So far, Hades 2 is following that same Early Access model, substantial initial content offerings and all. This Early Access version of Hades 2 doesn’t include the final game’s “true ending,” and it currently lacks the “key areas, characters, foes, narrative events, and systems” that will eventually be found in the final game. Otherwise, it offers a sizeable version of one of the year’s biggest games that can be purchased for a relatively meager $29.99. Interstingly, that price point continues the surprising trend of 2024’s best games debuting for less than $50.
While some will understandably prefer to wait to buy Hades 2 until they can experience something closer to the complete version of the game, it’s hard not to see this early release as a merciful morsel for starving gamers everywhere.
We’re currently in the middle of one of the worst dry seasons for new video game releases in recent years. While a few surprise releases (most notably, Helldivers 2 and Palworld) have managed to keep things interesting, things have been grim for the last couple of months and aren’t shaping up to improve much in the immediate future. Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree, Star Wars Outlaws, and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II look to carry a lot of new release weight through August. Beyond that…well, we’re hoping for more of those lovely surprise hits or a few unexpected release date announcements to fill out what is shaping up to be the year when elongated production cycles, questionable practices, and external issues finally catch up with the video game industry in a public-facing way.
Hades 2 not only gives games a major new release to enjoy during an otherwise slow couple of months but perhaps offers a new way to look at the entire Early Access system. Much like Larian Studios did when they moved Baldur’s Gate 3‘s official release up a few weeks to avoid competing with Starfield and other major new releases, Supergiant is seemingly dropping Hades 2 at a time when it will benefit most from a relative lack of competition and the free time that lack of competition offers to gamers everywhere.
More importantly, both of those Early Access games (and the original Hades) initially offer something that already feels more worthwhile than many so-called new releases that clearly needed more time in the oven. By being a little more transparent about the state of their game, Supergiant gets a worthwhile version of their next big project out to the public at an optimal time and a reduced price. It’s a remarkable display of some of the ideal benefits of the Early Access concept.
No, it’s not a perfect model, and no, Hades 2 is not currently the game it will hopefully one day grow to be. Still, at a time when major new releases feel practically endangered as the result of numerous industry problems, it’s nice to see studios treat Early Access as a possible solution to those problems rather than a symptom of bigger issues.
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