Hades II: A Bold Step Forward, But Not Without Its Cracks

Supergiant Games has carved out an enviable reputation for crafting games with heart, polish, and unmistakable artistry. Their 2020 hit, Hades, wasn’t just a rogue like it was the rogue like. It set a new standard for how gameplay, narrative, and character could weave together seamlessly. So naturally, Hades II had the unenviable task of following up a near-peerless classic.

After putting 60+ hours into the sequel, I can confidently say this: Hades II isn’t perfect, but it’s damn good. It earns a strong 8.5/10 a score that reflects both the brilliance of what Supergiant has accomplished and the room still left to grow.

A Witch in Her Own Right

Playing as Melinoë feels like stepping into familiar but altered territory. She’s not just “Zagreus with new paint” she’s her own character through and through. Where Zagreus leaned warrior, Melinoë leans witch: her mana-driven toolkit emphasizes control, creativity, and patience. It’s a subtle but crucial shift that makes runs feel tactically different without abandoning the snap and flow that made Hades addictive.

Weapons amplify this variety. The axe-slash-scythe combo feels weighty and rewarding when timed well, while the twirling torches let you dance across the battlefield like a pyromancer ballerina. It’s this flexibility that keeps experimentation fresh.

The Double Path Gambit

One of the smartest design choices in Hades II is splitting progression into two routes: the descent into Tartarus to confront Chronos and the climb toward besieged Olympus. This isn’t just a “two-for-one” gimmick it meaningfully doubles replay ability. The runs don’t blur together nearly as quickly as in the first game, since bosses, environments, and progression structure differ between the two paths.

But there’s a tradeoff. The pacing sometimes feels uneven. When one boss repeatedly walls you off, the temptation is to simply avoid that route altogether, which can slow momentum toward the story’s climax. It’s clever design, but not always perfectly balanced.

Characters That Stick With You

Supergiant’s signature strength has always been character work, and Hades II doubles down. Nemesis steals the spotlight as a rival-turned-complicated-friend, while Hecate provides a layered mentorship that goes beyond cliché archetypes. The Olympians, too, are painted with new shades of complexity.

That said, the sheer volume of dialogue, quests, and side mechanics can verge on overwhelming. The first Hades struck a razor’s edge between depth and focus. Hades II occasionally wobbles never collapsing, but sometimes stretching itself just a bit too wide.

Layers Upon Layers

The sequel’s ambition is undeniable. Beyond the core runs, you’ve got farming, familiars, challenge modifiers, and the cauldron of upgrades. It’s all meaningful, and none of it feels tacked on, but together it adds up to a heavier lift. For some players, that extra density will be a gift; for others, it risks feeling like a touch too much management in what was once a razor-sharp loop.

The Verdict: 8.5/10

Hades II is a bold sequel that expands, experiments, and refines without losing sight of what made its predecessor iconic. But with great ambition comes greater risk, and a few pacing and density issues keep it from being the flawless home run that the first game was.

Still, there’s no denying the magic here: the vibrant art direction, razor-sharp combat, and endlessly charming cast all carry Supergiant’s unmistakable DNA. Hades II may not be untouchable, but it proves once again why this studio is one of the most respected in gaming today.

Pro Zone Gaming Division Rating: 8.5/10 – A triumphant, layered sequel that’s sometimes too ambitious, but never less than captivating.