Developers Confirm That Hades 2 Will Be a Standalone Title

Fans of Hades have been quite vocal about their excitement for the upcoming release of its sequel, Hades 2. However, many players who are new to the series want to know whether they can jump straight into Hades 2 without needing to play the original.

While news surrounding Hades 2 has been quite slim since its announcement, we now have confirmation from the developers that the game can indeed be played without needing to have touched the original game at all.

Developers Confirm That Hades 2 Will Be a Standalone Title

In a recent conversation with the Brazilian platform Jovem Nerd, Greg Kasavin, the producer of Hades 2, mentioned that while Hades 2 is a "direct sequel that builds on elements from the first game," it can also be considered a "standalone" experience. According to Kasavin, players can jump into Hades 2 "without having played the first."

This is exciting news for many players, considering that completing the first Hades can be a challenging task, and there's often a desire to immerse oneself in the latest titles. This approach appears to be a trend among developers, with several recent sequels, such as FF7 Rebirth, being designed as standalone titles accessible to players without prior knowledge.

Despite this standalone nature, avid Hades enthusiasts won't miss the connections between Hades 1 and 2, given the direct relationship between their plots (Melinoe is Zagreus' sister). While these connections and subtle Easter eggs will resonate with experienced Hades 1 players, newcomers to Hades 2 may not notice them, and they won't diminish the overall gaming experience.

Whether you're a seasoned Hades player or a newcomer eager to explore Hades 2 first, the game promises to satisfy your expectations. Kasavin also mentioned that the game, under development for three years, is on a healthy track for an early access launch between April and June of 2024.

Despite the current buzz and the standalone nature of Hades 2, it's worth noting that playing the first Hades is highly recommended. It stands out as one of the best roguelike games available, so consider trying it out in the meantime. Don't worry if you can't complete it before the release of Hades 2.