Stoner Games score: 8/10
If you’ve ever played a game where dying feels like you just clocked in for another shift, welcome to Hades II. 😂
At first, I had to get used to the idea that being defeated over and over was part of the experience. But once it clicked, I appreciated how each attempt gave me another chance to learn the fights, collect resources and prepare for what was ahead. Even the losses felt like part of the story.
A family problem of mythological proportions
You play as Melinoë, daughter of Hades and Princess of the Underworld. Her family has been imprisoned by Chronos, the Titan of Time, who has taken control of the House of Hades and is waging war against Olympus. Melinoë sets out to challenge him, fighting through the Underworld and venturing toward the surface as the larger conflict unfolds.
Between runs, she returns to the Crossroads, a gathering place where she can interact with allies, use resources and prepare for another attempt. Some upgrades support longer-term progress; others change how a particular run plays out.
I really enjoyed the storyline. There’s enough happening with the gods, the family and the people Melinoë meets that I felt it was worth sitting through the conversations to understand the whole situation.
The gods have gifts, and I actually understood them
As you play, gods and goddesses offer powers called boons. These can affect different parts of your build, from attacks and special moves to casts and defenses. Melinoë also has a variety of weapons to unlock and experiment with, and upgrades can change how they perform.
What stood out to me was how distinct the attributes felt. When I picked something up, its purpose was generally easy to understand and use. I didn’t feel like I needed a three-hour orientation from the gods before I could try it out. 😂
The people make the journey
The artwork and character interactions are a big part of why I enjoyed Hades II. Whether someone was friendly, difficult or somewhere in between, I wanted to see what they had to say. I also liked being able to build relationships with characters by giving them gifts. Those moments made returning to the Crossroads interesting, even after a rough run.
I even had an encounter with Heracles where I was getting ready to claim a reward, and this asshole took the exact one I wanted! 😂 Like, seriously, fam?! Out of everything you could've grabbed, you had to take MINE?!
The fights that stayed with me
My toughest boss was Chronos. He can be unpredictable, and one of his attacks felt like it covered 98% of the arena, leaving me about 2% to stand on. That’s not a scientific measurement, fam. That’s how it feels when the Titan of Time gives you a postage stamp of safe space. 😂☕
My easiest was Polyphemus, the Cyclops. He’s blind, and I found it much easier to dodge his attacks, wait for a vulnerable moment and move in when I saw an opening. Other players may have a different experience, but he gave me considerably less trouble than Chronos.
Controls and final thoughts
The button layout was easy for me to understand. When I started, the game recommended using a controller, which is something to consider if you’re getting ready for your first run.
Hades II gave me artwork I enjoyed, a story I wanted to follow and characters I looked forward to seeing again. It took me some time to get comfortable with the repeated defeats, but once I understood that the journey was built around coming back and trying again, I had a great time.
Final Stoner Games score: 8/10 🐯🎮💯
Optional boss spoilers
If you want to know more about who guards the routes: the main Underworld guardians include Hecate, Scylla and the Sirens, Infernal Cerberus and Chronos. On the surface, they include Polyphemus, Eris, Prometheus and Typhon. This is a researched roster, not a claim that I personally reached every one of them, and it doesn’t list every optional encounter.