Supergiant Games just released the third major Early Access patch for Hades II, titled the “Unseen Update”—a sprawling, 5,000+ word overhaul that touches nearly every corner of the game. With this update, Supergiant confirms it’s entering the final stretch toward the full v1.0 release, aimed for later in 2025 on multiple platforms. Here’s what you need to know.
📝 Unprecedented Patch Scope
The Unseen Update offers the most extensive patch notes in Hades II’s Early Access journey. Strip away the details and you’re left with:
- Hidden Aspects for every Nocturnal Arm—adding entirely new weapon playstyles.
- A full revamp of the Umbral Flames, now featuring tighter, snappier combat.
- Vow of Rivals: a new modifier in the Oath of the Unseen that pits players against stronger Guardian variants.
- Godsent Hexes—upgraded Moon magic with Olympian synergy.
- New story interactions, adding depth to character relationships.
- New wardens in Erebus and Ephyra, along with fresh art, animations, music, and UI polish.
It’s a rare feat to see free updates of this scale—Supergiant has effectively packed a mini-DLC into its Early Access.
⚔️ Combat Evolved: Weapons & Mechanics
Nocturnal Arms – Hidden Aspects
Each weapon gains a secret “Hidden Aspect”—unlocked via in-game achievements—that radically alters its functionality:
- Witch’s Staff summons shades that follow and attack.
- Sister Blades gain Blood Triad finishing moves.
- Moonstone Axe now offers berserk healing abilities.
- Black Coat weaponizes absorbed Omega Special energy.
These new layers of combat depth reward mastery and experimentation.
Umbral Flames Revamp
The previously divisive Umbral Flames are overhauled for cleaner, faster pacing—introducing spiked orbs and empowered auto-fire mechanics .
🛡️ High-Stakes Challenges: Vow of Rivals
The Vow of Rivals system mirrors Hades I’s Pact of Punishment. Guardians now spawn with enhanced abilities and modifiers, making battles more intense—and more rewarding. If you beat them, expect rare loot or cosmetics. It’s a true test for veterans seeking deeper challenge.
✨ Polished Progression: Bonds & Story Beats
Unseen doesn’t just amped up combat—it enhances story and characters too:
- New optional events for forging emotional bonds with companions.
- Massive art upgrades—3D models and animated portraits for Narcissus, Cerberus, Echo, Circe, and more.
- Enhanced ambience: animations for menus, regions, rewards, and UI.
These improvements highlight Supergiant’s care toward narrative and presentation—not just mechanical polish.
🎵 Audio Visual Boost: Art & Music
The update also delivers fresh audio and visual shine:
- New musical tracks, including song contributions from Scylla and the Sirens, Narcissus, Chronos, and Typhon.
- Ambient FX on portrait art, world UI, and menus; region-specific shaders and animations.
- Major menu/UI refresh, aligning function with flair and evoking Supergiant’s signature stylistic charm.
The result feels like a cinematic roguelike—a true step up from earlier builds.
🗺️ Final Content Post-Early Access
Supergiant has stated clearly: this is the last major update before full launch. Future steps include:
- Implementing the “true ending” of Melinoë’s journey.
- Adding Achievements (available immediately, without restart).
- Final balance tweaks and bug fixes.
They’re no longer building new systems—they’re putting the finishing touches on the full game.
💬 Developer Insight
Supergiant’s creative director Greg Kasavin explained on Discord:
“Expect Hades II to get bigger and better with the addition of a new Hidden Aspect for each … expanded relationships … lots of new visual flourishes”
And from GamesRadar+, Austin Wood reports the developer saying:
“After more than a year… we’re now starting to prepare for our v1.0 launch!”
These remarks reflect Supergiant’s confidence in heralding the update as the era’s pivot.
⏳ Launch ETA & Platform Plans
While no firm release date is announced, multiple outlets—like Kotaku, PC Gamer, Gamespot—suggest a late‑2025 launch window, with a possible early-2026 extension if polishing demands it .
Key platform notes:
- Launch will include PC, Switch, Switch 2 simultaneously, with consoles like PS and Xbox following later.
- The game’s current price is US $30 on Steam (10% discount); it could rise to $40 post-launch.
🎮 Player Reactions & Community Buzz
Reddit’s r/GameFeed flagged the unprecedented scale of this patch, with no meaningful community concerns yet Enthusiasts appreciate the dramatic reading, and forums are filled with anticipation:
“Every major EA update has felt like DLC … Unseen is no different.”
They tease the final boss and the emotional arc of Melinoë’s story—the finale fans have long awaited.
🔍 What The Fuller Picture Reveals
Unseen is not just a patch—it’s a distillation:
- Combat: Hidden Aspects + Vow of Rivals mean richer build options and replayability.
- Narrative: Story events deepen character connections and prepare players for a grand conclusion.
- Production: Final artwork, UI polish, and sound design elevate the experience.
- Structure: The foundation is set; next is the grand finale.
If you’re already invested, this update feels like Hades II leveling up. If you’ve been waiting for the full package, this is the moment.
✅ Summary Table
| Area | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Combat | Hidden Aspects; revamped Umbral Flames; Vow of Rivals challenge |
| Story & Bonds | New character events; deeper relationships |
| Visual/Audio | New art, animations, UI effects, music tracks |
| Game Balance | Tighter tuning; faster enemy waves; smoother melee |
| Path to 1.0 | Focus narrows: True ending, achievements, polish—no new systems |
| Platform & Price | PC + Switch(s) at launch; 2H 2025 likely; price could increase post-launch |
🎯 Why It Matters
- Scale of content—Supergiant’s commitment rivals many paid expansions.
- Polished foundation—v1.0 prep signals confidence in game’s completeness.
- Player-first design—each tweak clearly reflects community feedback.
- Pre-launch clarity—no DLC after launch; they’re building to a conclusive, honed experience.
🧭 Final Thoughts & Expectations
The Unseen Update reaffirms Hades II as Supergiant’s most ambitious launch in years. It’s an elegant blend of combat depth, narrative expansion, and artistic flair. With the path to v1.0 firmly set—and no major features left to add—the full release feels imminent, atmospheric, and worthy.
If you’re already in Early Access, prepare for a richer experience and a grand conclusion. And if you’ve held off, now’s the perfect time to dive in before the full story drops.