After more than a year in Early Access, Hades II launched its full v1.0 release on September 25, 2025 for PC and Nintendo Switch. Developed and published by Supergiant Games, this sequel to the award‑winning roguelike dungeon crawler Hades invites players to battle beyond the Underworld using dark sorcery to take on Chronos, the Titan of Time.
Unlike Zagreus in the original game, the heroine this time is Melinoë, daughter of Hades and Persephone and younger sister of Zagreus. Chronos has attacked and taken over the Underworld, imprisoning the gods and holding your family captive. It’s up to Melinoë to fight back, free her kin and bring down her tyrannical grandfather.
As a long‑time fan of Supergiant’s meticulously crafted games, I spent dozens of hours in Early Access before stepping away to avoid burnout. I’m glad I waited. The 1.0 update not only finishes the story but adds new areas, weapons, performance enhancements and cross‑saves between Switch and PC. Here’s why Hades II might be the most compelling roguelike since the original and why its Early Access journey was such a blueprint for success.
Watch the trailer
To get a feel for Melinoë’s world, check out the official launch trailer:
Setting & Story
Set sometime after the events of Hades, Hades II tells a new tale steeped in Greek mythology. Melinoë, a witch trained by Hecate, descends into the Underworld to confront Chronos and his forces. She must clear rooms filled with monsters, collect boons from chatty gods, upgrade her weapons and progress through multiple zones and bosses. On a successful run you reach Chronos, and eventually an entirely separate route opens up with a new final boss. Supergiant’s signature narrative touches return here: fully voiced gods trading witty banter, intriguing family drama, and a constant drip of story progress that makes each run feel meaningful.
The new protagonist gives the sequel its own personality. Melinoë’s occult‑tinged arsenal and interactions with companions like Hecate and Nemesis (who yearns for more responsibility) bring fresh perspectives to the pantheon. A conversation with Nemesis early on hints at her ambition and resentment: “I always thought… if I could just train harder than you, she’d reconsider. And give the task to me,” she laments. Those small moments build a rich tapestry of relationships that keep you invested in the characters beyond the hack‑and‑slash.
Combat & Gameplay
Like its predecessor, Hades II is an action‑roguelike. Each run sees you clearing rooms of foes and choosing between rewards such as godly boons, health increases or weapon upgrades. You can build Melinoë around different playstyles: ranged attacks with a staff or torches that toss fireballs, an aggressive witchy ring that locks down enemies, or new Nocturnal Arms unlocked as you progress. The combat remains fast and fluid; dodging, casting spells and chaining attacks never feels old. As Jay Peters at The Verge notes, the progression is “exquisitely paced” so you feel yourself getting better every run.
In Early Access, Supergiant rolled out several major updates that expanded the game. The Olympic Update added new areas, foes and even a mech suit for Melinoë, while the Warsong Update brought back Ares and other gods. Because the roguelike structure naturally resets you after each run, dipping in and out of Early Access never felt awkward. Now that v1.0 is here, there are two complete routes, numerous bosses and difficulty modifiers to tackle. It’s an immense playground for theory‑crafting builds and chasing that perfect run.
Things to do in Hades II
The game offers plenty to sink your teeth into beyond simply beating Chronos:
| Activity | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Story quests | Follow Melinoë’s main storyline and unlock new dialogue with gods and allies as you progress. |
| Weapon mastery | Experiment with the Nocturnal Arms to unlock alternate aspects and playstyles. |
| Boons & builds | Collect boons from gods like Apollo, Artemis and Demeter to craft synergistic runs. |
| Coven upgrades | Brew potions at Melinoë’s cauldron, unlock permanent talents and manage a garden of magical plants. |
| Mech suits & updates | Take the mech suit for a spin in the Olympic Update or experiment with new areas and bosses added during Early Access. |
Early Access Journey
Supergiant released Hades II into Early Access on Steam and Epic Games Store in May 2024 and spent over a year gathering player feedback. Regular content updates introduced new regions, bosses, weapons and story chapters. Windows Central’s Samuel Tolbert notes that the early access model was handled perfectly; instead of delaying features, Supergiant delivered them steadily, making the game “already fairly large” even back in 2024. The roguelike loop meant players could take months off and return without feeling lost. By September 2025 the game boasted multiple routes and over 70 hours of content for dedicated players.
Early access also allowed the developers to fine‑tune balancing and performance. On Nintendo Switch 2 the final game runs at 120 fps in TV mode, while the handheld mode targets 60 fps at 1080p. The standard Switch version runs at 60 fps at 720p, and owners can upgrade to Switch 2 for free. Cross‑save support lets you transfer progress between Switch and PC, so you can grind a few runs on your commute and continue on your gaming rig.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Deep combat & builds: Melinoë’s arsenal of weapons and spells encourages experimentation. Boons from Greek gods and potions from her cauldron provide endless variety.
- Engaging story & characters: Fully voiced dialogue and a mythic family drama give every run narrative weight.
- Smooth Early Access support: Frequent updates added new areas, bosses and even a mech suit during Early Access. The 1.0 release feels huge and polished.
- Cross‑saves & performance: 120 fps on Switch 2 and cross‑save between Switch and PC make it easy to play anywhere.
Cons
- Learning curve: Newcomers may find the roguelike loop and resource systems overwhelming at first.
- Platform exclusivity: The game is currently only on PC and Nintendo Switch; Xbox and PlayStation owners must wait.
Final Thoughts
Hades II arrives as a shining example of how to build upon a beloved game without losing its soul. Melinoë’s quest to slay Chronos offers a compelling blend of stylish combat, rewarding progression and family‑driven storytelling. The 1.0 release delivers two complete routes, fresh weapons and boons, and a wealth of late‑game modifiers that will keep roguelike aficionados busy for months. Add in polished performance on Nintendo Switch 2, cross‑platform saves and the promise of future updates, and it’s easy to see why this sequel is already considered one of 2025’s best games.
If you loved Hades, Hades II is essential. If you’ve never tried a roguelike, it’s one of the most approachable and engrossing ways to jump in. See you in the Underworld!
