Image: Supergiant Games
Hades 2’s surprise early access launch already boasts more content than the first game.
Supergiant Games has released its highly-anticipated roguelike action-RPG Hades 2 on Steam in early access today. The game will continue to receive major content updates in the months leading up to its full release, but it already boasts more content than the first game even in its current form.
According to Supergiant, Hades 2 has, “more environments, foes, and fully-voiced characters than the full version of the original Hades game,” with the catch that some of it is unfinished as of right now. You can watch the early access trailer below:
Hades 2 is packed full of content (but more is coming)
Supergiant Games has officially launched Hades 2 in early access, allowing players to try the game out ahead of its 1.0 release. This means that the game is currently unfinished - despite already being in much better shape than the first game was during its early access launch. According to the Hades 2 Steam page, this sequel comes with more locations, enemies and voiced characters than the entirety of the original game. However, “it isn't complete, and key areas, characters, foes, narrative events, and systems are still to come."
Even in its current form, Hades 2 already boasts a host of new Greek gods to provide the player with useful boons - from Hephaestus to Hera - along with new abilities and weapons to bring into combat. The sequel also has an all-new soundtrack by composer Darren Korb and story events to flesh out Melinoe’s quest to defeat the Titan of time, Chronos. Supergiant isn’t holding much back for its full release here, though the game will lack its true ending until then.
Supergiant says that Hades 2 was designed for early access from the ground up, as the developer looks, “forward to hearing your feedback about all that we've built so far, and integrating that feedback into our plans for the rest of production!” If certain weapons and boons seem unbalanced at first glance, there’s a high chance that these issues will be addressed over time. The game also has unfinished artwork and blocked-off paths in its current state, providing signs of content to come.
Hades 2 is already Steam Deck verified and its early access period is expected to last, “at least through the end of 2024,” suggesting that we won’t get a full launch until 2025. The game’s next major update will take a few months for Supergiant to release, but it will include a new location in the Underworld, more customisation for the Crossroads player hub and a new weapon.