Hades 2

2020 was an interesting year for several reasons: politics, an epidemic, and gaming. During that darker time, we had some brilliant games to keep us sane. One such game was Hades. It’s wild to think six years have passed, and we finally have a sequel in Hades II.

I had my doubts. I wasn’t sure a sequel was even needed. I was wrong. Hades II is just as special as the original, and in some ways improves on the key criticisms many of us had back in 2020.

It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel. It refines it, and, for the most part, brings forward another modern classic.


Going forth into the depths once again

Hades II brings back much of what made the first game so special: an enthralling narrative, beautifully woven through a roguelike structure, and a cast of warm, colourful characters pulled from Greek mythology. The intense, action-focused gameplay returns with multiple layers of progression, customisation, and that ever-present sense of building yourself into a mighty force capable of taking on a formidable foe. All of it is wrapped in a wondrous art style that still proudly leans into its respectful level of… let’s call it horny energy and great abs.

This time around, things are a little more dramatic. The first game centred on a rebellious youth trying to reconnect with his humanity, win his father’s approval, and mend a fractured family. It often felt like a teen drama about the importance of family, with Greek gods thrown in for good measure.

Hades II, by contrast, is about chaos, war, and the danger of time itself. We take on the role of Melinoë, the youngest child of Hades, a witch and warrior tasked with confronting Cronos, the Titan of Time, following his invasion of her family home. The gods of Olympus are under threat, and Cronos wages a relentless, seemingly endless war for control.
Melinoë operates from a haven alongside other figures from Greek myth, including Hecate, her sparring partner Nemesis, and Skelly, who somehow made it out when others did not.

If you’ve played the original, you’ll know what to expect. Melinoë sets out to defeat Cronos by battling through multiple regions of the underworld, each filled with traps, enemies, and bosses, alongside valuable resources to grow stronger. Death is frequent, but each run pushes you forward, unlocking upgrades, story beats, and a greater sense of progression.

It’s not just the depths of the underworld this time, either. The surface calls too, giving players two distinct paths to explore. It adds variety, encourages experimentation, and keeps each run feeling fresh.


In the name of Melinoë

It’s a bold move to shift away from such a beloved cast with little initial explanation, throwing players straight into Melinoë’s journey. It could have easily fallen flat, but thankfully, it works.

The stronger emphasis on the underworld’s connection to witchcraft is a refreshing change, offering a side of Greek mythology we don’t often see explored. Melinoë herself is an excellent lead, different from Zagreus, but still full of charm, strength, and compassion.

The narrative is compelling, and I appreciated the darker tone this time around. There are real stakes, real threats, and a greater sense of urgency. The roguelike structure is always a tricky fit for storytelling, and the original Hades handled it beautifully. Hades II still nails that sense of progression through repetition, meeting characters again and again, slowly peeling back layers, but it’s not quite as seamless.

The world design, environments, callbacks, voice performances, and dialogue are all strong. Themes around witchcraft, time, and the tension between duty and family come through clearly, and I genuinely grew to love Melinoë as she carved her way through a larger, denser, and still stunningly realised underworld.

That said, not everything lands as well this time. The original’s more intimate “family drama” gave every interaction weight, and nearly every character, hero, villain, or cringe, felt memorable. Here, it’s more uneven.

There are still highlights. Nemesis (yes… I see the Lady D inspiration, and yes, I went there), Skelly, and Cronos all leave a strong impression. And OMG, I love Narcissis ... he is very dreamy, and has a Nic Cage twang to his voice. But others feel underdeveloped, or too reminiscent of better characters from the first game.
Some story beats also struggle under the roguelike structure. The first game balanced this well, but here it doesn’t always click. Certain encounters lose their narrative impact after repeated runs, and some character decisions feel increasingly forced the more you see them. When key figures repeatedly leave a haven vulnerable, despite the stakes, it starts to feel a little contrived.

I’ve seen the arguments in defence of this, and fair enough, but for me, the repetition exposes gaps that are hard to ignore.

Still, despite those issues, Hades II delivers some of the best writing in modern gaming. The pacing of dialogue, the steady development of relationships, and the freedom to shape Melinoë’s journey all work incredibly well. Even when it stumbles, it still stands above most.

Yes… even The Last of Us Part II. I said it.


Witchcraft, boons, and, by the gods, Poseidon, my bro!

At its core, Hades II sticks to the roguelike mantra: live, fight, die, repeat. Melinoë ventures into the underworld, battling through multiple regions in pursuit of Cronos, all while gathering resources, upgrades, and favour with the gods.
The combat loop remains as satisfying as ever. It blends fast-paced action with tactical decision-making, allowing you to shape each run through boons, weapons, and upgrades. New additions expand on this foundation nicely, giving more room to experiment and refine your playstyle.

The biggest improvement is progression. Resource gathering is far less grind-heavy than before, and that makes a huge difference. There’s more to unlock, more to invest in, and each run feels meaningful. Even smaller systems, like fishing, are better integrated. Gone are the days of spending 45 minutes scraping together a single useful item.
The grind is dead. Long live the grind.

There’s also more variety. Two main routes, additional challenges, and plenty of content to explore mean the game rarely feels stale. Some additions play it a little safe, and I did find myself wishing for a more transformative mechanic to push the formula further, but what’s here works incredibly well.
Not everything lands perfectly, though.

At times, the visual noise can be overwhelming. There’s so much happening on screen that clarity takes a hit, especially in later encounters. It’s not game-breaking, but it can be frustrating, and it feels like something stronger accessibility options could help address. Games like DOOM: The Dark Ages have shown how effective those options can be.
Difficulty can also spike in ways that feel a bit artificial. Enemy density, armour, and sheer screen clutter can occasionally make things feel less like a test of skill and more like the game pushing back for the sake of it. Thankfully, this isn’t constant, and most encounters still feel fair.

Even with those issues, Hades II is incredibly easy to sink into. It builds on the original with confidence, trims back the grind, and keeps that “just one more run” feeling alive and well. The combat remains slick and satisfying, the systems add meaningful depth, and the overall rhythm of play is hard to walk away from.
It’s ridiculously addictive.

Like… worryingly addictive. But in a good way.


Overall

…You’re still here?

The review is over. It’s done. Go home.

Actually, don’t. Go and buy Hades II. It’s bloody brilliant.

It delivers the same depth in combat and storytelling, with less grind and more to do. Not every narrative beat or character lands, but enough of them do to create something memorable, emotional, and consistently engaging.
The art is beautiful. The sound design is excellent. And it’s a game that just keeps giving.

So yeah, go on. Off you go.

chicka-chick-ah

+++ Same amazing roguelike, fantasy gameplay with new additions
++ Much less grind, and much more to do
++ Visually striking, and stellar presentation
+ Some great characters, story beats, and lore

-- Some story beats didn't work with the repeating roguelike formula
- Nothing truly innovative for mechanics or systems - Still good additions
- Some annoying difficulty spikes, and a lack of certain accessibility options

A PS5 and Xbox Series X/S review code of Hades 2 was kindly provided by Supergiant Games