Hades 2 is a roguelike with many interesting and compelling content and gameplay mechanics that could easily attract people into playing it. Though some might be dissuaded from trying the game due to the genre's difficulty, it does a good job of balancing out the challenge, as the playable character, Melinoe, is given all the help she needs to take on every increasingly difficult encounter. Aside from the weapons, arcana cards, and Gods of Hades 2 that aim to assist players during their runs in the Underworld or the Surface, there is one more helpful feature whose functions must be better explained to emphasize how essential its utility is.
The goal of Hades 2 involves going through different regions to stop Chronos, the Titan of Time, and preventing his conquest of Olympus. The game provides the tools and resources that will help make the journey easier, but it's up to players to learn how to use them effectively. The familiars, also known as animal companions, are a unique form of aid as there is no way to control their movements, making them an unpredictable factor in how they affect runs. However, the benefits they provide more than make up for it, and it's important that players know more about the animals they'll be traveling with and why they're so helpful.
Frinos the Frog
Frinos is one of two animal companions in Hades 2 who has an intriguing background, or lack thereof. With the information the game provided, the character is just a regular frog that Melinoe happens to have taken a liking to and eventually made into her familiar. The game may dive deeper into the companion's story in the future, but for now there's nothing truly special about it. However, as normal as Frinos may seem, there's no denying that the creature's abilities can noticeably affect how a run can go:
|
Bond |
Rank 1 |
Rank 2 |
Rank 3 |
|
Life Bond |
Provides +10 to Melinoe's maximum health |
Provides +20 to Melinoe's maximum health |
Provides +30 to Melinoe's maximum health |
|
Soul Bond |
Players gain +1 tool support to use during a run |
Players gain +2 tool support to use during a run |
Players gain +3 tool support to use during a run |
|
Strength Bond |
Foes receive 10 damage if Frinos happens to leap on top of them |
Foes receive 20 damage if Frinos happens to leap on top of them |
Foes receive 30 damage if Frinos happens to leap on top of them |
Based on what's provided, Frinos' role is more in helping keep players alive and helping them get what they need to make future runs easier. So, if players want a better chance to survive on Hades 2's Surface or Underworld while farming for resources, then the adorable frog is the best companion to help with that.
Toula the Cat
Although Toula may look like a normal cat, the feline must have some mysterious power, as its encounters subtly point out that it can travel freely from the Underworld to the Surface. The creature is also special due to the requirement to use one of Hades 2's many incantations, specifically the Faith of Familiar Spirits, to become a familiar companion. Making the effort to acquire Toula is worth it, though, as the mysterious cat provides the following benefits:
|
Bond |
Rank 1 |
Rank 2 |
Rank 3 |
|
Heart Bond |
Provides a death defiance that heals an additional +10 health |
Provides a death defiance that heals an additional +10 health |
Provides a death defiance that heals an additional +10 health |
|
Soul Bond |
Players gain +1 Fishing Rod usage during a run |
Players gain +2 Fishing Rod usage during a run |
Players gain +3 Fishing Rod Usage during a run |
|
Claw Bond |
Toula attacked 1 time before losing interest |
Toula attacked 2 times before losing interest |
Toula attacked 3 times before losing interest |
A partner that attacks and provides more death defiance in Hades 2 allows for a more aggressive playstyle. With Toula, players can take more risks with the additional life and support, helping them build confidence and remove some of the personal limitations that may have previously hindered them.
The Future for Animal Familiars in Hades 2
The animal companions of Hades 2 have a lot of potential to become a memorable and maybe even iconic feature for action RPG roguelikes. Though there are only two for now, the future may introduce us to more, with special abilities that will provide even more playstyle options. Other than the possibility of Cerberus becoming one, there are no other hints that point out what the next familiar could be, assuming Supergiant Games decides to add more. Judging from the content available in the game, it is likely that there will be additional options as to who players will be taking with them during their runs in the future.
Playing Hades 2 in its early access state means that the developers will use the information they've gathered from players to improve different aspects of the game. The current state of the animal companions, as great as it may be, could be even better with a few changes. With enough feedback or data, Supergiant Games could see the benefits of making the necessary modifications to improve Toula and Frinos, perhaps even leading to the addition of new familiars.
-
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.
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Franchise
- Hades
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
