Hades vs Hades II
Supergiant Games has never missed, and now there are two god-games on the shelf. One is the tightest roguelike ever made; the other is twice its size and just stuck a perfect landing at 1.0. Here's which to buy — and the right order to play them.
Play Hades first if you can. Hades II is a direct story sequel — you're playing Melinoë, sister of the first game's hero — and the emotional payoffs land far harder with the original under your belt.
The platform catch: Hades is everywhere (PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, even iOS via Netflix). Hades II's 1.0 release is PC and Nintendo Switch/Switch 2 only — no PlayStation or Xbox versions yet. If you're a console player outside Nintendo, the decision may be made for you.
The Head-to-Head at a Glance
| Hades | Hades II | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | September 2020 | September 25, 2025 (1.0) |
| Price | $24.99 | $29.99 |
| Protagonist | Zagreus, prince of the Underworld | Melinoë, princess and witch |
| Structure | One route: escape the Underworld | Two full routes: Underworld depths + the surface to Olympus |
| Size | ~4 biomes, one final boss | ~10 areas across both routes — roughly twice the game |
| Reception | Metacritic 93, universal acclaim | 10/10 from IGN and GameSpot; 96% positive on Steam |
| Platforms | PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox, Switch, iOS | PC (Steam/Epic), Switch, Switch 2 |
| Game Pass | Yes | No |
What's Actually Different?
Structurally, both are the same brilliant loop: fight room-to-room through a mythological gauntlet, collect boons from Olympian gods, die, and spend your winnings on permanent upgrades while an impossibly charming cast comments on your progress. If you loved one loop, you'll love the other. The differences are in texture and scale.
Hades is the sprint. Zagreus is fast, aggressive, and dash-heavy; runs are tight 25–35 minute affairs down a single, perfectly-tuned route. Its genius is economy — nothing wasted, every system feeding the story of a son trying to leave home. It remains one of the most polished games ever shipped, full stop.
Hades II is the campaign. Melinoë is a witch, and her kit leans into channeled casts, spellwork, and a magick meter alongside melee — more deliberate, more buildcraft-heavy. The game is at least twice the size of the original: two complete run-routes (one descending into the Underworld, one fighting up the surface toward Olympus), around 30 NPCs, and a crafting/incantation layer at the Crossroads hub that gates progression. That last part is the sequel's one honest criticism — early on, gathering reagents between runs can feel like chores stapled to a masterpiece. Push through; the back half justifies everything.
Story: Play Them in Order
Hades II picks up years after the first game, with the Titan of Time laying siege to the Underworld and the family from the original game directly involved in the plot. It's playable blind — Supergiant writes generous context — but a huge share of its best moments are reunions, callbacks, and consequences of the first game's ending. Hades is $24.99 and 25 hours to credits. There's no good reason to skip the setup for the payoff.
Value and Verdicts
At $29.99 for a game twice the size of a modern classic, Hades II might be the best content-per-dollar release since... well, Hades. Meanwhile the original drifts in and out of deep sales and sits on Game Pass, making it nearly free to start the saga. This is the rare sequel matchup with no loser.
HADES ADVANTAGES
- Available on virtually every platform, including Game Pass
- Tighter, faster runs — the purest version of the loop
- Cheaper, and frequently on deep sale
- The correct starting point for the story
- Still arguably the most polished roguelike ever made
HADES II ADVANTAGES
- Roughly twice the content — two full run-routes
- Deeper buildcrafting with magick, casts, and incantations
- 10/10 reviews and a 96% positive Steam rating at 1.0
- Bigger cast, bigger bosses, heavier story swings
- New physical Switch 2 edition with artbook and OST
If you've played neither: start with Hades. It's cheaper, it's everywhere, and it makes Hades II better.
If you finished Hades: Hades II is a no-hesitation BUY at $29.99 — a sequel that expands everything without diluting anything, and one of the best-reviewed games of this generation.
If you're on PlayStation or Xbox: play Hades now and keep the sequel wishlisted; Supergiant hasn't announced other console versions yet, and the original came to those platforms well after its debut.
Get Hades
Prices and availability change constantly — links open live search results so you always see current listings.
Get Hades II
Prices and availability change constantly — links open live search results so you always see current listings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I play Hades before Hades 2?
Yes, ideally. Hades II is a direct sequel starring the sister of the first game's protagonist, and its story leans heavily on characters and consequences from the original. It's playable standalone, but noticeably better in order.
Is Hades 2 bigger than Hades?
Much bigger — Supergiant built it at roughly twice the scale, with two complete run-routes (Underworld and surface), about ten areas, and roughly 30 NPCs versus the original's single route.
What platforms is Hades 2 on?
PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, plus Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 — it's console-exclusive to Nintendo at 1.0. No PlayStation or Xbox versions have been announced yet, and it is not on Game Pass.
How much does Hades 2 cost?
$29.99 digitally on all platforms. A physical Switch 2 edition released November 20, 2025 for $50, bundling an artbook and the soundtrack.
Is Hades 2 worth it at 1.0?
Emphatically. The 1.0 release earned 10/10 scores from IGN and GameSpot and holds a 96% positive rating across more than 100,000 Steam reviews. Its only common criticism is a slow, gathering-heavy opening stretch.
Can I transfer saves between PC and Switch in Hades 2?
Yes — Supergiant built an in-game cross-save option so you can continue the same file across PC and Nintendo platforms.