## 2025-09-13 Do I wish **Pyre** got the sequel instead? Yes. Am I still having a lot of fun? Also yes. But man…if we get a Hades III I’m gonna lose it lmfao. More thoughts later, especially after 1.0 on [[2025-09-25]]. ## 2025-09-20 Got my first run to Olympus so I’ve taken a break until it hits 1.0. Overall I like this game significantly more than the original **Hades**. I think it’s paced better, has more depth, and Melinoe has a much more interesting move-set. I dunno if I”m just less dumb, but I found it easier to put together a build than I did in **Hades** as well. Probably the nicest adjustment to the game’s balance is how it encourages you to put boons into a variety of Mel’s buttons. With Zagreus, you’re somewhat pushed into pouring all your buffs into a single button for him to hit over and over again, which made the endgame a bit dry and repetitive. Mel’s kit feels more active by the time you’re on the last boss, which is great. The writing continues to be solid, and the hotties continue to be hot. More than the combat, I think the **Hades** series’ biggest benefit that makes it stand out amongst other roguelikes is how meticulously detailed it is. Everything is noticed by the characters, and everything is commented on. Failed runs don’t feel like a Fat L as a result — instead it’s just more dialogue that you get to listen to from all these hot hotties[^1]. I felt encouraged to step out of my build comfort zone for more lore and character development that would come from doing so. I dunno how Supergiant kept track of all that shit, but I’ll forever be impressed by it. So yeah. Game good, what a surprise. I didn’t get a final cutscene on my run, so I may have more thoughts after 1.0. I’m extremely interested in seeing how and why the game has you do consecutive runs after getting your first. The narrative conceit is a bit more…urgent, this time around, so I’m curious what the justification ends up being. ![[SPOILER_image.png]] [^1]: did I mention they’re hot? The game *really* wants you to remember how hot these hotties are.