Hades 2 early access review - polish and terrifying power from some of the best out there
The debut follow-up from Supergiant may seem cozy and recognizable, yet Hades' most potent asset is its ability to astonish.
Creating a successful sequel can be quite challenging. It's tricky to maintain the essence of the original and enhance it in a meaningful way. It's a tough decision to decide what to include or exclude. Personally, I admire the approach taken by Sid Meier regarding the rule of thirds in his Civilisation games. He suggests keeping one third of the game unchanged, improving another third, and incorporating entirely new elements to the remaining third. While this formula works for some games, it may not be suitable for all.
Wow, making sequels for roguelikes is a real challenge due to the high level of difficulty. This is because roguelikes have campaigns that are made up of endless runs, all with their unique opportunities for variation. Essentially, roguelikes are games that come with built-in sequels. I've had Spelunky runs that feel like a whole new game because of unforeseen events that change how I approach the challenge. If even Spelunky struggles with making sequels, then what are the chances for other developers?
The sequel to Hades, known as Hades 2, appears quite content with its status as a continuation of a roguelike game. The artwork, music, menus, and UI choices all reflect a desire for consistency. As a player who has spent years running through rooms filled with frightening creatures as Zagreus, I found it relatively easy to transition to playing as Melinoë, and I've discussed this with others who find it odd that we feel so at ease with the game. It's almost disorienting to feel immediately comfortable with Hades 2.
However, significant modifications have been made. Before discussing them, there are two related questions to address. First, are any of these changes so significant that they wouldn't appear in a Hades run from the past? It's uncertain. Second, does any of it affect the enjoyment I'm experiencing? Not in the slightest.
Melinoë is an awesome addition to the game, she is speedy and clever and it appears she is even more powerful in fight compared to Zagreus, based on the latest version. Her go-to weapon is a magic wand that is akin to using a sacred electric shock gadget. Though, I personally love a weapon that can be unlocked, namely, the Sister Blades. The name alone is impressive and its attack sequence is even more astonishing as it follows a one-two-three pattern with the third blow resembling a rapid firing machine gun. It's definitely not your average weapon!
Similar to Zagreus, Melinoë has a fast run ability, and she possesses a regular, unique, and throwing attack. The throwing attack now involves creating a circle on the floor that can cause different negative effects to enemies caught inside it, depending on how you have improved it. However, the most significant modification is the introduction of Omega attacks.
The actions known as Omega attacks require the use of a specific amount of Magick mana located either above or below the health bar. The game's pace is so fast that I cannot fully determine the exact location of this pool. Activating Omega attacks will deduct Magick mana from the pool, and can be triggered when you hold down either a standard, special, or cast attack for a brief moment before unleashing a powerful strike. These attacks are much larger in size and inflict greater damage. Fans of Fable 2's fighting style may feel a sense of nostalgia from the hold-and-release technique used in Omega attacks, as it reminds me of that gameplay mechanic as well.
The most important thing to note about Hades 2 is that the Magick pool refills automatically when you move from room to room, even before you acquire upgrades that refill it faster. This is a key aspect of Hades 2's goal: to provide easy access to Magick. While it encourages you to be mindful and not waste it unnecessarily on a room-by-room basis, it also wants to make Magick easily available for experimentation and learning without the pressure of having to preserve it or ration it for later use.
One way that Hades 2 demonstrates its familiarity with the traditional Hades gameplay is by following the pattern of entering a room, defeating all enemies within, and selecting the next room to explore based on icons that indicate which God will offer a reward or what resources will be earned. This can be overwhelming for the casual player, who may choose to ignore the many resources available. However, these resources are important for unlocking new options, such as weaponry or character upgrades that are more permanent than each run. Additionally, Hades 2 appears to prioritize cumulative power, as demonstrated by Melinoë's ability to receive increasingly overpowered upgrades from the Gods as the game progresses.
During my last game, I received a special ability that granted me a 100% attack boost for the first ten seconds upon entering a new room. It felt like having temporary control of a powerful machine in each round, similar to a Zamboni. With this power, I was able to inflict significant damage within a short amount of time. As if that wasn't impressive enough, throughout my gameplay, I was able to upgrade this ability to a staggering 150% attack bonus. In my opinion, the main takeaway from the Early Access launch of Hades 2 is that you will be incredibly strong and unbeatable in this game.
So, you're going to become extremely powerful. When I play the game now, I can race through levels quickly, taking out enemies with ease and unleashing powerful attacks like a character in Vampire Survivors. However, the enemies also become stronger and there are more of them to fight. Even in the earlier levels, I have to face waves of strange and creepy creatures that remind me of something Jonty Ives would create. The bosses in the game are no joke either, especially in Hades 2. It's definitely a challenging experience.
There are many aspects of this game that one could explore, but ultimately it depends on what you want to prioritize and focus on. Some enjoy the sliding and smashing combat aspect, while others find entertainment in the ongoing Classical reality show where the gods have their say. For some, the cozy hub is the highlight - a picturesque glade complete with a friendly frog and a huge cauldron. Here, you can unlock upgrades in the form of Tarot cards and create an exciting and powerful hand.
I like playing games to experience unexpected discoveries, and I'm still encountering surprises, just like when I played Hades for the first time. During one of my recent gameplay sessions, I stumbled into a peaceful area amongst all the destruction and saw Arachne waiting for me. She gave me the option of choosing from various dresses, each one granting me certain advantages while simultaneously limiting my resources. I made my decision and progressed through the game feeling pretty content.
As I considered Hades 2, the name Arachne came to mind. The more I pondered it, the more it made sense. I will briefly mention the Spanish artist Velazquez, but I realize I need to expand my knowledge of cultural references. Velazquez's painting, Las Hilanderas, was believed to show people spinning yarn. However, it was later discovered that there was a hidden story in the background of the image. Two unknown characters were engaged in the tale of Arachne, in which a talented weaver challenges a goddess and suffers the consequences, as indicated by her name.
This artwork has been misinterpreted for many years. One reason might be that the artist is so gifted that all of their works are equally exceptional. This is similar to how I view the Supergiant team. It's like seeing another amazing piece - it's great, but not surprising.
In my opinion, Hades 2 seems repetitive for now, but there are two factors to consider. Firstly, I may not fully understand the underlying purpose of the game yet. Secondly, we are still in the early stages of the game's development, so it's possible that the game I'm currently playing, which I already enjoy, may be different from the game I'll be playing in a year. This is an exciting prospect to ponder.
Supergiant Games gave us the chance to review the Hades 2 code.
