Supergiant Games has struck gold once again. After much anticipation, *Hades II* launched in early access on May 6, and it’s already proving to be a monumental success. Within 48 hours of release, the roguelike sequel broke records, peaking at over 150,000 concurrent players on Steam—a significant leap from the original game’s early days and a clear indicator of the sequel’s massive pull.
The early access rollout includes a sizable portion of the game’s content, giving players their first hands-on experience with protagonist Melinoë, sister of Zagreus from the first installment. While *Hades II* is still in development, players have praised its polished mechanics, deeper combat system, and richly layered narrative. Despite being unfinished, the game’s current state offers more variety in weapons, spells, and environments than *Hades* had at launch.
Supergiant has been transparent with its development process, releasing a detailed content roadmap and promising frequent updates. “This early access period allows us to shape *Hades II* with the help of our community,” said creative director Greg Kasavin in a press release. “We want our fans to influence how the game evolves.”
Player feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive, with early reviews calling *Hades II* an “early access masterpiece” and “a bold evolution of a beloved formula.” Streamers and content creators have helped propel the game’s momentum, with Twitch viewership quadrupling compared to the first game’s debut numbers.
The success of *Hades II’s* early access reaffirms Supergiant’s position as one of the most respected indie studios in the industry. With an official full release still expected in 2025, the developers have ample time to refine and expand the adventure based on player response.
For fans who loved the original or newcomers curious about the buzz, now is an exciting time to dive into the depths of the underworld once more. If early access is any indication, *Hades II* is on a fast track to becoming this generation’s definitive roguelike.