With the release of version 1.0 of Hades II arriving on the Nintendo Switch 2 and PC, the already stellar rougelike sequel makes its case for another contender for game of the year.
The roguelike genre can be a hard nut to crack for those who find the idea of persevering against the often difficult barrier of entry to be too much. Hades II, like the first game in the popular God-like simulator, features a rich and multi-layered story that makes each and every run feel rewarding in its own right. In other words, even if you are unfamiliar with the series or new to the roguelike genre, Supergiant Games has made the narrative in Hades II accessible enough to enjoy for all players.
Even after countless failed runs during the first couple of hours with Hades II, I was never frustrated with the game due to new story beats and gameplay mechanics that moved the needle forward, inching me towards the depths of the Underworld against my plight against Time itself.
For those unfamiliar with the story of Hades II, players take on the role of Melinoë, sister to Zagreus, the protagonist of the first game. Instead of a personal mission to reunite with their mother and have it out with the lord of the Underworld, Melinoë instead has trained most of her life to take out Chronos, her grandfather and the Titan of Time.
Breaking free from his imprisonment in Tartarus, Chronos has laid siege to the Underworld, forcing Melinoë into action with help from her mentor and fellow witch, Hecate, who also serves as the first boss on the journey to slay Chronos. As in the first game, Melinoë is not alone. With the Olympian gods on her side, players can expect deep build potential as they progress through six distinct biomes, ranging from the Underworld to the heights of Mount Olympus.
Never before seen gods, such as Hephaestus, Apollo, Eris, and Selene (just to name a few), fill out the existing roster of Gods and Goddesses that give powerful boons to Melinoë, including new Duo Boons and Infusion spells. With the latter two, offering players potent combo effects from corresponding Gods, making it possible to shred through some of Hades II more challenging encounters.
Hades II places a much greater emphasis on magic, with Melinoë coming equipped with a dedicated Magick gauge, which is tied to various special attacks and magic-infused spells, such as exclusive Hex abilities granted to the player by Selene. Spells or magic attacks can spell (pun intended) the difference between overcoming that tough boss encounter or biome, making it an absolute essential mechanic to master.
Weapon variety in Hades II is also quite diverse, giving players a healthy mix of up close and personal options, with range-focused and AoE kits, such as the Sister Blades, Moonstone Axe, and the Argent Skull. While the last update to Hades II brought with it the introduction of the Black Coat arms, which have since become my favourite weapon in the game.
One of the main appeals of a strong roguelike is the variety of modifiers and persistent unlocks that gradually allow players to push further. Hades II delivers on this in spades, building on the endless combinations of boons and magic upgrades. The game also offers a wide range of incantations that can be brewed by collecting and cultivating plants. These grant Melinoë permanent modifiers, including new chambers, healing fountains and passive effects that help in battles against tougher enemies.
“Hades II delivers another hellishly good time, while being the best roguelike of the year.”
To continue with the witch theme Supergiant Games have so lovingly crafted, Hades II features a handful of powerful familiars that become available via some incantations and overworld exploration. A single Familiar can accompany the player on their run, which, like everything else in the game, puts the onus on the player to discover and find what suits their playstyle the best.
With an abundance of weapons, modifiers, and unlockable secrets, Hades II fires on all cylinders. Building upon the rock-solid foundation of its predecessor, Hades II delivers another hellishly good time, while being the best roguelike of the year. With console exclusivity tied to the Nintendo Switch ecosystem, Hades II, at least on Nintendo Switch 2, is an absolute joy to play. With a rock-solid 60fps presentation during handheld play at 1080p full HD, while offering an even smoother 120fps on docked play, Hades II is a match made in Elysium on the Nintendo Switch 2.
“Hades II is a match made in Elysium on the Nintendo Switch 2.”
For players who have already experienced Hades II during its early-access period on PC, the Nintendo Switch versions of the game support cross progression, meaning you can pick up right where you left off on your platform of choice. With over a dozen hours already sunk into the early access build of the game, I was happy to keep my progress when reviewing its console iteration, making it perfect for those who like to play on multiple platforms. Outside of something like the Steam Deck OLED, Hades II on the Nintendo Switch 2 is the best way to experience the game on the go.
Haptics, more specifically, HD Rumble 2, all feel appropriately nuanced, both on the Joy-Con 2 controllers and the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, making it a step up from my PC experience, as I tend to use a motorless gamepad on that platform. Ultimately, no matter the platform, Hades II is an absolute must-play for fans of the series, but that should go without saying.
Finally, for those who are new to the genre or unfamiliar with the series, Hades II feels original enough, where you can jump in without prior knowledge of the series and still have a great time, making it an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a rewarding and fun game with a rich story and hours of content to keep you engaged.
