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Nintendo Debuts Switch 2 Alongside Hades II at New York Event

Nintendo recently showcased its highly anticipated Switch 2 hybrid gaming console in New York, accompanied by several game developers excited to reveal their titles for the new platform. Among the highlights was Supergiant Games’ Hades II, a sequel that has been in development for four years.

During the event, I had the opportunity to discuss the development of Hades II with Greg Kasavin, the creative director at Supergiant Games. The team commenced work on the sequel back in 2021, shortly after the successful release of Hades for the original Switch in 2020. Following that, they launched the game in early access for Windows in May 2024, with a subsequent early access version for MacOS in October 2024.

Now, Supergiant is preparing to release Hades II for both the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. My hands-on experience with the game revealed a smooth gameplay experience, featuring fast-paced 2.5D action.

Introduction to Melinoe

Hades II introduces players to Melinoe, the sister of the first game’s protagonist, Zagreus. This time, Melinoe faces off against her grandfather, the Titan Chronos, while also navigating conflicts with familiar Olympian gods, including Zeus, Poseidon, Artemis, and Aphrodite. Additionally, she encounters new divine characters such as the blacksmith god Hephaestus, the sun god Apollo, moon goddess Selene, and Hecate. Melinoe’s unique powers allow her to tame animals and harness lunar energy against her foes.

The Development Journey

Kasavin expressed satisfaction with how the original Switch version of Hades turned out, noting the extensive and enthusiastic player base it garnered. This positive reception influenced the development of the sequel, which was designed to perform well on the original Switch, even before the team had any insight into the upcoming Switch 2.

“When we learned about the Switch 2, we were able to adapt the game for that platform relatively quickly due to the groundwork we had already established,” Kasavin explained. “The enhanced screen was a fantastic bonus for us.”

The development team leveraged the increased hardware capabilities of the Switch 2 to incorporate additional visual effects while ensuring compatibility with the original model. They also explored the functionality of the new Joy-Con controllers, which mimic mouse use, but ultimately chose not to implement that feature. “Our goal is to ensure that players can easily pick up and enjoy this game without needing to master complex controls,” Kasavin remarked.

In terms of technical specifications, Hades II runs at 720p on the original Switch and can achieve 1080p resolution on the new console. The development team has aimed for a consistent 60 frames per second across both platforms. While the new hardware supports up to 120 FPS, the team is still assessing whether this target can be achieved, which remains a common challenge in hardware design.

Development Timeline and Pricing

Reflecting on the four-year development period, which mirrors the time spent on the original Hades, Kasavin noted that Hades II is likely to require an even longer development cycle. “This is simply a bigger game,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of pacing to ensure that the team can sustain their efforts over time. “Our philosophy is that game development is a marathon, not a sprint. We aim to keep our team together for as long as we can while striving to deliver high-quality experiences.”

Currently, Hades II does not have a confirmed release date, and further early access phases are still anticipated. However, Kasavin indicated that the game will be priced affordably, as Supergiant prioritizes providing value to players.

“The success of the original Hades was greatly influenced by the early access process, and this approach remains crucial for the sequel,” he noted. “We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support and enthusiasm from our players, as their excitement fuels our work.”

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

Source
venturebeat.com