Critics Hail Hades II as a Triumphant Sequel
The highly anticipated roguelike sequel, Hades II, from renowned developer Supergiant Games, is poised to exit early access and launch its full version very soon. With the full release imminent, the embargo on final reviews has lifted, and critics are showering the game with enthusiastic praise.
As expected, Hades II has garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews. At the time of this report, the lowest score recorded is an impressive 8 out of 10. The PC version boasts an average of 96 on Metacritic and 93 on OpenCritic, with a strong 97% recommendation rate. Reviewers are largely positioning Hades II as a near-perfect sequel, one that is certain to resonate deeply with fans of the original Hades. However, some minor criticisms have emerged, with a few reviewers finding the game a bit too drawn out or noting a less impactful plot resolution.
Review Highlights
Here’s a glimpse into what critics are saying:
Gamereactor UK — 100/100
Initially, Gamereactor UK reviewer Alex Hopley harbored doubts during the early access period, believing Hades II wouldn't quite reach the heights of its predecessor. However, the 1.0 version completely changed that perspective. Hopley praised the game, stating, "As soon as you overcome the tonal shift and gameplay differences, it becomes clear that no more could have been expected from a Hades sequel than what you get in Hades II. It's a bigger, richer game with unexpected twists, a captivating story, and characters you'll follow at every opportunity." The review concludes that Hades II matches or even surpasses the original without merely repeating its established formula.
IGN — 100/100
Leana Hafer from IGN delivered a perfect score, describing Hades II as "something so beautiful, special, memorable, and admirable." She lauded Supergiant Games for their unparalleled quality, calling this exceptional action roguelike one of their finest works across almost all aspects. Hafer enthusiastically noted, "Hades II reminds me why I love video games so damn much. The art style is breathtaking, the characters are mesmerizing, the battles are fast, fun, endlessly varied and tactical, and the music is simply amazing!"
GamesRadar+ — 90/100
Ali Jones at GamesRadar+ called Hades II an "extremely ambitious sequel" that sometimes feels a bit stretched in its efforts to compensate for its increased scope. Despite this, Jones highlighted that this is only a temporary distraction from a game meticulously crafted in every detail. The review particularly lauded the flawless combat system and charming characters, suggesting they make the sequel even better than its excellent predecessor. Elements like special challenges, continuing character storylines, additional progression paths, and the sheer joy of overcoming enhanced bosses contribute to its endless replayability.
Metro GameCentral — 80/100
Metro GameCentral offered a slightly more tempered view, describing Hades II as "just another Hades." Reviewer Geoffrey Bunting suggested that if players were enchanted by the previous installment and enjoyed its roguelike formula and visual novel-style storytelling, this game is for them. However, Bunting felt that those not captivated by the original might find Hades II less impressive and unlikely to win over new audiences. While acknowledging the almost frightening amount of content and combinations, along with Judy Alice Lee’s superb voice acting as Melinoë, criticisms included it being "more, but not necessarily better" than the original, with less interesting characters, a predictable plot, and a more visually complex presentation that might hinder portable play on Switch.
VGC — 80/100
Diego Argüello of VGC noted that as a sequel, Hades II is an ambitious game offering some of the most enjoyable rogue-lite experiences in recent years. However, it struggles to escape the shadow of its predecessor, and in trying to add many ideas to expand the plot, the game ultimately loses some of Supergiant's signature narrative weight. Argüello praised the mechanical game design as superb, the progression as satisfying, and the art and soundtrack as unique. Negative points included unnecessary resource gathering, a sidelined plot, and a surprisingly abrupt narrative conclusion.
Availability
At launch, Hades II will be available on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. It is also slated for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, with text localization in Russian included. Versions for Sony and Microsoft consoles are planned for future release.
Overall, Hades II appears to be a monumental achievement for Supergiant Games, largely succeeding in building upon the beloved foundation of its predecessor while introducing new mechanics and a compelling narrative. Players can look forward to diving into another meticulously crafted, endlessly replayable adventure that, despite minor narrative critiques, is widely regarded as an essential roguelike experience.
Post a Comment