Supergiant Games, known for critically acclaimed titles such as Bastion and Transistor, have never released a sequel to one of their games. However, with the announcement of Hades 2, the studio is finally breaking that streak and delivering a follow-up to their popular roguelike, Hades. While some players may want a new title from the studio, more players will likely embrace a Hades 2 considering its predecessor's quality gameplay and story.
One reason for this decision is the success of the original game. Hades was released in Early Access in 2018 and quickly gained a devoted fan base thanks to its engaging gameplay, captivating narrative, and charismatic characters born from Greek mythology. As the game continued to receive updates and improvements, it garnered even more praise and even won multiple awards, including the Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2020. This level of success and adoration from players likely inspired the team at Supergiant Games to continue the story and build upon the strong foundation it had created with the first game.
A Sequel Provides A Great Opportunity To Expand Every Part of the Original Hades
Another reason for the development of Hades 2 is the potential for expanding the game's universe and exploring new gameplay mechanics. In the first game, players took on Zagreus, the son of Hades, as he attempted to escape from the underworld and reach the surface. However, there is still so much untapped potential in Greek mythology, and a sequel provides the opportunity to delve deeper into the lore and introduce new characters and locations. It's no secret the roguelike genre allows for endless experimentation and variation, and a sequel gives the team at Supergiant Games a chance to experiment with new mechanics and gameplay elements to keep the experience fresh and exciting for players.
Furthermore, the success of the first game allowed for the creation of a dedicated community of players eager for more content. These fans have likely been clamoring for a sequel, and the team at Supergiant Games probably wanted to deliver on that desire. By releasing Hades 2, they can satisfy the demands of their dedicated fan base while also introducing the game to a new audience and potentially gaining even more supporters. Considering how popular roguelikes and roguelites are these days, making a sequel to an already popular classic like Hades could be the best move to make financially.
Creating Hades 2 Allows For Many Fixes and Tweaks To The Greek Roguelike Formula
Additionally, the development of a sequel allows Supergiant Games to improve upon any shortcomings or criticisms of the first game. While Hades was praised for its engaging gameplay and captivating narrative, some players may have had issues with certain mechanics or aspects of the action roguelike. With a sequel, the team at Supergiant Games can address these criticisms and create a more polished and refined experience for players. The developers can only make so many changes and additions to Hades without ruining the game's current gameplay loop and progression structure.
The development of Hades 2 is a natural progression for Supergiant Games due to the first game's success, the potential for expanding the game's universe and gameplay mechanics, the dedicated community of fans, and the opportunity to address any criticisms of the first game. Hades 2 allows Supergiant Games to build upon its already impressive foundation and deliver an even more engaging and satisfying experience for players. Time will ultimately tell if Hades 2 lives up to the standards the developers have established with their previous titles.
Hades 2 is in development, with Early Access planned for 2023.
