The rare sequel that outdoes an already exemplary original: richer in systems, more generous in dialogue, never diluting the combat's snap. The writing remains a genre high point.
Your verdict
Category
Roguelike1 player12+
Description
The sequel to Supergiant Games' acclaimed roguelike, released in its 1.0 form in 2025. You guide Melinoë, witch and princess of the Underworld, setting out to face the Titan of Time. Two directions of exploration, a stamina-bound magic system and ever-lavish writing enrich an already masterful formula.
Hades II review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
MAX
Story
★★★★★
"Masterful"
The Supergiant style hits a new peak: portraits of wild expressiveness, a spellbinding palette and staging that gives every deity a soul. The art direction turns Greek mythology into a living, glamorous and instantly recognizable universe.
Darren Korb extends the first game's magic with a spellbinding blend of rock, folk and mystic vocals. The themes drive every run with infectious energy, and the sublime vocal tracks rank among the most memorable in recent games.
The writing remains Supergiant's signature: hundreds of reactive lines weave a living Greek mythology where every deity has a voice, a humor, a wound. Melinoë deepens across each death, and the story advances precisely because you fail, turning the roguelike into a mythological serial.
Gameplay
"Masterful"
Controller in hand, the isometric action is a model of readability and snap: dodges, attacks and spells chain instantly. The wealth of weapons and boons endlessly refreshes the feel, making mastery a renewed pleasure.
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
The combat fun is instant: from the very first room, dodges, spells and strikes chain with an exhilarating fluidity. The perfect readability and the sensory feedback of every attack make the action a joy within seconds, before you even grasp the depth of the systems.
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
The run structure is an engine of one-more-attempt: every death unlocks dialogue, resources and permanent upgrades, so losing always moves you forward. Random boons refresh each descent, and both narrative and mechanical progress lock you into a virtuous loop that's hard to leave.
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Massive"
Reaching the true ending takes dozens of runs, and the content spills well beyond: two directions of exploration, a sprawling upgrade tree, relationships to deepen and an epilogue you have to earn. The roguelike replayability, fueled by randomness, stretches the lifespan almost without limit.
Each biome peaks in a colorful boss, given a personality and dialogue that evolve across runs. Their dense patterns demand reading and reflexes, and facing them again weaves a strange, almost intimate bond with your own tormentors.
