At long last, Hades 2 is officially landing this September. The full v1.0 release date was announced during a Nintendo Direct showcase, and off the back of more than a year in Early Access, that means Switch, Switch 2, and PC players will soon have access to the full new game in a matter of days.
Much like the first Hades game, Hades 2 will be a timed Switch exclusive. PS5 and Xbox Series X players needn't fret, however, since Hades 2 should have a limited period of Switch console exclusivity, so patience may be necessary! And trust us, it's going to be worth it. The long-awaited sequel to one of the best roguelikes already has everything you loved about Hades - dynamic roguelike action, a drip-fed narrative crammed with Greek mythology-tinged family drama, and a belter soundtrack - only this time, we're playing as Princess of the Underworld, Melinoe.
Ready to learn more about Zag's little sister's foray to both the Surface and the Underworld alike? Read on for everything Hades 2, from Early Access guides to that long-awaited release date.
Hades 2 early access review
GamesRadar+ published its Hades 2 review in May 2024, which offers up a first verdict on the roguelike as it entered Early Access. We said: "There's a little bit of polish left to apply, but given the sheer increase in scope between Hades 2 and its predecessor, that's more than understandable. A hugely ambitious roguelike, with an improved progression loop and grander narrative, but the same ruthlessness in play and charm in worldbuilding as the original, makes this an astounding Early Access success."
Hades 2 release date
Hades 2 is launching out of Early Access on September 25, though many PC players have been playing through its development since May 6, 2024.
The release date was given via an announcement trailer at Nintendo Direct on September 12, featuring brand new animations that summarize the events of the game so far. Spoiler-free, of course.
On this day one year ago, we launched HADES II in Early Access!!🌒🌕🌘It's been incredibly exciting and eye-opening as we've worked to realize the potential so many of you see in our game. Thank you for all your feedback and patience as we get closer to the finish line! pic.twitter.com/ctjXFNWqzNMay 6, 2025
With Hades 2 being one of many upcoming Switch 2 games, this will be a title for PC and Switch (both past and current gen) players only for a timed period of console exclusivity.
Anyway, while we wait, you're getting stuck in yourself, our Hades 2 tips are here to help.
Hades 2 console launch speculation
Despite also launching on PC platforms fresh out the game, Hades 2 has been confirmed as a Switch and Switch 2 exclusive console game at launch, and will come to other consoles at a later date. This plan was confirmed by Supergiant in a Creator's Voice interview with Nintendo America, published on YouTube on April 8, 2025. The team cites "pushing the graphical features" and the "briskness" of the Switch 2's user experience as two reasons for this exclusivity window.
Supergiant took two years perfecting the first game in Early Access before launching on Switch in 2020, with Xbox and PlayStation versions coming a year later. While a three year wait for Hades 2 might sound agonizing, you can take comfort in the fact that Hades 2 is already in a much more complete state that its predecessor was as it entered early access back in 2018.
With the official v1.0 release date now in the wild, it's a matter of waiting it out for the full console launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X.
Hades 2 protagonist
Hades 2's main character Melinoë is the immortal princess of the Underworld, though much like Zagreus, she's far from alone on her journey. There are plenty of Hades 2 characters to meet on her journeys, ranging from helpful spider Arachne to the god-in-training Icarus.
Supergiant has outdone itself with the sheer range of Gods and boons, old and new, and things are set to only get bigger and better as the game develops in Early Access. For example, getting to the surface in Hades 2 is not quite possible yet - though you can get pretty damn close once you beat Eris, Strife Incarnate. Here's how to beat Eris in Hades 2 if you're struggling with that.
Hades 2 story
In terms of the Hades 2 story, we will be stepping into Princess Melinoë's shoes to battle through Erebus, Oceanus, the Mourning Fields, and finally Tartarus. Here, Melinoë confronts her grandfather Chronos, the Titan of Time who has overthrown the House of Hades and subjugated the denizens of Hell under a new dictatorial rulership.
Hades 2 is a direct sequel to the original game that is said to take place "sometime" after the events of Zagreus' Underworld escapades. Also set in and around Greek myth, Hades 2 centres around Chronos, the Titan of Time, who's known to be a "wicked father" to Hades and his brothers. Escaped from imprisonment in the Underworld, Chronos now wages war on Olympus. While it is a direct follow-up to the first game, Supergiant makes it clear that you don't need to know anything about Hades or Greek mythology to get stuck into the sequel.
The story of Hades 2 takes the Princess down to the Underworld to Chronos' lair in her stolen family home, she also ventures up toward the Surface - specifically, up Mount Olympus to assist her godly family in defending their turf.
Hades 2 bosses
Hades 2 features a litany of boss battles, split between the Surface and Tartarus. Passing from Erebus to Oceanus requires you to beat Hecate in Hades 2, and after fighting past all manner of aquatic beasts, it'll be a matter of defeating Hades 2's Scylla and her musical Sirens. Finally, the Mourning Fields Boss? That's your old pal, Cerberus. Passing into the overthrown House of Hades sees Mel squaring off with the Titan of Time himself, but be warned: Chronos is not to be trifled with. Up on the surface, you'll have to best Polyphemus, Eris, and Prometheus in kind. The latest boss to be added to the Surface side of the game in the Hades 2 Warsong update is Typhon, the final enemy in the new Summit location. Defeating him completes a surface run, meaning it is now possible to complete both the Underworld and Surface paths in Hades 2.
Melinoë's chances of reaching any of the aforementioned biome bosses is greatly increased by using Hades 2 Arcana cards effectively. Another key factor will be the gear you're working with. Much as in the first game, knowing which weapon to pick in Hades 2 can spell success (or lack thereof) before you even begin your run. There are five weapons in Hades 2 Early Access: the Moonstone Axe, Witch's Staff, Sister Blades, Umbral Flames, Argent Skull, and rounding us off is the Black Coat. Trial and error will be your friend here. Enter: Schelemaus, the bearded skeleton who bears an uncanny resemblance to a certain old friend of Zag's.
Look ahead to future releases on the horizon with our roundup of upcoming PS5 games, upcoming Xbox Series X games and upcoming PC games to anticipate in 2025 and beyond.
