Prioritizing the Underworld Route in Hades 2: Why 75 Hours of Early Access Taught Me the Core is King

Having logged over 75 hours in the intense, magical world of Hades 2 Early Access, my strategy for the upcoming 1.0 release has crystallized around a singular focus. Supergiant Games brilliantly introduced two distinct paths for Melinoë, the Princess of the Underworld: the familiar descent into the deep to confront Chronos, and the ambitious, challenging climb to the surface towards Mount Olympus. While the allure of the surface route is undeniable—with its unique biomes like the City of Ephyra and the Rift of Thessaly—my extensive time with the roguelite RPG has led me to prioritize the foundational Underworld Route for maximum narrative and mechanical payoff in the full version.

The Unrivaled Value of the Underworld Path

The decision to primarily focus on runs descending into Erebus, Oceanus, and the Fields of Mourning is not about avoiding the challenge of the surface, but about building the strongest possible foundation for the full game experience and the story conclusion that Supergiant Games has promised for 1.0.

1. The Essential Narrative and Character Core

The Underworld route is the narrative spine of Hades 2. It is where Melinoë confronts the consequences of her family’s imprisonment and interacts with the characters who truly ground the game’s lore. The surface path, while introducing new dynamics and Olympians, can feel more fragmented in its storytelling. The relationships deepened through the Underworld—with characters like Nemesis, Arachne, and the familiar faces who survived the Titanomachy—are critical for unlocking the full scope of the narrative and the eventual ending of Hades 2.

• Deepened Relationships: Core characters, whose storylines are locked behind repeated progression in the lower realms, offer crucial boons and Keepsakes.
• Lore Integration: The journey below is a direct exploration of the ruined House of Hades, providing essential context for Melinoë’s quest.
• The Chronos Conflict: The ultimate enemy, Chronos, is at the end of this path, making every run a direct contribution to the central plot resolution of the 1.0 launch.

2. Resource and Progression Efficiency

Early runs in any roguelike are about accumulating resources, and the Underworld provides the most stable and targeted economy for early and mid-game Incantations and Arcana upgrades. The materials harvested here are vital for unlocking the full suite of weapons and tools needed for both paths.

• Ash and Psyche Acquisition: The Underworld is the most reliable source for the resources needed to unlock and upgrade the Arcana Cards, which are Melinoë’s primary source of permanent power.
• Silver and Bronze Farming: While the surface offers late-game materials, the Underworld regions provide Silver (from Erebus) and Bronze (from Oceanus), which are used in a huge number of necessary early-to-mid game Incantations, including those required to unlock the surface itself.
• Wretched Broker Value: Accumulating Bones, a frequent Underworld drop, is essential for trading with the Wretched Broker to quickly acquire rarer materials needed for high-tier upgrades.

3. Smoother Ramp-Up to the Late-Game Challenge

For players coming to Hades 2 for the first time with the 1.0 release, the Underworld offers a gentler, more structured learning curve. The difficulty spike on the surface—particularly the need for a sustained life-sustain build due to the constant drain on Melinoë’s health—is a significant barrier to early success.

• Mastering Magick: The Underworld bosses and enemies allow for controlled experimentation with Melinoë’s new Magick system and the powerful Omega moves without the immediate pressure of the surface’s environmental challenges.
• Build Variety: Repeated successful Underworld runs ensure the full range of Boons from the Olympians (Zeus, Poseidon, Apollo, etc.) are discovered, which then enables more creative and higher-powered builds for tackling the surface in a truly prepared state.

Strategic Play: The ‘Underworld First’ Mandate

My 75 hours of Early Access have confirmed that attempting to rush the surface prematurely is inefficient. The 1.0 launch will likely contain numerous endgame balance adjustments, but the core progression loop—where success below feeds success above—will remain. By focusing on full completion of the Underworld route first, gathering all the necessary resources, maxing out essential Arcana, and unlocking all weapon Aspects, players ensure their character is fully optimized for the final narrative conclusion and the inevitable high-Heat challenge runs on both paths.

Ultimately, the Underworld route is the heart of Hades 2, providing the strongest blend of rewarding progression and critical story beats. It is the best place to be when the full story drops, offering a solid, prepared foundation for Melinoë’s destiny and the next generation of roguelite gameplay.