The modern classic roguelike from Supergiant Games, underworldgets a sequel. Hades 2 received a surprise announcement at The Game Awards 2022, and it promises to take gamers beyond the Underworld in the company of a new heroine, Melinoë.
Much of the game remains mysterious and will likely remain so until it launches in Early Access. However, we do have some details, mostly thanks to Supergiant’s announcement and FAQsas good as trailer.
What is the release date for Hades 2?
Supergiant has not announced a release date for Hades 2 Again. He’s been working on the game since early 2021, but the developer says “We still have a lot to build on.” The game is expected to release on PC and consoles, but specific platforms will be announced closer to release.
However, Supergiant has confirmed that Hades 2 will be released in an early access version on PC, as was its predecessor. Hades 2The early access version of will be available on both Steam and the Epic Store. Supergiant promised more information about the early access phase in 2023, but didn’t say it would actually be available in 2023.
Who is Melinoë, Princess of the Underworld?
Hades 2 has a new protagonist – Melinoë. In the game’s lore, she is the daughter of Hades and the sister of Zagreus, star of the first game. According to Supergiant, she is “a witch and an immortal sorceress with powerful magical abilities”.
Like Zagreus, Melinoë is not a pure Supergiant creation, but an extant figure from Greek mythology which the developer adapted to match its story. She is a nymph or moon goddess and a source of nightmares, associated with the queen of the underworld, Persephone, as well as Hecate.
Oh, and here’s how to pronounce his name:
Who is the cool witch that Melinoë fights in the trailer?
It’s Hecate! It’s not confirmed in the trailer itself, but if you check the credits in the YouTube Descriptionyou’ll see that Amelia Tyler is listed as Hecate’s voice actor, alongside Judy Alice Lee as Melinoë.
In the FAQ, Supergiant says that Hecate will be an important figure in the game. In fact, she may be the main inspiration for Hades 2 and its theme of witchcraft.
“At the center of this ancient, often feared and misunderstood practice is Hecate, the secret goddess of sorcery and crossroads,” says Supergiant. “She plays an important role in the classical mythology surrounding Hades and the Underworld, and has been an influential and deeply compelling figure in sorcery, myth and folklore in a variety of cultures for thousands of years…so much so that we felt we needed a whole new game to try and do it justice.
Who is the villain in Hades 2?
Hades 2 is a sequel, set after the events of the first game, both in and beyond the underworld of Greek myth. The villain of the play is Chronos, the Titan of Time and the father of Hades. Chronos escaped from imprisonment in the Underworld to wage war on Olympus; Melinoë will regain his strength, assisted by “all the power of Olympus”.
Supergiant promises “a bigger and deeper mythic world” than the first game, with “a sweeping story that continually unfolds through your every setback and achievement.”
From the trailer and the cast list, we can see that the game will also feature Moros, the spirit of impending doom; Apollo, god of light; and Nemesis, goddess of revenge, plus a cute “listless shadow” called Dora, who could actually be Pandora.
What will change in the gameplay of Hades 2?
Supergiant has been fairly tight-lipped on gameplay details so far, though it looks like it will aim to surprise players within the familiar setting of the original. “New locations, challenges, upgrade systems, and surprises await as you dive deep into the ever-changing underworld again and again,” says Supergiant. There will be no multiplayer – this is a strictly single-player experience.
