As development progresses on Hades 2, Supergiant Games has unveiled its first significant update for the roguelite adventure. Alongside general refinements and gameplay adjustments, the Olympic Update introduces a wealth of new content, including a fresh region to explore, a novel weapon to master, additional characters to encounter, new decorations, and, most notably, new animal familiars to befriend. Furthermore, the update boasts additional artwork and fresh music tracks, significantly expanding the game during its early access phase.
The new area, which we won't spoil here, will transport players to the pinnacle of the Hades 2 world, while the final of the Nocturnal Arms can be added to Melinoe's arsenal. This weapon, another detail we're keeping under wraps, seems to demand swift reflexes, as Supergiant hinted at the ability to guard and counterattack with potent strikes when wielding it. Other weapon updates include a reworked special attack for the Witch's Staff, a more lethal Moonstone Axe that trades blocking for a formidable rising slash, and projectiles from Umbral Flames that will spin left or right based on your movement.
The Dash ability will also be inherently faster and more responsive, enabling players to more effectively dash out of hit-stun effects from certain enemies' attacks. Supergiant provided limited details about the new region but confirmed it will be a fully realized zone with various locations. Several other regions will also gain new areas, and players will find a Pool of Purging before entering Tartarus. Fishing points will be more accessible, and various location-related fixes have been implemented.
This is merely the beginning of Hades 2's updates, and for those eager to delve into the exhaustive update notes—while avoiding light spoilers—you can follow this link to read them in full. Despite being in its early stages, Hades 2 already feels like a robust and complete product. "Hades II is an ambitious expansion of all the concepts that preceded it, harmoniously balancing them to create one of the finest roguelites available, even in its unfinished state," Alessandro Barbosa noted in GameSpot's Hades 2 review-in-progress from May 2024.
Hades 2 is currently priced at $30 on Steam and the Epic Games Store, though Supergiant has indicated that the price may rise upon its full release.
