Summary
Hades 2’s early access has so much content already that even in the first 10 hours of playing it wouldn’t be surprising to hear if the full game had launched. There’s so much for players to do and so many interactions between characters to initiate that it seems as ifHades 2wouldn’t need nearly the same amount of time to bake in early access as the original, but it’s still great to have it out and available to the public regardless. A lot of players’ muscle memory and familiarity ofHadesthankfully carries over to the sequel, though there are far more resources to collect this time around and more to consider as a result.
These resources are crucial regarding progression and a big part of progression concerns which weapons players wish to equip. Melinoe is attuned to magic, as the atmosphere ofHades 2itself stews in a frothing cauldron of witchcraft amid Greek mythology, and that’s represented firmly in her attacks, specials, and casts. Which weapon players prefer is up to what their personal playstyles are and what builds they grow fond of, but likeBlasphemous 2’s debut of the flaming war censer Veredictoit’s exciting thatHades 2also indulges in a ‘bonk’ build with the Moonstone Axe Zorephet.
Blasphemous 2’s Bonk Build is OP But is Endearing Because It’s One of a Kind
Blasphemous 2probably has the most notable bonk build in any game recently and that’s all thanks to its flail.All three ofBlasphemous 2’s weaponseventually need to be found and unlocked to traverse through previously inaccessible areas.
However, Veredicto immediately became a fan-favorite for how crunchy and weighty its attacks are compared to the swift grace of Ruego Al Alba or Sarmiento and Centella. Therefore, Veredicto lands comfortably in the bonk build category—commonly massive or heavy weapons that dish out tons of damage at sluggish speeds for high-risk high-reward combat.
This isn’t anything new for action-oriented games asSoulslikes andMonster Huntergames have featured bonk buildsprominently, but whatBlasphemous 2achieved with Veredicto—and whatHades 2is now achieving with the Moonstone Axe—has pedestaled bonk builds higher and demonstrated their entertaining viability.
Hades 2’s Bonk Build is a Rewardingly Labored Option in an Otherwise Hasty Game
Hadesand its sequel are breakneck roguelikeswith a lot going on at any given time once players enter a new location or chamber and confront a new onslaught of enemies. Usually the more going on is better for players since it means they have more boons and abilities at their disposal, coloring the screen in a wash of respective colors and effects while Zagreus and Melinoe dart around in a frenzy.
Rather,Hades 2allows players to slow the sequel’s pacing down remarkably to demolish foes with a massive greataxe.Hades 2’s Moonstone Axemay have a steep learning curve for anyone who has already become accustomed to the Witch’s Staff or the Sister Blades before spending 15 silver toward it, but anyone who appreciates and prefers a high damage value per hit at the cost of weapon speed will adore Zorephet as their main armament for Melinoe.
Zorephet is great for crowd control with broad, sweeping strokes, though players will ultimately be face-tanking a lot more unless they also master its defensive block special—its drawn-out combination string can also be interrupted or connected by dashing between attacks to reposition behind enemies before deciding to cash in on damage with a lunging strike at the end of the combo.
The Moonstone Axe also isn’t slow by most games’ bonk build standards, such as the dogged yet astonishingly high-damaging bonk builds in Soulslikes—evenStar Wars Jedihas a perilously slow bonk build inSurvivor’s crossguard lightsaber stance.Hades 2is simply so quick that the Moonstone Axe is slower by comparison and requires players to consider their movements and inputs a bit more than they’d need to with a weapon meant to shank rapidly or lob projectiles from a great distance away.
Hades 2
WHERE TO PLAY
The first-ever sequel from Supergiant Games builds on the best aspects of the original god-like rogue-like dungeon crawler in an all-new, action-packed, endlessly replayable experience rooted in the Underworld of Greek myth and its deep connections to the dawn of witchcraft. BATTLE BEYOND THE UNDERWORLDAs the immortal Princess of the Underworld, you’ll explore a bigger, deeper mythic world, vanquishing the forces of the Titan of Time with the full might of Olympus behind you, in a sweeping story that continually unfolds through your every setback and accomplishment.MASTER WITCHCRAFT AND DARK SORCERYInfuse your legendary weapons of Night with ancient magick, so that none may stand in your way. Become stronger still with powerful Boons from more than a dozen Olympian gods, from Apollo to Zeus. There are nearly limitless ways to build your abilities.MINGLE WITH (MORE) GODS, GHOSTS, AND MONSTERSMeet a cast of dozens of fully-voiced, larger-than-life characters, including plenty of new faces and some old friends. Grow closer to them through a variety of new interactions, and experience countless unique story events based on how your journey unfolds.EVERY RUN IS ITS OWN ADVENTURENew locations, challenges, upgrade systems, and surprises await as you delve into the ever-shifting Underworld again and again. Reveal the mysteries of the Arcana Altar, tame witchy familiars, and gather reagents using Tools of the Unseen to get closer to your goal.THE PERKS OF IMMORTALITYThanks to a variety of permanent upgrades and the return of God Mode, you don’t have to be a god yourself to experience whatHades IIhas to offer. But if you happen to be one, you may brave escalating challenges for greater rewards, and prove just how divine you really are.
