Earlier this week, Supergiant, the developer of Hades 2, made an exciting announcement about its technical test. Players now have the opportunity to sign up for this test before the game enters early access. The developer is getting “close” to that initial launch, and the technical test offers players a sneak peek into how the game will be played. However, not everyone has access to it. As a result, Supergiant hosted a livestream yesterday to give players a taste of what to expect from the technical test.
So, what’s new in Hades 2? Well, I won’t go into too many specific details, but be aware that there might be some minor spoilers. The obvious thing is that Hades 2 is the direct sequel to the first game. But Supergiant has assured that it can be enjoyed independently, without requiring prior knowledge of Hades or Greek myth. In this installment, players take on the role of Melinoë, the princess of the underworld, who is after Chronos, the titan of time. The reason for this pursuit remains unknown for now. It seems that, contrary to the original, she is trying to enter Hades rather than escape. Her journey begins in Erebus, where the souls of the dead await their eternal sentencing.
Melinoë is a witch, and this brings perhaps the most significant change to the gameplay of Hades. Now, players will have a Magick gauge to spend on powerful spells called Omega attacks. Along the way, they can also collect resources to use in crafting. As expected, Melinoë’s attacks and abilities can be enhanced with the help of new gods who bestow new boons. In the livestream, Apollo was the first god shown, voiced by Colin Ryan (who also voices Alphinaud in Final Fantasy 14). And when it comes to voices, there’s now a dialogue log for players to refer back to if they missed any part of the story.
There’s also a new homebase called The Crossroads. Here, Melinoë can have conversations with the adorable shade Dora, Hecate Witch of the Crossroads, and a giant frog. Supergiant has confirmed that the technical test will only include Erebus and will feature two weapons: the Witch’s Staff and the Sister Blades. These weapons reflect Melinoë’s dual role as a witch and an assassin. Otherwise, Hades 2 retains many similarities to the first game. It has a similar structure and narrative feel, with equivalents for various characters and upgrades. For example, the Altar of Ashes serves as the new Mirror of Night for upgrading skills.
One thing that remains unchanged is the fans’ enthusiasm for the gods. The new god portraits in Hades 2 have already sparked a lot of discussions online. You can check out the full three-hour stream if you want to see the gameplay for yourself. Alternatively, you can sign up for the Hades 2 technical test on Steam.
