Hades 2 guide: Everything you need to know

Hades 2 is out now in Steam early access, and it's a fantastic window into the work Supergiant is completing on this surprise sequel. Over the studio's history, it has never once invested in a direct continuation – with the team diving from Bastion, to Transistor, to Pyre, until finally settling on Hades. Still, it's no surprise to see Supergiant heading back in for, given the wild success of its roguelike. 

In fact, Hades is now considered one of the best roguelikes of the modern era, and we wouldn't be surprised to see Hades 2 make the list when it leaves early access. We're still waiting for a firm date for the final build, and info on the console editions, but while we wait for all of that you can keep scrolling to find all the new Hades 2 tips, guides, and news that we have so far. 

Hades 2 early access review

12DOVE published its Hades 2 review in May 2024, which offers up a first verdict on the roguelike as it entered early access. We said: "There's a little bit of polish left to apply, but given the sheer increase in scope between Hades 2 and its predecessor, that's more than understandable. A hugely ambitious roguelike, with an improved progression loop and grander narrative, but the same ruthlessness in play and charm in worldbuilding as the original, makes this an astounding early access success."

Hades 2 release date

Hades 2 launched into early access (PC only) on May 6 2024, though a full release date has yet to be set by Supergiant. This is designed to give you a taste of the final experience, and help the studio stress test the game's combat and difficulty loops. The process of Early Access means that boons, art, and storylines are subject to change at will, so if you're holding out for the full release, be aware that the experience could be markedly different to the one currently on offer - mechanically-speaking, of course.

Hades 2 console launch

Having just launched into early access on PC as of May 6, there is no sign yet of a Hades 2 console launch in the imminent future. Supergiant took two years perfecting the first game in Early Access before launching on Switch in 2020, with Xbox and PlayStation versions coming a year later. While a three year wait for Hades 2 might sound agonizing, you can take comfort in the fact that Hades 2 is already in a much more complete state that its predecessor was as it entered early access back in 2018. The Hades 2 roadmap guide will help you out if you want a closer look and what's still to come, with the developer promising at least two more sizeable story updates before it is ready to release v1.0 as a full game launch. This is set to take us into 2025, though whether the process will stretch on more than 12 months is yet to be ascertained.

Does this mean Supergiant won't need quite as long to finish it up? Time will tell (pun intended), but check out our Hades 2 console launch guide for more detail on that.

Hades 2 protagonist 

Hades 2's main character Melinoë is the immortal princess of the Underworld, though much like Zagreus, she's far from alone on her journey. There are plenty of Hades 2 characters to meet on her journeys, ranging from helpful spider Arachne to the god-in-training Icarus. 

Supergiant has outdone itself with the sheer range of Gods and boons, old and new, and things are set to only get bigger and better as the game develops in Early Access. For example, getting to the surface in Hades 2 is not quite possible yet - though you can get pretty damn close once you beat Eris, Strife Incarnate. Here's how to beat Eris in Hades 2 if you're struggling with that.

Hades 2 story  

In terms of the Hades 2 story, we will be stepping into Princess Melinoë's shoes to battle through Erebus, Oceanus, the Mourning Fields, and finally Tartarus. Here, Melinoë confronts her grandfather Chronos, the Titan of Time who has overthrown the House of Hades and subjugated the denizens of Hell under a new dictatorial rulership.

Hades 2 is a direct sequel to the original game that is said to take place "sometime" after the events of Zagreus' Underworld escapades. Also set in and around Greek myth, Hades 2 centres around Chronos, the Titan of Time, who's known to be a "wicked father" to Hades and his brothers. Escaped from imprisonment in the Underworld, Chronos now wages war on Olympus. While it is a direct follow-up to the first game, Supergiant makes it clear that you don't need to know anything about Hades or Greek mythology to get stuck into the sequel.

Hades 2 bosses

Hades 2 features a litany of boss battles, split between the Surface and Tartarus. Passing from Erebus to Oceanus requires you to beat Hecate in Hades 2, and after fighting past all manner of aquatic beasts, it'll be a matter of defeating Hades 2's Scylla and her musical Sirens. Finally, the Mourning Fields Boss? That's your old pal, Cerberus. Passing into the overthrown House of Hades sees Mel squaring off with the Titan of Time himself, but be warned: Chronos is not to be trifled with. Up on the surface, you'll have to best Polyphemus, Eris, and Prometheus in kind, though what lies next on the upper reaches of Mount Olympus is yet to be seen...

Melinoë's chances of reaching any of the aforementioned biome bosses is greatly increased by using Hades 2 Arcana cards effectively. Another key factor will be the gear you're working with. Much as in the first game, knowing which weapon to pick in Hades 2 can spell success (or lack thereof) before you even begin your run. There are five weapons in Hades 2 Early Access: the Moonstone Axe, Witch's Staff, Sister Blades, Umbral Flames, Argent Skull, and rounding us off is the Black Coat. Trial and error will be your friend here. Enter: Schelemaus, the bearded skeleton who bears an uncanny resemblance to a certain old friend of Zag's.

Look ahead to future releases on the horizon with our roundup of upcoming PS5 games, upcoming Xbox Series X games and upcoming PC games to anticipate in 2024.