Unleashing the Epic: Hades 2's Early Access is Bound to Exceed Expectations

Highlights

Hades 2, the first-ever sequel by Supergiant Games, was announced in December 2022 with no release date confirmed yet.

To guarantee success, Hades 2 will undergo an Early Access phase, initially exclusive to PC, but later extending to other gaming consoles upon its complete launch. The initial Early Access phase played a pivotal role in the original Hades' commercial triumph, with sales reaching 700,000 units and swiftly surpassing the 1 million mark shortly after its official release.

Hades 2 was announced at The Game Awards in December 2022, but an exact release date has not been revealed. Interestingly, this game is Supergiant Games' first-ever sequel, which is breaking tradition for the studio. While there is a lot of excitement surrounding Hades 2, there is also a significant amount of pressure on its success.

To address this, it has been confirmed that Hades 2 will have an Early Access period. Initially, this will only be available on PC, but it is expected to be released on other consoles after the full launch. While there is limited information available at the moment, the announcement of Early Access is crucial for the game's success.

Hades 2 Is Under a Lot of Pressure

Supergiant Games' first attempt at a sequel raises concerns about whether they can recapture the wonder and delight of its predecessor. Hades, considered one of the best indie games on Switch, won Game of the Year in 2021 and collected nine wins at the IGDA Global Industry Game Awards. Therefore, creating a follow-up to Zagreus' journey is undoubtedly a daunting task.

Unfortunately, the FAQ page has not been updated since December 8, 2022, and there is a growing expectation for Hades 2 to make an official announcement soon. Some hoped for a new trailer or sneak peek during Summer Games Fest in June but were ultimately disappointed. Nevertheless, the website promises exciting things to come, including an Early Access period for the rogue-like dungeon crawler.

Hades, despite making its proper debut in 2019, originally went through a year-long Early Access phase. This phase played a crucial role in the game's commercial success, as it managed to sell 700,000 units before its full release. As a result, just a few days after its official launch, Hades surpassed the milestone of 1 million copies sold. Supergiant Games expressed their gratitude for this achievement in a tweet made in September 2020.

Although a specific date for the Early Access of Hades 2 has not yet been announced, the mere confirmation of its existence is a positive step towards the sequel. The pre-launch period for the original Hades was significant, but now that the franchise is even more popular, it is expected that the second Early Access phase will garner even more attention. This not only helps generate excitement among the playerbase, but also provides an opportunity for people to test new gameplay mechanics and features, while also identifying and reporting any bugs. The developers stated in the 2022 FAQ that the feedback received from the player community during the development of the original game was fundamental to its design and integral to its quality. Therefore, they plan on adopting a similar approach with Hades 2.

The Early Access period for the website's v1.0 launch will be available for an unspecified duration, potentially lasting a year, similar to its predecessor. It is anticipated that more information regarding Hades 2 will be announced in 2023, as Supergiant has committed to providing additional details.