Highlights

  • Hades 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the indie game Hades, will be released on Early Access in Q2 2024.
  • Supergiant Games made the decision to use Early Access from the beginning of Hades 2's development, allowing for player feedback and updates.
  • Hades 2's Early Access will include significant changes and updates, expanding the story, characters, music, gameplay, and fixing bugs. The full game release is not expected in 2024.

The highly anticipated sequel to the roguelike indie Hades is due to be released on Early Access in 2024. Hades 2 is a first for developer Supergiant Games, who has never developed a sequel before now. The massive success of Hades, along with the vast storytelling potential of ancient Greek mythology were some of the reasons Supergiant Games was able to take the plunge and create Hades 2. And, like its predecessor, Hades 2 will first be available to all players through Early Access in Q2 2024.

Supergiant Games has stated that the decision to use Early Access was made before anything else in Hades 2's development. Players will be able to buy Hades 2 on Steam and the Epic Games Store when it releases on Early Access. Over the course of Early Access, Hades 2 will be updated as Supergiant Games implements feedback from players and finishes the final stage of development.

Hades 2 Melinoe Close Up
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Why Hades 2's Early Access Window is Ideal

Hades 2 has finally announced when it'll hit early access, and while some fans will be disappointed by the wait, it's ultimately for the better.

Hades 2 is Releasing on Early Access in Q2

Hecate with Melinoe's dagger and sickle from Hades 2 Melinoe with a sickle and dagger in the Hades 2 trailer Hades 2 Hecate Melinoe Duel

Players Can Sign Up For a Test Release Before Early Access

As promised in 2023,
Hades 2 will be released on Early Access in Q2 of 2024 . Supergiant Games wrote in an update that Hades 2 would first be released to a smaller pool of players as a part of a technical test. The purpose of the technical test will be to fix any technical or compatibility issues that may affect players' ability to play Hades 2 as intended. The technical test will include a very limited amount of content that the full version of Early Access will contain, and players who wish to participate will need to express interest in participating some time beforehand.

Supergiant Games Planned Hades 2's Early Access From the Beginning

Thanks to Supergiant Games' experience with Early Access while developing Hades , it understands the importance Early Access has in the game development process, and where in the development process to make it available to players. Supergiant Games has assured fans that Hades 2 's Early Access will include at least as much content as Hades had when it launched . Based on this comment, players can expect Hades 2 's Early Access to include on launch:
  • At least 2 main levels.
  • A selection of weapons.
  • Most of the gods.
  • Some form of gift mechanic.

What Supergiant Games Could Add to Hades 2's Early Access in 2024

Melinoe and Hecate sparring in the Hades 2 reveal trailer hades 2 hecate and protagonist melinoe hades-2-key-art-no-logo

Hades 2 Will Be an Evolving Game

Players can expect many significant changes to the Early Access version of Hades 2 as development continues. These changes will happen in the form of updates that will expand the game's story, characters, music, and gameplay, as well as bring in bug fixes. Supergiant Games has confirmed that some of these updates will involve deepening relationships with existing characters, alongside introducing new ones. This will presumably include romances, a feature that was popular in Hades , but may not be available when Early Access first launches.Another important thing to keep in mind is that most of the main story will probably be locked while Hades 2 is in Early Access and will only be revealed once the full version is released.

Don't Expect a Full Hades 2 Release in 2024

The full game will only be able to be played from start to finish once the full release of Hades 2 is shipped . As Hades was in Early Access for two years, it's unlikely that the full version of
Hades 2 will be released in 2024, and players will instead experience the first parts of the game with periodic but regular content updates.Confirmed content to be added includes:
  • Story content
  • Deeper interactions and relationships with characters
  • New characters introduced
  • New areas
  • New music
  • Gameplay
  • Dialogue
  • Updated art
Unconfirmed content that could be added: