Summary
- Hades 2 has a lot to live up to due to the success of the first game, which won over many fans with its gameplay variety, characters, and romance arcs.
- Early access will be crucial for Hades 2's development, as player feedback will help improve the game and fix any bugs.
- The new features added in Hades 2 will be under scrutiny in comparison to the first game, as they could either greatly elevate the game or damage its reputation.
Hades 2 may be a highly anticipated title, but it still has quite a climb before it can live up to its hype. The teasers for Hades 2 have done a decent job of building up the game, but that is only the first step of a long road. There is still much more to be done before the game will be considered a success, especially as a follow-up to the first game. Thankfully, Hades 2 seems to be off to a good start from what has been seen, but its next steps will be crucial.
As the sequel to the award-winning video game Hades, Hades 2 was almost destined to be a big title even before its release. There were several factors that went into the first Hades becoming such a beloved title, including:
- Fun, fast-paced gameplay
- Plenty of variety for players to experiment with
- A cast of likable, well-written characters
- A couple of well-done romance arcs
Hades left an excellent example for its sequel to follow. The art style and gameplay seen in Hades 2's trailer are reminiscent of what the first game had to offer, but time will tell how well the game stacks up as a whole.
There is a Lot of Work Ahead for Hades 2 and Its Team
Early Access Will Be Important For Hades 2's Development
Sometime in the coming months, Hades 2 should be entering early access, which will be important for several reasons. Not only will it be the first chance for players other than in-house testers to play the game, but feedback from those players will be vital to its development. This will be necessary in order for the developers to fix bugs that show up during early access, or tweak the gameplay according to what fans are saying. No game is perfect right away, which is what makes early access so important. Hopefully, this early access period will be useful in forming Hades 2's final state.
Hades 2's New Features Could Be Make or Break For the Game
This build-up to the game's release date will also include any improvements that Hades 2 makes over the original. The content added over the course of Hades 2's early access period, either completely new or reworked, is sure to be under heavy scrutiny. After all, any changes made to a formula that has proven successful are a big risk, and while some ideas succeed, others could end up as more of an obstacle than a boon. A few good ideas could greatly elevate the game over its predecessor, but in the same vein, a bad change could do significant damage to Hades 2's reputation.
The Original Hades is a Difficult Game to Live Up To
The biggest issue facing Hades 2 may be the shadow of the original Hades. While it's not impossible for Hades 2 to top the original, the acclaim that the first Hades received would be difficult for almost any game to match. As one of the most praised indie titles of recent years, Hades' own success is a major reason for the hype behind Hades 2. Consequently, that also means that Hades 2 will be under a lot of pressure to live up to the first game's reputation. Hades 2 will need to be at least as good as the first game to be seen as worthy of its legacy.
Hades 2 benefits from remarkable hype, but it's set for a long and difficult journey ahead. Players should expect Hades 2's early access to start answering some pressing questions that they have about the game. If all goes well, then Hades 2 could be well on its way to being one of the best games of its eventual release year. However, early access and the months afterward will be important in that process. Hades 2 can be as great as the first, but fans won't know the final verdict for some time.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 95 /100 Critics Rec: 98%
- Released
- September 25, 2025
- ESRB
- Teen / Alcohol Reference, Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Supergiant Games
- Publisher(s)
- Supergiant Games
WHERE TO PLAY
Battle beyond the Underworld using dark sorcery to take on the Titan of Time in this bewitching sequel to the award-winning rogue-like dungeon crawler.
The first-ever sequel from Supergiant Games builds on the best aspects of the original god-like rogue-like dungeon crawler in an all-new, action-packed, endlessly replayable experience rooted in the Underworld of Greek myth and its deep connections to the dawn of witchcraft.
BATTLE BEYOND THE UNDERWORLD
As the immortal Princess of the Underworld, you'll explore a bigger, deeper mythic world, vanquishing the forces of the Titan of Time with the full might of Olympus behind you, in a sweeping story that continually unfolds through your every setback and accomplishment.
MASTER WITCHCRAFT AND DARK SORCERY
Infuse your legendary weapons of Night with ancient magick, so that none may stand in your way. Become stronger still with powerful Boons from more than a dozen Olympian gods, from Apollo to Zeus. There are nearly limitless ways to build your abilities.
MINGLE WITH (MORE) GODS, GHOSTS, AND MONSTERS
Meet a cast of dozens of fully-voiced, larger-than-life characters, including plenty of new faces and some old friends. Grow closer to them through a variety of new interactions, and experience countless unique story events based on how your journey unfolds.
EVERY RUN IS ITS OWN ADVENTURE
New locations, challenges, upgrade systems, and surprises await as you delve into the ever-shifting Underworld again and again. Reveal the mysteries of the Arcana Altar, tame witchy familiars, and gather reagents using Tools of the Unseen to get closer to your goal.
THE PERKS OF IMMORTALITY
Thanks to a variety of permanent upgrades and the return of God Mode, you don't have to be a god yourself to experience what Hades II has to offer. But if you happen to be one, you can brave escalating challenges for greater rewards, and prove just how divine you really are.
SIGNATURE SUPERGIANT STYLE
Rich, atmospheric presentation and storytelling fused with responsive action is the hallmark of Supergiant's titles. Vivid new hand-painted environments, even smoother real-time 3D characters, and an electrifying original score make this mythic world burst with life.
- Franchise
- Hades
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
