As the sequel to one of the most popular roguelike action role-playing games in recent memory,Hades 2has been constantly updating its early access before it officially hits the market. The recent Olympic Update is no exception. Described as the “first major update” forHades 2, Supergiant Games pulled no punches.
On top of a plethora of bug fixes, the Olympic Update contains new content across almost allareas ofHades 2. Among these new features include a new region, a new weapon, new characters, and new familiars. This reaffirms Supergiant Games' dedication to packingHades 2with fresh content while listening to player feedback.
Hades 2’s Latest Region
Fitting the title of the update,Hades 2’s latest regionseems to be Mt. Olympus, with the update’s patch notes asking players: “Can you reach Olympus, the mountain of the gods? And if so… can you save it?”. The questioning tone towards players seems to suggest a new quest to trek towards the home of the gods. This could explain the two new allies added to the game, Athena and Dionysus, along with almost 2,500 new voice lines included in the update.
The patch notes also expand on the all-new region, which players are supposed to battle across. The gods themselves are apparently desperate for the aid of players, in hopes that they will vanquisha deadly new Guardian, Prometheus. This adds up to at least three new characters in total; two friends and one foe. These allies will also grant blessings, share secrets, and introduce new Keepsakes (and hopefully Boons) as players search for the Titan of Time.
Players also have the opportunity to bondwith two newHades 2familiars. These animal companions must be sought after and will be available somewhere inHades 2.
The Nocturnal Arms Gain a Weapon
The sixth of theNocturnal Arms joins its siblings in theHades 2Olympic Update. Xinth, the Black Coat, allows players to “guard and retaliate with mighty Attacks, ensuring none escape with seeking Specials.” This suggests that Xinth will act as a sort of retaliatory form of armor against attacks.
Additionally, four of Xinth’s siblingsunder the Nocturnal Armshave received multiple updates. The special for Descura, The Staff of Dusk (better known as The Witch’s Staff and Melione’s starting weapon), has been reworked so it is faster and bounces between foes. The special of The Sister Blades, Lim and Oros, has been reworked so that they pierce foes and return to the player, potentially hitting foes multiple times. Special projectiles now spin left or right depending on a player’s movement from the Umbral Flames of Ygnium. Lastly, the special for the Moonstone Axe, Zorephet, now has a rising slash that strikes multiple times, but it can no longer block opponents.
Aspects for the Nocturnal Armshave also been added and updated. Xinth, the Black Coat, has three different unlockable, upgradeable aspects. Updates for the Umbral Flames re-scale the weapon with a slightly reduced, fully-upgraded blast damage and increase the Argent Skull’s ability with a faster shell reload speed.
New Items for the Crossroads Cauldron
Hecate’s Crossroads Cauldron acts as one of the most important game play mechanics inHades 2. As such, the cauldron can give players new abilities, items, and places to explore,based on incantations, including:
Additionally, Supergiant Games adjusted the requirements and costs of several Incantations. Melinoe and Hecate will now occasionally conclude Incantations in unison. These upgrades and additions will assist players withHades 2’s new challenges, which include new Vows for the Oaths of the Unseen. The Olympic Update’s patch notes suggest that the Eyes of Night and Darkness aspect of the Cauldron will be beneficial when exploring the “mysterious New Moon Monument and Unseen Sigil” challenges.
The Olympic Update Cuts, Adds, and Upgrades
Boons
As mentioned previously, the two new allies added to the game each have their own individual blessings.Boons friom several otherHades 2charactershave been upgraded or even cut. For example, Hephaestus’ Smithy Sprint has been cut fromHades 2and replaced with “Stamp Rush”: after a player dashes, the boon occasionally creates a blast around a nearby foe.
Daedalus Hammer
The update also cuts content forthe Daedalus Hammer artifact. Hook Knives, Empowering Guard, and Advanced Whirlwind have all been cut from the game and each have their own replacements. Reaper Knives give player’s specials a bonus Power and deal damage in a wider area, Siege Shredder allows a player’s special to strike farther ahead and deal bonus damage, and Seething Marauder also deals damage to surrounding foes based on a player’s attacks.
Hexes and the Path of Stars
Hexes andthe Path of Starsalso received updates and additions, specifically towards the Lunar Ray, Moon Water, and Total Eclipse abilities. Lunar Ray can now deal damage in an area around a player and has bonus power when it first deals damage each encounter. Total Eclipse and Wolf Howl both gained a Sublime-quality upgrade called Eminence and Tenacity respectively, with both incurring a Magick cost increase. Additionally, whenever a player strikes a guardian with Total Eclipse, its next use is partially charged.
The Well of Charon and the Shrine of Hermes
The Well of Charonand Shrine of Hermes added some quick boosts for players. For example, the Shrine of Hermes has a new ability called Fresh Sustenance which restores life and the Well of Charon introduced new boosts like Splintered Shield, which lets players gain some armor.
The Olympic Update also gives Mac usersthe chance to playHades 2, supporting Apple M1 or later. With so much new content for players, it only makes sense for Supergiant Games to expand their player base into early access. With another major update on the horizon in early 2025,Hades 2’s latest update proves that the next will have a lot to live up to.
Hades 2
WHERE TO PLAY
The first-ever sequel from Supergiant Games builds on the best aspects of the original god-like rogue-like dungeon crawler in an all-new, action-packed, endlessly replayable experience rooted in the Underworld of Greek myth and its deep connections to the dawn of witchcraft. BATTLE BEYOND THE UNDERWORLDAs the immortal Princess of the Underworld, you’ll explore a bigger, deeper mythic world, vanquishing the forces of the Titan of Time with the full might of Olympus behind you, in a sweeping story that continually unfolds through your every setback and accomplishment.MASTER WITCHCRAFT AND DARK SORCERYInfuse your legendary weapons of Night with ancient magick, so that none may stand in your way. Become stronger still with powerful Boons from more than a dozen Olympian gods, from Apollo to Zeus. There are nearly limitless ways to build your abilities.MINGLE WITH (MORE) GODS, GHOSTS, AND MONSTERSMeet a cast of dozens of fully-voiced, larger-than-life characters, including plenty of new faces and some old friends. Grow closer to them through a variety of new interactions, and experience countless unique story events based on how your journey unfolds.EVERY RUN IS ITS OWN ADVENTURENew locations, challenges, upgrade systems, and surprises await as you delve into the ever-shifting Underworld again and again. Reveal the mysteries of the Arcana Altar, tame witchy familiars, and gather reagents using Tools of the Unseen to get closer to your goal.THE PERKS OF IMMORTALITYThanks to a variety of permanent upgrades and the return of God Mode, you don’t have to be a god yourself to experience whatHades IIhas to offer. But if you happen to be one, you may brave escalating challenges for greater rewards, and prove just how divine you really are.
