Hades II: Post-Launch Update 1 Unveiled – A Comprehensive Guide

Welcome, dedicated fans of Hades II! We at Gaming News are thrilled to bring you an in-depth analysis of the highly anticipated Post-Launch Update 1, courtesy of the brilliant minds at Supergiant Games. This update is a significant step forward, enriching the already compelling experience with substantial content additions, gameplay refinements, and a host of quality-of-life improvements. Prepare yourselves, as we delve into the heart of this transformative patch, dissecting its key features and offering insights to elevate your Underworld journey.

True Ending Enhancements and Expanded Story Arcs

One of the most exciting aspects of this update is the enhanced True Ending experience. Supergiant Games has not only refined the culmination of Melinoë’s quest but has also added layers of depth and nuance to the narrative leading up to and following the final confrontation.

Navigating the New Underworld Route

The vast majority of alterations are centered around the Underworld route. Players can anticipate new events that deepen the understanding of the game’s lore. The developers have added several new events that significantly impact the storytelling surrounding the True Ending, providing greater context and emotional resonance. The number of Underworld clears required to achieve the True Ending has also been increased, signifying a more arduous and rewarding journey. The True Ending scenes themselves have received a revamp, with refined visual elements.

Returning to the Past: The Cauldron Incantation

A game-changer is the addition of a Cauldron incantation that allows players to revisit pivotal moments in the story. This feature is particularly valuable for re-experiencing the emotional weight of the True Ending. Players can now freely explore various narrative branches.

Prophecy Adjustments and Fated List of Minor Prophecies

Supergiant Games has streamlined the progression of certain prophecies, enhancing the player’s sense of accomplishment and providing a more consistent narrative flow.

Accelerated Character-Related Prophecies

Several character-related Prophecies, particularly those tied to the epilogue, are now designed to unfold more rapidly. This change ensures that players can more readily experience the full scope of the game’s story and character interactions. Players can progress the game and unlock the necessary milestones.

Crossroads Renewal and Cost Adjustments

The Crossroads has also received some love, with several decorative items having their cost reduced. Any excess Kudos you have already spent will be refunded. The Fated List of Minor Prophecies has also been updated, and the developers are committed to constantly improving the experience.

Aspects of the Nocturnal Arms: Balance and Refinement

The balance and effectiveness of Melinoë’s arsenal have been meticulously examined, leading to significant adjustments to boons and Daedalus Hammer upgrades.

Witch’s Staff (Circe): Smolder Ring

The Smolder Ring (Hestia) boon for the Witch’s Staff (Circe) now also applies Scorch from the bonus Cast when your Casts overlap. This alteration enhances the weapon’s synergy and provides new strategic options for players.

Nocturnal Arms

Players who play this game love to play with Nocturnal Arms, Supergiant Games has not forgotten that fact. This is why more balance and refinements have been made.

Witch’s Staff (Circe)

• Smolder Ring (Hestia) now also applies Scorch from the bonus Cast when your Casts overlap

Umbral Blades

• Moonlit Flourish increased damage

Sister Blades

• Hades Dash increased damage
• Death’s Embrace increased damage

Boons & Blessings: Enhanced Effectiveness and New Synergies

A multitude of boons and blessings have been tweaked and enhanced, leading to a more dynamic and engaging gameplay experience.

Hephaestus’s Anvil Ring: Increased Damage

The damage output of the Anvil Ring (Hephaestus) boon has been increased for Common Rarity. This simple adjustment provides players with a more compelling reason to choose this boon early in their runs, boosting early-game efficiency.

Hestia’s Controlled Burn: Amplified Power

Controlled Burn (Hestia) has received an increase to its bonus from Poms of Power. This change rewards players who invest in this boon, making it a more viable and potent choice.

Ares’s Enhancements: Plasma, Damage, and Synergy

Ares’s boons have undergone a series of enhancements, including an increased Plasma pickup range and increased damage for the Sword Ring. The effectiveness of Carnal Pleasure (Ares x Aphrodite) has also been enhanced, creating a more enticing synergy option.

Hermes: A Boost to Success

Success Rate (Hermes) now also affects Nurture of Hera (Selene x Hera). This change makes Hermes’ boons even more valuable, with the increased chance of success applying to the Selene and Hera Duo Boon.

Artemis, Hades, and Echo Boon Tweaks

Shadow Pounce (Artemis) effectiveness has been increased. Gigaros Dash (Hades) no longer staggers foes when this deals direct damage, making it much more reliable.

Chaos Favor and Duo Boon Probability

Favor (Chaos) now also raises the chance of finding Duo Boons, expanding the range of benefits of the Chaos Boons and helping players to develop the perfect builds.

Daedalus Hammer Upgrades and Keepsakes

The Daedalus Hammer and Keepsakes have both received refinements, bolstering the power of specific builds.

Elephant Rockets (Coat-Shiva): Increased Damage

The Elephant Rockets Daedalus Hammer upgrade for the Coat-Shiva weapon has received a damage increase. This improvement will increase the viability of the build in combat.

Chakra Collider (Coat-Shiva): Damage Boost

The Chakra Collider Daedalus Hammer upgrade has also received a damage boost, making it more impactful in combat and increasing the viability of players’ builds.

Jeweled Pom (Hades & Persephone): Keepsake Clarification

The functionality of the Jeweled Pom (Hades & Persephone) Keepsake has been clarified. Players now no longer keep the bonus Hades blessing if they are not at the Fate’s Whim.

Well of Charon: Improved Utility

The Well of Charon has received improvements, increasing the overall utility of this essential shop during runs.

Yarn of Ariadne: Duo Boon Boost

The Yarn of Ariadne now also raises the chance of finding Duo Boons, in line with its original function in the first Hades game.

Mist Veil: Magick Restoration

Mist Veil now restores Magick that is lost for any reason, not just from using Omega Moves, making this a more versatile and attractive option.

Foes & Dangers: Combat Refinements

Several foes and dangers have undergone changes to improve the overall combat balance.

Zagreus Behavior

Fixed cases where Zagreus would stand still for too long. This improvement should make for a smoother and less frustrating encounter.

Unrivaled Prometheus: Hitbox Refinement

Adjusted hitboxes of certain Heracles attacks in this Encounter, ensuring fairer and more precise combat encounters.

Headmistress Hecate: Flame Attack Adjustments

The hitbox of Hecate’s flame attacks has been slightly reduced to better match the visuals, providing players with more clarity and precision.

Phantom (Fields): Life-drain Effect Reduction

Reduced effectiveness of Life-drain effect and removed this effect from some attacks, enhancing the clarity of attacks in this area.

Special Encounters: Expanding the Post-True Ending Experience

This update adds further richness to the game by refining the special encounters that players experience during their runs.

Preview Icons and Infernal Contracts

Added a preview icon for Location exits leading to an Infernal Contract (after the True Ending) and for Erebus Location exits leading to Raki (before you have bonded with him), streamlining the player’s ability to plan for the long run.

Nemesis and Circe Frequency Adjustments

Nemesis no longer can show up more than once a night while battling through the Underworld, while Circe appears slightly more often.

Level Design & Environments: Immersive Enhancements

The game’s environments have received minor fixes and improvements to the levels, enriching the visual details.

Minor Fixes and Improvements

Various minor fixes and improvements have been implemented to enhance the overall aesthetic and playability of several Locations. This translates into smoother navigation and a more immersive experience.

The Crossroads Renewal Project

The Crossroads has received some significant additions to add to the quality of life experience for players.

Primordial Chaos Theme

Added Primordial Chaos theme to the Music Maker Crossroads Cauldron, giving the players more customization options.

Disintegration of Monstrosity and Greatest Gift of Gaia Requirements

• Disintegration of Monstrosity: Players are no longer required to cast this as soon as they can afford to.
• Greatest Gift of Gaia: The requirements for this to be revealed have been reduced.

Fated List of Minor Prophecies: Streamlining Progress

The Fated List of Minor Prophecies has been updated, ensuring players stay engaged.

Increased Priority of Key Events

Increased the priority of key events for several Prophecies to ensure they are completed sooner.

• Melinoë, Help Us
• Silk and Spitefulness
• Voice and Vanity
• Born to Win: This Prophecy now is revealed sooner and more reliably
• Natural Talent: An issue was fixed that was causing this not to appear in some cases
• Denier of Suitors: Requirements to fulfill this have been reduced

Art & Visual FX: A Feast for the Eyes

The visual experience of Hades II has been enhanced with new art and animations.

True Ending Visual Enhancements

New artwork has been added to some True Ending scenes before the credits. The scenes have also received new animations for certain characters, adding a new dimension.

Portrait Variants and Animated Actions

Added a portrait variant for Hecate and a blinking animation to Melinoë’s hesitant portrait.

Voice & Narrative: Immersive Storytelling

The game’s narrative has been further enriched with new events and dialogue, enhancing the characters.

New Events with Key Characters

Added new events with Chronos, Zagreus, Hecate and Hades on the path to the True Ending. Also, new events with Chronos, Zagreus, Hecate, Schelemeus, and Hades and Persephone have been added after the True Ending.

Contextual Voice Lines

Melinoë and Hecate have gained more contextual voice lines in certain situations.

Scylla and Icarus Event Adjustments

Scylla now reveals her Bewitching Eyes sooner than before. Icarus can now be persuaded to return to the Crossroads sooner.

Music & SFX: Harmonious Soundscapes

The audio experience has received a series of refinements, creating a harmonious and immersive environment.

Sound Effects and Music Adjustments

Updated sound effects for Cinerary Circle (Hades). The developers adjusted effects on some Chronos’ voice lines after the True Ending.

Artemis’s Singing

Artemis’s singing in the Crossroads no longer cuts off abruptly at a certain distance.

Settings: Customizable Experience

This update introduces new setting features.

Danger Pulse

You now can toggle off the persistent flashing at critical Life levels

FPS Limit

You can limit max frames-per-second to your preference while VSync is off.

Miscellaneous: Refinements and Feedback

Several miscellaneous adjustments have been implemented, providing a more user-friendly experience.

macOS Compatibility, Inventory, and Feedback

Improved compatibility with macOS Tahoe security permissions. Inventory details for Gigaros and Entropy appear sooner. Added feedback when Keepsakes from Athena and Selene cannot be used in a certain situation.

Translation Updates

Updates and fixes to translations in all languages have been implemented.

Bug Fixes: Polishing the Experience

A comprehensive list of bug fixes ensures a more stable and refined gameplay experience.

Critical Bug Fixes

• Fixed Argent Skull (Hel) not firing reliably while Melinoë is backed against a wall.
• Fixed Argent Skull (Medea) text erroneously stating its passive bonus also applied to Omega Special.
• Fixed Argent Skull Omega Attack sometimes being unable to reach the Erymanthian Boar (Ephyra).
• Fixed cases where you could claim rewards while simultaneously using Time Piece (Chronos).
• Fixed Calling Card (Zagreus) unexpectedly refreshing all uses for the night after ranking up.
• Fixed Back Burner (Apollo) not applying its bonus when using certain moves.
• Fixed Steady Growth (Demeter) resetting its countdown after being Rarified.
• Fixed Rapture Ring (Aphrodite) dragging foes after they are slain.
• Fixed Seismic Servo (Hephaestus x Poseidon) not always working as expected on Boons of Hephaestus.
• Fixed cases where you could unexpectedly gain Unseen Ire (Hades) twice.
• Fixed Corrosion on Sight (Medea) not affecting Lubbers.
• Fixed Numbness (Path of Stars) not properly applying its effect.
• Fixed Mirrored Thrasher (Daedalus – Staff) disabling your Attacks in certain cases.
• Fixed interaction between Inverted Blaze (Daedalus – Flames) and Dividing Blaze (Daedalus – Flames).
• Fixed high-cost Boons of Hermes found in shops not always having improved Rarity.
• Fixed some visual effects from Typhon not appearing consistently.
• Fixed projectiles from Charybdis not splitting as expected after striking certain obstacles.
• Fixed cases where Jetty could get stuck while resurfacing.
• Fixed several cases where Melinoë could end up out of bounds in a Location.
• Fixed Raki occasionally swooping in to peck at already-defeated Guardians.
• Fixed an issue where a slowdown effect could persist unexpectedly after Gale blocks an attack.
• Fixed visual issues with Demeter’s Freeze interacting with other visual effects.
• Fixed visual issues with Infernal Troves.
• Fixed incorrect text sometimes appearing on the Victory Screen.
• Fixed incorrect Gold preview when Nemesis wants to trade for Quick Buck (Hermes).
• Fixed cases where music could stop playing unexpectedly.
• Fixed cases where the Past Deeds screen would not show the foe that put an end to your night.
• Fixed cases where Odysseus and Dora could appear too close together in the taverna.
• Fixed certain visual effects persisting during the Melinoë’s Return to Shadow escapes.
• Fixed a visual issue where text formatting would not reset after resetting the Oath of the Unseen.
• Fixed Play Screen showing your location as The Crossroads despite just having left for the night.
• Fixed several text errors.

Conclusion: A New Era for Hades II

With Post-Launch Update 1, Supergiant Games has reaffirmed its dedication to providing an experience that evolves with the player. The enhancements to the True Ending, the balance adjustments, and the wealth of quality-of-life improvements collectively elevate Hades II to new heights. We encourage every player to dive back in, uncover the new secrets, and experience the game in a new light. Stay tuned to Gaming News for further updates and deep dives into the exciting world of gaming.