Summary
Even in early access,Hades 2is a game with a satisfying gameplay loop filled with engaging boss fights. As players make their way through the Underworld andon the surface inHades 2, they will frequently encounter Guardians, powerful foes who serve as the game’s bosses between levels. Each of these Guardians has different combat mechanics for players to learn, and they increase in challenge the further players get.Hades 2Guardians such as Scylla and Cerberus can certainly put up a fight, making defeating them rewarding enough simply for victory. However, one Guardian may outshine the rest, especially considering she is the first that players will encounter each time they venture into the Underworld.
Hecate is arguably one ofHades 2’s most compelling characters, primarily on account of her relationship with Melinoe, the game’s protagonist. In fact, it is largely Hecate’s relationship with Melinoe that makes the fight with her so satisfying. This, in addition to Hecate’s personality and her fairly simple combat mechanics, makes her an excellent first Guardian inHades 2, to the point that it’s difficult to imagine it ever being anyone different.
Why Hecate Is Such a Great First Guardian in Hades 2
Hecate and Melinoe’s Relationship Is Thoroughly Evidenced in Their Battles
Unlike the other Guardians inHades 2,Hecate shares an intimate bond with Melinoe. As Melinoe’s mentor and the Goddess of Witchcraft, Hecate has taught the young witch most of what she knows. Melinoe considers Hecate such an influential part of her life that Hecate repeatedly has to remind Melinoe that she is not her mother. The two share a very playful relationship, and despite Hecate’s refusal to admit it, she very much plays a maternal role in Melinoe’s life. While it’s possible to see the depths of their relationship in their dialogue with one another, it is all evidenced even more as players battle her in the Underworld.
Upon players' very firstencounter with Hecate inHades 2, they might notice she is very hard on Melinoe. Truthfully, Hecate’s methods are indeed strict and rigorous, pushing Melinoe to be the best that she can be, but her tender love for Melinoe is obvious, despite any attempts she makes to maintain professional boundaries between the two of them. She is constantly remarking on her pride in Melinoe’s ability to defeat her in battle, and her soothing maternal tone tends to betray her. As players fight Hecate and defeat her, they can witness these valuable moments of growth in her relationship with Melinoe as she almost playfully throws everything she can at the young witch and then praises her student’s victories.
Hecate’s Simple Combat Mechanics Make Her a Great Introduction to Hades 2’s Guardian Fights
Hecate is also a great first Guardian due to her simple combat mechanics. Overall, the fight isn’t easy, especially for newcomers. However, it is arguably the easiestboss fight inHades 2, as each of her attacks is either noticeably telegraphed or easily avoided. Hecate’s most interesting attack is Morph, which transforms Melinoe into an adorable sheep who can hardly move. Even here, the bond Hecate shares with Melinoe is fully evidenced in her playful comments in response to either Melinoe’s success or failure to evade the Morph attack.
When it comes toHades 2’s Guardian battles, Hecate stands out as one of its best, and it only makes it better that she is the first players face in the Underworld. Witnessing the flourishing relationship between Hecate and Melinoe is one of the fight’s best features, and it helps that the first Guardian battleHades 2challenges its playerswith is very simple and a great introduction to the game’s most difficult fights.
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 can brave escalating challenges for greater rewards, and prove just how divine you really are.
