An unfortunate consequence of releasing story-driven games in early access is the pressure on the final release to satisfy the dedicated followers. This is the challenge Hades 2 encountered upon reaching its official release earlier this month.
As players transitioned their experiences and sought the game’s ‘true ending,’ criticisms quickly emerged. The Hades subreddit saw a surge of threads discussing issues with the narrative resolution. Moderators even urged users to maintain neutral phrasing in thread titles to prevent spoilers for those yet to experience it.
Without delving into specifics to avoid spoiling, the main concern appears to be the abruptness of the ending and inconsistencies in character behaviors that seemed disconnected from the narrative. In essence, many felt Hades 2 concluded rather neatly for a storyline filled with chaotic deities.
The strong negative feedback likely prompted developer Supergiant Games to initiate efforts to provide better context—not changes—to the conclusion. Their first patch for Hades 2 aims to introduce enhancements to the ’true ending,’ incorporating new narrative elements that lead up to it, as well as additional scenes following this conclusion.
While no specific details regarding these additions were disclosed in their preview on Steam, the update will also introduce a new incantation that permits players to rewind the storyline to experience the new content. An initial version of the patch can currently be played by following instructions detailed in the Steam announcement, and players are advised to back up their saves beforehand.
According to a Reddit user, GenderGambler, the ending reception might have been significantly more positive had there been a more substantial buildup to the reveal. Some commenters remain skeptical, concluding that minor additions may not be sufficient and suggesting that more comprehensive alterations throughout the game are required to justify a specific character’s actions at the end.
The remaining aspects of the patch will include numerous balance adjustments and bug fixes, though the primary objective appears to be reworking the ending to lessen player dissatisfaction.
Despite initial reservations regarding Supergiant’s decision to create a sequel, I thoroughly enjoyed Hades 2. It effectively expands on the framework that made the first game’s roguelike mechanics enjoyable. Although I had not yet unlocked the true ending when I completed the game, a requirement to finish it multiple times, I quickly understood the community’s concerns post-discovery. While part of me wishes the conclusion were different, I respect Supergiant for their commitment to the narrative they crafted and for providing additional opportunities for players to grasp its full extent.
