Hades II Early Access is here.

Supergiant Games has launched Hades II in Early Access on PC storefronts, giving fans a first look at the studio’s long awaited sequel to the award winning Hades. The new game stars Melinoe, Princess of the Underworld, as she fights to stop Chronos, the Titan of Time, in a fresh rogue-like action experience rooted in Greek myth.

At a glance

• Release: Early Access launch on May 6, 2024
• Where to play: Steam and Epic Games Store (Early Access)
• Developer and publisher: Supergiant Games
• Genre: Rogue-like dungeon crawler with action combat
• Story status: The true ending is planned for version 1.0, not Early Access
• Early Access timeline: Supergiant expects Early Access to run at least through the end of 2024

What is Hades II?

Hades II expands on the fast, run based structure of the original game, but shifts the focus to witchcraft and dark sorcery. As Melinoe, you explore new locations beyond the Underworld, collect boons and upgrades from Olympian allies, and steadily strengthen your build through both permanent progression systems and run to run choices.

Where to play in Early Access

At launch, Early Access is available on Steam and the Epic Games Store. Supergiant has said the game is expected to eventually reach additional PC and console platforms, but specific platforms beyond the Early Access storefronts were not confirmed at the time of launch.

Should you play now or wait for version 1.0?

Supergiant designed Hades II with Early Access in mind, using community feedback to tune balance, polish systems, and keep improving the narrative delivery. If you enjoy seeing a game evolve and do not mind unfinished story elements, Early Access can be a rewarding way to play. If you prefer a complete experience, including the true ending, waiting for the full 1.0 release may be the better option.

What is next during Early Access

The studio plans major updates after launch, with the first major update targeted for later in 2024. Supergiant also indicated the game is expected to remain in Early Access at least through the end of 2024 while the team builds out remaining content and refines the overall experience.

PC system requirements (as listed on Steam)

Minimum (Windows):

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit
• CPU: Dual Core 2.4 GHz
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• GPU: GeForce GTX 950, Radeon R7 360, or Intel HD Graphics 630
• Storage: 10 GB available space

Recommended (Windows):

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit
• CPU: Quad Core 2.4 GHz
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• GPU: GeForce RTX 2060, Radeon RX 5600 XT, or Intel Arc A580
• Storage: 10 GB available space

Note: Steam also lists Apple Silicon requirements for a macOS version. Availability can vary by platform and build, so check the store page for the latest details.

Soundtrack availability

An original soundtrack by Supergiant composer Darren Korb launched alongside Early Access. Supergiant noted the soundtrack already contains close to two and a half hours of music, with more tracks planned as development continues.

Sources

• Supergiant Games blog: https://www.supergiantgames.com/blog/hades2-early-access-is-here/
• Steam store page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1145350/Hades_II/
• Epic Games Store page: https://store.epicgames.com/p/hades-ii