Supergiant Games is bringing its critically acclaimed sequel, Hades 2, to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X on April 14. The release also includes a launch on Xbox Game Pass, marking the first time the title is available on these consoles since its initial 1.0 launch.
Players will step into the role of Melinoë, the sister of the original protagonist Zagreus. Unlike the first game, which focused on escaping the Underworld, Melino and her quest involves traveling deeper into the realm to confront Chronos, the Titan of Time.
New mechanics and visual upgrades
The sequel maintains the roguelike structure of its predecessor while introducing new weapons, characters, and storylines. Melinoë utilizes a variety of 'Nocturnal Arms,' ranging from the magic-based Umbral Flames to the agile Sister Blades.
According to reports from Polygon, the game features a massive array of 'boons' from various gods that modify combat abilities. Players can utilize water-based attacks from Poseidon, weakness debuffs from Aphrodite, or frost effects from Demeter to customize their playstyle.
While the gameplay is deep, the increased complexity has drawn some criticism. The sheer volume of currencies, upgrade materials, and consumable items required for the game's cauldron system can become difficult to manage during runs.
On technical fronts, the PlayStation 5 version is expected to perform at up to 120 FPS. The developer has also optimized the game for haptic feedback on the DualSense controller, providing physical rumble during combat.
One notable omission for console players is the lack of cross-save support between platforms. While the game is playable on handhelds like the Switch 2, progress cannot be synced between the PlayStation and Xbox versions at launch.
