Supergiant Games’ modern classic roguelike, Hades, is getting a sequel. Following a surprise announcement at the 2022 Game Awards, Hades 2’s early access launch is getting close. The game promises to take players beyond the Underworld in the company of a new heroine, Melinoë.
As launch nears, we’re learning more about the game: in particular, a Supergiant livestream previewing the game’s April 2024 technical test lifted the lid on some new characters and gameplay elements. Other details come courtesy of Supergiant’s announcement and FAQ, as well as the trailer.
What’s Hades 2’s release date?
Supergiant has confirmed that it will release Hades 2 in an early-access version on PC, as it did for the original Hades, in the the Spring of 2024 (sometime between April and June). Hades 2’s early-access build will be available on both Steam and the Epic Store. Supergiant has promised it will have “at least as much content from day one in Early Access as the original game did back when it launched in Early Access on Steam.” Before the early access release, Supergiant will conduct a technical test for select players in April 2024.
Supergiant has not announced a release date for the final, “v1.0” version of Hades 2 yet. The developer has been working on the game since the start of 2021, but says “We still have a lot left to build.” The game is expected to be released on PC and consoles, but the specific platforms will be announced closer to its release.
As with the original game, the time between the early access and v1.0 launches will be punctuated with major updates that expand the gameplay, introduce new characters, and move the story forward. The conclusion to the story will arrive in the v1.0 release.
Who is Melinoë, Princess of the Underworld?
Hades 2 has a new protagonist — Melinoë. In the game’s lore, she is Hades’ daughter and the sister of Zagreus, star of the first game. According to Supergiant, she’s “an immortal witch and sorceress with powerful magical abilities.”
Like Zagreus, Melinoë isn’t a pure creation of Supergiant’s, but an existing figure from Greek mythology that the developer has adapted to fit its story. She’s a nymph or moon goddess, and a bringer of nightmares, associated with the queen of the underworld, Persephone, as well as with Hecate.
Oh, and this is how to pronounce her name:
Who is the cool witch Melinoë fights in the trailer?
That’s Hecate! In the FAQ, Supergiant says Hecate will be an important figure in the game. In fact, she is perhaps the chief inspiration for Hades 2 and its theme of witchcraft.
“Central to this ancient and oft-feared and misunderstood practice is Hecate, the secretive goddess of witchcraft and the crossroads,” Supergiant says. “She plays a significant role in classical mythology surrounding Hades and the Underworld, and has been an influential and deeply compelling figure in witchcraft, myth, and folklore in a variety of cultures for thousands of years… so much so that we felt we needed a whole new game to try and do her justice.”
In the technical test, it was revealed that Hecate serves as the boss of the first region explored in Hades 2: Erebus, the pathway to the Underworld. She wants to test Melinoë’s mettle in combat before allowing her to travel further. Hecate is also the ruler of the Crossroads, the hub area in the new game.
Who is the villain in Hades 2?
Hades 2 is a sequel, set after the events of the first game, both in and beyond the Underworld of Greek myth. The villain of the piece is Chronos, the Titan of Time, and Hades’ father. Chronos has escaped imprisonment in the Underworld to wage war on Olympus; Melinoë will take on his forces, assisted by “the full might of Olympus.”
Supergiant promises “a bigger, deeper mythic world” than the first game, with “a sweeping story that continually unfolds through your every setback and accomplishment.”
What new and returning characters will we meet in Hades 2?
Beyond Melinoë and Hecate, new characters confirmed for Hades 2 so far include: Dora, a cute ghost who may or may not be Pandora; Nemesis, a fallen warrior and one of the daughters of Nyx; Arachne, the first spider, who supplies armor; Moros, son of Nyx; and Odysseus himself, who plays the role of tactician and adviser.
New Gods from the Olympian pantheon join the game, too. Apollo, God of Light is here, along with Hestia, Goddess of Flame; Selene, Goddess of the Moon; and Hephaestus, God of the Forge. Naturally, they all bring new sets of themed boons to choose from when you encounter them in the course of a run. For example, Apollo can offer a Daze curse that blinds enemies, and Hestia a Scorch curse that burns enemies over time.
Returning Olympian Gods seen so far include Demeter, Poseidon, Aphrodite, Zeus, and Artemis. Artemis’ appearances are a little different — in some chambers, she will test Melinoë’s strength with waves of foes before granting her boon.
Other returning characters include Hypnos (although he seems to be fast asleep) and training master Schelemeus.
Oh, and the identity of the narrator is revealed (no spoilers), plus everyone is somehow even hotter than they were first time around.
What will change in Hades 2’s gameplay?
Highlighting the game’s theme of witchcraft and Melinoë’s magical powers, Hades 2 has a new resource, Magick, appearing above the health bar. Magick is used to unleash powerful, chargeable Omega attacks.
The game’s primary long-term upgrade system is the Altar of Ashes, found back at the Crossroads. Here you can deposit Ashes and other resources gathered during runs to flip over arcana cards that grant permanent upgrades. Unlocking cards reveals adjacent cards to unlock later. There are nine cards in the technical test version of the game, but more will be added later.
We currently only know about two weapons in the game; the Sister Blades, which draw enemies in for close-range blasting, and the long-range Witch’s Staff.
There’s a new crafting system: the Cauldron. Here you can donate items from your inventory to the Three Fates in return for an incantation that can change things about the world, such as adding new weapons or characters.
Casting has also changed, with Melinoë able to place down casting circles to freeze or otherwise affect enemies, adding a powerful crowd control element to her toolkit.
