Hades 2 guide: Everything you need to know (original) (raw)
(Image credit: Supergiant)
Hades 2 is now in Early Access for PC, but the new roguelike is set to be a Switch 2 console exclusive when it launches in full. This follows in the footsteps of the first Hades game, which saw a one-year period of Nintendo Switch exclusivity before launching on Sony and Microsoft consoles. Sadly, that does mean some of us might be waiting even longer than others to get in on Princess Melinoe's journey, though we have plenty of tantalizing details here to whet your appetite in the meantime.
If you're on the fence about picking up Hades 2 in Early Access, allow me to explain why it's absolutely a great idea. The latest update, titled Warsong, adds another familiar face to the mix: fiery god of war Ares, alongside boon balancing tweaks and an explosive final encounter at Mount Olympus. The update is jam packed with new content for lucky PC players to discover, coming just months after October 2024's Olympic update introduced a whole new region, along with an additional weapon, new allies, and more.
In short, the long-awaited sequel to one of the best roguelikes already has everything you loved about Hades - dynamic roguelike action, a drip-fed narrative crammed with Greek mythology-tinged family drama, and a belter soundtrack. Even with a Hades 2 release date still a ways away, the sheer wealth of things to see and do makes it high on our list of the top upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 games, let alone being one of the new games of 2025 we can't seem to put down. For those PC-less, here's a rundown of the upcoming roguelike's latest news and updates, including more on the Hades 2 Switch 2 console exclusivity window we are expecting.
Recent updates
This Hades 2 guide hub was updated on April 8, adding the news that it will be a temporary Switch 2 console exclusive.
Hades 2 early access review
(Image credit: Supergiant Games)
GamesRadar+ published its Hades 2 review in May 2024, which offers up a first verdict on the roguelike as it entered Early Access. We said: "There's a little bit of polish left to apply, but given the sheer increase in scope between Hades 2 and its predecessor, that's more than understandable. A hugely ambitious roguelike, with an improved progression loop and grander narrative, but the same ruthlessness in play and charm in worldbuilding as the original, makes this an astounding Early Access success."
Hades 2 release date (Early Access)
(Image credit: Supergiant Games)
Hades 2 launched into Early Access (PC only) on May 6 2024, though a full release date has yet to be set by Supergiant. This is designed to give you a taste of the final experience, and help the studio stress test the game's combat and difficulty loops. The process of Early Access means that boons, art, and storylines are subject to change at will, so if you're holding out for the full release, be aware that the experience could be markedly different to the one currently on offer - mechanically-speaking, of course.
If you're getting stuck in yourself, our Hades 2 tips are here to help.
Hades 2 console launch speculation
(Image credit: Supergiant Games)
Out now in Early Access for PC, Hades 2 has been confirmed as a Switch 2 exclusive console game at launch, and will come to other consoles at a later date. This plan was confirmed by Supergiant in a Creator's Voice interview with Nintendo America, published on YouTube on April 8, 2025. The team cites "pushing the graphical features" and the "briskness" of the Switch 2's user experience as two reasons for this exclusivity window.
Supergiant took two years perfecting the first game in Early Access before launching on Switch in 2020, with Xbox and PlayStation versions coming a year later. While a three year wait for Hades 2 might sound agonizing, you can take comfort in the fact that Hades 2 is already in a much more complete state that its predecessor was as it entered early access back in 2018. The Hades 2 roadmap guide will help you out if you want a closer look and what's still to come, with the developer promising at least two more sizeable story updates before it is ready to release v1.0 as a full game launch. This is set to take us into 2025, though whether the process will stretch on more than 12 months is yet to be ascertained.
Does this mean Supergiant won't need quite as long to finish it up? Time will tell (pun intended), but check out our Hades 2 console launch guide for more detail on that.
Hades 2 protagonist
(Image credit: Supergiant Games)
Hades 2's main character Melinoë is the immortal princess of the Underworld, though much like Zagreus, she's far from alone on her journey. There are plenty of Hades 2 characters to meet on her journeys, ranging from helpful spider Arachne to the god-in-training Icarus.
Supergiant has outdone itself with the sheer range of Gods and boons, old and new, and things are set to only get bigger and better as the game develops in Early Access. For example, getting to the surface in Hades 2 is not quite possible yet - though you can get pretty damn close once you beat Eris, Strife Incarnate. Here's how to beat Eris in Hades 2 if you're struggling with that.
Hades 2 story
(Image credit: Supergiant Games)
In terms of the Hades 2 story, we will be stepping into Princess Melinoë's shoes to battle through Erebus, Oceanus, the Mourning Fields, and finally Tartarus. Here, Melinoë confronts her grandfather Chronos, the Titan of Time who has overthrown the House of Hades and subjugated the denizens of Hell under a new dictatorial rulership.
Hades 2 is a direct sequel to the original game that is said to take place "sometime" after the events of Zagreus' Underworld escapades. Also set in and around Greek myth, Hades 2 centres around Chronos, the Titan of Time, who's known to be a "wicked father" to Hades and his brothers. Escaped from imprisonment in the Underworld, Chronos now wages war on Olympus. While it is a direct follow-up to the first game, Supergiant makes it clear that you don't need to know anything about Hades or Greek mythology to get stuck into the sequel.
The story of Hades 2 takes the Princess down to the Underworld to Chronos' lair in her stolen family home, she also ventures up toward the Surface - specifically, up Mount Olympus to assist her godly family in defending their turf.
Hades 2 bosses
(Image credit: Supergiant Games)
Hades 2 features a litany of boss battles, split between the Surface and Tartarus. Passing from Erebus to Oceanus requires you to beat Hecate in Hades 2, and after fighting past all manner of aquatic beasts, it'll be a matter of defeating Hades 2's Scylla and her musical Sirens. Finally, the Mourning Fields Boss? That's your old pal, Cerberus. Passing into the overthrown House of Hades sees Mel squaring off with the Titan of Time himself, but be warned: Chronos is not to be trifled with. Up on the surface, you'll have to best Polyphemus, Eris, and Prometheus in kind. The latest boss to be added to the Surface side of the game in the Hades 2 Warsong update is Typhon, the final enemy in the new Summit location. Defeating him completes a surface run, meaning it is now possible to complete both the Underworld and Surface paths in Hades 2.
Melinoë's chances of reaching any of the aforementioned biome bosses is greatly increased by using Hades 2 Arcana cards effectively. Another key factor will be the gear you're working with. Much as in the first game, knowing which weapon to pick in Hades 2 can spell success (or lack thereof) before you even begin your run. There are five weapons in Hades 2 Early Access: the Moonstone Axe, Witch's Staff, Sister Blades, Umbral Flames, Argent Skull, and rounding us off is the Black Coat. Trial and error will be your friend here. Enter: Schelemaus, the bearded skeleton who bears an uncanny resemblance to a certain old friend of Zag's.
Look ahead to future releases on the horizon with our roundup of upcoming PS5 games, upcoming Xbox Series X games and upcoming PC games to anticipate in 2025 and beyond.
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I started out writing for the games section of a student-run website as an undergrad, and continued to write about games in my free time during retail and temp jobs for a number of years. Eventually, I earned an MA in magazine journalism at Cardiff University, and soon after got my first official role in the industry as a content editor for Stuff magazine. After writing about all things tech and games-related, I then did a brief stint as a freelancer before I landed my role as a staff writer here at GamesRadar+. Now I get to write features, previews, and reviews, and when I'm not doing that, you can usually find me lost in any one of the Dragon Age or Mass Effect games, tucking into another delightful indie, or drinking far too much tea for my own good.