Hades II

Hades 2 is, somehow, even better than its predecessor. The impeccable art style and soundtrack are already a given when you take Supergiant's track record into account, but the increase in scope is as bold as successful. The ending to the campaign can disappoint some players, but not in a way that obfuscates the rest of the game.

Hades 2 is a textbook example of what an ideal sequel should look like. More content, more time to spend in the game without feeling bored, and above all, more fun. Industry giants can learn from the small Supergiant Games how to make games.

Few developers can take an already near-perfect game and craft a sequel that surpasses it, but Supergiant Games is one of the rare exceptions. Hades was almost flawless, and Hades II feels like “flawless plus.” It builds on the original’s foundation with precision and purpose, expanding only where it truly counts, and delivers one of the finest roguelike experiences ever made, without the need to reinvent the wheel.

Hades 2 is a standout experience in a year full of highlights, keeping the player coming back run after run for just one more go. The art style and graphics are as impressive as ever, a visual feast at every turn.

Hades II builds upon the already near perfect first Hades in all the possible ways, making its big brother feel like a draft. Supergiant caught lightning in a bottle and carved it into a perfect bolt worthy of the King of Olympus.

Hades II is everything I wanted and more, expanding upon nearly everything in the original and making it bigger, better, and stronger. Supergiant delivers a title that will satisfy existing fans and capture new ones, creating a game that is far more than just a sequel.

Hades 2 takes the already-awesome formula that made the Supergiant Games' first take on Greek mythology so great and ramps up every aspect possible, with more gods and monsters and an even more complicated narrative. The result is a masterpiece that shouldn't be missed.

By leveraging a wonderful creative process in close contact with their community, Supergiant has created an extraordinary title, capable of soaring above all others in its genre in terms of overall quality, structural brilliance, balance of its parts, and beauty. Hades II is an impeccable work, and we've been unable to find any real flaws in it, game after game. Perfection may not be of this world, but Supergiant has come very close.

Hades 2 is one of those games that perfectly encapsulates the best traits of its genre and manages to cleverly work around its harshest weaknesses. It’s the kind of project that has so much passion to all of its details that it’s worth coming back for more every single time. Whether struggling against the odds or acing it quickly, the experience will stay with you as long as you don’t give up and pay attention to everything it has to offer.

Hades 2 is a game that is essential to experience, with all of its parts coalescing into a memorable adventure that you will likely lose dozens of hours to without regret.

There's an interesting new consideration of elemental affinities, where boons all grant one of a handful of elemental essences, and other boons will activate based on how many of a specific essence you have – another layer to consider when planning out a build.

Hades 2 elevates what Hades began: It's a beautiful and incredibly engaging sequel with mightily satisfying combat.

Even better than its already brilliant predecessor, Hades 2 offers more content, a crisp combat system, lovable and exciting characters, and so many details that even after dozens of hours, you won't feel a bit bored. A masterful sequel that could hardly be any better.

Hades II builds on everything that the original had and manages to double the content while still keeping its Supergiant Games feel. It has unrivaled roguelite elements that prioritise player skill over randomisation, and content aplenty that you won't be left wanting for more.

After playing the first Early Access period, I was almost certain Hades II had not lived up to its predecessor, despite still being an all-timer of a roguelike. I soon learned after playing the 1.0 version that I could be wrong. Once you're past the inch-high hurdle of the tonal shift and gameplay differences, it becomes clear that you couldn't ask for more out of a Hades sequel than what you get with Hades II. Bigger in scope and scale, with genuine surprises, a gripping story, and characters you'll check in on every time you get the chance, Hades II is as good as if not better than Supergiant's original roguelike champion, accomplishing a feat equal to stopping Time himself.

Bigger, better, and more challenging than its predecessor in virtually every way, Hades 2 is a true lesson in how to make a sequel. With some of the best combat ever created for action games, Supergiant Games' new work impresses with great dialogue full of sarcasm, originality in its representation of Greek mythology, an excellent soundtrack, and beautiful art direction. The roguelike retains the essence of the first game in the franchise, but adds a number of elements that make the gameplay more strategic and challenging. In a 2025 marked by great titles from independent studios, Hades 2 emerges as another strong contender for Game of the Year.

Hades II is a sequel to one of the best games ever made, and it just might be even better than its predecessor. This is a wild, imaginative, and thoroughly captivating ride that will mesmerize for years to come.

Hades II has achieved the impossible, managing in every regard to improve upon one of the greatest indie games of all time, at no point feeling derivative of what came before, but iterating so thoroughly as to create something as novel as it is familiar.

I'll be playing Hades 2 for the rest of the year.

Hades II takes the addictive roguelite formula of the first game, adds a few spices with minimal modifications, and delivers an improved execution. So mote it be.

Mythical. Simply mythical. This is the Odyssey to the first game’s Iliad—no cheap imitation, no lazy follow-up. It’s the natural evolution of everything that made the original resonate: the music, the gameplay, the writing, and the very soul of the roguelike. One would struggle to overstate the sheer divinity of its aura as it carves its place in history as a fine way— nay, the only way — to spend your time.

Hades II reminded me that roguelites, when well designed, are not exercises in frustration but perfect machines for telling stories. Every defeat sent me back to the Crossroads not with anger, but with curiosity. It’s rare to find a game that balances immediacy and depth, frenzy and reflection, so well. After dozens of hours, I don’t feel “tired” of the game — I feel even more engaged: I want to see every branch of the story, try every weapon, and find the combination of boons that will make me feel unstoppable. For this reason, Hades II is not only the best roguelite ever made, but also one of the most significant works of recent years.

I’m a huge fan—not just of Hades, but of the entire catalog of titles released by Supergiant Games to date. So it came as no surprise that Hades II turned out to be one of the best games I played in 2025. While writing this review, I found myself restless—not because I struggled to talk about the game, but because every minute at the keyboard was a minute spent away from Tartarus or Olympus. Its only shortcoming lies in the somewhat limited strategic variety offered by Melinoë’s weapon aspects. Beyond that, Hades II elevates every element that made Hades the breakout hit of 2020, delivering once again one of the finest roguelikes ever made—packed with content and crafted with a quality worthy of a true Greek epic.

Hades 2 is well worth it. Balanced, challenging, and engaging, the game manages to combine excellent gameplay with an intriguing story that always finds a way to reward the time invested. While its impact is not quite the same as the previous game, Supergiant has once again delivered a major success and continues its tradition as one of the most talented studios in the industry.

Hades II captures the essence of the roguelike genre with the mastery expected from a roguelite specialist. Building on the strengths of its predecessor, it adds more variety and depth, enriching the overall experience.

Hades 2 is a narratively and visually unique roguelite that combines fast-paced, intense combat with an in-depth progression system.

Above all, this is what few pretenders manage to imitate, and ensures that even when your stated mission is to 'kill time', you feel like you're doing much more. [Issue#417, p.104]

After previous hits such as Bastion, Transistor, and of course Hades, Supergiant Games has perfected its tried-and-tested formula. Hades II is a triumph that is both funny and accessible, yet brutally difficult and complex. Honestly, we wouldn't want to be in the developers' shoes. How on earth do you top this?

Hades 2 is a masterful sequel. Melinoe's adventure surpasses Zagreus's in absolutely every way: more robust and enjoyable gameplay; more diverse progression that offers an infinite number of ways to complete a run, each as satisfying as the next; titanic content literally doubled compared to the original title; divine artistic direction, Supergiant Games offers us yet another Boon worthy of the gods. The title has everything it needs to be included in the pantheon of the best rogue-lites of all time, or even to win the GOTY 2025 title. Such generosity, however, is to its detriment when it comes to the true ending of the game, which is unnecessarily long to unlock, and terribly disappointing given the time spent to reach it. However, this will only concern the most dedicated players, and ultimately does not detract so much from the immense qualities of a title that has everything of a true masterpiece.

Hades II is everything a sequel should be and more, delivering an incredibly engaging roguelite experience driven by fantastic gameplay and a rich, slow-burning narrative.

Supergiant Games' first sequel does not disappoint and actually delivers another memorable and incredibly fun romp through Greek mythology as envisioned by the Californian developers.

Hades 2 is a great sequel that is built upon the gameplay base of the first game, introduces some innovations, and takes us for a journey into the world of Greek mythology that is ulike anything you learned in school. At the same time it looks and sounds fantastic, but the emotional payoff is not the same as before.

A sequel that makes you forget its narrative shortcomings with its addictive gameplay - yet those very flaws keep it from finding as special a place in your heart as the first one did.

Top sequel that surpasses its predecessor in (almost) every respect.

In the end Hades 2 is an extremely successful sequel to the cult game. Both the seasoned pros and those new to Supergiant games are going to have a blast with it. Although it's still a roguelike, with all the advantages and disadvantages of the genre, the excellent dialogues and hypnotic music make it worth the effort. The visuals, refined down to the smallest detail, are stunning, and characters such as Dora and Artemis will stay with you long after the game ends. Hades 2 isn't perfect, but it's still ready to take on Clair Obscur, the new Silent Hill, and Silksong.

Hades 2 is the worthy successor to its little brother released in 2020. More beautiful, more complete, more addictive, more varied, and above all, even bigger in terms of content, Supergiant Games treats us once again with their most comprehensive project to date. If you played the first one, you'll love this one, and if you haven't... you'll probably love it even more! A new masterpiece not to be missed, which, even if we're starting to see the formula worn thin, still works and will keep you busy all fall and even winter if necessary, no problem.

Hades II succeeds in this crazy gamble of respecting the essence of its predecessor while adding layers: enriched gameplay, deeper narrative, reinforced artistic direction, grandiose soundtrack. That said, the game does not completely transcend repetitiveness—cycle after cycle, run after run, we end up recognizing the same biomes, the same room constructions, the same visual motifs—which can limit the wonder after long sessions. If you accept this condition—that repetition is part of the journey—then you will live an adventure blessed by the Gods.

With Hades 2, the studio didn’t just meet expectations, they absolutely obliterated them. Bigger in scope, sharper in writing, and deeper in its mechanics, the game surpasses its predecessor on every level. Where many sequels merely pile on content, this one completely reshuffles the roguelite formula with fearless ambition, while remaining incredibly accessible. It’s a rare tour de force, a masterclass in game design that proves excellence can be pushed even further, run after run. Hades 2 isn’t just a successful sequel. It’s a lesson in design, a celebration of the roguelite genre, and a living hymn to mythology. By managing to elevate a formula already considered perfect, Supergiant has delivered one of the most brilliant sequels in video game history. It’s also a powerful reminder that a game can be demanding, generous, and profoundly human all at once. You don’t come out of it unscathed, and more importantly, you never want to leave.

Hades 2 is an undoubtedly excellent game, but it can't quite escape the shadow cast by the original – I just know I won't be playing this one as much as the first. That's okay, of course, but it has me once again looking forward to Supergiant's next new idea, not what they're doing now.

Improving and expanding on everything that made the first game so memorable, Hades 2 is an even more epic rogue-lite journey and Supergiant's best work yet.

In the end, Hades II is that rare sequel that expands without diluting. It respects the past without being trapped by it, preserving what truly matters. It gives us the almost tangible thrill of stepping into a room never knowing which version of ourselves will walk out. Between steel and spell, Supergiant delivers one of the year’s strongest indie titles.

Hades 2 is a hugely ambitious sequel that occasionally stretches itself too thin in an attempt to make up for its increased scope, but that only distracts temporarily from a game that's intricately crafted in every facet of its existence. Impeccable combat and flawless characterization across a huge roster make for a follow-up that surpasses even its excellent predecessor.

Despite some stumbles in its opening hours, Hades 2 blooms with flexible combat and unforgettable characters.

We're looking at a solid and engaging sequel that expands on the Hades universe without any major revolutions. A conservative second installment, therefore, that builds on the successful formula of its predecessor without overhauling it. Supergiant changes the protagonist, introduces new biomes, deities, and supporting mechanics, but remains faithful to the action roguelite gameplay that was already highly appreciated in 2020. Despite its lack of flaws, however, Hades II fails to shake off the feeling of being "just" a major expansion, rather than a truly new video game.