Summary
Hades 2is in a bit of an interesting position. As a follow-up tothe firstHadesin 2020,Hades 2will be the first-ever sequelfrom Supergiant Games, a studio known for producing inventive, passion-fueled indie games. Supergiant Games' sterling reputation means that hype forHades 2is high, but it’s worth wondering how exactly the indie developer will tackle the game, as its nature as a sequel will require a good mix of innovation and iteration.
The originalHadesfeatures a good deal of narrative content and some light base customization options, but most of the game is spent on the battlefield. With six weapons to choose from, each with four unique aspects that change how they function, players are given a fairly wide variety of options as far as combat is concerned. Of course, it helps that each weapon is well-tuned, standing out from each other in key ways and always being fun to engage with. Indeed, Zagreus' arsenal is a fundamental and iconic element ofHades, and it will be interesting to see howHades 2follows it up.
Hades 2 Has Two Key Choices When It Comes to Weapons
Bringing Back Weapons from Hades
It’s clear thatHades 2will feature new weaponsspecific to protagonist Melinoe. Although this new hero, along with the darker, more magic-focused premise of the game, will inspire an approach to combat that is distinct from Zagreus', it’s not out of the question for Supergiant Games to reintroduce one or more of the first game’s weapons. A big reason why this could wind up being the case is the fact that Zagreus' collection of Infernal Arms cover a wide range of different weapon types:
With the first game touching on so many broad weapon categories, it’s possible that there could be some overlap. Even ifHades 2’s mythological weaponsaren’t technically the same as the first game’s, it wouldn’t be too unlikely for the sequel to introduce a new sword, shield, spear, or bow and arrow that is similar to their first-game counterparts. This might be unavoidable, and while new moves or abilities would help them stand out, these weapons run the risk of feeling too familiar.
Why Hades 2 Could Have an Entirely New Arsenal
It could be difficult forHades 2to avoid overlap when it comes to weapon archetypes, but there’s a good chance Melinoe’s loadout will be radically different thanks to her ostensibly different fighting style. In the fairly sparse promotional material for the game,Melinoe can be seen wielding a dagger and sickle, which may hint at a focus on dual-wielding. This design choice coulddrastically alter combat inHades 2, as Melinoe’s arsenal could be built around using two weapons at once, not just one. The game could potentially even let players customize their dual-wielding loadout, mixing and matching various distinct single-handed weapons for greater build diversity. If the game does indeed follow this sort of design philosophy, then retreading old ground with weapons seems highly unlikely.
Just about every aspect ofHades 2, from its story and tone to its gameplay and progression systems, will be compared to its predecessor. While thefoundations established by the firstHadesmay be strong enough to carry a game with only minimal iteration, Supergiant Games will likely want it to stand on its own two feet. To accomplish this, innovation is necessary, and designing a combat system that looks and feels different from the original game will be instrumental in this regard.
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.
