Hades II Comes to Xbox and PlayStation April 14: Why Supergiant's Sequel Matters
Supergiant's acclaimed sequel Hades II launches on PS5 and Xbox on April 14, day one on Game Pass. The best-reviewed game of 2025 finally comes to consoles.
April 3, 2026 · 3 min read
Ex-competitive player turned writer. If a game has a ranked mode, I've probably grinded it. I write about what's worth your sweat.
The best-reviewed game of 2025 according to both Metacritic and OpenCritic is finally coming to consoles. Hades II launches on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on April 14, 2026, with day one availability on Xbox Game Pass.
Supergiant Games spent over a decade building one of the most respected reputations in independent development. Bastion, Transistor, Pyre, and Hades each demonstrated a studio willing to take creative risks while maintaining exceptional quality. Hades II marks their first sequel, a decision that only makes sense given how the original redefined an entire genre.
Melinoë Takes the Lead
Where the first game followed Zagreus escaping the Underworld, Hades II puts players in control of Melinoë, his sister. Her mission inverts the original premise. Instead of escaping, she descends to confront Chronos, the Titan of Time, who has seized control of the Underworld and imprisoned Hades himself.
The shift in protagonist brings new combat mechanics. Melinoë wields dark sorcery alongside physical attacks, creating a different rhythm than Zagreus offered. Her moveset emphasizes magic and crowd control, though the core roguelike loop remains intact. Each run builds your power through boons from the Olympian gods, randomized upgrades that dramatically alter how encounters play out.
Console Versions Arrive Polished
PC and Nintendo Switch players have had Hades II since September 2025, when version 1.0 launched after a successful Early Access period. Console players benefit from months of post-launch patches and quality of life improvements already baked into the experience.
Both PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions run at 120fps for those with compatible displays. The DualSense controller on PlayStation features haptic feedback and adaptive triggers integrated into combat. Xbox players get immediate access through Game Pass, removing any barrier to trying what critics have called Supergiant's finest work.
Why the Scores Matter
A 91 on IGDB. Top spots on both major aggregate sites. These numbers reflect something specific about Hades II. The game succeeds as both a sequel that expands on the original and a standalone experience that newcomers can appreciate.
Supergiant refined every element. The art direction evolved while maintaining the distinctive style. The soundtrack, again composed by Darren Korb with vocals by Ashley Barrett, matches or exceeds the original. The writing handles the challenge of following one of gaming's most beloved casts by introducing new characters who earn their place alongside returning favorites.
Game Pass Changes the Equation
Day one Game Pass availability makes April 14 significant for Xbox subscribers. Hades II joins Replaced as a same-day release, giving subscribers two highly anticipated games in a single drop. The value proposition for Game Pass has rarely been stronger than this month.
PlayStation players pay full price but get a complete package. No additional purchases required. No battle pass. No live service mechanics. Supergiant continues to prove that single-player focused development can succeed commercially without compromising player respect.
Release Details
Release date: April 14, 2026 (PS5, Xbox)
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
Game Pass: Available day one
Developer: Supergiant Games
Publisher: Supergiant Games
Price: $29.99
The Bottom Line
If you played Hades, Hades II is essential. If you never played the original, Hades II works as a starting point. The story stands alone despite connections to the first game. The mechanics teach themselves through play. The difficulty scales to your skill level through the God Mode accessibility option.
April 14 puts one of the defining games of the roguelike genre on every major platform. Game Pass subscribers have no reason to skip it. Everyone else should consider whether $30 for dozens of hours of content from one of the industry's most consistent studios represents value. For most players, that answer will be obvious.