Hades II

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Hades II
Hades 2 cover art.jpeg
Developer(s) Supergiant Games
Publisher(s) Supergiant Games
Director(s) Greg Kasavin
Artist(s) Jen Zee
Composer(s) Darren Korb
Platform(s) Windows
ReleaseMay 6, 2024 (early access)
Genre(s) Roguelike, action role-playing
Mode(s) Single-player

Hades II is a roguelike action role-playing game video game developed and published by Supergiant Games. It was announced in December 2022 and was released in early access in May 2024. It is currently an exclusive to Windows, though Supergiant has plans to bring the game to other systems. As the sequel to Hades (2020), it follows Melinoë, Princess of the Underworld and sister to Zagreus, the protagonist of the first game. Melinoë aims to defeat Chronos, the Titan of Time, with the aid of other Olympian Gods.

Contents

Premise

Like the first game, Hades II is a roguelike dungeon crawler game. [1] [2] Set "sometime" after the events of Hades in the same universe, [3] [4] the sequel stars Melinoë, Princess of the Underworld and sister to the protagonist of the first game, Zagreus. [5] Alongside her mentor Hecate, [6] she aims to defeat Chronos, the god of time. [3] Returning from Hades is "God Mode", which allows the player to gain more power after each failure. [7] New to the game is the "Magick Bar," a combat resource used for moves that recharges at the start of every fight. [8]

Development

Hades, which was first released in early access in 2018 and had its full release in 2020, was Supergiant's most successful game by that point, [9] but lead writer Greg Kasavin said the team was undecided as to if the game would receive a sequel. [10] Typical of Supergiant's process, after completing a game, the team determines what project next created the most excitement for the team, and it was realized that many on the team felt there were still more stories and mythological characters they could explore that were not included in Hades that made a prospect of a sequel the preferred option. [9] However, as this would also be the studio's first sequel, they were aware they wanted to expand on Hades in meaningful ways without losing the core of the original game. Studio head Amir Rao cited examples of Portal 2 and Diablo II as successful sequels they wanted to follow. [9] Work on the sequel began near the start of 2021. [11]

Kasavin said that they knew early on that they did not want to return to Zagreus as the main character. He began researching more into Greek mythology, coming across the Orphic Hymns , one which described Melinoë as the daughter of Hades and Persephone but otherwise little else written about her. Besides the family connection to Zagreus, Supergiant has not mentioned her at all within Hades, allowing them to write a fresh story. Melinoë was also tied to the occult side of Greek mythology, allowing them to introduce magic as a gameplay mechanic as well as the figure of Hecate, Melinoë's mentor. [9]

Jen Zee remained as art director for Hades II, following her work on Hades. [12] Among the voice cast includes Asa Butterfield as Icarus and Amelia Tyler as Hecate. [13] Logan Cunningham, a staple of Supergiant's games, returned to voice Hades as well as Chronos and several other mythological figures. [14]

Hades II was revealed during The Game Awards 2022 on December 8, 2022. [15] A technical test began in April 2024 before its release to early access on May 5, 2024. [16] [17] [18] Like its predecessor, Hades II features music by Darren Korb. [5] The soundtrack was made available via Supergiant's YouTube account the same day as the early access launch. [19]

Reception

Awards

Hades II was nominated for Most Anticipated Game at The Game Awards 2023, losing to Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. [20]

Critical reception

Pre-release

When comparing technical test to the first game, Elijah Gonzalez of Paste commented that Hades' "blend of convincing characterization, witty dialogue, and excellent performances is alive and well here. I loved what I saw of Hades II's gameplay upgrades, but what excites me most is how it builds on this world and its characters". [21] Gonzalez opined that while Melinoë has more initial "clarity of purpose" than Zagreus, she's also "dragged down by self-doubt and the pressures of being a savior, making her a similarly complicated and engrossing protagonist". [21] During the technical test, Kotaku praised the sex appeal of the game's character designs, writing that "sexiness is woven into their personalities." [22] Ana Diaz of Polygon highlighted the traditional expression of gender in Greek mythology and how "Hades 2 expands on this ancient Greek idea by giving us witches who are both clever and strong and who defy the stereotypical expectations of them. Melinoë herself isn't exactly a witch, but she was raised by one and she's stronger for it. [...] Melinoë's background shapes who she is as a fighter, and in turn brings a fresh experience to the game". [23] Patricia Hernandez, for The Guardian , noted that like Hades, the sequel's protagonist is an obscure character in Greek mythology and compared the Hades series to Emily Wilson's modern translations of the Iliad and the Odyssey – "where Wilson's work helps recontextualise Greek myth for modern audiences, the Hades series has the audacious aim of expanding those myths". Hernandez opined that "interpersonal (or interdeity) drama" elevated Hades II from a "compelling game" to an "irresistible" one. [24]

On the early access, Hernandez wrote, "even in its current unfinished state, it's evident I will be spending dozens of hours in Hades II" and that "many players will be drawn primarily to the frenetic combat: Supergiant Games fills the dungeons with mobs of creatures so imposing that Melinoë has to slow down time to survive them. [...] Others, meanwhile, will be smitten with the sequel's expanded cast of alluring characters". [24] Mitchell Saltzman of IGN rated the early access game a 9/10 despite it being "a work in progress" with missing or placeholder assets. [25] Saltzman wrote that "Hades 2 feels impossibly huge and unbelievably polished by any standard, much less an early access game. Mel is awesome, the new tweaks to the combat and progression are excellent, and it's just unbelievably feature packed with twice the content of the first. [...] But even with all that it's currently missing, what's here right out of the gate is astounding, and the thought of more coming on the way is a tantalizing treat". [25] Tyler Colp, for PC Gamer , also recommended the early access game and viewed the "current state as like playing part 1 of the full game; all the characters are fully voiced, the combat is already well-balanced, and several features are up and running. A few of the character portraits and environmental art look a little work-in-progress, but otherwise Hades 2 plays like a polished demo". [26] In contrast, in a separate review for Polygon, Diaz commented that players "super invested in the story and characters might want to wait" as many characters and story interactions haven't been added yet – "when Hades was in early access, the story changed a lot throughout the development timeline. If you want a fully realized story, and don't want to be around for the process of the team figuring it out, then early access might not be for you". [27]

As a result of Hades II's surprise early access release, Evil Empire pushed back their planned release of The Rogue Prince of Persia from May 14 to later that month as to avoid having to compete with Hades II. [28]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roguelike</span> Subgenre of role-playing video games

Roguelike is a style of role-playing game traditionally characterized by a dungeon crawl through procedurally generated levels, turn-based gameplay, grid-based movement, and permanent death of the player character. Most roguelikes are based on a high fantasy narrative, reflecting their influence from tabletop role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons.

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Melinoë is a chthonic goddess invoked in one of the Orphic Hymns and represented as a bringer of nightmares and madness. The name "Melinoë" also appears on a metal tablet in association with Persephone. In the hymn, Melinoë has characteristics that seem similar to Hecate and the Erinyes, and Melinoë's name is sometimes thought to be an epithet of Hecate.

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Supergiant Games, LLC is an American independent video game developer and publisher based in San Francisco. It was founded in 2009 by Amir Rao and Gavin Simon, and is known for the games Bastion, Transistor, Pyre, and Hades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darren Korb</span> American songwriter and composer (born 1983)

Darren Korb is an American songwriter, composer, and voice actor. Korb is best known for writing the music featured in Bastion, Transistor, Pyre and Hades, all of which were developed by indie developer Supergiant Games. Korb also voice-acted in the latter two games, including providing the voice for Zagreus, the protagonist of Hades.

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<i>Hades</i> (video game) 2020 video game

Hades is a 2020 roguelike action role-playing game developed and published by Supergiant Games. It was released for macOS, Nintendo Switch, and Windows following an early access release in December 2018. It was later released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in August 2021, and was released for iOS in March 2024 through Netflix Games.

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Jen Zee is an American artist and the art director for Supergiant Games. She joined Supergiant Games in March 2010 as a contractor on Bastion and was quickly brought on as the full time art director for the company. Her art has received positive accolades from critics, and for her work on Hades, she received numerous awards, including the 2021 BAFTA Games Award for Artistic Achievement.

Zagreus (<i>Hades</i>) Hades protagonist

Zagreus is the protagonist of the 2020 video game Hades. He is based on the mythological figure of the same name, used due to Greg Kasavin viewing him as a good fit for the repeative nature of a roguelike game due to his story of attempting to leave the Underworld and his father Hades. His design was intentionally made to be attractive, with artist Jen Zee wanting to stay true to classical tradition, such as the ideas of heroic nudity in Ancient Greece culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melinoë (Hades)</span> Fictional character

Melinoë is a character in the 2024 video game Hades II. She is the game's protagonist, being the sister of Hades protagonist Zagreus and daughter of its antagonist, Hades. She is a witch, and is able to use magic techniques as well as weapons in combat, tasked with saving her father by killing the Titan Chronos. She is based on the mythological figure of the same name. She has received generally positive reception, with her relationships with Hecate and Nemesis being notable ones in the game's story.

Megaera (<i>Hades</i>) Hades character

Megaera is a character in the 2020 video game Hades. She is the first major opponent of the protagonist, Zagreus, being tasked with preventing him from leaving the Underworld by Hades. She was created by Greg Kasavin and designed by Jen Zee, with her design made attractive due to Vee's desire to appreciate classical tradition and the mindset that gods are beautiful because they are gods. She is voiced by Avalon Penrose. She is fought most times Zagreus travels through the first area of the game, Tartartus, and can be found at the House of Hades. Zagreus is able to pursue a relationship with her alone or together with the character Thanatos, with Megaera consenting to a polyamorous relationship with the three. Her polyamorous relationship, as well as her relationship with Zagreus, was the subject of commentary, with one critic suggesting that she and Zagreus have a dominant-submissive relationship respectively. She has also been well received, praised for the attractiveness of her voice.

Dusa (<i>Hades</i>) Hades character

Dusa is a character in the 2020 video game Hades. She is a maid who serves Hades, and who periodically interacts with the protagonist. Zagreus, in addition to the character Megaera. She was created by Greg Kasavin and designed by Jen Zee, with her design made attractive due to Vee's desire to appreciate classical tradition and the mindset that gods are beautiful because they are gods. She is voiced by Courtney Vineys. During the game, the player may have Zagreus pursue her romantically, only for Dusa to turn out to not share these feelings and possibly not having romantic feelings at all, instead forming a platonic love for one another. This has been well-received, with critics noting how her being asexual and aromantic was a rarity. She has also been praised for her design and voice.

Thanatos (<i>Hades</i>) Hades character

Thanatos is a character in the 2020 video game Hades. He is based on the Greek mythological figure of the same name, who is described as a "peaceful death." He is dispatched by the game's antagonist, Hades, to prevent Zagreus from leaving, and challenges him to see who could defeat the most enemies. This competition was inspired by the competition between Gimli and Legolas in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. He was created by Greg Kasavin and designed by Jen Zee. To match the "peaceful death" concept, actor Chris Saphire was cast. He was one of the first characters added to the game, and served as the model for multiple characters' 3D models. He has received generally positive reception, praised for his relationship with Zagreus as well as the polyamorous relationship between him, Zagreus, and Megaera.

References

  1. ↑ Miller, Matt (December 8, 2022). "Supergiant Games Announces Hades 2". Game Informer . GameStop. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  2. ↑ Carpenter, Nicole (December 8, 2022). "Hades is getting a sequel starring the underworld's princess". Polygon . Vox Media. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  3. 1 2 Zheng, Jenny (December 8, 2022). "Hades 2 Announced By Supergiant Games At The Game Awards". GameSpot . Fandom. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  4. ↑ Wald, Heather (December 12, 2022). "Hades 2: Everything we know so far about Supergiant Games' sequel". GamesRadar+ . Future plc. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  5. 1 2 Peters, Jay (December 9, 2022). "Hades is getting a sequel". The Verge . Vox Media. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  6. ↑ Conditt, Jessica (December 8, 2022). "'Hades II' promises witchy vibes and a new immortal protagonist". Engadget . Yahoo!. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  7. ↑ Winslow, Levi (December 9, 2022). "Oh Shit, They're Making A Hades Sequel". Kotaku . G/O Media. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  8. ↑ Hughes, William (April 19, 2024). "Game Theory: Hades II is already incredible, and it's barely getting started". The A.V. Club . Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Stewart, Marcus (May 2024). "One More Run: The Making and Mythology of Hades II". Game Informer . Vol. 34 5, no. 366. pp. 38–49.
  10. ↑ Stedman, Alex (December 9, 2022). "Hades II Announced at The Game Awards". IGN . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Hades II FAQ". Supergiant Games . Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  12. ↑ Colbert, Isaiah (December 9, 2022). "Everyone's Hot As Hell In Hades II, As They Should Be". Kotaku . Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  13. ↑ Nelson, Will (May 6, 2024). "Hades 2 has a surprise Hollywood star appear as a new character". PCGamesN . Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  14. ↑ Rose, Danielle (May 7, 2024). "Hades 2 cast and voice actors". PCGamesN . Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  15. ↑ Kennedy, Victoria (December 9, 2022). "Hades is getting a sequel, the Princess of the Underworld is heading our way". Eurogamer . Gamer Network. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  16. ↑ Yang, George (April 16, 2024). "Hades 2 Technical Test Is Coming Soon, Here's How To Sign Up". GameSpot . Archived from the original on April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  17. ↑ Parrish, Ash (April 19, 2024). "The Hades 2 technical test is a trial in self-control". The Verge . Archived from the original on April 22, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  18. ↑ Parrish, Ash (May 6, 2024). "Hades II early access begins today". The Verge . Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  19. ↑ Handley, Zoey (May 6, 2024). "The Hades 2 soundtrack is available to stick into your ears on YouTube". Destructoid . Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  20. ↑ Bankhurst, Adam (December 8, 2023). "The Game Awards 2023 Winners: The Full List". IGN . Archived from the original on January 5, 2024. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  21. 1 2 Gonzalez, Elijah (April 19, 2024). "Through its Excellent First Few Hours, Hades II Entirely Justifies the Sequel Treatment". Paste . Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  22. ↑ Mercante, Alyssa (April 19, 2024). "Hades II Is The Kind Of Hot We Need Right Now". Kotaku . Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  23. ↑ Diaz, Ana (May 7, 2024). "Hades 2 is all about witches and feminine power". Polygon . Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  24. 1 2 Hernandez, Patricia (May 13, 2024). "Hades II's audacious, invigorating spin on Greek myth makes it worth playing right now". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  25. 1 2 Saltzman, Mitchell (May 6, 2024). "Hades 2 Early Access Review". IGN . Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  26. ↑ Colp, Tyler (May 6, 2024). "Hades 2 is absolutely worth playing in early access right now". PC Gamer . Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  27. ↑ Diaz, Ana (May 6, 2024). "Hades 2 early access is out now — but should you play it?". Polygon . Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  28. ↑ Harris, Iain (May 10, 2024). "Dead Cells dev's Prince of Persia roguelike delayed to dodge Hades 2's surprise Early Access launch: "We are not prideful enough to ignore the implications of that"". GamesRadar . Retrieved May 10, 2024.
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