Hades 2 Early Access Review: Supergiant's Sequel Exceeds Expectations

Supergiant Games has done it again. Hades 2 launched into early access with more content than many finished games, introducing Melinoë—Zagreus's sister and the Princess of the Underworld—on a quest to defeat Chronos, the Titan of Time who has conquered the House of Hades.

A Worthy Successor

Everything you loved about the original Hades is here, but expanded. Melinoë wields a variety of weapons—from witch's staves to moonstone axes—each with unique movesets that feel distinct from Zagreus's arsenal. The core loop of dying, upgrading, and trying again remains addictive.

The biggest addition is the Crossroads, a surface hub area where you can craft items, grow magical plants, and interact with new and returning characters. It adds meaningful progression between runs that the original lacked.

New Gods, New Boons

Hades 2 introduces a pantheon of new Olympians alongside returning favorites:

• Apollo: Dazzling light-based attacks and perfect timing rewards
• Hestia: Burn effects and hearth magic
• Hephaestus: Explosive blasts and armor-breaking strikes
• Selene: Powerful hex abilities and moon magic
• Returning favorites: Zeus, Poseidon, Aphrodite, and more

The Magick System

Melinoë's unique Magick resource adds strategic depth. Unlike Zagreus's straightforward abilities, Melinoë must manage her Magick meter for special attacks and omega moves—powerful charged versions of standard attacks that can clear rooms when used effectively.

The Verdict

Hades 2 in early access already rivals most finished roguelikes. Supergiant has somehow improved on a near-perfect formula while maintaining the character-driven storytelling and tight gameplay that made the original a phenomenon. Even incomplete, this is one of the best indie games you can play right now.