Summary
In a way, Supergiant Games’Hades 2picks up where its predecessor left off, though not from a narrative standpoint. Everything that happens inHades 2does happen after the events of the first game, but the sequel picks up where its predecessor left off in terms of gameplay and mechanics. Specifically, whatHadesstarted,Hades 2both continues and improves upon, providing players with an authenticHadesexperience while also adding brand-new elements to keep things feeling fresh and interesting for returning players. That being said, while fans of the first game will undoubtedly have the upper hand when playing the sequel,Hades 2’s Melinoe plays differently than Zagreus, thoughHades' core mechanics are still present and accounted for.
The originalHadescertainly emphasized movement in its gameplay, as players were constantly encouraged to dash out of harm’s way and lengthen their run in the process. However,Hades 2arguably requires a bit more from players in terms of movement, especially given thatMelinoe can sprint, whereas Zagreus cannot. Throughout their time in the Underworld and on the Surface inHades 2, players will find themselves constantly moving around each arena to avoid danger, with some encounters requiring more movement than others. One boss fight, in particular, puts a lot of emphasis on movement, rarely allowing players even a second to stop and get their bearings.
Hades 2’s Charybdis Fight Requires a Lot of Movement From Players
Hades 2’s Charybdis the Devouring Is a Surface Boss
Hades 2’s main story sees players regularly descending into the Underworld to confrontChronos, the Titan of Timewho has escaped imprisonment and enslaved Hades. During their time in the Underworld, players will encounter a wide variety of enemies and bosses, some of which can prove to be a bit more challenging than others, including Chronos. However, after unlocking it via the cauldron in the Crossroads, players can also travel to the Surface, where they will encounter what is arguably an even greater challenge with new enemies and bosses to defeat.
After making a bit of progress onthe Surface inHades 2, players will face Charybdis the Devouring, or the “Devourer of Ships,” as Melinoe calls it. Charybdis is a large Kraken-like creature with eight tentacles and countless eyes surrounding its spherical head. Unlike most boss arenas inHades 2, Charybdis' is mostly occupied by it and the water that he lives in, giving players only a narrow semicircle wooden platform to evade its attacks on. Unfortunately, this is where most of the emphasis on movement comes into play, as Charybdis will eventually occupy even more space using its tentacles during the fight.
Players Need to Keep Moving or Die While Fighting Charybdis
Most ofHades 2’s boss fights require plenty of movement from players, especiallythe fight against Chronos, but the Charybdis boss fight could be considered to be on an entirely different level than most due to its ability to be in multiple places at once. The bulk of the fight against Charybdis takes place on the wooden platform players enter the arena on, as Charybdis pokes several of its tentacles through the holes in the floor and uses them to attack. However, rather than relying primarily on melee attacks, Charybdis' tentacles slam the ground and send out waves of energy in different directions that can damage the player.
Unfortunately, whileCharybdis' tentacles begin the fightby sending out damaging waves at the same time, they eventually get out of sync with one another, so players are all but required to dash constantly while attacking the tentacles here and there. Thankfully, the fight gets easier as players destroy tentacles, but its first half is all about movement, provingHades 2’s commitment to showcasing Melinoe’s capabilities.
Hades 2
WHERE TO PLAY
The first-ever sequel from Supergiant Games builds on the best aspects of the original god-like rogue-like dungeon crawler in an all-new, action-packed, endlessly replayable experience rooted in the Underworld of Greek myth and its deep connections to the dawn of witchcraft. BATTLE BEYOND THE UNDERWORLDAs the immortal Princess of the Underworld, you’ll explore a bigger, deeper mythic world, vanquishing the forces of the Titan of Time with the full might of Olympus behind you, in a sweeping story that continually unfolds through your every setback and accomplishment.MASTER WITCHCRAFT AND DARK SORCERYInfuse your legendary weapons of Night with ancient magick, so that none may stand in your way. Become stronger still with powerful Boons from more than a dozen Olympian gods, from Apollo to Zeus. There are nearly limitless ways to build your abilities.MINGLE WITH (MORE) GODS, GHOSTS, AND MONSTERSMeet a cast of dozens of fully-voiced, larger-than-life characters, including plenty of new faces and some old friends. Grow closer to them through a variety of new interactions, and experience countless unique story events based on how your journey unfolds.EVERY RUN IS ITS OWN ADVENTURENew locations, challenges, upgrade systems, and surprises await as you delve into the ever-shifting Underworld again and again. Reveal the mysteries of the Arcana Altar, tame witchy familiars, and gather reagents using Tools of the Unseen to get closer to your goal.THE PERKS OF IMMORTALITYThanks to a variety of permanent upgrades and the return of God Mode, you don’t have to be a god yourself to experience whatHades IIhas to offer. But if you happen to be one, you may brave escalating challenges for greater rewards, and prove just how divine you really are.
