MeinMMO author Johanna only wanted a video game to make her vacation more enjoyable. But then she suddenly had to spend a whole week in front of the PC screen to free the Hades from Chronos.
During my vacation, I finally had the chance to relax and game again. I had planned very little for myself, so I could spend as much time as possible in front of the PC. However, at first, I couldn’t estimate how much time I would really spend in front of the screen.
Hades 2 has already been rated as a good game by others: It won the award for Best Action Game at the Game Awards and the community deemed the game “Extremely Positive” with 98% positive reviews on Steam.
However, the community argued about the ending of the story.
Personally, I initially had my doubts about whether I would play the game a lot. As much as I enjoyed the predecessor Hades, I couldn’t manage more than two or three completed runs. The game didn’t really grab me; it only provided brief moments of fun.
However, when I saw that Hades 2 was discounted during the Steam Winter Sale and I could play as a woman – often the number one incentive for me to try a game – I gave the second part a chance. So when I hit the “Buy” button, I had no idea what kind of spell the game would cast on me.
Back in Hades, this time with a different mission
What is Hades 2 about? While in the first Hades we wanted to escape from Hades and our father as Zagreus, in this part we aim to reach Hades. We play as Melinoe, the daughter of Hades and thus the sister of Zagreus.
After the events in Hades 1, the Titan Chronos has taken over the house of Hades and captured the god of the underworld. Melinoe has been trained by the witch Hekate to kill Chronos and restore the rightful ruler to the throne.
At the same time, we also have a mission in the overworld, as Olympus is being attacked by a giant monster and we must fight alongside the gods.
The gameplay is again structured like a roguelike. With each death, we grow stronger: we can unlock and enhance more weapons and conjure more options for the dungeons.
1 week just at home in front of the screen
After the first few runs, I almost regret spending around 22 euros on Hades 2, as the game is not as much fun as I had hoped. I initially dismissed it as a casual game that I would play occasionally, but not much more. Just like I felt about its predecessor.
But after the first day of casual gaming, something changed: I realized how much this game actually has to offer, and I became motivated to unlock more and more. I fell into a real addiction to the game.
It came to a point where I had the exact same daily and nightly routine for a week: getting up at 11 AM, gaming, going to bed at 3 AM. “Just one more run,” I told myself as I glanced at the clock, which showed 03:14, and felt guilty.
In total, I clocked a good 86 hours of gameplay in one week.
So much to do, so little time
What is so captivating about Hades 2? The biggest difference from Hades 1, and thus a reason why the game grabs me so much: There is more to do. In Hades 2, we can choose which run to attempt: either going to Chronos in the underworld or to the overworld to liberate Olympus.
This variety of the two scenarios ensures that my frustration over a failed run in either of the two dungeon sections is much lower. Failed in Hades? No problem! On to Olympus!
Moreover, the rewards in meta-progression played a significant role. While in Hades 1, one could improve Zagreus and the dungeons, in Hades 2, more is possible:
- Through different spells, new sections and advantages in the dungeons can be unlocked. The materials required for that must be collected in the dungeons.
- Through the spells, further interaction options at the crossroads (the base) can also be unlocked.
- Melinoe can take animal companions into the dungeon, which provide her with various advantages.
Another possibility for meta-progression: Romantic options. While in Cyberpunk 2077, my heart was dramatically broken, in Hades 2 it is more like a happy ending.
By now, I have been cured of my Hades 2 addiction… at least partially. While I have completed the game, there is still much to do even after the story. Weapons can always be maxed out, right?
What do you think of Hades 2? Has it captivated you as well? Let us know in the comments! In the first Hades, it was similar for MeinMMO demon Cortyn. She also just wanted a quick distraction for a relaxed gaming evening, but the game Hades had different plans for her and her time: I wanted an evening distraction, then 100 hours passed
