Can lightning strike twice for Supergiant Games — or is this myth finally running out of steam?
⚡ Welcome Back to the Underworld
When Supergiant Games first dropped Hades in 2020, the gaming world wasn’t ready. A rogue-lite drenched in Greek mythology, packed with fast-paced combat and surprisingly heartfelt writing? Instant classic.
Now, with Hades II, they’re back — and this time, we’re not just defying death.
We’re diving deeper into witchcraft, doom, and the Titanic wrath of time itself.
But here’s the million-drachma question:
Does Hades II live up to the hype, or is it just a familiar rerun in a new toga?
Let’s descend into the shadows and find out.
👑 A New Queen of the Underworld: Meet Melinoë
Forget Zagreus. This time, we play as Melinoë, Princess of the Underworld and sister to everyone’s favorite rebellious prince.
Melinoë is:
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A sorceress, trained in the dark arts and moonlit rituals.
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A warrior, bent on defeating Chronos, the Titan of Time, who has captured her family.
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A total badass, with a voice performance that oozes mystique and defiance.
From the moment she steps out of the Crossroads — a new hub replacing the House of Hades — she commands attention. Her story is more serious, more mythic, more tragic. And yes, her banter game is strong.
⛓️ The Story: A Time-Twisted Myth
In Hades II, the stakes are even higher. Chronos, father of the gods and the literal embodiment of time, has broken free and seized the throne of the Underworld. Hades is imprisoned. Chaos reigns. Time is fractured.
Cue Melinoë.
Armed with sorcery and vengeance, she descends into a world torn by ancient powers and shifting allegiances. Along the way, she meets (and sometimes fights) familiar faces:
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Apollo: radiant and arrogant as ever.
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Hecate: your dark and enigmatic mentor.
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Moros: the god of doom, as charming as he is unsettling.
The storytelling is even richer than in Hades 1:
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Dynamic conversations evolve over dozens of runs.
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Characters grow, plot threads twist, and the world feels alive.
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And yes — you can romance again, and it’s gloriously messy.
🕹️ Gameplay: Roguelike Refinement, Not Reinvention
Let’s cut to the chase — Hades II gameplay slaps. If you loved the original, this is more of what made it great… but deeper, darker, and witchier.
🔮 What’s Familiar:
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Fast-paced isometric hack-and-slash combat
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A rotating cast of Olympian boons that transform your playstyle
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Procedurally generated levels across gorgeous mythological biomes
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Death is not the end — just a narrative reset with progress baked in
🌑 What’s New:
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Magic meter and cast-focused builds turn you into a ranged death-dealer if you want
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Dual weapon loadouts give each run unique strategy options
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Ritual spells let you trigger battlefield effects like poison storms or time-slowing hexes
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New mechanics like Harvesting and Alchemy make downtime at the Crossroads engaging
Combat feels even more fluid than before, and the risk-reward mechanics are tighter. Want to power up your boons? Step into the doomed realm of Erebus — but don’t expect mercy.
🧙 Hub Life: The Crossroads is Cozy and Creepy
The Crossroads replaces the House of Hades, and it’s dripping in atmosphere. Think:
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A moonlit glade with ghostly flora
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Occult labs with bubbling cauldrons
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Quiet corners where gods whisper in riddles
This is where you:
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Upgrade abilities using gathered resources
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Brew spells in your cauldron of incantations
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Speak to allies, enemies, and everyone in between
And here’s where the real genius lies:
Supergiant has turned downtime into part of the story. Even when you’re not fighting, you’re discovering secrets, building relationships, and shaping the fate of your quest.
🎨 Art & Music: That Supergiant Signature
Is it even a Supergiant game if it doesn’t melt your eyeballs with beauty?
Hades II looks like a moving painting. The animations are buttery smooth, the effects explode with magical flair, and the character designs are chef’s kiss — yes, even Chronos, terrifying as he is, is weirdly hot.
The music?
Darren Korb returns with a soundtrack that’s moodier and more haunting this time:
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Ethereal strings mix with pounding percussion
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Dark synths bleed into eerie hymns
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Combat themes kick harder the closer you are to death
And yes, Ashley Barrett’s vocals are back. One particular track involving Melinoë’s inner conflict? Instant goosebumps.
⚙️ Progression System: Complex but Rewarding
Hades II leans into build crafting even more:
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Arcana cards give permanent buffs tailored to your style
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You can respec mid-run based on the resources you find
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Boons can now “Bloom” into ultra-rare effects with proper timing
You’ll also encounter mysterious challenges like:
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Chrono Rifts: combat puzzles warped by time
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Witch Trials: fight elite foes to unlock powerful gear
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Echoes: haunting memories that expand the lore and unlock side stories
This means every run feels like its own mini-campaign — with meaningful progress even if you get stomped in Elysium.
🐛 Bugs & Early Access Caveats
Yep, Hades II launched in Early Access — and with that comes some expected caveats:
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Occasional framerate dips in large fights
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A few UI bugs and audio hiccups
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Not all gods or weapons are in the game (yet)
But the foundation is rock solid, and Supergiant is already pushing frequent updates. If this is just the beginning, the full release is going to be a juggernaut.
🤔 Is It Worth the Hype?
Let’s be honest: sequels to beloved indies usually fall into two traps:
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Play it too safe — and feel like glorified DLC
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Try too much — and lose what made the original special
Hades II avoids both.
It expands the formula intelligently, deepens the lore without getting preachy, and introduces a protagonist who stands tall in her own right. Whether you’re here for the mythology, the combat, or the narrative heart, this game delivers.
📝 Final Verdict
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Gameplay & Combat | 9.5/10 – Wicked fast and infinitely replayable |
| Story & Characters | 9/10 – Complex, emotionally charged, unforgettable |
| Visuals & Music | 10/10 – The gods of indie game art strike again |
| Progression System | 9/10 – Deep builds with satisfying payoffs |
| Overall Experience | ⭐ 9.5/10 – Early Access excellence |
💬 Ready to Descend?
So — will you answer Melinoë’s call?
Are you prepared to defy the Titan of Time, wield witchcraft like a weapon, and maybe flirt with Hypnos along the way?
One thing’s for sure:
Hades II isn’t just another roguelike — it’s a beautifully brutal return to the underworld that proves Supergiant Games still wears the crown.