Hades II

Hades 2 carefully sandwiches more nuance between the original roguelike’s kinetic combat, gorgeous visuals, and heartfelt narrative. With each end comes an opportunity to clear an obstacle, deepen a bond, and inch closer to thwarting Chronos.

95%Game Brain Score

gameplay, story

grinding, stability

96% User Score Based on 50,000 reviews

Critic Score 92%Based on 5 reviews

Platforms

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About

Hades II is a single player role playing game. It was developed by Supergiant Games and was released on February 28, 2024. It received very positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Hades II continues the thrilling rogue-like action as the immortal Princess of the Underworld battles to stop the Titan of Time, wielding ancient witchcraft and divine powers. Explore a vast, mythic realm filled with dynamic challenges, powerful Boons from Olympian gods, and a rich cast of characters. Every run offers new story developments and limitless ways to grow stronger.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 50,000 reviews

gameplay2.8k positive mentions

grinding523 negative mentions

The gameplay of Hades II is engaging and fluid, with significant improvements over its predecessor, offering a satisfying and addictive roguelike experience.
The graphics and art style are stunning, with vibrant colors and intricate character designs that enhance the overall immersive experience.
The game is well-optimized, providing smooth performance and minimal bugs, even in early access, which contributes to a polished gaming experience.

The narrative and pacing, particularly towards the ending, are criticized for being unsatisfying and lacking the depth found in the first game.
Many players find the grinding aspect to be tedious and extensive, making the gameplay loop feel repetitive, especially in the late stages.
Character development is seen as rushed or incomplete, leading to a sense of stagnation in the stories of certain characters compared to the original.

gameplay
7,243 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
58%
3%
The gameplay of Hades II has been widely praised for its engaging mechanics, fluid combat, and significant improvements over its predecessor, Hades I. Players appreciate the introduction of new systems, such as the mana mechanic and various weapon types, which enhance the strategic depth and replayability of the game. However, some critiques highlight that the narrative and pacing, particularly towards the ending, may detract from the overall experience, with a few players expressing disappointment in the story's resolution compared to the first game. Overall, the gameplay remains a strong point, offering a satisfying and addictive roguelike experience.
- “They improved and fine-tuned the gameplay and mechanics that were already amazing in the original, bringing the game itself to another level.”
- “The gameplay builds upon the first game with a more varied moveset, a plethora of weapons, and even things like familiars that can have a big impact on the way you play.”
- “The gameplay is fast, fluid, and deeply addictive, with every run feeling rewarding.”
- “The writing, the art, the mechanics, the enemy design: it all feels expertly done, but everything feels like it's chasing after the most bland, middle of the road average of every other roguelike out there today.”
- “There's nothing weird, unexpected, or unique to be found, and the moment-to-moment gameplay just wasn't enough to propel me forward.”
- “The worst part of the experience manages to be the exact same as Hades 1, which is the progression of character dialogue and gameplay progression being completely out of sync.”
story
6,975 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
61%
3%
The story in "Hades II" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the gameplay and mechanics have improved significantly, the narrative does not reach the same heights as its predecessor. Critics highlight a lack of character development and an unsatisfying ending that undermines the buildup of the plot, leaving many feeling disappointed. Despite these concerns, the game still offers engaging storytelling and character interactions, making it enjoyable for those who prioritize gameplay over narrative depth. Overall, while the story has its merits, it appears to fall short of the expectations set by the first game.
- “The story is very detailed and in-depth.”
- “Great storytelling and voice acting that never fail to get me invested and leaves me wanting to find out more.”
- “Hades 2 expands on the original with rich, character-driven storytelling that makes every run feel meaningful.”
- “This could've been so much better story-wise, but it's like they got tired of the game and called it a day.”
- “The story seemingly falls apart towards the end; it feels like it was completely rushed, that old characters had their personalities assassinated, and there was just no decent payoff.”
- “The ending to every story is just baffling.”
music
3,330 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
42%
1%
The music in "Hades II" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its quality and emotional impact. The soundtrack, composed by Darren Korb, features a mix of familiar themes and new compositions that enhance the game's atmosphere, particularly during boss fights, such as those involving Scylla and the Sirens. While some players feel that the music may not reach the iconic heights of the first game, it is still regarded as exceptional and integral to the overall experience, contributing to the game's immersive storytelling and dynamic gameplay.
- “The soundtrack is vast and varied, meets the tone in every situation and ultimately just slaps; there are some real bangers in here.”
- “The music is just as stellar, as well.”
- “The music and voice work are phenomenal, with moments of quiet beauty amid the chaos.”
- “The music is the worst part of this game.”
- “The soundtrack seems to be a step down from the first game and the mixes on all the songs seem a bit off and unpolished to me which sucks a little cause the first game had an amazing soundtrack.”
- “The music doesn't quite hit as hard, the bosses are a mixed bag, and the game literally goes out of its way to slow down your progress in the opening hours.”
graphics
1,868 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
44%
1%
The graphics of Hades II have received widespread acclaim for their stunning art style, vibrant colors, and intricate character designs, which many players find even more impressive than those in the original game. While some reviews note that certain character models and artwork are still in development, the overall visual presentation is described as polished and immersive, enhancing the game's engaging narrative and gameplay. The combination of beautiful visuals, a captivating soundtrack, and smooth animations contributes to a rich gaming experience that fans of the genre are eager to explore.
- “The art style, music, and gameplay are all top-tier.”
- “The visuals are stunning, the story is of course amazing, the voice acting is top notch.”
- “The graphics are fantastic, the gameplay is thought out and very fun over long times of slashing through your enemies.”
- “The hitboxes of my attacks don't match the visuals at all, and it's very frustrating to see my attack overlap with an enemy but do no damage.”
- “The current visuals are too chaotic, making it difficult to distinguish the direction of enemy attacks or even locate the enemies themselves.”
- “Some graphics are not there and towards the end of the main quest, it is more glitchy.”
grinding
550 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
4%
95%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it feels significantly more tedious and extensive compared to its predecessor. While some appreciate the added depth and variety in resource gathering and crafting, others find the sheer volume of required materials and the limitations of using only one tool per run to be frustrating and unnecessarily time-consuming. Overall, the game is described as rewarding yet grindy, with a gameplay loop that can become repetitive, especially in the late stages.
- “Good artistic quality runs smoothly and fun gameplay that's not grindy.”
- “This is an amazing sequel to Hades. The characters are amazing, the combat system has so much variation yet is still simple to grasp, and the progression is fairly balanced so you aren't grinding for items.”
- “Hades is a great game with fun progression, a fun gameplay loop that isn't too grindy and is hyper rewarding, has incredible combat, and feels great to play.”
- “The story fails to be engaging and to blend with the gameplay, while the gameplay is too grindy and repetitive to justify the time investment it demands as a consequence.”
- “The grinding of resources, which was already too much in the first game for my taste, got completely out of hand in the second game.”
- “You're farming resources to get 5% more powerful, then you level up the difficulty and the monsters are now 50% more dangerous, and you repeat the cycle... the game becomes just another ARPG grindfest.”
replayability
410 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
50%
1%
Hades II is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, with many players noting the unique weapon aspects, diverse builds, and multiple routes that enhance the gameplay experience. The game builds on its predecessor's strengths, offering a wealth of content and mechanics that keep players engaged for countless runs. Even in early access, the replay value is considered immense, with many players expressing excitement for the ongoing development and additional features that promise to further enrich the experience.
- “Hades 2 is a deeply replayable, emotionally rich, and mechanically refined roguelike that builds beautifully on its predecessor — and somehow makes countless deaths feel like progress.”
- “The game now features two separate routes of runs, basically doubling the potential replayability of the previous game.”
- “So much replayability just from the weapons, boons, upgrades, etc. Every time you think you've unlocked the last of the content, you unlock something new you can work towards if you'd like.”
- “The narrative purpose isn’t clear, and replayability fades because there’s no strong 'why' pushing you through more runs.”
- “The ending is so bad it kills all enjoyment and replayability.”
- “This is just an extension of the first with more busy work to force replayability.”
character development
399 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
53%
4%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning character designs and voice acting, while others express disappointment in the depth and progression of character arcs compared to the original. Some players feel that character development feels rushed or incomplete, particularly for certain characters, leading to a sense of stagnation in their stories. Overall, while the artistic elements are celebrated, the narrative and character development aspects seem to have fallen short for some fans, especially when compared to the first game.
- “Hades redefined storytelling in roguelites, and perfected the art of making failure rewarding through a combination of character development and permanent upgrades.”
- “The character designs, writing, and voice acting are excellent as usual.”
- “The character design, voice acting, story, and gameplay are all excellent.”
- “There was barely any character development and it's a serious letdown.”
- “The game’s cast gets no character development—everyone feels stagnant and boring.”
- “The character development happens off-screen, skipping crucial moments just to reach the conclusion.”
humor
290 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in "Hades II" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a shift from the witty, dry humor of the first game to a more serious tone, particularly in the character of Melinoë, who lacks the charm and quippiness of Zagreus. While some players appreciate the sharp writing and occasional funny moments, they feel that the overall comedic elements are less frequent and impactful compared to the original. Despite this, the game still features humorous interactions and clever references, maintaining a balance between mythic drama and lightheartedness, though many hope for a return to the more playful banter of its predecessor.
- “The writing walks a fine line between mythic drama and sharp humor, and the voice work brings it all to life.”
- “The characters are smart, witty, and often outright funny!”
- “The dialogue is sharp, sometimes humorous, and always engaging.”
- “One is utilized for the sake of stale comedy, and the other is the most unfunny drag of a joke known to man.”
- “It's not funny or quirky.”
- “This game has good visual animation, good music, and a good story, but it is just not funny.”
emotional
194 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The emotional aspect of "Hades II" has garnered mixed responses from players, with many praising its character interactions, voice acting, and soundtrack for creating a rich emotional atmosphere. However, some reviewers feel that the narrative lacks the emotional depth and cohesion found in its predecessor, leading to a less impactful experience overall. While the game introduces new characters and themes, the emotional stakes and resolutions often feel rushed or underdeveloped, leaving some players longing for the heartfelt connections established in the first game.
- “The art, music, and voice acting are top-notch, creating an atmosphere that’s both epic and emotional.”
- “The relationships you build, the secrets you uncover, and the subtle growth of Melinoë herself create a loop that’s as emotionally rich as it is mechanically sharp.”
- “The writing is sharp, heartfelt, and often hilarious, and the delivery by the voice actors adds layers to an already excellent narrative.”
- “The most boring storyline in my gaming history, a bloody disgrace compared to the first part.”
- “Too much grinding for nothing; the story is boring due to the spaghetti dialogue tree.”
- “I think that the nature of this sequel has really limited the amount of new story beats they can introduce, and frankly, I just don't care about the mechanics of this game in service of a bad, boring story.”
optimization
177 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
43%
3%
Overall, the optimization of the game has received widespread acclaim, with many players reporting flawless performance, smooth gameplay, and high frame rates across various platforms, including PC and Steam Deck. While some users noted minor stuttering issues, the majority experienced no bugs or significant performance problems, highlighting the developers' commitment to delivering a polished experience even in early access. The game's optimization is praised as a standout feature, contributing to its addictive gameplay and immersive storytelling.
- “Performance is flawless, difficulty is perfectly tuned, and every death feels like a lesson rather than a punishment.”
- “The game is optimized to a razor's edge; it's smaller on disk than the first, with nonexistent load times and quality of life improvements to ensure a smooth transition from one run to the next.”
- “Despite being in early access, I haven't encountered any bugs or performance issues.”
- “Great game, but every time I play, the frame rate drops from 300+ to <50 for a few seconds several times a minute, and the stuttering makes the deeper levels borderline unplayable.”
- “But since the full release, I have experienced instability and performance issues that make the game unplayable.”
- “Huge performance issue since v1 launch; it's unplayable. If a controller is connected, the game’s performance is gradually slowed down with an awful sound and the framerate is very low.”
atmosphere
170 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
48%
4%
The atmosphere in "Hades II" is widely praised for its stunning art direction, immersive music, and emotional depth, creating a captivating experience that feels both familiar and fresh compared to its predecessor. While many reviewers appreciate the darker, more serious tone and intricate environments, some express disappointment over the shift from the original's lighter atmosphere, noting it feels heavier and more somber. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as a beautifully crafted blend of mythological elements, engaging character interactions, and a haunting soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- “The art, music, and voice acting are top-notch, creating an atmosphere that’s both epic and emotional.”
- “The art direction deepens its mythic atmosphere with moody color palettes, intricate animations, and breathtaking environments that ooze style.”
- “The atmosphere, music, and visuals are top-notch.”
- “The atmosphere of the game is so dour.”
- “The atmosphere is gloomier and colder than Hades 1.”
- “Unfortunately, this time around I think the two words I could use to describe the general atmosphere of the game are muted and bloated.”
stability
137 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
5%
64%
Overall, the stability of the game is commendable, especially for an early access title, with many players reporting minimal bugs and smooth performance across various devices, including the Steam Deck and Linux systems. While some users encountered minor glitches and occasional crashes, the majority found the game to be polished and enjoyable, often noting that it runs better than many fully released games. However, players are advised to expect some bugs typical of early access games, but many agree that the experience remains largely bug-free and engaging.
- “The game already has such polish, no glitches, endlessly repeatable.”
- “This game does not feel like an early access game, it is extremely polished and I ran into almost no glitches at all.”
- “For an early access title, it plays smooth and through my 7 hours or so of play have been bug free.”
- “The game crashes and glitches quite often.”
- “I have terrible lag and I've tried all the troubleshooting methods and it still lags like crazy.”
- “The game freezes almost every time I pick up a boon for no reason I can discern.”
monetization
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
24%
67%
Overall, the monetization aspect of the game has been positively received, with numerous reviewers praising the absence of microtransactions, ads, and other common monetization pitfalls. Many players feel that the game delivers substantial content and quality without resorting to cash grab tactics, reinforcing a sense of trust in the developers' commitment to creating a genuine sequel. The consensus is that this game stands out in a market often criticized for exploitative monetization practices.
- “Fun, with tons of content and replayability, no bugs, no microtransactions and a great price!”
- “They care, they deliver quality and quantity, they fairly price their games, no microtransactions, no fluff, all love.”
- “I never encountered a single bug, there wasn't any monetization scheme, which is practically mythical these days.”
- “It feels more like a cash grab rather than a sequel to a game with 10 million copies sold.”
- “This feels more like a quick cash grab than a genuine attempt to make a great game and move the genre forward.”
- “A lot of games nowadays feel like a soulless cash grab.”