Available on PC (Windows, macOS); Consoles (Steam Deck, Switch 1/2, PS5, Xbox Series X/S)
There have been plenty of stories surrounding Greek mythology. Among these are adaptations we’ve known from school or from recreational reading. In gaming, the Hades series by Supergiant Games is one of the most recent popular adaptations.
Before we start, it’s important to note that Supergiant Games isn’t claiming their portrayal of the gods and the myths is faithful to the classics, nor are they claiming their version to be true. So it’s best to play these games knowing it is, in essence, similar to a fanfic. I didn’t think a reminder that these are story retellings was needed. But the hate on Hades II’s Odysseus and the comparison of that with EPIC the Musical’s Odysseus is unnecessary. No one is claiming their own work to be the gospel truth. So, as you play the Hades series, please do not use them to replace educational material. It can be a crutch, at best, but know it’s not the most reliable source.
Now on with the game!
It is almost impossible to avoid revealing spoilers regarding the overall theme and plot, so be warned. Although I will be avoiding spoilers for the plot twists and the ending.
Hades II follows Melinoë— Mel, for short—, the daughter of Hades and Persephone. The events here occur years after the first of the Hades series. As far as I’m aware, the time elapsed has not been specified. But enough years have passed in-game for Melinoë to be an adult.
It starts off with a significantly darker tone compared to the first. You, the Princess of the Underworld, have been kicked out of your own house by Chronos, and it’s up to you to save everyone. You’re guided by Hecate, and either helped or hindered by shades, Skelly, and other characters you meet as you progress.
Gameplay-wise, I found myself enjoying Melinoë’s combat style much more than Zagreus’. It feels more fluid and seems like I have more control over what I’m able to do. Now, I can play around with my abilities and playstyle to see which fits better, whereas the first Hades felt more rigid. Both have their perks and their fun. It’s all up to personal preference.
I do feel like nectar is so much harder to achieve now than in the first game. But this makes sense, I guess? Where would one get nectar in this situation? Still, at some point, I had a bunch of ambrosia and no nectar, and it was incredibly frustrating not being able to give my favorite characters a little treat.
Speaking of favorite characters, I do greatly enjoy the new faces we get to see in the game, whether they are allies or enemies. Although I think the relationships here fall somewhat flatter compared to the first. Almost like there wasn’t enough time to develop the romance options further than the base characteristics. Not that I don’t think they’re good romances. It’s just that, compared to Thanatos, Megaera, and Dusa, these just don’t hit as hard. There’s still nuance, but it’s a bit lacking in terms of flavor. So close, but doesn’t quite nail it. I still enjoyed them, and I think I’d continue to, but Thanatos remains my favorite romance in the Hades franchise.
Another complaint to raise is that some of the characters felt too simple in terms of writing. Some of them seem one-dimensional or stereotypical. Similar to when anime characters are slapped with the “tsundere” personality. There’s no growth witnessed whatsoever, and it becomes their one defining thing. But you could argue that this is Greek myth. There are many irrational characters and wild choices in this mythology. So maybe in that regard, it is pretty much on the nose.
The slightly changing art style was something I also had to get used to. It’s grown on me now, but initially, when I was seeing teasers and trailers revealing the art for some characters, I felt a little disappointed. The lines were thinner, and some of them just felt like they were a different character altogether– I remember being sad about Artemis’ design, especially.
There’s more to do in Hades II, though. More things to complete and aim for, and more interactions with NPCs. There are some nice moments you can retrieve, and, with some of them, you may do so by using bath salts, lures, and ambrosia. Just let your imagination take the wheel with that information.
Oh, and I absolutely love the soundtrack! They’ve nailed it once again. More so because of a certain antagonist’s alluring vocals. I love fighting against an enemy with such a good soundtrack and just bopping my head to the beat.
Now, the ending… hoo boy. Not to spoil anything, but this is more on… managing expectations.
The ending pissed me off. It really did. I felt like it was unearned, and I really wanted it to be more than what it was. For game design, I understand why it had to be like that. But for the narrative? I had to do a lot of mental gymnastics to justify and somewhat accept it. But I still don’t like it. I will say that this was before the first patch, and according to the patch notes, there were some changes made to the ending. So maybe in the future, this will be edited to include my thoughts on what they’ve added to the game. But, as of this moment, I am frustrated.
Do I still think this is worth getting? Oh, absolutely.
Hades II is an enjoyable game. The art style alone is worth it. Up until the ending, I genuinely was having a great time. Probably an 8.5/10 for me, and definitely one I’ll keep coming back to… just not for its narrative.
