Nintendo officially introduced its highly anticipated Switch 2 hybrid gaming console during a vibrant event in New York yesterday. Accompanying this launch were several prominent game developers who showcased their new titles crafted specifically for this innovative platform. One of the standout games featured was Hades II, developed by Supergiant Games, which has been in development for an impressive four years.

During the event, I had the opportunity to engage in a conversation with Greg Kasavin, the creative director of Supergiant Games, to discuss the exciting journey of creating Hades II for both the original Nintendo Switch and the newly released Switch 2. Development on the game kicked off in 2021, shortly after Supergiant successfully launched the original Hades on the Switch in 2020. This sequel is set to expand on the beloved universe, building upon the success of its predecessor.

Notably, Supergiant is also preparing to release Hades II on Windows, where it initially entered early access in May 2024, followed by a MacOS release in October 2024. With the game's launch on the Nintendo platforms, the excitement is palpable. I had the chance to experience the game firsthand, and I was thoroughly impressed by its smooth gameplay, which features a thrilling 2.5D action style.

In Hades II, players will control Melinoe, the sister of the original game’s protagonist, Zagreus. The storyline presents her in direct conflict with her grandfather, the Titan Chronos. As she navigates this perilous landscape, she will encounter various Olympian gods, including Zeus, Poseidon, Artemis, and Aphrodite, as well as new divine figures such as the god blacksmith Hephaestus, sun god Apollo, moon goddess Selene, and the goddess of magic, Hecate. A unique gameplay mechanic allows Melinoe to tame animals, a skill that will aid her in combat against her adversaries.

Reflecting on the success of Hades on the Switch, Kasavin expressed satisfaction with how well the game was received. “The original version found a large and enthusiastic audience,” he stated, emphasizing the team's commitment to ensure that Hades II would run smoothly on both the existing Switch and its successor.

Interestingly, the development team started working on Hades II without any knowledge of the Switch 2's existence. However, upon learning about the new console, they were able to quickly adapt the game for its capabilities. “It was great for us to have this bigger and brighter screen,” Kasavin noted, highlighting how they leveraged the additional hardware resources to enhance graphical effects while still maintaining compatibility with the original console.

Supergiant Games also explored the potential of the new Joy-Con controllers for Switch 2, which offer mouse-like capabilities. However, the team decided to forego this option to keep the gameplay accessible. “We want people to be able to pick up and play this game with just the most basic understanding of how controllers work,” Kasavin explained, underscoring their desire for an inclusive gaming experience.

In terms of performance, Hades II will run at a resolution of 720p on the original Switch, while the Switch 2 will allow for an enhanced 1080p resolution. Given that the team has been developing the game to support a variety of resolutions for modern PCs, scaling it for the new hardware was relatively straightforward. The goal is to achieve 60 frames per second on both platforms, although Kasavin mentioned that the potential for 120 FPS is still under consideration, citing the ever-evolving nature of hardware design.

The lengthy four-year development timeline for Hades II is comparable to that of the original game. However, Kasavin anticipates that this sequel may take longer to complete. “This is simply a bigger game,” he said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a sustainable development pace. “Our team has been together for more than 15 years now, and our goal has always been to stick together as long as we can. We want to ensure that we give our games the time they need to meet our quality standards.”

As for the release date of Hades II, it remains unspecified, as the game is still in the process of entering early access. However, Kasavin assured fans that the title would be offered at an affordable price point, as the company values providing good value for players. “The original Hades succeeded largely due to the early access development process, and it’s equally crucial for this sequel,” he stated. The excitement surrounding both Hades and its sequel is palpable, and Kasavin expressed gratitude for the support from fans, which helps fuel their passion for game development.

Disclosure: Nintendo covered my travel expenses to New York for this event.