Hades II: A Sequel Reflecting Past Struggles and New Times
By Yussef Cole, May 14, 2024 (Updated 1:40 p.m. ET)
Hades II is a highly anticipated video game sequel developed by Supergiant Games. The game follows Melinoë, the youngest child of Hades, born in the years between the events of the original game and the sequel. Unlike her predecessor Zagreus, who sought to escape the underworld, Melinoë’s mission is to break into it to defeat the titan Chronos and rescue her imprisoned family.
The game maintains the roguelike structure of the original, where players navigate through various worlds, fight bosses, and start over upon death. However, it brings a new perspective by having Melinoë navigate areas familiar to players of the first game but now portrayed as ominous and alien. Tartarus, for instance, which felt like home to Zagreus, now serves as an endpoint filled with danger.
Hades II is currently available in early access, which allows players to experience and provide feedback on an unfinished version of the game. This approach was previously successful with the original Hades, leading to valuable improvements before its official release. As players guide Melinoë through battles and encounters, they also explore themes of memory and trauma, mirroring the post-pandemic world's shift from isolation to a still uncertain social landscape.
Like its predecessor, Hades II scrutinizes the theme of death and repetition, with Melinoë striving to reclaim and reconnect with her lost past. The game’s narrative and gameplay mechanics offer players an engaging experience that builds on the original while providing new twists and challenges.