When the Fans Spoke, Supergiant Listened
It’s the kind of move that builds legendary goodwill with a community. ‘Hades II’ launched to near-universal acclaim, but as players reached the game’s ultimate conclusion, a vocal portion of the fanbase felt the “true ending” was rushed and unsatisfying. The grind was long, but the payoff, for many, just wasn’t there. In an industry where developers often move on after launch, Supergiant Games has done the opposite. They listened. And now, they’re fixing it.
In a surprise announcement, the studio has released a preview of its first major post-launch patch for ‘Hades II,’ and the headline feature is a complete overhaul of the game’s true ending. This isn’t just a minor tweak; it’s a significant rework designed to address player feedback head-on. For a studio already beloved for its commitment to quality, this is a masterclass in community engagement.
A More Satisfying Conclusion to a Godly Grind
Reaching the true ending of ‘Hades II’ is a monumental task, requiring players to complete numerous runs on two different paths. The original conclusion left some fans feeling that key plot points were unresolved and that the narrative climax didn’t quite land. The new patch aims to rectify this with extensive “True Ending Enhancements.” According to the patch notes, this includes:
- New Events: Fresh story moments have been added both in the lead-up to the true ending and after it, providing more context and a richer narrative experience.
- Revised Scenes: Key scenes before the end credits have been added to and revised, aiming to create a more impactful and satisfying finale.
- More Runs Required: To accommodate the new story content, the number of Underworld clears required to trigger the true ending has been increased. It’s a longer journey, but one that promises a better destination.
Supergiant has also added a brilliant quality-of-life feature for those who have already seen the original ending. A new Cauldron incantation will allow players to return to an earlier point in the story, so they can experience the revamped conclusion without having to start from scratch.
Quality of Life and Faster Prophecies
Beyond the ending, Patch 1 is packed with other thoughtful improvements based on player feedback. Several character-related ‘Fated Prophecies,’ including the one tied to the game’s epilogue, will now unfold faster. This addresses another common criticism that some of the post-game story content took too long to trigger, leaving players feeling like they were grinding aimlessly.
The Crossroads, Melinoë’s hub area, is also getting a “renewal.” Many of the decorative items have had their costs reduced, and any excess Kudos that players have already spent will be refunded. It’s a player-friendly move that encourages more personalization and creativity.
| Patch 1 Highlight | What It Means for Players |
|---|---|
| True Ending Rework | A more satisfying and complete narrative conclusion with new story events. |
| Story Rewind Feature | A new incantation lets you replay key story moments, including the new ending. |
| Faster Prophecies | Reduces the grind for unlocking post-game story content and the epilogue. |
| Crossroads Renewal | Cheaper decorative items and a refund on Kudos already spent. |
| Balance Changes | A host of buffs to underused Boons and Blessings to open up more build diversity. |
Buffs, Balances, and a Better Arsenal
Of course, no ‘Hades’ patch would be complete without a laundry list of balance changes. Patch 1 includes a significant number of buffs to various Boons, Blessings, and Daedalus Hammer upgrades. The developers have clearly targeted some underperforming options to encourage more build diversity. From increasing the damage of Hephaestus’s Anvil Ring to improving the effectiveness of several of Hades’s own boons, these changes will give players new tools to experiment with on their runs.
The only notable nerf is a small change to Hades’s ‘Gigaros Dash,’ which will no longer stagger foes. Overall, the philosophy seems to be about lifting up weaker options rather than tearing down strong ones, which is always a welcome approach.
Conclusion
Supergiant’s decision to overhaul the ending of ‘Hades II’ based on fan feedback is a testament to their incredible dedication to their players. It’s a move that turns a point of community frustration into a moment of celebration. This patch not only promises a better ending but also a smoother and more enjoyable journey to get there. The preview is available now for Steam players who want to opt-in, with the full patch expected to roll out to all platforms soon. It’s a great day to be a fan of the underworld.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Supergiant changing the ending of Hades II?
After the game’s full launch, a significant portion of the player base felt that the “true ending” was rushed and unsatisfying. In response to this feedback, Supergiant is overhauling the ending to provide a more complete and gratifying narrative conclusion.
What specific changes are being made to the true ending?
The patch adds new story events leading up to and after the true ending, revises key scenes to be more impactful, and increases the number of runs required to accommodate the new content.
Do I have to restart the game to see the new ending?
No. The patch adds a new Cauldron incantation that allows you to rewind the story to an earlier point, so you can re-experience the revamped ending without losing your progress.
Are there any other major changes in this patch?
Yes, the patch also makes several character-related ‘Fated Prophecies’ unfold faster, reduces the cost of decorative items in the Crossroads, and includes a wide range of balance changes to Boons and other abilities.
How can I play the new patch now?
The update is currently available as a public preview on Steam. Players can opt into the beta branch to play it now. The full, finalized patch will be released automatically on all platforms at a later date.
Were any abilities nerfed in the patch?
The patch is overwhelmingly focused on buffs to underused abilities. The only notable nerf mentioned in the preview notes is to Hades’s ‘Gigaros Dash,’ which will no longer stagger enemies on a direct hit.