So Freaking Fun It Feels Like Dying! The Underworld Loop! What I Want to Tell Those Who Will Tackle "Hades II" After Its Official Release
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/673/G067380/20251007041/
Writer: Tsukihito | 2025/10/08 23:00 (UTC)
——The long-awaited official release has finally arrived!
On September 25, 2025, Supergiant Games’ “Hades II” (PC / Nintendo Switch 2), after more than a year and four months of early access, has officially launched. The original “Hades” became an unprecedented indie hit, earning numerous prestigious awards and leaving a lasting impact on the modern gaming industry, inspiring countless follow-up titles.
Given that this is the direct sequel to “Hades,” expectations were naturally extremely high, and it was a major topic of conversation upon its announcement. 4Gamer introduced it shortly after early access began (related article), and even at that stage, the game delivered on fans’ expectations—so much so that I personally looked forward to this official release with great anticipation.
While “Hades” is an essential part of indie gaming history, some readers may still have never experienced it. This article will introduce the appeal and basic gameplay of “Hades II,” tracing its evolution from early access through to the final full release, for those who are new to the series or about to begin playing.
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What’s different from the original? How has “Hades II” been upgraded? Let’s check out the early access version right away
The sequel to the acclaimed roguelike action game “Hades,” titled “Hades II,” has just launched its early access version on Steam and the Epic Games Store, drawing widespread attention. We jumped in immediately to see exactly what kind of game it truly is.
[2024/05/09 15:10]
- Keywords:
- Feature Article
- PC:Hades II
- PC
- Action
- Supergiant Games
- Supergiant Games
- Fantasy
- Play Mode: Single Player
- Play Report
- Writer: Tsukihito
“Death to Chronos!” The witch Melinoe seeks revenge.
First, let’s clarify what “Hades II” is. It’s a roguelike action game based on Greek mythology. The protagonist is Melinoe, the daughter of Hades and ruler of the underworld—a sister to Zagreus, the hero from the previous game.
The story follows a classic revenge arc: Melinoe must defeat Chronos, the villain who seized Hades’ palace and imprisoned her family. At her base, “the Crossroads,” she gathers allies united by their hatred of Chronos, all supporting her mission to bring him down.
Her mentor Hecate has made “Death to Chronos!” a secret motto—its intensity is palpable. And it just sounds cool when you say it out loud! Image Gallery No.004 thumbnail / “Incredibly (literally) fun, the loop of the underworld! What I want to tell those who are about to challenge ‘Hades II’ after its official release”
Melinoe, a dark sorceress with the power of immortality, can return to her base at “the Crossroads” no matter how many times she dies. This ability is one reason why she was entrusted with such a monumental task—manipulating Melinoe’s growth through repeated deaths and advancing the story lies at the heart of this game.
Incidentally, although it’s a sequel, there’s no need to play the previous title first—the storyline stands completely independent, so newcomers can dive in without issues. Those who’ve played “Hades” will find subtle callbacks that might make them smile—so if you enjoy this one, consider going back and experiencing the original for yourself.
A game system that’s “incredibly (literally) fun” in every way!
One of the many charms of this title lies in its flawless integration of roguelike mechanics with a narrative centered on “returning from death.” Roguelikes traditionally reset upon dying, but here, by combining permanent upgrade systems and an enormous volume of story content, “Hades II” delivers an unmatched replayability that makes every death (literally) fun.
Let’s start with the permanent upgrade system. While temporary buffs are available during a single run, Melinoe begins extremely weak. But there’s an incredibly wide range of enhancement options: “Runes” that combine cards within your budget to activate effects; “Spells,” which unlock new abilities; “Gifts,” powerful equipment items you can carry into each run; weapon upgrades; and even choices for helpful familiars.
Even with such extensive upgrade options, “Hades II” remains a high-difficulty roguelike action game. The core challenge is making Melinoe strong enough to stand up to the threats of the underworld. The upgrades are highly individualized and diverse—no two builds feel monotonous, allowing for deep customization tailored to your playstyle.
Still, including permanent upgrades in a roguelike isn’t rare today. What truly elevates “Hades II” to masterpiece status is its massive amount of story content. In the loop of dying and returning to the Crossroads, Melinoe meets many companions and engages in dialogue—these interactions come in countless variations, making it feel almost infinite. Whether receiving encouragement, chatting about gossip, or sharing silly small talk, the fresh text keeps drawing you into the world.
Image Gallery No.009 thumbnail / “Incredibly (literally) fun, the loop of the underworld! What I want to tell those who are about to challenge ‘Hades II’ after its official release” Image Gallery No.010 thumbnail / “Incredibly (literally) fun, the loop of the underworld! What I want to tell those who are about to challenge ‘Hades II’ after its official release”
The “returning from death” mechanic isn’t just a game design gimmick—it’s meaningful to the story of Melinoe, who repeatedly faces death with courage. This keeps the gameplay feeling fresh despite repetition—truly one of the most complete realizations of what a roguelike can be.
But the charm doesn’t stop there. While built around a roguelike structure that’s “incredibly (literally) fun,” “Hades II” also features an immersive story rooted in Greek mythology, meticulously crafted art style, fast-paced and satisfying combat, music perfectly matching the world, pleasant sound effects, and compelling characters—all of which showcase the unique creativity typical of indie games… yet with a richness that might make you gasp: “Wait—is this really an indie game?”
Moreover, for players who find action games challenging, there’s a “God Mode” feature that boosts all abilities and makes Melinoe stronger with each death. If you’re story-focused, simply turn on God Mode to enjoy the narrative without frustration.
In short, no matter your perspective or preference, “Hades II” offers exceptional quality and multiple ways to play. It’s perfect not only for fans of high-quality, rewarding action games—but also for those who prioritize world-building, storytelling, and visuals.
New players can get the hang of it quickly—basic gameplay explained
Simply listing the game’s charms won’t give a full picture. So, for readers who haven’t played the “Hades” series before, here’s an overview of how to progress through this game—from entering the labyrinth onward.
The labyrinth consists of multiple areas and rooms, with the goal being to defeat Chronos in the final room of the last area. Each area has several randomly generated rooms. Combat against enemies is central here—players must use tricks, avoid traps, and fight strategically. At each area’s end lies a guardian boss; overcoming these requires strengthening your character throughout the journey—the hallmark of roguelike gameplay. Once health drops to zero or you clear the final area, you return to your base at “the Crossroads.”
Combat controls are extremely simple: move, dodge (dash), and three basic attacks—“Normal Attack,” “Special Attack,” and “Rune”—plus the “Ω Ability” that consumes mana when held down. As shown in the control settings, the interface is incredibly straightforward.
The “Moonfall” ability will be discussed later—it’s essentially a finisher move. Image Gallery No.016 thumbnail / “Incredibly (literally) fun, the loop of the underworld! What I want to tell those who are about to challenge ‘Hades II’ after its official release” Image Gallery No.017 thumbnail / “Incredibly (literally) fun, the loop of the underworld! What I want to tell those who are about to challenge ‘Hades II’ after its official release”
The performance of your “Normal Attack” and “Special Attack” varies significantly depending on the weapon you choose before entering. For example, let’s look at the witch’s staff, “Descura.” It’s Melinoe’s starting weapon: a strong normal attack with wide range and motion; an Ω-normal attack that excels in range and damage; a fast long-range special attack; and an Ω-special attack that’s slow but reaches far and explodes. This well-rounded versatility makes it beginner-friendly, though it does have slightly low overall power.
Other weapons have vastly different playstyles: “Rim and Orlos” are suited for assassin-style combat; “Zolefet,” the moon axe, emphasizes heavy single strikes like a fighter. Then there’s the highly eccentric weapon, “Lavall,” the silver skull—it fires limited-use “ghost bullets” with its normal attack, and recovers them by dashing forward in its special move.
In contrast, “Runes” are consistent across all weapons—common actions that can be used regardless of your chosen weapon. You can place a Rune to immobilize enemies or add extra damage with an Ω-Rune. Since the game introduces fast-moving and hard-to-reach foes, using Runes effectively to control distance is crucial.
Though controls are simple and intuitive, “Hades II” is classified as a high-difficulty action game—primarily because health recovery options are extremely limited. Therefore, mastering the fundamentals of dodging enemy attacks becomes absolutely essential. Even the strongest build will fail if you’re careless and take too many hits—you’ll lose to even weak enemies unless your reflexes and focus remain sharp.
The main opportunities for healing come during area transitions or events—always aim to maintain high health. Image Gallery No.021 thumbnail / “Incredibly (literally) fun, the loop of the underworld! What I want to tell those who are about to challenge ‘Hades II’ after its official release”
After battle, you receive the reward that was displayed before entering the room. These include temporary buffs like increased health or mana during the run, materials used for post-run upgrades, and gold usable at in-labyrinth shops—but most important are three special items: “Merit,” “Daedalus’s Hammer,” and “Moon’s Blessing.”
Merit is a blessing bestowed by the Olympian gods—enhancing basic actions like attacks and dashes, or offering effects under specific conditions. When received, you’re presented with three random merits to choose from. Each god’s merit has unique added effects: getting multiple from the same deity can create synergistic combos, adding an exciting layer of variety. Since they appear frequently during runs, collect as many as possible to gradually strengthen Melinoe.
The conversations with gods when receiving Merits are also a highlight—each deity is distinct and deeply charismatic. Image Gallery No.023 thumbnail / “Incredibly (literally) fun, the loop of the underworld! What I want to tell those who are about to challenge ‘Hades II’ after its official release” Image Gallery No.024 thumbnail / “Incredibly (literally) fun, the loop of the underworld! What I want to tell those who are about to challenge ‘Hades II’ after its official release”
Daedalus’s Hammer is an item that boosts weapon performance—it’s so impactful that skipping it would feel like missing the core of “Hades.” It’s a must-have for shaping your build, whether you’re focusing on normal attacks or special ones—grab it immediately when found.
Moon’s Blessing allows Melinoe to learn the ultimate move, “Moonfall,” from the moon deity Selene. Moonfall has various effects—firing a high-damage laser while immobile, transforming into a nightmare form for temporary invincibility, or turning enemies into sheep—and you choose one of three randomly offered options when receiving it.
Moonfall charges based on mana spent during combat—once fully charged, you can use it. Using the Ω Ability is a prerequisite for unlocking Moonfall. However, you’re free to ignore both—there’s no obligation to use them; embrace flexibility and adapt your build dynamically, as roguelikes demand.
As you progress through areas, enemy attacks and traps grow increasingly harsh. Early-stage fights that were once manageable without damage serve as warm-ups for later challenges—now you must predict bullet patterns, dodge while attacking, and seize openings to counterattack.
Boss battles have clear attack patterns—you won’t be defeated unfairly. When you lose, analyze why: What could you have done differently? How could you avoid the attack? This process helps both Melinoe and the player grow stronger together.
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After dying and returning to base, use collected materials in the labyrinth to strengthen Melinoe. As the game progresses, upgrade and customization options increase—here we’ll focus on two crucial elements: Runes and Gifts.
Runes are a unique, permanent upgrade system: choose cards within a set cost to build your deck and activate effects. Each Rune has distinctive traits that shape your playstyle and strategy. You can increase the cost cap by spending “Soul Fragments” obtained in the labyrinth.
Zero-cost Runes have an “Awakening” condition—once met, they trigger automatically. Figuring out which combinations satisfy these conditions is part of what makes this system so engaging.
Gifts are equipment items that enhance Melinoe—only one can be brought into each run, selected before the challenge begins. You acquire them by giving NPCs or gods a special item called “Nectar.” Doing so increases their affection, and in return, they gift you a powerful item.
There are two types of Gifts: one that activates only once, and another that provides continuous effects while held. You can swap your Gift at the moment an area transitions—though the permanent ones may feel stronger, a common strategy is to start with one-time-use gifts like “Silver Ring” (increases max mana) or “Golden Purse” (grants gold), then switch to more powerful battle-oriented Gifts as you progress.
Once upgrades are complete, choose one weapon before entering the labyrinth—this decision largely defines your combat style. Weapons require materials to unlock and there are six total. Let’s go over them again.
- “Descura,” the witch’s staff: fast close-range attacks and special moves effective against distant enemies—easy to handle.
- “Rim and Orlos,” twin blades: a Ω-normal attack that circles behind foes, delivering rapid slashes in tight spaces; special attacks can reach far-off targets.
- “Ignium,” the shadow torch: normal attacks fire while moving, targeting distant foes. Special attacks hit nearby enemies, but struggles against close combat or multiple opponents.
- “Zolefet,” the moon axe: slow motion but excels in range and damage output; Ω-special attack reaches far targets too.
- “Lavall,” the silver skull: uses limited “ghost bullets.” Normal attacks fire explosive projectiles on impact, while special attacks dash forward to recover them—highly specialized weapon.
- “Kushins,” the black armor: normal attacks involve moving forward and striking up close. Ω-normal attack blocks damage while attacking; special attack launches homing missiles.
Thus, “Hades II” masterfully blends a classic revenge tale rooted in mythology with intense action. It may sound serious or heavy at first—but the truth is far from it. Interactions between gods and underworld residents range from deep and solemn to hilarious and unexpectedly funny. This dynamic pacing gives the story a delightful rhythm that never grows stale.
A kind word from her mentor Hecate… wait, was that a fishing bait? Image Gallery No.037 thumbnail / “Incredibly (literally) fun, the loop of the underworld! What I want to tell those who are about to challenge ‘Hades II’ after its official release”
One standout feature is the dialogue scenes triggered by gifts. Giving NPCs items like Nectar triggers short events—each character has a strong personality, and you’ll be eager to see what kind of reaction they’ll give. As affection grows, you can eventually present special gifts beyond Nectar: giving “Purifying Salt” lets you bathe together; offering “Double Fake Bait” makes fishing fun. These everyday shared moments gradually deepen your connection with characters.
If you want to explore character backgrounds and relationships more deeply, don’t hesitate—prepare presents and nurture bonds with the underworld’s companions.
Fishing fanatics! They attack relentlessly… It’s surprising how some characters reveal unexpected sides that bring genuine laughs. Image Gallery No.036 thumbnail / “Incredibly (literally) fun, the loop of the underworld! What I want to tell those who are about to challenge ‘Hades II’ after its official release”
Changes since early access: New areas, new NPCs, and the true ending!
Now let’s trace how “Hades II” evolved from its early access phase to full release—focusing on major updates. Note: while we’ve been careful, some story spoilers are included. If you want to avoid learning about new areas or gods’ names, consider glancing over this section or skipping ahead.
First, the game’s initial major update in October 2024, “Olympic Update.” It added the third area of the surface route: “Mount Olympus,” advancing the story further. Also introduced were the sixth weapon—Kushins, the black armor—and two new NPCs and two new familiars. The base now features customizable furnishings (“decorations”), expanding both depth and playful freedom.
Next came the “The Warsong Update,” released in February 2025. The final surface area, “Summit,” was finally added—finally setting up the stage for the ultimate showdown. Players can now receive Merits from a new god: Ares, the war god—and a new familiar has been introduced. UI improvements were also made across the board, significantly enhancing gameplay feel.
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And now, the v1.0 full release: the story’s final route has finally been added, allowing players to witness Melinoe’s ultimate conclusion. The quest item “The Book of Minor Fates” now includes new quests and achievements for dedicated players—plus a vast number of fresh character events have been implemented.
Image Gallery No.042 thumbnail / “Incredibly (literally) fun, the loop of the underworld! What I want to tell those who are about to challenge ‘Hades II’ after its official release” Image Gallery No.043 thumbnail / “Incredibly (literally) fun, the loop of the underworld! What I want to tell those who are about to challenge ‘Hades II’ after its official release”
Even in early access, “Hades II” already had substantial content and fun—but the full release has polished it to perfection. It now feels truly “mythic” in its brilliance. I believe this is as close to a perfect realization of the roguelike + action genre as possible.
Melinoe’s journey through the underworld unfolds alongside your own growth. The high replayability, satisfying combat, stunning graphics, and deeply layered story woven by compelling characters—all these elements come together beautifully here.
Now that the official release has just begun—it’s the perfect time to visit the underworld. Don’t let it linger in “I’ll play someday” memories—go ahead and experience it for yourself right now.
Image Gallery No.044 thumbnail / “Incredibly (literally) fun, the loop of the underworld! What I want to tell those who are about to challenge ‘Hades II’ after its official release” Image Gallery No.045 thumbnail / “Incredibly (literally) fun, the loop of the underworld! What I want to tell those who are about to challenge ‘Hades II’ after its official release”