Supergiant Games had an unenviable task: follow up one of the most acclaimed roguelikes ever made. Hades II not only meets that challenge, it expands the formula in nearly every direction that matters.
New Protagonist, Familiar Magic
Playing as Melinoe, princess of the Underworld and sister to the original’s Zagreus, gives the story fresh emotional stakes while keeping the series’ signature blend of Greek mythology and sharp, witty dialogue. The cast of gods returns with new dynamics, and the writing continues to reward repeated runs with dialogue that evolves meaningfully rather than repeating on a loop.
Refined, Expanded Combat
Melinoe’s kit centers on a main weapon paired with a magical “Arcana” spell system, layered on top of the familiar Boon-based build customization that made the original so replayable. The addition of witchcraft-style abilities, familiars, and an overworld hub to explore between runs adds structure without diluting the core loop of die, learn, improve, repeat. Runs feel distinct from the first game rather than reskinned, with new biomes, enemy types, and bosses that demand different tactics.
Where It Stumbles
As an early access release, some biomes are noticeably more fleshed out than others, balance between Arcana cards can feel inconsistent, and a few late-game systems clearly still need iteration. Players expecting a fully finished experience on day one should temper expectations.
Verdict
Even in early access, Hades II demonstrates Supergiant’s rare ability to make failure feel like progress. It is already one of the best roguelikes available, with clear room to become even better.
Score: 9.0/10
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