Choosing between Hades and Hades II is less about finding a universally better game than deciding what you want from your next run-based adventure. Both reward learning through repeated attempts, but a sequel purchase also raises questions about story context and existing progress. Decide those points before comparing individual weapons or searching for an optimized build.
Which story should come first?
Supergiant's official FAQ says prior experience with Hades is not required for Hades II. The sequel follows Melinoë and her conflict with Chronos, while the original centers on Zagreus. There are connections for returning players, so beginning with the original remains my recommendation if discovering the characters in order is your main priority.
If the sequel's premise is what interests you, there is no need to turn the first game into compulsory homework. You can start with Hades II and accept that some returning characters may mean more after you revisit the earlier story. Choose the order you are likely to enjoy, not one that makes starting feel like an obligation.
Expect to learn a new combat rhythm
The official PS5 page emphasizes Melinoë's witchcraft, weapons, and Magick. Familiarity with the original can help you read an arena, but it is worth learning the sequel's tools on their own terms instead of trying to reproduce an old routine exactly.
For your first attempts, identify one reliable way to deal damage and one way to create space. Build around actions you remember to use. A theoretical combination is not useful if you forget its key input whenever several enemies appear. Once the basic loop is comfortable, add a more demanding interaction.
Give each run a question
| Question | What to observe |
|---|---|
| Do I understand this weapon? | Its comfortable range and the moments when attacks leave you exposed |
| Does this upgrade suit me? | Whether you actually use the action it improves |
| Why did this encounter go badly? | One enemy cue or position you repeatedly missed |
| What should change next time? | One adjustment you can test without replacing everything |
Keep progress broader than reaching a later room. Learning an attack or finding a comfortable tool is useful even when the attempt ends early. That mindset makes repeated runs feel less like lost time and more like a sequence of manageable experiments.
Use difficulty options without changing the goal
Hades II includes God Mode, which the official description presents as an option for players who want additional support. Read its current explanation and choose around the experience you want. A setting that lets you follow the story and recognize enemy behavior can be more productive than repeatedly failing before you understand the encounter.
You can still set personal learning goals with assistance enabled. Focus on avoiding one attack, using a neglected tool, or making a clearer upgrade choice. Difficulty is one part of the experience, rather than the sole measure of whether a run was worthwhile.
Check the PS5 save limitation
Supergiant's October 2026 FAQ lists Hades II on PS5 but does not support cross-saves between PS5 and the PC or Nintendo versions. Do not buy the PlayStation release assuming an existing computer save will appear after signing in. Plan for a separate playthrough unless the developer explicitly changes that policy.
For moving progress between your own PS5 consoles, use our console save guide. Platform-to-platform cross-save and ordinary console backup are different features, and one does not establish the other.
Sources
Official documentation and publisher information checked on 26 October 2026. Availability and features can vary by country, game, and system version.
