror of Night
- Multiple weapon options, each with distinct playstyles
- The Cauldron crafting system for unlocking permanent upgrades and abilities
Combat: Evolved and Expanded
Melinoë's moveset feels more complex than Zagreus's. She has a basic attack, a special, a cast, and a sprint — but she also carries a separate Omega charged version of most abilities. Managing your magick (mana) resource while weaving in these charged attacks adds satisfying depth without feeling overwhelming after a few runs.
The boon system has been meaningfully expanded. With more gods and more interactions between boons, build variety in Hades II already feels broader than it did in the original.
Atmosphere and Production Values
Supergiant's signature painterly art style returns, this time infused with a moonlit, mystical palette — purples, greens, and deep blues dominate. The soundtrack by Darren Korb is once again extraordinary. Voice acting is top-tier across the board, with Melinoë's performance being an immediate standout.
Early Access Caveats
This is an unfinished game. Certain story threads end abruptly, some mechanics feel undertuned, and a few content areas are missing entirely. If you need a complete, polished experience, waiting for full release is the sensible choice. That said, even in Early Access, Hades II provides more hours of quality gameplay than many finished titles.
Should You Buy It Now?
If you loved the original Hades, buying Hades II in Early Access is an easy recommendation. Supergiant has an exceptional track record with Early Access development — Hades itself launched in EA and shipped as one of the most polished games of its year. The same trajectory seems likely here.
| Category | Early Access Score |
|---|---|
| Combat Feel | 9.5 / 10 |
| Build Variety | 9 / 10 |
| Art & Sound | 10 / 10 |
| Story (so far) | 8 / 10 |
| Early Access Value | 9 / 10 |
Platform: PC (Steam). Full release date TBD.