Hades 2 deserves more love, so here it is.

I will be the first to admit, that my perfect 10 review of Hades II was not as polished as I would have wanted it to be. There were so many elements about the game that I didn't want to spoil. I just put a whole lot of word salad together and slapped a 10 on it, because I wanted everyone to go into this game fresh of it's prequel. Now that it's been out of early access and on PC and Switch 2, I must heap more praise on the amazing Hades II. And I won't take up too much of your time, so I'll give three reasons. 

First off, is the story. This is not just the story of Melinoe, daughter of Hades and Persephone. This is also the story about what happened to Zagreus between the events of Hades and Hades II. This also is about the timeline, and speaking of time, how the big bad in this game came into power. Chronos is way worse than Hades. While Hades told you that you were stuck in hell, Chronos eggs you on, and tells you that finding him is inevitable. He knows you're coming, because, as the titan of time, he's seen it. The game tells you the story of Headmistress Hecate, and how Melinoe' came into witchcraft, also revealing the ties between that and Greek mythology. Every single character has a story arc. They never run out of things to say. With full voice acting. There is never a time where you read dialogue. This is the polish behind Hades 1 and 2. It just keeps going. The enemies and bosses even have back stories. They just wow me every time I interact with them.

Second, is the ease of the controls. I have never controlled a character better than Zagreus, until I got a hold of the absolute butter that is Melinoe. Every single button push has an instant action and reaction. I can dash around the levels, attack when I need to, and dodge when it's necessary. These games are on the short list of games where if I get hit, it was probably my fault. Most enemy attacks have a lead in, or a hit box. The game is difficult on purpose at some points, if only to keep you from thinking you're the best. You're not. You can use the permanent upgrades at home base to get there, but you're not the best. Still. Even if you've gone through both paths multiple times, the game finds ways to make it harder. It consistentlyy challenges you to be better. To get good. 

Third, is the amount of devices at your disposal to get better.  The tarot cards and the grasp that you can choose for each run just open up to a threshold to ease the pain a little. The headmistress's cauldron lets you conjure up incantations to push you further into the game and story. The items you collect help you upgrade all those the weapons and further your grasp with the tarot cards The fates list of prophecies are achievements I want to check off, because they reward me with items I need to make my weapons kick more mythological butt. And even after all that, the game rewards you when you turn up the heat for yourself. High risk...you know the rest. 

Honorable mentions will go to the music. I've been listening to the music from Hades II an unhealthy amount. My Spotify wrapped revealed that Darren Korb was my most listened to artist in 2025. This is not even a joke. There are also 4th wall breaks and easter eggs all through the game. The second boss, a siren, sings to you, with a full band, while they try to kill you. If you turn the music off in the settings, she acknowledges it, and berates you for it! It's the little things that make this game stand far apart from others, and it's why I gave it a 10. 

If you're not playing Hades II, you're missing out. But please, play Hades 1 and beat it 10 times first. Yes. I said 10 times. Well done, Supergiant. Well done.