Hades 2 Review 2025: Why This Roguelike Sequel Is a Fantastic Experience

Introduction: The Return to the Underworld — and Beyond

When Supergiant Games announced Hades 2, expectations were sky-high. The original Hades set a near-perfect benchmark for roguelikes with its tight combat, compelling story, and gorgeous art direction. So, did the sequel manage to live up to the hype? In short, yes — Hades 2 is a fantastic experience that not only refines what made the first game great but expands the scope, story, and gameplay depth to new heights.

Whether you're a fan of the original or new to the series, Hades 2 offers a richly layered journey through Greek mythology that challenges your skills and rewards perseverance. Let’s dive into what makes this sequel a standout hit in 2025.

Expanding the Narrative Canvas: Meet Melinoë, the New Protagonist

Unlike the original’s protagonist Zagreus, Hades 2 centers on Melinoë, the Underworld’s princess. Her quest is not just about escape but about confronting the relentless force of Chronos, the god of time. This shift adds a fresh narrative layer, weaving an unfathomably monumental storyline that intertwines Melinoë’s loyalties between the Underworld and Olympus.

The story’s scale broadens dramatically: players traverse both the familiar depths of the Underworld and the bright, expansive surface realms. This duality introduces diverse environments and challenges, making the narrative feel like two games in one. The writing and character interactions maintain the sharp, witty, and emotionally resonant style Supergiant is known for, with moments that make players pause in awe or laughter.

Gameplay Enhancements: More Depth, More Challenge

If you loved the combat from the first game, Hades 2 takes it further with new mechanics and a more methodical pace. Melinoë’s magical abilities introduce fresh strategic layers, complemented by new gameplay systems such as:

Resource gathering and crafting at the cauldron
Arcana cards for customizable buffs
Familiars that accompany and assist in combat
Dynamic trial challenges that test your skills

Combat arenas vary widely, from the haunted warship battles to densely packed underworld fields, ensuring each run feels unique. The difficulty curve is notably steeper, pushing players to master the expanded toolkit and keep improving with every death — a hallmark of the roguelike genre that Hades 2 embraces wholeheartedly.

Visuals, Sound, and Atmosphere: A Feast for the Senses

Supergiant’s signature art style returns with a vengeance in Hades 2. The game’s visuals are simply stunning, featuring rich environmental design, fluid animation, and breathtaking effects that bring the Greek mythological world to life. Every zone, from the eerie undead city of Ephra to the dazzling Mount Olympus, feels meticulously crafted.

The soundtrack complements the visuals perfectly, blending solitary plucks and haunting melodies with epic boss battle tracks that elevate the tension and excitement. New music themes from characters like Sila and the Sirens add fresh auditory textures that deepen immersion. The overall presentation — art, animation, and music — creates an atmosphere that keeps players hooked.

Reception and Impact: A 2025 Game of the Year Contender

Since its release, Hades 2 has garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews and quickly established itself as one of 2025’s best games. It has even surpassed the original Hades in peak player count on Steam, reflecting its growing fanbase. Critics praise the game for its flawless expansion of the original’s formula, with some calling it the closest thing to a perfect game this year.

On review aggregators, Hades 2 has dethroned other top contenders like Hollow Knight: Silksong, securing a spot as a frontrunner for Game of the Year thanks to its outstanding gameplay, storytelling, and presentation.

What Could Be Improved? Honest Thoughts

While Hades 2 shines in many areas, some critics note that the narrative, although monumental, occasionally struggles to fully stick the landing. The expanded story paths and multiple factions can sometimes feel sprawling, and the higher difficulty may lead to frustration before players fully master the new systems.

Still, these are minor quibbles in a game that otherwise delivers a deeply satisfying, repeat-playable experience. The core loop of combat, exploration, and story progression remains addictive and rewarding, encouraging players to keep pushing forward.

Why Hades 2 Is a Must-Play in 2025

To sum up, Hades 2 is a fantastic roguelike that builds on everything fans loved about the original while boldly exploring new territory. Here’s why you should dive in:

Rich, dual-path narrative with memorable characters
Deeper combat systems with fresh strategic layers
Stunning, immersive art and music that elevate the experience
Challenging gameplay that rewards skill and persistence
Critical acclaim and a passionate player community

Whether you’re playing on PC or the latest consoles, Hades 2 stands out as a shining example of how to do a sequel right — delivering thrills, depth, and beauty in equal measure.

Ready to embark on Melinoë’s epic journey? Check out Hades 2 on Steam or your favorite gaming platform and experience one of 2025’s best roguelikes for yourself!