Hades II has finally arrived on Nintendo Switch 2, and it’s been hard to put down. After spending hours battling through the original Hades, I was eager to see how Supergiant Games would evolve its award-winning roguelite. The first game set a new standard for fast, replayable action, and Hades II doesn’t waste a second showing that it can go even further.
This time, you play as Melinoë, sister of Zagreus, on a quest to challenge Chronos, the Titan of Time. The story is darker, the pace quicker, and the combat sharper. Even after dozens of runs, I still find myself coming back for more. Every death feels like a step forward, every victory a little closer to mastering its rhythm.
Hades II launches physically on November 20, 2025, and the Nintendo Switch 2 edition comes with a few great bonuses. Inside the box, you get a 32-page character compendium and a full digital download of the Hades II soundtrack in MP3 and FLAC. Both the Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch versions are included on the same game card too, which makes the physical release even more convenient. If you like having something collectible alongside your games, this edition adds solid value.
Hades II Nintendo Switch 2 Edition details
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch 2
Developer(s): Supergiant Games
Publisher(s): Supergiant Games
Genre: Action
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
A new hero rises in the Underworld
In Hades II, you play as Melinoë, sister of Zagreus, who faces a much heavier task than her brother ever did. Chronos, the Titan of Time, has escaped his prison and seized control of the Underworld, turning both Olympus and the House of Hades into chaos. It’s a battle that reaches further than Zagreus’ personal escape in the first game, pushing Melinoë to fight not just for herself, but for her entire family.
What sets Melinoë apart is her personality. Where Zagreus was quick with sarcasm and rebellion, Melinoë approaches each challenge with focus and quiet determination. She’s calm but commanding, and that difference comes through in every conversation. I liked how her interactions with gods and allies felt fresh, giving the world new energy instead of retelling the same story.
The narrative grows each time you return to the Crossroads, the game’s central hub. After every run, characters react to what you’ve done, share new dialogue, or reveal more about their own struggles. It makes each defeat feel like progress rather than a setback. Even small moments, like chatting with a god you met mid-run, make the world feel connected and alive.
Combat that never stops evolving
Hades II keeps the roguelite structure that made the first game so addictive. Every run sends you deeper into the Underworld, where success depends on smart choices, quick reactions, and the luck of the gods. When you fall in battle, you return to the Crossroads with new resources, upgrades, and dialogue that move the story forward. Even in defeat, it always feels like you’re earning something.
Melinoë’s combat style sets her apart from her brother. She uses Magick instead of Bloodstones, spending energy from her Magick bar to unleash powerful Omega attacks. These charged abilities can turn the tide of a fight when timed right. Her movement also feels different. Instead of Zagreus’ quick dashes, Melinoë can sprint, letting you reposition or escape danger with more control. It takes a few runs to adjust, but the change gives every encounter a faster rhythm. There’s a wide range of weapons to experiment with, from the balanced Sister Blades to heavy hitters like the Moonstone Axe and Argent Skull. On one run, I relied on Hestia’s fiery boons while using the axe, leaving scorched trails behind every swing. It made every fight feel powerful that made me jump right back in after losing.
Outside of combat, progression is deep and rewarding. Arcana Cards offer passive bonuses, familiars lend support in battle, and Incantations grant permanent upgrades that make future runs smoother. These systems build naturally over time, avoiding the grind that often slows games in this genre. The Magick system can feel restrictive early on, but once you unlock the right upgrades, it becomes one of the most flexible parts of combat. The difficulty curve feels well-balanced, giving you space to learn before pushing harder challenges your way. The mix of short-term rewards and long-term progress is what makes each run so satisfying. You never feel stuck, and every attempt brings you closer to your next breakthrough.
Art, sound, and style that hit hard on Nintendo Switch 2
Hades II looks and sounds incredible on Nintendo Switch 2. Supergiant Games brings back the same comic-inspired art style from the first game but adds more variety and atmosphere to each location. Every area feels distinct, from the fiery depths of Tartarus to the moonlit peaks of Olympus. The character portraits are full of personality too, with the gods’ designs standing out in every encounter.
Seeing Apollo’s glow or Selene’s icy tones light up the screen never gets old. Everything moves cleanly, and Omega attacks look awesome once the action starts heating up. Melinoë’s spells light up the screen with bright colours and effects, but it’s never hard to follow the action. It all runs smoothly, even when the screen fills with enemies. The audio is just as strong. Darren Korb’s soundtrack mixes heavy guitars with orchestral tones, giving battles an edge while keeping quiet moments at the Crossroads calm and reflective. The voice acting adds even more life to the world, with every conversation feeling natural. I actually found myself hanging around the hub just to catch new lines from my favourite characters.
Performance is rock solid on Nintendo Switch 2. Handheld mode hits 60 frames per second at 1080p, and TV mode pushes it even further to 120 frames per second for ultra-smooth combat. HD Rumble 2 adds subtle feedback during attacks and spellcasting, making it feel more responsive and tactile. Playing in handheld mode feels surprisingly close to a full console experience, with no noticeable slowdown or visual drops.
Hades II just feels right on Nintendo Switch 2. Whether you’re playing on your TV or on the go, its mix of art, music, and performance creates an experience that’s hard to put down.
Hades II gets everything right and is one of the best games on Nintendo Switch 2
Hades II builds on everything that made the first game special and finds new ways to surprise you. It keeps the same roguelite core but deepens every part of the experience. Combat feels faster, progression is more flexible, and Melinoë gives the story a new focus that stands on its own. The more I played, the more I noticed how much smoother and more connected everything feels compared to the original.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Combat feels faster and more flexible with Magick-based attacks and Omega moves. | Menu navigation can get clunky mid-run and break the flow. |
| Melinoë brings a new, grounded personality that gives the story new depth. | Occasional difficulty spikes can catch you off guard early in the game. |
| Performance is rock solid in both handheld and TV modes. | Some mechanics take several runs to fully understand. |
| Progression systems like Arcana Cards and familiars make every run rewarding. |
It takes a few runs to get used to the new gameplay systems, but they work really well once they do. Arcana Cards, familiars, and Incantations all add to that feeling of constant growth, even after failed runs. The Magick meter takes a little time to figure out, but once it clicks, the payoff is worth it. My only real frustration came from digging through menus mid-run. It slows the pace a bit when you just want to jump back into the fight.
Overall assessment of Hades II Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Gameplay: 4.5/5
Graphics: 5/5
Sound: 5/5
Lasting appeal/Replayability: 5/5
Overall rating: 4.8/5 (96%)
Yeah, there are a few hiccups, but it all comes together beautifully. Every run throws something different at you, and new god combos always keep things interesting. It keeps that same “just one more run” pull that made the first game impossible to put down, and honestly, I think it might be even more addictive here. After dozens of runs, it’s clear that Hades II isn’t just another sequel. It stands out as one of the best games on Nintendo Switch 2 right now. The mix of sharp design, satisfying combat, and meaningful storytelling makes it the kind of game that keeps you playing long after you meant to stop.
If you’re thinking about grabbing the physical edition, it’s an easy pick thanks to the extra goodies and the convenience of having both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch versions on the same game card.
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