Its different from Hades, less focused on melee combat. Instead its more about ranged spell synergies.

A slower version of the first and best Hades in my opinion. I like everything about this game except game play. What do I mean by slower version of the original Hades? Double dash gone, now press button once dash, press button again and hold, run. Slower than the original. Why no separation option in controls menu for dash and run? Really irritating for me. Omega moves. Hold button again. Slows you down in game. I don't like slowing down in games. Not my cup of tea. Enemy types that slow you down. Enemy types that hex you (curse), make you slow. This game's game play really annoys me. And it's a shame. But you might like it. This is only an opinion.

Once again another game that delivers on every front. If you liked the first Hades you are gonna fall in love with this one. The easiest way to explain it is just the first game with more in every aspect, more enemies, more dynamic combat, more interactions with characters, its everything that the first game wishes it was. I think the best part is that between how the new combat system works, and the new boons you get from the Gods, that the game feels more dynamic when playing it. The new boons enable new playstyles on established weapons which is refreshing if you've been playing Hades for a while now, but also enable you to get more creative. In the last game it felt like you had to pray a hammer showed up for your build to feel distinct, Hades II new magick bar lets you experiment with each weapon in a way that each run truly feel unique. I believe that even just in its developmental stages Hades II clears the first Hades in sheer gameplay alone, and considering the way the story is laid out right now, that it absolutely will clear the first games narrative when its finished.