Summary
- Hades 2 will continue the success of the original game, building on its optimized gameplay and compelling characters.
- With a longer development period and the lessons learned from Early Access, Hades 2 has the potential for even more innovation.
- Early Access allows players to be part of the game's development process, creating a positive bond between players and the developer.
Supergiant Games' success with Hades in 2020 came on the heels of its two years of Early Access, which it used to optimize Hades while communicating with players. By the time the full version of Hades was released, it was a slick and ambitious achievement by the developer to create a roguelike with compelling characters, fast action, and dynamic gameplay. Despite its success, it was a pleasant surprise when Hades 2 was announced at The Game Awards 2022.
Hades 2 will follow the Ancient Greek goddess Melinoe as she battles against the Titan of Time who has escaped from his imprisonment in the depths of Tartarus to battle the Olympians once more. Like its predecessor, Hades 2 will have a period of Early Access where the game will be available for players to purchase and play while the developer continues to refine the game in the final stage of development.
Hades 2 Doesn't Need Zagreus, But It Would Benefit From Having Him
Zagreus is the heart and soul of Hades, and though the sequel isn't his game to shine in, bringing him back could still be beneficial.
Lessons From Hades' Development Cycle
A Similar Timeline to Hades
Hades' full release was in 2020, giving Hades 2 a development period of up to four years before going into Early Access. The gap between Supergiant's previous game and the Early Access in Q2 2024 for Hades 2 is a little longer than Supergiant's usual three-year gap, which gives the developer more time to create a better gaming experience on multiple levels.
Supergiant Games is now also able to build on its technology and successes with Hades and apply those to Hades 2, all while improving on any features that didn't land as well as they could have. Supergiant's previous experience with Early Access has given it the opportunity to learn from past mistakes in regard to the timeline of Early Access and development, and the studio has stated that it's aiming to release Hades 2 at a "sweet spot" where it'll be optimized for the player experience, based on experience with Hades.
Hades 2 Has More Opportunities for Innovation
More Time Means Better Optimization
The extra development time with established gameplay systems means there's more opportunity to streamline Hades 2 and make it a better experience for players. The 2024 window is an indication that the developer is getting the time it needs to make the game as good as possible. The latest community update also indicates there will be a technical test for a smaller batch of players, so that Hades 2 is better optimized for as many players as possible before Early Access is even available.
What Hades 2 Early Access Could Look Like
Early Access makes the game available to players before it's finished development, usually years before the final product is released. The first Hades game was available in Early Access from 2018 until its official V1.0 release in 2020, and received periodic character, story, music, art, and gameplay updates throughout this period. Players can send feedback to the developer during Early Access.
Why Early Access Works
Early Access is one way to create a community of players before the release of a game and builds a positive bond between players and the developer. This is especially the case if player feedback is taken and acted upon during Early Access. This strategy has brought a lot of success for recent game releases, including the first Hades game which received positive feedback from the community for the developer's support. A more recent example is Baldur's Gate 3, which spent just under three years in Early Access and won Game of the Year and Best Community Support at The Game Awards, among others. A large part of Baldur's Gate's development time and process was spent in Early Access and using that time to build that community rapport with players.
Based on Supergiant's timeline with Hades, players could see Hades 2 in Early Access for around two years, which puts a full release at 2026. Despite its incredible success with Hades, Supergiant Games is a small developer, so giving its team the time it needs for a successful Early Access launch is a positive sign.
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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
- Franchise
- Hades
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
