I clawed my way out of Tartarus only to be sent back down there. That's what the gist of Hades 2 seems to be, I think to myself, as I study this year's announcement trailer closely. Developer Supergiant has been keeping details sparse since the game's announcement, but soaking in its recognizable art style, animations, and soaring soundtrack reminds me why there's no game quite like Hades. It was clear the studio had struck gold, even when it came out in early access in 2018. Hades delivers a narrative-driven roguelike experience that feels compulsive, kinetic, and just plain fun – and it was one of my biggest vices throughout 2021 for a reason.
The sequel looks set to remind me what cemented the original as one of the best roguelikes I've ever played. New main character Melinoë is walking in her brother's fiery footsteps, and if the trailer is suggesting what I think it is, this time she'll be starting out on the surface and delving down into the Underworld. I'm painfully excited to return to Supergiant's theatrical land of gods, goddesses, and the shades in between, but with little confirmed just yet in the way of Hades 2's story and setting, I'm turning to mythology to fill in the blanks and hazard some guesses of my own.
