Highlights
- Hades 2 has the opportunity to improve upon the already highly praised first game and become a success.
- Players should expect something special from Hades 2, building upon the successful formula of the original game.
- Expanding and improving the selection of weapons in Hades 2 could greatly enhance the gameplay and offer more variety to players.
There is one major area where Hades 2 could heavily improve on the first game with the changes it is set to introduce. While the original game was easily one of the standout indie titles of 2020, there is room for improvement that Hades 2 has the opportunity to take. It can be difficult to improve on something that already received heavy praise, but it's far from impossible. Hades 2 has already shown strong promise from its reveal trailer, and if that momentum can turn into an equally impressive game, then it should have no problem becoming a success.
Considering that Hades 2 is Supergiant Games' first sequel, players should expect something special in store for the game. After all, the original Hades formula proved to be highly effective in keeping players invested. A mixture of ever-shifting roguelike gameplay combined with a cast of likable, interesting characters fueled its fantastic reputation. It's hard to imagine Hades 2 not following up on what worked so well the first time around. If anything, the goal should be to polish the game's mechanics into something even better the second time around. There are already a few areas where Hades 2 could provide a significant tune-up.
Hades 2 Can Have Better Weapons Than the Original
One significant target to aim for is expanding Hades 2's selection of weapons. In the first game, Zagreus had six weapons to choose from, although five had to be unlocked with Chthonic Keys. He started with a sword, and could expand to a spear, shield, bow, gauntlets, and cannon. Each of these weapons also had three additional aspects that the player could unlock with Titan's Blood that would affect the way that they were used. Sometimes they would provide bonuses, while other Aspects would adjust the weapon's moveset. It was a good idea to improve the game's longevity, but Hades 2 could make its weapons even better.
Hades 2 could benefit from a wider weapons selection. While the hidden weapon aspects in Hades did often significantly change the weapon in question, they typically come quite late in a player's save, so they have less time to spend with them. Hades 2 could mix things up in a few ways. One would be for alternate aspects to do more to mix up a weapon's moveset, making each one a worthwhile purchase in-game. The other is to expand Melinoe's arsenal beyond Zagreus' selection of six. This would give her more variety, and by extension, more ways for players to tackle the adventure.
The Stygian Blade, Zagreus' starting weapon, is the best example of this issue. Out of every weapon in Hades, it had the most basic moveset, and that made it feel less impressive compared to weapons that were unlocked later, even with its aspects. The only exception was its hidden aspect, Aspect of Arthur, that turned it into a slow but mighty powerhouse of a weapon. Melinoe's dagger and sickle need to avoid the same pitfalls that the Stygian Blade fell into. This could be remedied by giving the dagger and sickle a more exciting playstyle or making its aspects more unique to keep it relevant throughout the game.
Hades' weapons and aspects are a major area where Hades 2 can advance. When it comes to Hades 2's mythological weapons, there are a lot of directions to expand into that the first game did not. With more weapons and more dynamic aspects, Hades 2 can make its runs even more interesting than the first Hades. Combined with boons and hammer upgrades, players could have a game with a massive amount of options ahead of them. Upgrading its weapon selection could be one of the best improvements that Hades 2 could make.
Hades 2 is in development.
