Hades 2 on PC
The whole idea of an Early Access title is to give the audience a taste of what’s to come, with the often imperfect experience paving the way for changes and fixes to be implemented before the full release. Then we have Hades 2, the follow-up to the smash roguelite hit from Supergiant Games, which, even at these initial stages, already packs substantial content that puts many of its contemporaries to shame.
Considering how well the studio did with the first game throughout its development, it is still a pleasant surprise to jump right in and be greeted by an already polished product. As a sequel, the team has managed to further enhance all of the great things that came before, but with added twists to freshen things up to carve out a distinct identity of its own. Sure, you may still be enjoying that fast-paced, stylish roguelite action, but it is all wrapped up in a different package.
The biggest departure is obviously the change from Zagreus to Melinoë, the Princess of the Underworld. Not only does she possess a more stoic personality, but the new protagonist also plays markedly differently from her brother, thanks to a bunch of tweaks to familiar systems.
A pertinent example is her movement, which involves both a sprint as well as a dash. The latter remains one of the best ways for players to avoid danger with Zagreus, and Melinoë definitely can do the same. However, as far as we know, she isn’t capable of multiple dashes in a row, which requires players to approach encounters differently. That’s where that endless sprint comes into the picture, giving you enough speed to literally run rings around your foes, or utilise boons to further augment its evasive nature with offensive capabilities.
And speaking of combat, Melinoë’s mastery of magic also expands her combat options. The base techniques of regular, special, and casting attacks all have Omega variants that can be activated by holding down the respective buttons. Charge it up, and you will unleash more powerful and strategically interesting moves that will definitely give the most seasoned of Hades players some food for thought when it comes to creating the best build. Think AoE attacks or damaging blasts that can keep the enemies at bay.
The very idea of best builds in Hades 2 is also always being challenged, with Supergiant seemingly capable of providing players with all manner of tools that are almost always useful, even if you might not be aware of their potential. Rather than gate progression behind a few selected choices that outperform everything else, the overwhelming consensus is that you will always stand a chance as Melinoë as long as you learn to maximise the weapons, boons, boosts and more that come your way. Such excellent design is how roguelites should be, creating an independent run each time that can help players get better at what they do with a variety of options.
All of it comes to the fore when Melinoë faces danger, and more impressively so in the boss fights. Not only are the obstacles standing in your way challenging and fun to fight, but they are made better simply by the fact that players are never helpless. It truly becomes a battle of wits and mastery, where winning and losing both have their rewards.
Obviously, death is inevitable in the genre, and that is also how you can continue to make Melinoë stronger. Replacing the House of Hades is the Crossroads, the hub area of the sequel. Here, players would be able to interact with other NPCs, building bonds, or checking the long list of objectives to tick off in exchange for rewards. Resources collected while out and about can be put to good use as well, unlocking Arcana Cards or crafting Incantations.
The former can bestow powerful blessings, as long as you have enough Grasp to equip the cards, adding another strategic layer to the proceedings for all runs in Hades 2. As for the latter, think of them as permanent upgrades that unlock more functions and gameplay elements, much like the House Contractor from Hades. The decision to pursue certain resources is entirely up to the player’s choice of tool, such as the Silver Spade, so which Arcana Cards and Incantations are unlocked first is your choice, and they should ideally fit into your play style.
If that’s not enough, beat the final boss of the Underworld, and you’ll unlock the Testament of Night. Functionally similar to the Pact of Punishment, this is for those seeking more control over their experience, with varying rewards and incentives if the choice is made to make life even more difficult for the next run. There’s also a whole other area above ground that awaits those with patience and a keen eye. The replay value for an Early Access game is astounding, at the very least.
Add in the amazing visuals, and it is hard not to recommend the game more. The environment, characters, and worldbuilding are top-notch, and the combat remains as addictive as ever. That said, there are still certain gaps that will require filling in, such as a proper ending alongside art and effects, but that will come in time. We already know that there’s a new region, more weapons, and cosmetic features in the works, so there are even more reasons to look forward to the full release.
Just like how the first game changed the way we viewed Early Access games, Hades 2 is treading that same path with a high level of polish and meaty content that is quite unbelievable at this stage. The team has given players another charming protagonist to root for, the kind of gameplay that necessitates the ‘one more run’ mentality, and options aplenty for how you might want to tackle the next trip. Parts of the game may be missing, but what’s being offered is already well worth the entry fee, making the journey to 1.0 a much more delicious one.
Hades 2 is now available in Early Access on Steam and the Epic Games Store.
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Summary
Early Access may never be the same again after Hades 2, and Supergiant Games continue to be the flagbearers for this genre.
