
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.
Hades II leaving early access and hitting version 1.0 on September 25 is one of those rare indie milestones that feels like a full-on industry moment. Supergiant has been building toward this for over a year of early access iteration, and as someone who lost untold hours to the original Hades on Switch in 2020, this caught my attention for two reasons: Melinoë finally gets her complete arc, and the studio is promising a day-and-date console push across Nintendo Switch and the incoming Switch 2 alongside PC. That combination-narrative closure plus a wide launch-doesn’t happen often in roguelikes, and it raises the stakes in a good way.
Here’s the core: version 1.0 lands September 25 on PC (Steam and Epic), Nintendo Switch, and the presumably-incoming Switch 2, with a physical edition following in November. Supergiant says this update brings the complete narrative—meaning Melinoë’s arc reaches its intended end, not a “to be continued” cliffhanger. That’s reassuring after a year of incremental additions in early access. On consoles, Nintendo appears to have the jump: it’s a timed exclusive on Switch hardware, with no PlayStation or Xbox date yet.
Performance-wise, the headline is Switch 2 targeting up to 120fps at 1080p when docked, while the original Switch aims for 60fps. On paper, that’s the dream scenario for a twitchy isometric brawler where animation readability and input latency matter. In practice, I’m cautiously optimistic; 120fps support will depend on Switch 2 display pipelines and your TV, and we’ve all seen “targets” quietly become “variable” once reviews hit. The original Hades ran well on Switch but had occasional micro-stutter in heavy effects—so if Supergiant has truly nailed a clean 60 on the OG hardware this time, that alone is a win.
Supergiant’s track record is the real story. The studio used early access brilliantly with Hades 1, turning community feedback into a GOTY-caliber 1.0 launch without losing the plot—literally. Hades II has felt similar: tighter balance with each update, more godly interactions, and a clearer identity for Melinoë that isn’t just “Zagreus but witchier.” The promise of a complete finale at 1.0 suggests they’ve resisted the temptation to pad out the loop with filler or “live service creep.” That’s refreshing in 2025.

Nintendo’s timed exclusivity plays into a familiar pattern: Switch was the breakout home for Hades, and roguelikes thrive on handheld pick-up-and-play. If you’re on PC, you’re golden day one. If you’re on PlayStation or Xbox, you’re back in that frustrating limbo with no date in sight. If history repeats, you’ll get it eventually, but you may be waiting months.
Story first: expect a real ending, not just a new boss gate. Supergiant’s strength is weaving narrative through runs, so anticipate fresh post-run dialogue, new godly boons synergies, and more reactive character beats once the credits are within reach. If you’ve been holding off in early access to avoid “unfinished-business fatigue,” 1.0 is the moment to jump in.

Combat and buildcrafting are the big differentiators from the first game. Hades II pushes you toward more technical decision-making—witchcraft tools, layered boons, and status interplay that reward planning rather than just fishing for one broken synergy. That makes performance claims extra important: high, stable frame rates genuinely change how this game feels, especially in later biomes where arenas fill with hazards.
On the portability front, the original Switch targeting 60fps is a practical sweet spot. If you’re thinking Switch 2 purely for 120fps, be realistic: you’ll only notice it if your TV supports it and if the game maintains that target consistently. For most players, rock-solid 60 with quick loads will feel transformative already.
There’s talk of cross-save between PC and Switch versions, which would be fantastic for commuting runs and couch sessions. Just know the devil’s in the details. We need clarity on whether it’s truly seamless cloud sync or a manual transfer flow, and whether it’s available at launch across all storefronts. If cross-progression is a must for you, wait for launch-day confirmation.

If you loved Hades, Hades II at 1.0 looks like the real deal: a sharper, more methodical spin on the formula with a proper ending and the polish you expect from Supergiant. PC remains the safest bet for peak performance on day one. Switch players get the portability advantage and, if you’re eyeing Switch 2, potentially the smoothest console experience—just don’t buy a new system solely on a 120fps bullet point. For everyone else, the FOMO is real, but a little patience will probably net you a great port down the line.
Hades II leaves early access on Sept 25 with a complete story, launching on PC, Switch, and Switch 2 as a timed Nintendo console exclusive. It sounds fantastic, but keep expectations measured on 120fps promises and cross-save specifics until hands-on testing and launch notes arrive.
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