Hades 2’s full release date has not been announced yet. As of now, the game is in Early Access on PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), and Supergiant Games has stated that the 1.0 launch will happen after the Early Access period concludes, with no specific date given. The studio has been transparent that the game will leave Early Access when it is feature-complete and polished, which they estimate could take “at least through the end of 2024” — but this is a projection, not a confirmed date.
What We Know About the Early Access Timeline
Hades 2 entered Early Access on May 6, 2024, following a surprise announcement at The Game Awards in December 2022. This is the same strategy Supergiant used for the original Hades, which spent nearly two years in Early Access (December 2018 to September 2020) before its full release. For Hades 2, the studio has said they plan a shorter Early Access period, but they have not committed to a specific end date. The game’s Early Access roadmap includes multiple major content updates, each adding new characters, areas, weapons, and story beats. The first major update, the Olympic Update, arrived in October 2024, adding new boons, a new region, and a new weapon. Subsequent updates have continued to expand the game, but the full 1.0 release remains unannounced.
How Early Access Works for Hades 2
During Early Access, players get the full base game loop — the roguelike dungeon-crawling combat, the story, and the meta-progression — but with incomplete content. Supergiant has been clear that the version you play now is not the final product. Specifically:
- Story is incomplete: The narrative arc is present but not finished. Major character arcs and the true ending are reserved for the 1.0 release.
- Content is missing: Some weapons, boons, and areas are not yet implemented. The game’s codex entries also have placeholder text for some characters.
- Balance is ongoing: The developers actively tweak gameplay based on player feedback, which means patch notes are frequent and sometimes alter how abilities work.
- Price is lower: Early Access is priced at $29.99, and Supergiant has stated the price will increase when the game fully releases.
If you buy Early Access, you get the full game at 1.0 as well — there is no separate purchase required. Progress carries over from Early Access to the full release, so your saves and unlocks remain.
Why No Full Release Date Yet
Supergiant Games has a well-documented philosophy of not announcing dates until they are certain. In their early access FAQ, they wrote that they want to avoid the crunch and broken promises that plague many game launches. The studio has said they will announce the 1.0 date “when we’re confident in it,” and they have historically been conservative with timelines. For the original Hades, they initially said Early Access would last “about a year” but it took nearly two. For Hades 2, they have said they expect the full release to happen “at least through the end of 2024,” but that was written in early 2024, and as of now (late 2025) the game is still in Early Access. This suggests the project is larger than initially planned, or that the studio is taking extra time to polish. The only official statement is that the game will leave Early Access when it is ready.
What to Expect at Full Release
Based on Supergiant’s history and the current Early Access state, the full release will likely include:
- Complete story: The full narrative arc for protagonist Melinoë, including a proper ending and resolution for all major characters.
- All weapons and aspects: The final arsenal, likely including at least one more weapon beyond the current six.
- Full voice acting: Some characters in Early Access have placeholder or missing voice lines that will be filled in.
- Expanded regions: The game currently has three main regions (Erebus, Oceanus, and the Fields of Mourning), with more planned for the full release.
- Cross-platform release: The full version will likely launch on consoles (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox) alongside the PC 1.0, as the original Hades did.
Supergiant has also said they plan to add a “New Game Plus” mode and additional difficulty options after the 1.0 release, similar to the Pact of Punishment in the first game.
Comparisons with the Original Hades
The original Hades set a high bar for Early Access transparency. Supergiant released the game in December 2018, and it quickly became one of the most successful Early Access games on Steam, selling over a million copies before its full release. The full 1.0 version launched on September 17, 2020, on PC and Nintendo Switch, and went on to win multiple Game of the Year awards. Hades 2 is following a similar path, but with a few key differences:
- Faster Early Access start: Hades 2 launched in Early Access with more content than the original had at the same stage.
- Sequel expectations: The original was a surprise hit, while Hades 2 has a built-in audience, which may allow for a shorter Early Access period.
- Technical improvements: Hades 2 uses a new engine and has more complex visuals, which may require more polish time.
It is worth noting that Supergiant has never delayed a game’s full release after announcing a date — they simply avoid giving dates until they are certain. So when they do announce a date for Hades 2, it will likely be accurate.
Common Questions About the Release
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Hades 2 be on PlayStation or Xbox? Yes, the full release will come to consoles, but not during Early Access. The original Hades launched on PC and Switch first, then came to PlayStation and Xbox later. Supergiant has not specified which consoles or when, but it is safe to assume a simultaneous 1.0 launch on all major platforms.
Is there a physical edition of Hades 2? Not yet. The original Hades received a physical release after its full launch, and it is likely Hades 2 will get one as well, but nothing has been announced.
Can I play Hades 2 on Steam Deck? Yes, Hades 2 is verified on Steam Deck. It runs well on the handheld, though you may need to adjust graphics settings for a smooth framerate.
Will my Early Access save transfer to the full game? Yes, Supergiant has confirmed that saves from Early Access will carry over to the 1.0 release. However, they have also said that some updates may reset certain progress (like the codex) if they change the data structure, but your main story progress and unlocks will remain.
Is Hades 2 a direct sequel to Hades? Yes, it is a direct sequel, but it follows a different protagonist — Melinoë, the sister of Zagreus. The story takes place after the events of the first game, with Hades himself missing and the underworld in chaos. You do not need to have played the first game to understand the story, but it enriches the experience.
How much will Hades 2 cost at full release? The Early Access price is $29.99, and Supergiant has stated the price will go up at 1.0. They have not given a specific number, but based on the original Hades (which launched at $24.99 and rose to $34.99 after Early Access), a price of $34.99 or $39.99 is plausible.
How to Stay Updated on the Release Date
If you want to know the moment a full release date is announced, the most reliable sources are:
- Supergiant Games’ official website and their newsletter (they send occasional updates).
- Their social media channels (X/Twitter, YouTube) — they post patch notes and major announcements there.
- The Steam store page for Hades 2 — it will list the release date as soon as it is set.
- Major gaming news outlets like IGN, Polygon, and PC Gamer — they will cover the announcement.
Be cautious of unofficial “release date” articles or videos that claim to have insider information. Supergiant has a strict policy of not leaking dates, and any “leak” is almost certainly fake. The only official way to know is from the studio itself.
In the meantime, the Early Access version is fully playable and offers dozens of hours of content. If you are a fan of roguelikes or Greek mythology, it is well worth the current price. Just be aware that the story is not finished, and some features are still in development. If you prefer to experience the complete game in one go, waiting for the 1.0 release is a valid choice — and you will likely not have to wait much longer, as the game has been in Early Access for over a year and a half.
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