Death to Chronos: Hades II Early Access Review

Following up the greatest roguelike of the modern era was a perilous task, but Supergiant Games proved once again why they are royalty in the indie sphere. Even in Early Access, Hades II already boasts more content, deeper systems, and more nuanced combat than the original game at full release.

Melinoë: The Witch of Shadows

Where Zagreus fought with direct martial ferocity, his sister Melinoë—trained by the dark goddess Hecate—wields witchcraft, magick, and cast bindings:

• The Cast System: Melinoë's Cast traps enemies in binding circles, which can be charged using Magick into explosive Omega attacks that root and obliterate crowds.
• Dual Run Paths: You can fight your way down into the depths of Tartarus to confront Chronos, the Titan of Time, or battle upwards to the surface of Olympus to aid the besieged Olympian gods.

Figure: Melinoë casting powerful lunar incantations in Hades II.

Art and Music That Hypnotize

Jen Zee's hand-painted character portraits of deities like Apollo, Selene, and Nemesis are drop-dead gorgeous. Paired with Darren Korb's Mediterranean rock soundtrack, every failed run feels like a stepping stone in an epic classical myth that begs for "just one more run."

Official Early Access Trailer