As the sequel to one of the best indie games in recent memory, I had little doubt that Hades II would be a highly entertaining return to Greek mythology. Still, I was a bit disappointed to see developer Supergiant Games opt for a safe sequel to its smash hit roguelike, after a string of original games. Happily, Supergiant has quickly put any of my misgivings to rest. Although Hades II ($29.99, reviewed on Nintendo Switch 2, also available on Nintendo Switch and PC) doesn't reinvent the formula, it introduces multiple brilliant upgrades that make it substantially better. The game's new witchy heroine changes how you fight, who you fight, why you fight them, and the overall vibe. The many mechanics occasionally drag, but Hades II is one of the year's best titles, and an Editors' Choice winner that's impossible to put down. 

Outstanding Story, Graphics, and Music

Hades II's story dumps you into a new status quo that follows major events that happened off-screen. As a result, returning Hades players will understand some plot references better than newcomers. Still, there's a lot to like. Cronos, father of the gods, has returned to take revenge on his Olympian offspring. And Hades himself, the reformed lord of the underworld, is imprisoned in his own domain. You play as Melinoe, daughter of Hades, as she attempts to defeat the Titan of Time and rescue her family from his horde of monsters.

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Like its predecessor, Hades II is deeply rooted in Greek mythology, with Circe, Narcissus, Zeus, and other familiar names appearing. However, Hades II explores the connection between the Greek underworld and ancient witchcraft. Melinoe might be the coolest video game witch since Bayonetta, and she is aided in her quest by her teacher, Hecate, a significant figure in witchcraft lore. It all gives the game an occult vibe, with a color palette full of spooky purple mist instead of the hellish red fires in the first Hades.

The aesthetic shift pairs perfectly with Supergiant Games' gorgeous artwork. Richly detailed character portraits convey a god's personality with a quick glance, and the in-game environments have a similar painterly charm. The smooth action plays out at up to 120 frames per second on the Nintendo Switch 2. Sumptuous audio also raises the production value, from the exquisite voice acting to the impressive soundtrack. One boss fight tasks you with fighting sirens who take the form of a pop girl band. 

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Tying it all together is writing and storytelling that not only made me love the characters and understand the stakes, but also justified the repetition inherent to the roguelike genre. Like its predecessor, Hades II makes the fact that you need to play it again and again a core part of its narrative. Your numerous failed attempts against the Titan of Time are necessary to push the plot forward. Even the game's easier "god mode" maintains this sense of persistence, only slightly boosting your defense after each unsuccessful run. You must fail and experience those consequences because the payoff is worth it.

Time-Tested Combat

I described the original Hades as a Diablo-esque dungeon crawler developed by the shoot 'em up mavericks at Treasure, and that's still the case here. Each randomized room tasks you with demolishing mobs of foes, and this never gets old thanks to the fantastic, lightning-fast, arcade-style combat. 

Your basic light and heavy attacks feel substantial enough on their own, but Hades' big hook is infinitely remixing your loadout thanks to Boons gifted to you by the gods. Individual Boons are randomized, but their effects stack for increasingly potent results. So, as you progress, you can select and upgrade Boons that synergize well to create your ideal build. For example, you can maximize your fire damage, push enemies away with waves, or turn your dash into an offensive tool.

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All of the above was true in the first Hades, but Hades II adds gameplay twists. First, you have a new arsenal of weapons. Melinoe begins with a staff that can poke foes from a distance, but eventually you can unlock other weapons, including a giant axe, a demonic jetpack, and a flaming skull that shoots other skulls. Weapon Aspects lets you further customize gear with perks like extra backstabbing damage or increased health.

In keeping with its witchy theme, Hades II has a magic meter that fits the combat system well. You can charge attacks with magic to increase their power and change their properties. For example, a quick flurry of dagger strikes becomes a projectile attack with a wide spread. Using magic gives you other options to consider, too. Magic affects your cast (an area of effect spell) and fuels your Hex, an ultra-powerful special ability granted by the moon goddess, Selene. In one of my best runs, I deployed a hex that turned enemies into sheep and used chain lightning to mow through the entire flock at once. The number of builds you can craft, each with vastly different yet equally satisfying playstyles, feels endless.

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Exploration and Unlockables

Hades II rewards practice and experimentation. You have plenty of room to stretch your wings thanks to the deceptively large size of the world. As in the first game, you undertake a journey that takes you through four areas before a final boss encounter. However, you must fight your way down into Tartarus instead of trying to escape. This is a substantial game on its own that's full of monsters, boss fights, and new gimmicks like the open-ended stages in the Mourning Fields. If this were all Hades II had, though, you could maybe argue that it was more of a beefy expansion pack than a meaningful sequel.

However, from your base at The Crossroads, you eventually unlock an entire separate quest that leads to Mount Olympus, which is under siege. It's a whole other game's worth of material, and the most creative and challenging stuff Hades II provides. The last time I was this surprised and delighted by a game fully revealing its true depths was when I dropped into the underground world in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. 

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You’ll end up splitting your time between the routes, ascending and descending as you seek specific resources and tackle certain tasks. That helps each one stay fresh, as you don't battle the same bosses or see the same biomes quite as often. Sometimes indie games use a roguelike structure to stretch out a limited amount of actual content, but Hades II feels generous and genuinely gigantic. The game includes welcome cross-save functionality between Switch and PC, so you can tackle challenges on one platform and have your progress carry over to the other.  

The Deep Magic Systems

Hades II's core loops are supported even further by a bevy of additional systems, many of which are intriguing on their own and work even better in tandem with each other. Like in the first Hades, you can give nectar to befriend gods and earn their trinkets. My skeleton trainer’s lucky tooth saved my skin numerous times since it grants an extra life. The achievement system also rewards you for performing tasks, such as trying different weapons or unlocking new hexes.

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Other systems further emphasize that Melinoe practices the dark arts. Unlocking and upgrading tarot cards grants permanent buffs like regenerating magic and extra cash for buying extra Boons during runs. You can also craft tools for harvesting resources. The many resources you collect, such as silver or nightshade seeds, are necessary for incantations that provide bonuses, many of which are required for moving the story forward. I used my cauldron to summon deities, remove curses, and enhance my Boons' elemental affinities.

Hades II doesn't dump all these mechanics on you at once, but they're still overwhelming. Their explanations are all a bit vague and mysterious, fitting with the witchcraft theme. Still, they had me heading to the internet for clear advice (early access players had already solved many of these puzzles). You certainly don't need to master them all; I had several successful runs before having a handle on, say, how to make the best use of my garden. Even while outlining this review, I learned about animal familiars and other systems. At their best, these mechanics enhance Hades II's impressive scope and depth, adding intentionality to each run.

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However, at their worst, all these extra layers occasionally turn Hades II into a grind. There are many different resources, timers, and currencies to consider. You should want to replay a game, not feel like you have to. I didn't play Hades when it was in early access, but the grind was apparently worse before.

Hades II, more so than any other roguelikes, turns its genre's infamously tedious (even Sisyphean) repetition into a strength. But this is where that mask comes dangerously close to slipping. The good news is that the game is flexible enough to let you play your own way, pursue the playstyles you enjoy, and ignore most distractions.