How do you succeed and exceed what was a masterpiece in its own right with Hades?
It takes time, a clear vision, an exceptional team.... and maybe just a little help from the Fates.
After nearly a year and a half through Early Access (in which the foundation of greatness was laid, mind you), the story is complete, and we can all experience the rare instance in which a developer actually did it - made the sequel to an all-timer even better.

If you even remotely enjoyed the first game, you will absolutely fall in love with Hades II. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

REVIEW EDITED AT 18:43 EDT, MAY 6, 2024: Sony has come to their senses and rescinded the account linking mandate. However, at this time, the game remains unavailable to purchase on Steam in all non-PSN countries - that lockout was enabled over this past weekend by some combination of Sony and Valve.

Until that region lock is also rescinded, my negative review will remain.

I really, really want to give this game a positive review. My hours spent in it in the short time since its release should make it clear that something about this game clicks.

Hell, had you asked me even just yesterday, I would've given it a glowing review.

But today's announcement about PSN linking becoming mandatory (and for the record, I had already done without even thinking about it, since I've done the same with Microsoft to link and crossplay games like Halo MCC), which it was blatantly obvious that Sony and Arrowhead did not need to mandate to make the game function, was the worst possible move that they could have made.

This move alienates such a massive amount of the playerbase that I don't see a way for this game to survive unless this move is completely rescinded, or a whole butt-ton of refunds get issued for players who don't want to make/link a PSN account, or live in the over 100 countries that CAN'T. And even then, it's doubtful.

Helldivers 2 is effectively dead. And likely, so is Arrowhead, with how often company representatives (looking at you in particular, Spitz, you absolute troglodyte) stick their foot in their mouths.

Calling this disappointing is a gross understatement. Even infuriating doesn't feel strong enough.

This is a god-awful trend in the gaming space, and I truly hope that the people making these boneheaded decisions face severe consequences when it inevitably causes everything to crash and burn.

I'm so happy to see this game rise from the ashes and find a community again. Splitgate still has some work to do, but what's here now is a ton of fun, and the addition of the portals leads to a ton of neat strategies that make every match a little different.

Give it a try, you will NOT be disappointed.

This game has absolutely no business being as satisfying to play as it is.