After 60 runs with Hades II, I finally see why it might be 2025’s best—here’s where it hooked me
Game intel
Hades II
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.
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows)Genre: Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, AdventureRelease: 10/16/2024Publisher: Supergiant Games
Mode: Single playerView: Bird view / IsometricTheme: Action, Fantasy
My first night with Hades II felt less like a sequel and more like a reunion
TL;DR
- Omega moves and the Magick economy reshape combat from pure aggression to smart bursts of power.
- Arcana (Altar of Ashes) and Incantations (the Cauldron) give you real control over your build and routes.
- The Crossroads cast—Hecate, Nemesis, Dora, Odysseus—makes failing feel like coming home.
- Boss design shines, especially the Oceanus “concert” and Chronos’s time-twisting duel.
- PC runs beautifully; Switch 2 is strong; OG Switch trades some fluidity for portability.
- Minor gripes: early system overload, a few underwhelming boons, and a harsh surface penalty before the right Incantation.
- Verdict: A confident, generous sequel that earns your time and your affection. 9.5/10.
9.5
After 60 runs with Hades II, I finally see why it might be 2025’s best—here’s where it hooked me
Verdict — 9.5/10