Highlights

  • Hades 2 impresses with exceptional polish in its early access launch, setting a high bar for indie games.
  • No Rest for the Wicked struggled initially with mixed player reviews, but Moon Studios is working to improve.
  • Hades 2 shines with a 97% "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating on Steam, showcasing its strong first impression.

The arrival of Supergiant's highly anticipated Hades 2 is one of the highlights of the 2024 release calendar, with the game's early access launch already drawing considerable praise for the title and its studio. Hades 2 breaks an important tradition for Supergiant in that it's the studio's first-ever sequel, and if there is a game in the developer's catalog that was practically begging for a follow-up, it's arguably the original Hades. Moon Studios' No Rest for the Wicked is another of 2024's hyped indies that are utilizing early access to help with development, though the states of Hades 2 and No Rest for the Wicked's early access launches couldn't be more different.

Much like how Hades 2 represents a departure for Supergiant from the studio's traditional approach to its games, Moon Studios' work on No Rest for the Wicked is in stark contrast to the developer's strategy for both of the Ori games. Aside from the obvious differences in genre and gameplay, No Rest for the Wicked's initial arrival into early access was met with a mixed reception in comparison to the beloved Ori titles, which was a result of the game's technological state and performance. In contrast, Hades 2's early access launch brings with it a game that runs as if it's already hit a full 1.0 release.

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Hades 2 Exhibits an Uncharacteristic Level of Polish for Early Access

A game's launch into early access typically carries with it the connotation that the title is a work in progress and still a little rough around the edges. It's unsurprising, then, given how polished the original Hades was during its initial arrival into early access that Hades 2 continues a tradition of Supergiant's early access launches bearing more resemblance to full retail releases of AAA games.

Not only does Hades 2 feature a level of polish that meets (and potentially surpasses) games from major publishers, but its arrival into early access sees the title already bursting with content.

The current roadmap for Hades 2 suggests that the early access period is specifically being used to drive the addition of even more content, tweak balance regarding the title's gameplay and the effectiveness of certain Boons, and address any player feedback (whether negative or positive). With Hades 2 and its predecessor being ideal for handheld gameplay, the title is also well-optimized for Steam Deck and doesn't exhibit any of the same memory drain or battery issues that No Rest for the Wicked's early access is currently suffering from.

Steam User Scores for Hades 2 and No Rest for the Wicked Speak Volumes

Despite both Ori games' "Very Positive" and "Overwhelmingly Positive" user scores on Steam, No Rest for the Wicked's initial reception from players was met with a "Mixed" 58% positive on Valve's storefront. Moon Studios' CEO and Creative Director Thomas Mahler even tweeted that the developer was up to the challenge of turning player perception of the title around, which it has commendably stuck to through regular hotfixes and updates alongside more significant patches. As a result, No Rest for the Wicked now sits at an improved "Mostly Positive" on Steam with 78% of user reviews being positive.

Regardless of No Rest for the Wicked's continued upward trajectory, though, the title's initial reception can't compare to that of Hades 2. Supergiant's sequel debuted at a staggering 97% "Overwhelmingly Positive" and currently sits at an impressive 94% "Very Positive" on Steam. Hades 2's strong critical and user reception is largely a result of the title's polish and well of content, with the title feeling like a finished 1.0 release despite launching into early access. Early access launches are hugely beneficial to the continued development of titles through the collection and implementation of player feedback, but Hades 2's and No Rest for the Wicked's disparate launches illustrate the importance of strong first impressions.