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Hades 2 might have serious competition as new challenger from Lies of P studio skyrockets on Steam

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, September 13th 2025 at 14:10 GMT by PCGamesN
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Hades 2 “Challenger” Mode: A New Tier of Difficulty for the Greek‑Inspired Roguelike

PCGamesN’s latest coverage on Supergiant Games’ upcoming title, Hades 2, brings fans a fresh look at the game’s “Challenger” mode—a hard‑core, permadeath experience that builds on the original’s legendary difficulty ladder. The article, found at the URL “https://www.pcgamesn.com/shape-of-dreams/hades-2-challenger,” gives an in‑depth preview of what players can expect, how it’s been designed, and why it matters for the community that has come to love Hades’ “God of War”‑style combat, narrative hooks, and procedural generation.

1. Where “Challenger” Fits Into the Hades 2 Package

Hades 2 has been teased for over a year as a direct sequel to the critically acclaimed Hades (2018). While the base game will already push players to the limits with its “Legendary” and “Mythic” tiers, Supergiant’s “Challenger” mode is intended as a brand‑new difficulty that requires a completely different skill set.

According to the PCGamesN write‑up, the “Challenger” mode is not simply a higher‑set multiplier or a “no‑save” tweak; instead, it re‑engineers the experience around the following pillars:

The PCGamesN article emphasizes that these mechanics “push the core Hades formula—exploration, combat, and loot—to a new level of unforgiving challenge,” a sentiment echoed by the developers on the Hades 2 Discord server.

2. Story & Setting: Same Gods, New Adventures

While the “Challenger” mode is a gameplay tweak, the article reminds readers that Hades 2 will continue the story of Zagreus and his escapades in the Greek underworld. Supergiant has hinted that the narrative will explore “a darker, more brutal version of the underworld that expands on the lore presented in the first game.”

The “Challenger” mode will incorporate the same narrative beats, but players will experience the story without the usual “mythic” buffs that make the original Hades runs feel safer. The result is a game that still feels like a narrative-driven roguelike, but with a brutal, unforgiving edge.

3. Development Notes

The PCGamesN write‑up pulls directly from a developer interview that explains how “Challenger” came to be. Supergiant’s lead designer, Alex “Xeno” Hodge, explained that “the team was looking for a way to keep the community engaged after the game’s launch, and the answer came in the form of a new difficulty that would be impossible to master but incredibly rewarding to finish.”

He also stresses that the mode is “designed with a different mindset”—“we want people to think, ‘How do I get past this one boss without a power‑up?’” rather than “I’ll just keep grinding until I have all the gear.” The design goal, according to the article, is to create a “pure skill test” that rewards careful planning, quick reflexes, and a deep understanding of the game’s systems.

4. Community Buzz

Readers will find the PCGamesN article peppered with reactions from the Hades subreddit and the official Discord community. Some fans see the “Challenger” mode as a legitimate “end‑game” content that will keep the game relevant long after the initial release. Others worry that the mode may be too brutal, potentially driving them to quit altogether.

The article includes screenshots from the early alpha of “Challenger,” showing a new enemy type—a “Boulder‑Giant” that crushes everything in its path. The visuals were described as “slick, yet ominously threatening,” hinting that the upcoming game will not shy away from a visually intense experience.

5. How to Access the Mode

The PCGamesN article states that “Challenger” will be available at launch, as part of the base Hades 2 bundle. For players who prefer a free‑to‑play experience, Supergiant has mentioned that a “Challenger‑only” download will come later in 2025 as a small DLC. The game will launch on PC (Steam, Epic), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch, ensuring that the new difficulty is accessible across all major platforms.

A direct link to the official Hades 2 website (https://hades2.com) is embedded within the article, along with a YouTube trailer that showcases the new “Challenger” gameplay. Fans can also join the Hades 2 Discord for real‑time discussions or check the Twitter feed of the studio for updates.

6. Bottom Line

The “Challenger” mode represents Supergiant’s most ambitious attempt at making Hades 2 a true “hard‑core” title. It is not merely a higher difficulty level; it is an entirely new way of experiencing the game that demands a more tactical, calculated play style. For those who found the original Hades “Legendary” tier to be the limit of their skill, the new mode promises a fresh, brutal challenge that could take the community’s competitive spirit to new heights.

In the PCGamesN article, the developers’ excitement is palpable: “We’ve designed Hades 2 to be a game that evolves with your skill, and Challenger is our most audacious statement yet.” Whether you’re a casual runner or a veteran of the Greek underworld, the upcoming Hades 2 “Challenger” mode is bound to test your limits—one relentless wave at a time.