Hades II (Early Access) Review: A Tartarus Take-Two Worth the Dive?

Supergiant Games returns with Hades II, the sequel to their smash-hit roguelike dungeon crawler, and we’re back in the underworld! But is this Early Access entry another god-like achievement or is it stuck in a Sisyphean struggle? Let’s find out.

Overview:

In Hades II, you take on the role of Melinoë, the daughter of Hades, in an adventure filled with god-tier action and that trademark Supergiant storytelling we’ve come to expect. But this isn’t just a case of “Zagreus 2.0”—it’s a fresh experience with new challenges, deities, and mechanics that already hint at a bigger, even more chaotic time in the underworld. Oh, and yes, expect the same glorious blend of Greek mythology and modern snark.

Gameplay: Like Riding a Chariot Through Tartarus (But in a Good Way)

If you've played Hades, you know the core loop: you battle your way through procedurally generated rooms full of monsters, collecting boons from Olympian gods and upgrading your abilities with each run. Hades II follows this same roguelike formula, but with a few noteworthy twists.

Melinoë’s Abilities: She’s no Zagreus. While his combat was more brute-force brawler, Melinoë’s moveset feels a little more tactical and finesse-driven. There’s an emphasis on magic, and some early access tweaks have made her feel like the ultimate hybrid of spell-slinger and melee fighter. It adds depth to combat in a way that feels fresh, especially for veterans of the original.

New Boons & Gods: This time, you’re dealing with a wider cast of gods. There’s an eclectic range of Olympians and Titans here to mess with your runs—expect some very interesting power synergies. And just like before, each god brings their own flavorful commentary and game-changing powers. (Did we mention Apollo is finally here? The internet practically screamed.)

Roguelike Hook: If you’re coming back for the addictive, “one-more-run” gameplay, Hades II doesn’t disappoint. The loop of upgrading your abilities, trying new combinations, and piecing together runs that either go phenomenally well or crash and burn in flames is just as good. And yes, the progression system feels well-paced in early access—there’s a clear path to improvement, and it’s already rewarding to experiment with different builds.

Graphics: Hell Has Never Looked This Good

Hades II sticks to the same hand-drawn art style that made the original Hades stand out like an oil painting come to life. The animations are crisp, fluid, and beautiful, making every dash, slash, and explosion of divine power feel impactful.

The environments are a visual treat too, with Supergiant clearly putting in the work to make each layer of the underworld feel distinct yet hauntingly familiar. There are new biomes in the works, and each one is loaded with the same small details and atmospheric flourishes that make the world feel alive—or as alive as the underworld gets.

Also, the gods themselves have never looked so divine (pun intended). The character designs are dripping with personality—expect some serious fan art fuel.

Sound and Music: Aural Ambrosia

Darren Korb is back on music duties, which is basically like saying Zeus is in charge of the lightning. You know you’re in for a good time. The soundtrack, even in Early Access, is killer (again, pun intended), perfectly matching the frantic action with a mix of rock, orchestral, and some eerie choral tracks.

Voice acting remains top-tier as well, with returning and new characters alike delivering lines that are dripping with charm, wit, and plenty of emotional punch. Every interaction with the gods is a joy, from the banter to the bits of lore woven into the dialogue.

Difficulty: Godlike, but Fair

The original Hades was known for its tough-but-fair approach to difficulty, and Hades II seems to be following in those footsteps. Melinoë’s quest isn’t easy, but thanks to the game’s gradual learning curve and the wide variety of boons and upgrades, each run offers a fair shot at success.

Supergiant has also retained the ability to fine-tune the difficulty using features like the "God Mode" for players looking for a less punishing experience, or the "Pact of Punishment" for those masochistic types who want even harder runs. Early Access has shown that Hades II is set to accommodate all playstyles, whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore speedrunner.

Narrative: Mythology with a Modern Twist (Again)

Just like the first Hades, the storytelling in Hades II is woven seamlessly into the gameplay. The dialogue is sharp and witty, but it’s the depth of the narrative that will have you coming back for more. The gods are just as flawed, relatable, and hilariously dysfunctional as they were in the first game, with plenty of new characters bringing their own quirks to the table.

The overarching plot has yet to fully reveal itself in Early Access, but it’s clear that Hades II is building on its predecessor's formula of lore-rich, character-driven storytelling. Melinoë’s journey to overthrow Cronos already feels more personal and desperate than Zagreus' quest, which adds a nice contrast to the tone of the first game.

Early Access Quirks: Room for Improvement

As with any Early Access game, Hades II has a few rough edges. Balancing is still being fine-tuned, with certain boons feeling overpowered and others underwhelming. Some performance issues pop up during particularly chaotic battles, and a few of the new mechanics feel like they’re still in need of a bit more polish.

But if Supergiant’s track record with Hades is any indication, these are likely to be ironed out in future updates. Already, the community feedback is helping shape a better game with regular patches that address these issues.

Verdict:

Even in Early Access, Hades II feels like it’s shaping up to be another triumph for Supergiant Games. The gameplay is as addicting and tight as ever, the story is packed with mythological flair and modern wit, and the visuals and music are simply stunning. If you loved Hades, you’ll likely find this second descent into the underworld just as captivating—if not more.

There’s some room for growth, sure, but this underworld romp is already a worthy successor. Whether you're here for the combat or the story, Hades II is already delivering the goods—and things are only looking up (or down, depending on how you see the Underworld).

Score: 8.5/10

For:

• Addictive roguelike gameplay with plenty of variety

• Gorgeous art style and killer soundtrack

• Rich narrative filled with mythology and humor

• Smooth learning curve and flexible difficulty

Against:

• Some balancing issues in early access

• Occasional performance hiccups

• Early Access means content is still incomplete