“Hades II” Review by Nick Navarro
Some games grab a hold of you with spectacle. Others sink in slowly through mechanics or story. “Hades II” somehow does all of it at once, wrapping razor-sharp combat, layered progression systems, and a deeply personal narrative into a roguelike loop that feels almost impossible to put down. After releasing last year and getting tons of accolades, it was exclusive to Nintendo and PC until now. It’s finally the time to play this on PlayStation 5 and I’m glad I waited to play it, although if I had realized how good this was, I may have not been able to. Returning to the Underworld isn’t just a victory lap for Supergiant Games, it’s a bold expansion of everything that made the original so memorable. This time, I step into the role of Melinoë, Princess of the Underworld, trained by Hecate and driven by a singular goal: bring down Chronos, the Titan of Time. It’s a premise rooted in revenge, but what unfolds is something far more nuanced, shaped by relationships, persistence, and the quiet moments between the chaos.
Structurally, “Hades II” sticks to the roguelike formula, but it evolves it in meaningful ways. Runs are no longer confined to a single path. Instead, I found myself choosing between two distinct routes, one descending deeper into the Underworld and another pushing across the surface toward Mount Olympus. Each path introduces its own set of biomes, enemies, and bosses, giving the game a sense of scale and variety that constantly kept me engaged. Movement between rooms, gathering rewards, and building out a run still form the backbone of the experience, but the pacing feels smoother and more flexible. Whether I was stacking Boons from Olympian gods or adapting to whatever upgrades came my way, every run felt like a fresh opportunity to experiment. There’s a near-endless combination of builds here, and the game does an excellent job of encouraging creativity without overwhelming me.
Combat, in particular, feels sharper and more deliberate than before. Melinoë’s abilities lean heavily into dark sorcery, and that shift adds a distinct flavor compared to Zagreus’ more direct approach in the original. There’s a rhythm to each encounter, dodging, casting, striking, that becomes second nature over time, but never loses its intensity. Boss fights remain standout moments, demanding both skill and adaptability, especially as you push further into each region. What really elevates “Hades II,” though, isn’t just how it plays, it’s how it makes you feel during and after each run. Failure is inevitable, but it never feels punishing. Every defeat sends me back to the Crossroads, which serves as a central hub where progression continues in meaningful ways. Upgrading abilities, unlocking new weapons, crafting incantations, and strengthening relationships all feed into a loop that constantly rewards effort, even when success feels just out of reach.
That sense of progression extends to the narrative as well. Supergiant once again proves that storytelling in a roguelike doesn’t have to take a backseat. Conversations evolve, relationships deepen, and new story beats unfold gradually based on how far I push into each run. The writing remains consistently strong, balancing humor, emotion, and mythological weight in a way that feels natural. It’s often the quieter moments that stuck with me the most. Conversations with familiar faces, encounters with new characters, and the subtle ways relationships grow over time really adds to the overall experience. These interactions give the game a sense of intimacy that contrasts beautifully with the high-stakes conflict at its core.
Visually, the game continues Supergiant’s tradition of delivering a stunning presentation. The environments are richly detailed, with each biome carrying its own identity and atmosphere. Character designs are expressive and memorable, and the animation during combat keeps everything fluid and readable, even during the most chaotic encounters. The audio design deserves equal praise. From the voice acting to the music, every element works together to create a cohesive and immersive world. The soundtrack, in particular, enhances both the intensity of combat and the emotional weight of quieter scenes, making each run feel impactful from start to finish.
I suppose it’s still worth noting that there are accessibility challenges that come with the genre. It can be demanding, especially for players unfamiliar with roguelikes. Although, there are features like God Mode which help ease that barrier, allowing more people to experience what the game has to offer without sacrificing its core identity. That’s hardly even a “negative” though as much as warning of knowing what you’re getting into. It’s certainly not the game’s fault as it’s basically what the core of the genre is. Honestly, I have nothing but glowing comments in this review and can’t even think of any nitpicks. One of the most impressive aspects of “Hades II” is how it manages to feel both familiar and new at the same time. It builds directly on the foundation of its predecessor, but it never feels like it’s simply repeating the same ideas. Instead, it refines and expands them, creating something that stands confidently on its own. I didn’t feel like I needed to revisit the original to understand what was happening here, but having that background will definitely add some extra weight to certain moments. Even so, the story remains accessible enough for newcomers to jump in without feeling lost.
By the time I reached the later stages of the game, it became clear just how much thought had gone into every system, every interaction, and every detail. There’s a level of care here that’s hard to ignore, and it shows in how consistently engaging the experience remains, even after dozens of runs. “Hades II” doesn’t just meet expectations, it exceeds them. It takes what once felt like a complete experience and somehow builds something even more compelling on top of it. The gameplay loop is as addictive as ever, the narrative is richer, and the overall scope feels significantly expanded. This is the kind of sequel that raises the bar not just for its series, but for the genre as a whole. It’s a game that kept pulling me back in, run after run, long after I thought I’d seen everything it had to offer. “Hades II” isn’t just another great roguelike. It’s the new standard.
10/10
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Related: Nick Navarro Reviews
Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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