Hades 2 continues to progress through Steam Early Access with the launch of its third significant update, which brings a host of new character interactions, art enhancements, and weapon aspects. Marked by its longest patch notes to date, this update appears to be the final major revamp as the game gears up for its 1.0 release later this year on Switch 2.
Greg Kasavin, creative director at Supergiant Games, shared on the game’s Discord Tuesday that players can expect considerable improvements: “Expect Hades II to get bigger and better with the addition of a new Hidden Aspect for each of the Nocturnal Arms, a new variation of every Guardian encounter, expanded relationships with a number of key characters, lots of new visual flourishes, and much more.” He added that the final stages of development will focus on adding the true ending to the story and other finishing touches detailed in the in-game Development Roadmap.
The new patch notes, accompanied by a dramatic reading running over 38 minutes, highlight a revamp of The Flames of Ygnium for more dynamic combat, new final forms for Nocturnal Arms, and faster enemy spawns to minimize downtime. A striking change shown in the update is the introduction of a fully animated 3D model of Narcissus, replacing the previous placeholder art. The main menu now indicates that the next update will align with the 1.0 launch on PC, as well as both the original Switch and Switch 2; versions for PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S will follow at a later date.
While Hades 2 is set to launch in full sometime in 2025, Supergiant Games has yet to disclose a specific date, leaving room for speculation that it could be pushed to 2026. Kasavin expressed gratitude for the community’s patience, noting, “We really appreciate your patience on this. Sometimes the last stretch of development on a game can make all the difference, so we have always taken this phase seriously and appreciate your continued support.” The final price for the game remains uncertain; currently, Hades 2 is priced at $30 on Steam, with a temporary discount bringing it down to $27, but the price could increase to $40 upon release on consoles.
The action roguelite is poised for a simultaneous launch on both Switch 1 and Switch 2, showcasing enhanced visual fidelity and frame rates on the newer platform. It remains unclear whether the next-gen upgrade will incur additional costs or be available as a free update. Meanwhile, Hollow Knight: Silksong, another highly anticipated sequel from the indie game scene, is also scheduled for release later this year, raising hopes that the two titles won’t compete for the same launch day.