Hades vs Hades 2: Which Roguelike Should You Play First?

Combat: Hades Is Fast, Hades II Is Deliberate

Hades puts you in the shoes of Zagreus, who dashes twice in quick succession and fights at a brisk pace. Weapons are easy to read at a glance, and Zagreus’s infernal blood powers fit that quick style.

Hades II swaps in Melinoe, who dashes once and then sprints. She uses a casting circle to slow or hold enemies, and her attacks follow longer, more methodical arcs. Weapons are also stranger, including a staff, an axe, a backpack missile launcher and a magical skull. If you loved the twitchy rhythm of the first game, the sequel will feel slower at first.

Play videoHades – Official Animated Trailer

Play videoHades 2 – Official Gameplay Launch Trailer

Content: Hades II Is Much Bigger

The sequel has roughly twice the level and boss variety of the original. Instead of one descent, it offers two routes: down through Tartarus and up toward Olympus, each with its own biomes and mechanics. Hades has a single path out of the Underworld, which keeps runs focused and easier to finish in an evening.

Progression is where the gap is widest. Hades II adds Arcana Cards, Keepsakes, Familiars, cauldron brews, a gifting system and customizable weapons, plus Night vows that raise difficulty in exchange for upgrade materials. Hades has a simpler prep loop with fewer layers to learn.

Builds and Boons: Hades II Gives You More to Mix

Both games center on stacking god boons into a build. Hades II layers Elements, Infusions and Duo boons on top, which rewards experimenting and makes late runs feel different from each other. Doors are also clearer, so you can see whether a room holds a miniboss or a gathering spot before you walk in.

Hades is easier to learn because there are fewer systems to track. If you want to understand what a good boon build looks like before diving into a larger toolkit, the first game is a gentler classroom.

Quick pick: go with Hades II if you enjoy planning a build before a run starts, and Hades if you would rather just pick a weapon and go.

Story: Zagreus’s Family Drama vs Melinoe’s Fight Against Chronos

In Hades you play a runaway prince trying to escape his father’s realm, and the story is about family. It is a complete, self-contained story.

Hades II follows Melinoe, Hades’ daughter, who trains to take down Chronos, the Titan of Time, after he takes over the House of Hades. It also centers on family and reunion, with a new cast of mythological characters and strong voice work. You do not strictly need the first game to follow it, but returning players will catch more of the references.

Difficulty and Repetition: Hades II Can Wear Thin Sooner

Both games are built on repeating runs, and that is the main complaint about the sequel. Reaching its ending means beating both final bosses more than once, and each run can feel similar to the last. Hades is shorter, so fatigue arrives later.

Hades II offers more control over challenge through Night vows, and the first game also lets you raise the challenge. Neither is built to be punishing on a first run. If you enjoy Lies of P or Sekiro and want something lighter between sessions, either game fits, though our Lies of P vs Sekiro comparison covers the harder end of the spectrum.

Platforms and PC Requirements: Hades Runs on Nearly Anything

Hades launched on Windows, Mac and Nintendo Switch on September 17, 2020, and reached PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on August 13, 2021. Hades II launched in 1.0 on September 25, 2025, on Windows, Mac, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, then reached PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on April 14, 2026.

Hades needs only a dual-core 2.4 GHz CPU, 4 GB of RAM, 1 GB of VRAM and 15 GB of storage on Windows 7 SP1. Hades II asks for 64-bit Windows 10, 8 GB of RAM and a GeForce GTX 950, Radeon R7 360 or Intel HD Graphics 630, with 11 GB of storage. Both are light enough for modest hardware, and if you are shopping on a budget, our list of the best Steam games for low-end laptops has more picks.

Reputation: Both Are Critical Favorites

Hades won Game of the Year at the BAFTA Games Awards, the D.I.C.E. Awards and the Game Developers Choice Awards, and became the first video game to win a Hugo Award. It passed one million copies sold shortly after its 2020 launch. Hades II was nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2025 and won Best Action Game there.

Here is how the two compare on Steam today.

Hades vs Hades 2: Full Specs

Hades vs Hades 2: Which Should You Play First?

Hades II is the better pick for most players who want the full experience.

WinnerHades II

Hades is the faster and more focused game. It asks for less hardware, runs on more older consoles, tells a self-contained story and its Steam score is slightly higher, so newcomers who want a quick, polished roguelike are well served by it. Hades II is the one to buy when you want more of everything: two routes, roughly twice the bosses and levels, deeper builds and a more strategic pace. It repeats itself sooner, and players who dislike that should start with Hades, but its scope and quality are hard to beat. Whichever order you choose, finishing both is the real answer to Hades vs Hades 2.