Hades II

A witchcraft-infused action roguelike where you slash daemons with twin blades and brew Hex spells from moonlit herbs before boss encounters.

Last reviewed: May 1, 2026

Released Sep 2025 Singleplayer / Atmospheric / Family Sharing

Supergiant's hardest swing in years — Hades II isn't a remix, it's a deeper, weirder game that still respects the original's perfect run-based loop.

9.5 /10

Mighty

Previously an Editor's pick

For you if

You did 64+ heat runs in Hades and want the same compulsive pull at twice the depth of systems.
Witchcraft mechanics (Hex casts, omens, ingredient gathering) layered over the run-based core sounds like a feature, not bloat.
Greek-mythology cast-of-thousands writing where every NPC arc rewards 30+ hours of investment is your bag.

Not for you if

You wanted Hades 2 to be Hades 1 — Melinoë's combat is slower and more stance-based than Zagreus's blink-and-strike.
Crafting/resource systems beyond the core run loop annoy you — the herb/ingredient layer is real here, not skippable.
You bounce off long onboarding — Hades II takes ~5 hours to fully unlock its loop, where Hades was open by run 3.

What players love

The sheer variety of weapon builds, boon combinations, and engaging narrative drive players to return for hundreds of hours.

See the reviews behind this →

What critics say

5/5Eurogamer
Supergiant manages to draw down the moon with its Herculean action and epic narrative in Hades 2.
Dom Peppiatt Read review →
10/10Game Informer
Melinoë's journey showcases Supergiant's expert world-building, combat design, and sharp dialogue to a degree that surpasses one of my all-time favorite games.
Charles Harte Read review →
10/10GameSpot
Hades II is an ambitious expansion balancing all the ideas that came before it beautifully to create one of the best roguelites on the market.
Alessandro Barbosa Read review →

Before You Play

Refreshed monthly

What's the best early-run strategy for new Hades 2 players?

Pick up every Hammer upgrade you see — a single Hammer can outscale two or three god Boons combined, sometimes doubling your attack speed or tripling damage. Prioritize Boon synergy over rarity: a common Boon that ties into your existing build beats a random epic that doesn't. For movement, hold the dash button to Sprint — it's the only way to escape wide sweeping attacks that a single dash can't clear. Run Frinos as your familiar early on for the extra health.

Source: GAMES.GG Build Guide

How long does a typical Hades 2 run take?

Roughly 30 to 50 minutes for a full Underworld or Surface route, depending on how cleanly you clear each of the four regions and their Guardian bosses. Early failed runs are shorter — most new players wipe at the second or third boss — but successful clears settle around the 35-minute mark. Plan to spend 30–50 hours total to roll the main credits, and considerably more to chase the true ending.

Source: Game Rant Length Guide

Which weapon should a new Hades 2 player start with?

Hades 2 has one playable character — Melinoë — but you choose between five Nocturnal Arms (Witch's Staff, Sister Blades, Argent Skull, Moonstone Axe, Umbral Flames). The default Witch's Staff is the recommended starter: it pairs balanced melee combos with a ranged Special, works with nearly every Boon combination, and teaches the fundamentals (sprint dodging, Hammer scaling, attack/special Boon decisions) that transfer to every other weapon. Save the Moonstone Axe and Argent Skull for later — they reward more committed builds.

Source: Lee Reamsnyder Build Guide

How long until Hades 2's meta-progression feels rewarding?

Most players report Hades 2 starts to click around runs 5–8, once you've unlocked enough Arcana Cards, bought your first Mirror upgrades, and learned which Boon families synergize with your favorite weapon. The first complete win usually lands around run 12, after which the surface route (toward Olympus and Typhon) unlocks and the loop opens up. If you bounce off after 3–4 runs, push through to your first big Hammer-stacked run — that's typically when the depth becomes obvious.

Source: Game Rant Beginner Tips

How much content is there in Hades 2 after your first credits roll?

A lot — the first clear is essentially the halfway point. After credits, you continue chasing the true ending (which requires permanently defeating Chronos and Typhon via the Dissolution of Time questline), unlocking all Nocturnal Arms Aspects, completing every Chaos Trial, working through the Fated List prophecies, and developing relationships with each Olympian. Reviewers cite 80–120+ hours for full completion, and the difficulty scales upward via the Fear modifier system once you're comfortable.

Source: Game Rant True Ending Guide