Hades 2, despite not being technically complete, is widely regarded as a strong follow-up to 2019’s roguelike sensation. Not only does it retain the best elements of its predecessor, weaving an enrapturing, mythological narrative into an engaging combat and progression loop, but it also expands on them in interesting ways;Hades 2does exactly what a sequel should, building upon what works while offering a fresh spin on the series' fundamentals.
It’s definitely good news thatHades 2works as wellas it does, since it is mostly uncharted territory for Supergiant Games, which has never made a proper sequel before. Although the studio’s other games, likeBastionandTransistor, have been showered with endless praise, they’ve been one-and-done projects—this is part of what makes Supergiant so interesting to follow. Naturally, the whirlwind success ofHadesrelative to the company’s earlier work likely played a role in the decision to continue development of the IP, but this strategy hopefully won’t grow to define Supergiant’s portfolio moving forward. In fact, there’s a case to be made that the developer ought to pivot away from the fantasy genre entirely followingHades 2.
Why Supergiant Games Should Take a Trip Back To Science-Fiction After Hades
Supergiant Has Done a Bang-Up Job with Sci-Fi Before
Initially released in 2014,Transistoris a thrilling, thought-provoking, and bizarre science-fiction adventure imbued with Supergiant’s now-famous charm. Playing as a famous singer named Red, players make their way through the city of Cloudbank, wielding an advancedgreatsword called Transistorthat has entrapped the consciousness of a dead man. It has also stolen Red’s prized voice, using it to communicate with her as she embarks on her journey of political intrigue and corporate corruption.
Needless to say, it’s a wildly original concept for a game, delivered through Supergiant’s excellent writing and world-class visual design. It’s perhaps the closest that the developer has come to making a traditional, linear RPG, complete with experience points, setpieces, and a mission-like overall structure, but that doesn’t stop it from being inventive on the gameplay front. Through a blend of real-time combat and quasi-turn-based maneuvers,Transistoroffers a powerful combat sandboxthat hinges on its one-of-a-kind premise. More than anything,Transistoris a reminder of the ingenuity within Supergiant’s walls, and the company should leverage this superpower once again with another original sci-fi property.
A New Sci-Fi Game Would Let Supergiant Flex Its Creative Muscles
Hadesis definitely an original and exciting franchise, but it’s naturally restrained by its source material. At the end of the day, the series is a spin onclassical Greek mythology, and is therefore limited in terms of what characters, concepts, and settings it can feature. This isn’t a bad thing, and Supergiant has proved that it can still evoke a singular sort of charm in spite of this mythical mooring, but it’s hard not to wonder what the studio could be capable of if it were to once again become untethered.
This is where a newscience-fiction game likeTransistorcould really shine. Supergiant excels at character-driven, dramatic storytelling, which is part of what makes its take on Greek mythology so compelling. But applied to a science-fiction backdrop, where the very notion of what it means to be human could be radically redefined, the company’s storytelling chops could really be put through the ringer. There are all manner of exciting themes that a new Supergiant sci-fi game could explore, from personal identity to transhumanism, and everything that the studio has learned via theHadessaga could make this theoretical game even better than the likes ofTransistor.
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.
