Hades 2, A Humble Review Of A Sequel Worthy Of Its Predecessor

A well-known saying goes that you should never fix what isn't broken. When we look at Supergiant's Hades from 2020, it's really incredible to think about how something could be improved upon, so much so that I was eagerly awaiting the sequel with a small dose of fear of disappointment. The infectious and imaginative gameplay, along with the beautifully integrated story deeply rooted in Greek mythology and the concept of rebirth, make Zagreus and his escape from the Underworld one of the most shining examples of the increasingly popular roguelite genre.

To my luck, Hades II is the perfect example of a sequel that knows who it is and what it wants to achieve. Absolutely every element of the original has been improved or expanded upon, enough to draw you back into its world and offer a new odyssey, but not so much that it risks losing its broader identity and status as one of the best.

I wouldn't say that Supergiant played it safe here, but instead recognized that they had created something unique with the original and that all it Hades and its sequel remind me of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey: they are exceptional stories that complement each other and together form a beautiful piece of art that will be appreciated long after their time has passed.

In the mood for something completely different? Check out our Space Adventure Cobra review!

Melinoë's Magical Approach in Hades 2

Just a few hours of playing are enough to feel how Hades 2 flirts with the combat from the original, with a few changes that clearly set it apart. The chatty Zagreus has been more than adequately replaced by Melinoë, the lost child of the underworld, who witches secretly raised. Given her witchy upbringing, Melinoë uses magic significantly more in combat, and along with special attacks for each of the six weapons, you can now summon a magical circle to trap your enemies.

All better moves with your weapons require the use of magic, which can be drawn as long as you have mana, an improved and expanded energy management system from the original. Apart from magic, another significant difference between the children of Hades is the dash system, which has a different role here. Namely, Melinoë doesn't have a dash as fast and versatile as Zagreus', so you can forget about multiple lightning-fast dodges.

Instead of Hermes' hopping, Melinoë transitions into a sprint with a subsequent press of a button, allowing her to create space between herself and enemies quickly. Thus, multiple dodging has been replaced with sprinting, which dramatically changes the way you play the game. First and foremost, due to the possibility of sprinting, many arenas have gained more space, which means that, in addition to standard claustrophobic corridors, you'll now have battles in open areas.

Expansive Gameplay and Mythology

Multiple dodging has been replaced with sprinting, which dramatically changes the way you play the game.

Accordingly, your enemies are now faster, more numerous, and more agile, and changes in their attacks and movements are especially noticeable when frequently using wide-area attacks that can catch you off guard at any moment, no matter how fast you run. If you add to this the addition of flying enemies like the always lovely harpies, it becomes clear that Melinoë really needs a move that can pin enemies in place! 

Sometimes, the gods themselves will lend a hand in battle, as well as other popular mythological figures like Icarus, and perhaps the most significant addition comes in the form of helpers like magical cats that you can tame and watch as they effortlessly take down enemies – it's like watching cats play with mice!

Given that everything is about magic and witchcraft with Melinoë, it's no surprise that there are special arcana cards that offer various improvements. We had something similar in the original, but there, they were permanent, whereas here, your card choices are limited. Each card costs a certain number of points, and the activations vary from simple unlocking to fulfilling specific conditions, such as combining adjacent cards and more.

Hades II is a big game, much bigger than the first one, and many players will be delighted to know that this time around, we have a significantly larger number of zones to explore, which automatically means more boss battles to experience. Each of them is very fun, closely tied to the game's story, and irresistibly connects beautiful ancient mythology with the charming artistic freedom that Supergiant uses to the best effect. 

Gameplay and Gods in Hades 2

One of many examples is the sirens, depicted as rock musicians who attack with notes and musical instruments, which is, of course, an allusion to their deadly song that lured sailors to their doom in ancient tales. We ofcourse listened to the band play the safest way one can, with our XP-Radar Night Headset.

Of course, we wouldn't have gotten far without the help of Olympus this time either, and with a few minor changes, it's essentially the same. This time, there's a greater emphasis on combining different powers that open up new combinations, and there are special bonuses for the curses of each divine element. 

The system itself works perfectly; the only thing that slightly bothered me was the unnecessary aesthetic change of some gods. In a game that places so much emphasis on connecting the story to the original and small details, I couldn't swallow the completely unnecessary and quite aggressive changes to some characters.

I don't know what kind of magic is at play. Still, Melinoë managed to take the whole experience to the next level, to the point where I spent the first few days playing non-stop – and not because the editor was whipping me into shape like Apollo with his heavenly chariot! 

Higher Stakes, Bigger Story

The second part of this infectious package concerns the story, which is again at a high level. This time around, the central motif is again a family conflict, but with much higher stakes. While in the first game we went through Zagreus' archetypal maturation as he tried to step out of his father's shadow, in the sequel, we're tasked with saving Olympus, which has been imprisoned by the Titans, led by your grandfather, Chronos.

Chronos somehow managed to kidnap the Fates, powerful beings who weave the fate of all living beings, including gods. With that power, Chronos has become the master of time, and the first thing he wants to do is go back in time to take revenge on his sons and daughters who overthrew him from the throne and thus stopped the rule of the Titans. At the moment we take on the role of Melinoë, the gods are on the brink of defeat, and it's up to us to right the wrongs, save the family, and correct the course of history.

It should be noted that the plot of the sequel relies heavily on your knowledge of the original, so I would recommend that new players experience Hades with Zagreus before diving into Melinoë.

Character Quirks and Charm

Melinoë isn't as charming as Zagreus, but she doesn't need to be – her darker character fits perfectly with the increased stakes. That doesn't mean she's any less likable; the game is still full of humor, despite its serious tone. It's nice to see how the characters' differences are reflected in the situations they find themselves in.

For example, even though the entire Olympus is on the brink of destruction, Melinoë unlocks a hot tub in her camp at some point, and she'll only enter it with company, so it's up to you to decide who you'll spend those sweltering Greek nights with! Such small details enhance the charm and interconnectedness of the characters, and there are also situations where, while traveling through zones, you'll encounter various famous Greek figures with whom you can talk and further immerse yourself in the already beautiful world of antiquity.

Hades 2: In Conclusion

Suppose we add to all this the flawless technical state and the return of numerous add-ons that allow you to customize the gameplay to your liking. In that case, it's not hard to conclude that we've once again received an absolute treat wrapped in one of the most beautiful mythologies ever. I have played a fair amount of it during its Alpha phase, and it was still bug-free and a joy to play. 

Contrary to my fears, Hades II has fully justified its existence, providing hours of perfect entertainment, just like the original. Melinoë had a hell of a task ahead of her, but with her magic and minor improvements, she managed to achieve the seemingly impossible and stands shoulder to shoulder with her brother as one of the best titles in the genre. 

Rating: 9.5/10.

 The game received a high rating due to its engaging gameplay, beautiful story, and excellent improvements over the original.

Recommendation: 17+

I recommend this game to players aged 17 and above due to its mature themes, complex gameplay, and some violent content. Hades 2 has a ESRB rating of T for teen.