The early access rogue-like Hades II has received its first major content update since its May release. Supergiant Games announced the free Olympic Update on Wednesday, introducing a new region, allies, familiars, and the final weapon. The update is now available for all players.
Spoiler warning: This article discusses details included in the Olympic Update patch notes. Proceed with caution if you wish to avoid spoilers.
The Olympic Update introduces Olympus, the mythical mountain home of the Greek pantheon, as a new explorable region. This addition marks the final region before the climactic final boss encounter. Players will guide Melinoe through even more diverse locations than her predecessor Zagreus traversed in the original Hades. Beyond Olympus, the update also brings significant improvements to the Crossroads, featuring new music and unlockable decorations.
Expanding the roster of Olympian allies, the update introduces Athena, goddess of wisdom, adorned in golden armor and a battle helmet, and Dionysus, god of wine, in his characteristically minimal attire. Both deities bring their unique boons and keepsakes to aid Melinoe on her journey.
Two new animal companions also join the fray. Raki, a raven familiar, weakens enemies with pecking attacks, making them more vulnerable to critical hits. Hecuba, a loyal hound, digs up valuable items, boosts Melinoe’s magic reserves, and can stun foes.
The Olympic Update also significantly expands the game’s narrative, adding over 2,500 lines of new dialogue, story events, and special encounters. Players can delve deeper into the lore surrounding characters like Dora, Narcissus, Echo, and Arachne.
Beyond these major additions, the update includes numerous balance adjustments, performance enhancements, bug fixes, new enemy types, and smaller quality-of-life improvements. One notable change prevents Chronos from unpausing the game during combat. Full patch notes are available on Steam and the official Hades II Discord server.
While still in early access and without a confirmed release date, Hades II offers a surprisingly robust experience compared to other early access titles. Players can easily invest over 100 hours exploring its content. The game introduces new mechanics, such as the tarot card upgrade system, fresh abilities, resources, and combat strategies, providing ample engagement for fans of the original Hades.
