Hades II [PC] | REVIEW

Supergiant Games had already re-defined the roguelike genre with Hades, a title that became a modern classic almost overnight, but with Hades II, they have managed to raise the bar yet again. This sequel takes everything that made the original so compelling – tight combat, rewarding progression, and engaging storytelling – and builds upon it with more ambition, more variety, and more heart. The result is a masterpiece that instantly feels like an easy contender for 2025’s ‘Game of the Year’.

Check out some screenshots down below:

In Hades II, the story shifts to Melinoë, daughter of Hades and younger sister of Zagreus. Trained by the witch Hecate, she’s a warrior and spell caster who must reclaim the Underworld from Chronos, the Titan of Time, who has imprisoned her family and set the stage for conflict. Unlike her brother’s quest to escape the Underworld, Melinoë begins her runs breaking into Hell itself, fighting her way downward through familiar yet re-imagined realms to face off against her grandfather.

The narrative cleverly builds on what came before it whilst also carving its own sense of identity. Where the first game focused on intimate family struggles, this sequel expands the scope, layering in mythological weight without losing its character-driven charm – the stakes feel higher, but at the same time, it maintains that tight-knit vibe that made the storytelling of the original game so alluring. And again, conversations with allies and foes evolve dynamically based on your successes and failures, making the world feel alive, responsive, and as engaging as ever. Even after dozens of runs, fresh dialogue continues to surprise, drip-feeding new details about the people you encounter and their shifting relationships.

Hades felt slick and like the pinnacle of roguelike action, but Hades II manages to surpass it. Melinoë wields a selection of six very different weapons, with each coming with unique move sets that are further enhanced by ‘Omega’ attacks – charged versions that can completely alter your effectiveness in combat. Holding down an attack might teleport you behind an enemy, unleash explosive damage, or transform a combo into something far more devastating, with the mechanic not only feeling intuitive and natural in-game, but also pivotal to your success and flexibility in combat.

“With exhilarating combat, gorgeous presentation, and narrative that rewards persistence, Hades II is the perfect type of sequel that feels both familiar and completely new.”

The pace of combat strikes a perfect balance of fast and frenetic, but without ever overwhelming the player. You’ll dodge and dash constantly, weave through bullet-hell patterns, and strategically unleash Melinoë’s spells to ensnare or damage foes, whilst the variety of weaponry allows players to put their own stamp on their fighting style. Meanwhile, the variety of enemies, from grotesque underworld creatures to unforgettable bosses, ensures no two fights feel the same, and despite tens of hours of runs already, I never grew tired of seeing everything that Hades II had to throw at me.

Layered on top of this is the boon system, where gods offer upgrades that can boost damage, alter abilities, or even redefine your build entirely. The sheer variety of synergies means each run feels unique… maybe you become a nimble glass cannon focused on critical strikes, or perhaps a tanky brawler with life-stealing attack? There’s a lot to tinker with, whilst keepsakes and arcana cards add further complexity, letting you customise your strengths across each playthrough. It’s a web of systems that could easily overwhelm players, yet Supergiant Games introduces them gradually and intuitively, ensuring each refinement and piece of experimentation feels like a joy rather than a chore.

Of course, as with the first game, death is never the end. Each run feeds back into a progression loop that constantly rewards your time, with failure providing resources to unlock weapons, enhance arcana cards, or trade for materials. You might return with ashes to boost your survivability, bones to invest in new gear, or rare items to craft potions, whilst side activities like fishing or mining also contribute to the sense of progress. This steady drip of upgrades makes Hades II dangerously addictive, and knowing that a failed attempt isn’t a setback but instead an opportunity to grow stronger makes it hard to stop yourself from diving back in for ‘one more run’.

Check out some screenshots down below:

And for newcomers or those who want an easier ride? The optional God Mode provides a scaling up of your damage resistance with each death, giving players a clever way to ease into the chaos without removing the satisfying sense of challenge entirely. It was something that was included in the original game and was mighty appreciated by a lot of players, so it’s nice to see that Supergiant Games have maintained that sense of accessibility.

Much like the original game, Hades II is breat-htaking to look at. The art direction builds on the first game’s painterly style but refines it further, making each god, titan, and monster feel larger than life and a joy to look at. Designs are both elegant and modern, a reinterpretation of Greek mythology that feels instantly recognisable and strikingly fresh, whilst the flow of animations in-game looks absolutely gorgeous. The world feels brilliant to be a part of from a gameplay perspective, but it also looks wonderful too.

After the brilliance of Hades, expectations were sky-high. Somehow, Hades II not only meets them but surpasses them. It is a triumph of design, a celebration of myth and storytelling, and the new benchmark for roguelikes.. between this and Silksong as of late, gamers have truly been spoilt by sequels to games that redefined their genre.

Developer: Supergiant Games
Publisher: Supergiant Games
Platform(s): PC (Reviewed), Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1145350/Hades_II/