75 Hours In: Why The Underworld Path is My Priority for Hades 2’s 1.0 Launch

Having plunged into the depths of the Hades 2 Early Access for a significant amount of time—a commitment that has pushed past the 75-hour mark—the game’s sheer scope and complexity are undeniable. Supergiant Games has not just created a sequel; they have built a sprawling mythological machine with two distinct and equally challenging progression paths: the familiar descent through the Underworld to confront Chronos, and the arduous climb to the Surface toward Mount Olympus. As the highly anticipated Version 1.0 release date approaches, my extensive time with Melinoë has led to a clear strategic decision: the foundational Underworld route, while more familiar, offers the superior long-term experience for starting the full game.

The Strategic Value of the Underworld Route

The core genius of Hades 2 is that both paths are necessary for full meta-progression. You cannot unlock the entirety of the weapons, upgrades, and storylines without engaging with both the domain of the dead and the besieged city of Ephyra above. However, the Underworld path, leading through regions like Erebus and Oceanus, provides a more stable and rewarding on-ramp into the game’s densest systems.

A Smoother Learning Curve for Complex Systems

The sequel introduces a host of new mechanics, including the Magick resource, the Omega moves, Incantations, and a completely re-imagined Arcana Card system. This is a significant mechanical expansion over the original roguelike. While the Surface route, with its different enemy patterns and environmental hazards, throws players into the deep end, the Underworld route eases the transition:

• Pacing and Difficulty: The encounter difficulty in Erebus scales more predictably than in the unpredictable streets of Ephyra. This allows for methodical testing of new weapon Aspects and learning complex Boon synergies without being instantly overwhelmed.
• Resource Management: The early biomes are crucial for gathering foundational materials like Bronze and Silver, which are essential for permanent upgrades at the Crossroads. The consistent structure of the Underworld makes this essential resource farming more efficient.

The Narrative Foundation and Character Depth

For a game so heavily invested in its storytelling, the narrative spine of Hades 2 lies firmly in the Underworld. Melinoë’s quest to rescue her family from the Titan of Time, Chronos, and her interactions with key figures—Nemesis, Arachne, Narcissus, and the Fates—are heavily concentrated on the descent. Many of the most profound and lore-rich encounters that flesh out the sequel’s setting and Melinoë’s past occur on this route. Prioritizing this path ensures the player is fully invested in the stakes and the rich mythology before tackling the Surface’s more detached, political conflict.

The Surface Route: Essential, but Best for Mastery

The Surface path, leading to Olympus, is an undeniably thrilling addition and a masterful expansion of the game’s core loop. It introduces the aggressive Olympian Guardian, Eris, and forces Melinoë to master completely different combat strategies against human-centric forces. The challenges it presents are unique, demanding a greater degree of proficiency in weapon combos and Magick management. However, its brutality and the initial lack of clear narrative progression (as the early access story content was frozen) make it better suited for the endgame phase.

• Greater Challenge: The Surface is arguably the game’s true test of skill, with relentless enemies that demand highly optimized builds. I recommend players first “break” the difficulty of the Underworld and unlock key Arcana Cards (like The Unseen or Eternity) to build the baseline power necessary to survive consistently on the surface.
• Focus on Progression Tools: The Surface is home to specific late-game resources and is necessary for progressing relationships with certain Olympians. By waiting, players can approach it with stronger weapons, more knowledge, and the intent to gather the high-tier materials needed for the final set of Crossroads Incantations.

Conclusion: The Optimal 1.0 Strategy

After dozens of hours experimenting with all four available weapons—from the versatile Witch’s Staff to the devastating Moonstone Axe—and dozens of build combinations (including powerful Zeus/Hera combos and Aphrodite/Hephaestus resilience setups), the conclusion is clear. The brilliance of Hades 2 lies in the interwoven nature of its two routes, but the initial path of the Underworld is the narrative and mechanical anchor. When Supergiant Games drops the 1.0 Full Release, complete with its promised story conclusions and final balancing, the smartest play will be to commit to a focused grind on the Underworld, unlocking the major Incantations, securing the best Keepsakes, and building Melinoë’s base power. Only then will the player be truly ready to tackle the Surface with the mastery and strategic depth that the full Hades 2 experience demands, ensuring the highest CPC (Cost-Per-Completion) from every run.