Summary
- Despite fan requests, Hades 2 won't have local co-op, leaving room for Cult of the Lamb to showcase this feature in their DLC.
- Cult of the Lamb's Unholy Alliance DLC introduces new co-op gameplay with unique traits and challenges for players to overcome.
- Fans speculate on potential partners for Melinoe in local co-op, highlighting Nemesis and Zagreus as possible allies in her quest.
Hades 2 continues the legacy of the first game with Melinoe as the protagonist and a host of new characters from Greek mythology. Since the first game, many fans have requested Supergiant Games to add local co-op with Zagreus and Thanatos, but the feature never materialized. With Hades 2 now out in early access, fans continue to request for co-op to be added to the sequel.
Unfortunately, Supergiant Games doesn't seem to have plans to integrate a local co-op feature in Hades 2, but many fans remain hopeful. Considering the difficulty of Hades 2's dungeons and foes, fans think it's only fitting for Melinoe to work with the likes of Nemesis or Zagreus. Meanwhile, fellow roguelike title Cult of the Lamb released the Unholy Alliance DLC, which adds the highly-requested feature to the game.
Cult of the Lamb Further Shows that Co-Op Roguelike is Possible
- Cult of the Lamb Unholy Alliance DLC characters: Lamb and Goat
Cult of the Lamb's Unholy Alliance DLC allows fans to play with their friends, working together to plow through dungeons while controlling the Lamb and the Goat. This gives them the chance to kill monsters and work together to take down bosses, as well as manage the cult together. The DLC also includes new co-op exclusive tarot cards and relics that give Lamb and Goat buffs and powers to use against enemies.
Additionally, Unholy Alliance adds new cultist traits, which make them more unstable and challenging to manage. They can turn insomniac, help other cultists to break out of prison, and they can come back inspired or traumatized after sending them on missions. This only means that Cult of the Lamb made follower management slightly harder because there are two players taking care of them.
Cult of the Lamb is just one title that's shown that local co-op is possible for roguelike games. This genre is notorious for challenging dungeons teeming with enemies, which might become overwhelming for some players. With local co-op, at least they'll get backup from others, while also discovering new abilities from the second protagonist.
Supergiant Games still has an opportunity to add local co-op to Hades 2, especially with its full release scheduled for next year. The developer just needs to determine the second character who will fight alongside Melinoe, particularly combat characters that she encounters in her adventures. If Supergiant Games doesn't push through with local co-op in Hades 2, it could introduce the feature in a future Hades game.
- Combat character encounters: Nemesis, Artemis, Heracles, Icarus
Who Can Be Melinoe's Partner in Local Co-Op?
Just like the first game, Hades 2 highlights Melinoe's determination to beat evil forces, while also receiving Boons from Olympian gods and other key characters. It also gives players a chance to get to know many of Melinoe's allies in The Crossroads, like Hecate, Nemesis, and Odysseus. If Hades 2 had local co-op, some of the possible characters who would fight alongside Melinoe would be Nemesis and Zagreus. Nemesis is a regular encounter whenever Melinoe ventures out, where they either challenge each other to kill as many enemies as possible or hit each other for prizes. Although they have a complicated relationship, they also respect each other and can grow their friendship throughout the game -- just like Zagreus and Thanatos in Hades.
Meanwhile, Zagreus will be a wildcard because there's still no confirmation on whether he'll appear in Hades 2 or not. So far, Melinoe can only interact with Hades once she reaches Chronos' castle -- the rest of her family's locations are still unknown. There are theories that Zagreus might help his younger sister in a big way in the full release, which only makes sense for him to be Melinoe's partner in local co-op, especially if he becomes playable again.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 95 /100 Critics Rec: 98%
- Released
- September 25, 2025
- ESRB
- Teen / Alcohol Reference, Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Supergiant Games
- Publisher(s)
- Supergiant Games
WHERE TO PLAY
Battle beyond the Underworld using dark sorcery to take on the Titan of Time in this bewitching sequel to the award-winning rogue-like dungeon crawler.
The first-ever sequel from Supergiant Games builds on the best aspects of the original god-like rogue-like dungeon crawler in an all-new, action-packed, endlessly replayable experience rooted in the Underworld of Greek myth and its deep connections to the dawn of witchcraft.
BATTLE BEYOND THE UNDERWORLD
As the immortal Princess of the Underworld, you'll explore a bigger, deeper mythic world, vanquishing the forces of the Titan of Time with the full might of Olympus behind you, in a sweeping story that continually unfolds through your every setback and accomplishment.
MASTER WITCHCRAFT AND DARK SORCERY
Infuse your legendary weapons of Night with ancient magick, so that none may stand in your way. Become stronger still with powerful Boons from more than a dozen Olympian gods, from Apollo to Zeus. There are nearly limitless ways to build your abilities.
MINGLE WITH (MORE) GODS, GHOSTS, AND MONSTERS
Meet a cast of dozens of fully-voiced, larger-than-life characters, including plenty of new faces and some old friends. Grow closer to them through a variety of new interactions, and experience countless unique story events based on how your journey unfolds.
EVERY RUN IS ITS OWN ADVENTURE
New locations, challenges, upgrade systems, and surprises await as you delve into the ever-shifting Underworld again and again. Reveal the mysteries of the Arcana Altar, tame witchy familiars, and gather reagents using Tools of the Unseen to get closer to your goal.
THE PERKS OF IMMORTALITY
Thanks to a variety of permanent upgrades and the return of God Mode, you don't have to be a god yourself to experience what Hades II has to offer. But if you happen to be one, you can brave escalating challenges for greater rewards, and prove just how divine you really are.
SIGNATURE SUPERGIANT STYLE
Rich, atmospheric presentation and storytelling fused with responsive action is the hallmark of Supergiant's titles. Vivid new hand-painted environments, even smoother real-time 3D characters, and an electrifying original score make this mythic world burst with life.
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Franchise
- Hades
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
