Hades 2 Developers React to 25 Minute Speedrun

The Supergiant Games team, including Studio Director Aaron Kunkler and Creative Director Greg Kasavin, discusses an all-regions speedrun of Hades 2, highlighting the impressive skill and dedication of players. They observe a runner completing the surface route in approximately 13 minutes, noting the speedrunner's choice of the Mel Skull aspect and the rationale behind certain in-game decisions. The discussion begins with the speedrunner starting on the surface, a route that differs from the game's natural progression. The runner utilizes the Mel Skull aspect, which the developers explain as a mechanic where having fewer shells increases damage output. They express surprise at the speed of the run, noting that the selections and actions are happening too quickly to fully process. The choice of Mel Skull over the potentially faster Hades 2 aspect, "media," is a point of curiosity for the developers. Key moments observed include the runner skipping a duo boon and obtaining Hermes' "Travel Plan" boon, which replaced a shop item. The speed at which the runner defeats Polythemus is highlighted, demonstrating perfect timing against phase breaks. The developers note that the runner is playing at 12 "fear" difficulty, a moderate increase, and explain that the "Vow of Frenzy" can paradoxically aid speedruns by making enemies spawn and move faster, allowing for quicker engagements. They also touch upon strategic considerations for speedrunning, such as using the bow that spawns extra enemies for mini-bosses, as the ads are cleared when the boss is defeated. The fluidity and efficiency of the runner's movement are praised, emphasizing that every action must be deliberate to avoid wasting time. The speed at which boon choices are made is also a marvel, with the runner seemingly knowing exactly what they're looking for. The quick defeat of Aerys is noted, with the developers acknowledging the runner's advantage of having accumulated power-ups throughout the biome. A significant strategic choice is the use of the "Fig Leaf" keepsake in region three. This item offers a chance to skip enemy encounters in rooms, which can significantly speed up a run by avoiding lengthy fights. However, the keepsake doesn't proc immediately, leading to some commentary on the unpredictable nature of such mechanics, which the developers liken to gambling. They acknowledge that while it's more beneficial for the keepsake to trigger in later, tougher regions, the fun lies in the gamble itself. The discussion then shifts to the immense time investment required for speedrunners, not just for the individual player but also for the collective community's research and development of strategies. The developers reflect on the success of the original Hades in fostering a dedicated speedrunning community and express their gratification that this has carried over to Hades 2, with its expanded gameplay options. They emphasize that players who achieve this level of proficiency are honoring the game with their skill and time, choosing to apply it to Hades 2 rather than other titles. They also acknowledge the many failed attempts and dead ends that precede a successful speedrun. The surface route concludes with an impressive defeat of the final boss. The developers note the use of the "White Antler" keepsake, which reduces max health but grants increased critical hit chance, adding an element of risk and reward to the final stages. They observe the runner's substantial armor buffer, which mitigates the low health penalty. Following the surface run, the discussion turns to the underworld route. The developers express surprise that the runner made no changes to their setup, suggesting that the optimal "all-regions" strategy might be consistent across both routes. The choice of Mel Skull over Media is again questioned. They also touch on the risk of taking Chaos Gates in speedruns due to potentially unfavorable boons. The developers contrast this "maxed-out" save file run with fresh file runs, where players start with nothing and aim to win on their first attempt, highlighting the different skill sets involved. The underworld run proceeds with the runner utilizing boons like "Flash Fry," which creates damaging death novas, further accelerating encounters. The choice of Rocky the Raven as a familiar is seen as beneficial for speedrunning due to its ability to increase critical hit frequency. The developers briefly mention various other speedrunning formats for Hades 2, such as high-fear runs and fresh file challenges, underscoring the game's depth and replayability. They mention specific optimizations made during early access, like shaving fractions of seconds off room transitions, which benefit all players, not just speedrunners. The speedrunner's ability to group enemies for maximum damage output is highlighted, a tactic distinct from how most players approach combat. The developers also draw parallels between the Mel Skull aspect's special attack and the forward-dashing feel of some weapons in the original Hades. They discuss specific boon combinations, like "Cryopowder" and "Deto-Heestus," which provide significant burst damage. The final confrontation with Kronos is observed, with the runner again employing the White Antler keepsake. The developers note the strategic decision to skip optional Hades rooms, as they do not contribute to the speedrun goal. The overall run concludes in under 25 minutes, a testament to the developers' efficient design and the runner's mastery. The developers express their gratitude for the community's support and encourage players to check out Hades 2 on Steam and Nintendo Switch.