Summary
Hades 2operates in a lot of the same ways as the original did, albeit in a more streamlined manner. One thing that didn’t change that much between instalments was the strongly written characters. Melinoe will interact with a wide host of reoccurring NPCs from her headmistress, Hecate, to the strategy-focused Odysseus.
Most characters inHades 2can be given gifts that will deepen their bond with Melinoe. They will present her with gifts in return called Keepsakes, which are like accessories in other RPGs. There is a lot to collect in this Early Access version, so let’s go throughthe best Keepsakes and how to get them.
8Silken Sash
Gain Armor To Boost Health
Health is the most important component for players in the game, and players can gain temporary health via Armor too. The easiest way to do this initially is by coming across the spider, Arachne, in the first area, who will grant playersBoon-like gifts inHades 2.
If players give her Nectar, they will then get theSilken Sash Keepsake,which will bestow Melinoe with Armor at the start of her runs. After entering every new location, she will gain a fixed amount more Armor.
7Gold Purse
Gain Money Before Each Run
Charon is the boatman who will guide the dead into the Underworld in Greek mythology. That’s trueinHades 2’sloreas well, but he mostly serves Melinoe by setting up shops in random locations, where players can buy everything from godly Boons to health upgrades at his shops.
Gold can be acquired in a few ways, like defeating certain monsters or destroying pots, but theGold Purse Keepsakewill start players off with Gold before a run. To get it, players must first give Charon a vial of sweet Nectar.
6Aromatic Phial
Fountains Restore More Health And Improve Boons
Afterevery boss fight inHades 2, players can find a Fountain between areas that will restore a percentage of health, along with replenish Hex charges if players have any. TheAromatic PhialKeepsake will increase how much players can heal Melinoe and increase a Boon’s rarity.
To get it, players must first venture into the second area, Oceanus, which looks a lot like Rapture fromBioShock. Here they can meet Narcissus throughCupped Hands doors inHades 2. Give her Nectar and Narcissus will hand over the aforementioned Keepsake.
5Silver Wheel
Restore Magic
TheSilver Wheelis a great Keepsake for players who want to focus on a Magick-based run, as it will replenish the Magick meter for a fixed amount until reserves deplete. For example, the first bonus will restore Magick every three seconds for a total of 1,000 Magick points.
Players can get the Silver Wheel by using Nectar to befriend Hecate. She is Melinoe’s headmistress and also the one in charge of The Crossroads. Hecate is also thefirst boss players will run into inHades 2.
4Moon Beam
Make The Most Of Hexes
Boons are like temporary upgrades in Hades 2 that will disappear after death. Players can talk to gods and goddesses in dungeons to get Boons, from Aphrodite to the almighty Zeus. Then there is Selene, who will offer Melinoe a different kind of Boon.
Selene’s Boons are calledHexes inHades 2, and will grant players another magical ability to use in combat, like Moon Water, which will heal Melinoe. The second time players run into Selene, they will get a skill tree to increase their Hex’s power.Moon Beamis a Keepsake from Selene that will give players more upgrade points to use.
3Ghost Onion
Restore HP Between Locations
Ghost Onioncan be obtained from Melinoe’s ghostly roomie, Dora, who is a Shade training to become a frightening ghoul and often practices her scare tactics on Melinoe. It’s a great Keepsake because it will heal players between locations.
The Ghost Onion is kind of like the health alternative to the Silver Wheel Keepsake, as it will only heal for a set amount between doors. Still, the Ghost Onion is a great Keepsake to acquire as health is very important in a roguelike akin toHades 2.
2Knuckle Bones
Bosses Lose Health And Do Less Damage To Melinoe
Knuckle Boneswill help take down a lot of bosses, which are called Guardians in the game. The Keepsake will reduce how much health the Guardian has and reduce how much damage players receive from the Guardian. It’s a great Keepsake to level up as it will even the playing field for a lot of the harder boss fights in the game.
Thefinal boss ofHades 2, Chronos, is an especially brutal one, since he has two phases just like Hades had in the first game. It might be a good idea to save equipping Knuckle Bones until players reach the final dungeon, Tartarus.
1Luckier Tooth
Revive Once Per Night
Luckier Toothis an homage to a Keepsake from the first game. Players can get this weird tooth from Schelemeus, the practice guardian in the weapon room, which players can use to defy death once per run.
As it upgrades, Melinoe will heal for more, but it can never revive her more than once. There is an Arcana Card that will do the same thing inHades 2as well, plus that one can be upgraded to revive Melinoe more. The more ways players can revive, the better.
