Hades II Review — Bigger, Wilder Roguelike Magic
Supergiant’s first sequel expands Hades into a larger, witchy roguelike: razor‑sharp combat, dizzying build variety, stunning art and soundtrack — but a heavier progression grind and a less focused story hold it back from perfection.
Hades II takes everything fans loved about the original and piles on more weapons, gods, and witchcraft — then dares you to survive it. It’s familiar in the best way (Supergiant polish, Darren Korb bangers) but bolder in scope — sometimes to its own detriment.
You play as Melinoë and barrel through fast, responsive action combat that rewards timing, positioning and experimentation. Weapons feel punchy and now carry more subtlety with new aspects, infusions and the whole witchcraft/arcana layer — there are genuine ‘oh wow’ moments when a build clicks. Boons from Olympus still shape runs, familiars and companions add flavor, and Tools of the Unseen + the Altar of Ashes create meta choices that matter. The game offers two distinct routes (surface vs. underworld), dozens of voiced characters, and memorable boss encounters that demand attention. Presentation is top tier: hand‑painted environments, smoother 3D characters and an intoxicating soundtrack. That said, some weapon aspects blur together, certain arenas feel overly chaotic, and a lot of progression is gated behind resource farming and RNG — which stretches runs and can make unlocking specific upgrades a slog. Accessibility issues (bright spell effects) and the occasional overpowered boon combos also crop up, but on the whole combat and discovery keep pulling you back for one more run.
Hades II is a triumphant, ambitious sequel: brilliant in combat and presentation, occasionally weighed down by progression and pacing choices. For most players it’s worth the trip — prepare for long runs, clever builds, and a soundtrack that’ll stick with you.
Pros
- Exceptional, fluid combat with deep build variety and satisfying weapon feel.
- Stunning art and soundtrack — classic Supergiant presentation at its best.
- Huge replayability: new gods, companions, familiars and nearly endless permutations.
Cons
- Progression feels grindy; key upgrades often require many runs and RNG luck.
- Story and character beats don’t land as cleanly as the original for many players.
Player Opinion
Players love the combat, artistry and soundtrack — many logged hundreds of hours and still find surprises. Common praise also goes to the weapon variety, companions and the sense of discovery. Criticisms focus on a heavier grind, occasional RNG‑dependent prophecies, some repetitive or chaotic arenas and a storyline that doesn’t resonate as strongly as Hades I. A few users also mentioned accessibility issues with flashing effects. If you care most about moment‑to‑moment combat, you’ll likely adore it; if story and smooth pacing mattered most, temper expectations.