Hades 2 will be a Nintendo Switch 2 console exclusive at launch. Naturally a sequel to the original Hades, Hades 2 is a story-driven roguelike in which you play as Melinoë, sister to Hades 1 protagonist Zagreus and mentee to legendary witch Hecate, as she seeks to find and defeat the vengeful titan Chronos and free her family from his clutches. Hades 2 is still in early access and doesn't have a definitive release date just yet. m3n4i

Aside from Melinoe’s runs throughout the four layers of the Underworld, Hades 2 provides another type of challenge through the Chaos Trials. These challenge runs are a mid-to-late game featured locked behind a hidden Incantation. Chaos Trials are extremely difficult and limit the players’ usual arsenal of weapons, boons, and abilities, but all give very powerful rewards.

In Hades 2, there are few mechanics as important as the boons the Godly residence of Olympus bestows upon Melinoe. Boons can drastically change the direction of any given run and drastically alter the players’ approach to combat. Although boons are largely based on personal preference, some stand out among the rest.

InHades 2, Melinoe has a wide array of tools at her disposal, including Arcana Cards. Similar to Keepsakes and Aspects, Arcana Cards provide ive buffs that can boost your stats, grant Death Defiance, or give other unique perks. How many Arcana Cards players can wield depends on their grasp, which limits your ability to equip these useful cards.

The Pitch-Black Stone is an unlockable feature in Hades 2 through an Incantation. You can interact with this item to challenge various Trials bestowed by Chaos. The Pitch-Black Stone appears in the training grounds and will not be available without first encountering the Primordial Originator. There are currently nine Chaos Trials available in the early access of Hades 2 and each must be unlocked before they can be cleared.

As you play through Hades 2, you're bound to come across rooms which make you pick between two different gods, or a path that takes you toward some gods but not others. When faced with these decisions, which gods or goddesses do you choose to stand behind? Which deities give you the best tools to defeat Chronos?

The Altar of Ashes is unlocked at the start of the game and allows players to equip Arcana Cards to Melinoë in Hades 2. Through gameplay, you will gain an Incantation that will upgrade the Altar, granting enhanced effects from each Card. The bosses of the Underworld are challenging, and players will need to prepare to defeat Chronos. Melinoë has five Nocturnal Arms that she can wield and gather ingredients to perform powerful Incantations at the Crossroads. However, unlocking and equipping the proper Arcana Cards can make all the difference in a successful run.

Nemesis is Retribution Incarnate and Melinoe’s central rival at the Crossroads in Hades 2. The daughter of Nyx is incredibly harsh towards Melinoe, although that doesn’t seem to stop her from being a viable romance option for the Princess of the Underworld. Nemesis has a tough shell, but with enough Nectar anything is possible.

In Hades 2, boons are gifts from the Gods and Goddesses of Olympus that empower Melinoe on her way to slay the Titan of Time, Chronos. The Gods are not Melinoe’s only source of boons, as she can also come across the mysterious Primordial Originator, Chaos. Boons from Chaos work much differently than your usual buffs, and it’s best to understand these mechanics before delving in.

Death Defiance in Hades 2 acts as an extra life that can extend your run whenever Melinoe otherwise would have died. Instead of returning to the Crossroads, Melinoe expends her Death Defiance charge and restores a set amount of health before jumping back into the fray. Thankfully, there are a couple of ways to acquire Death Defiance in Hades 2.