PC and Indie Game Review: Hollow Knight vs Hades 2

The PC and Indie Game Review: Hollow Knight vs Hades 2 is one of the most anticipated comparisons in the world of indie gaming in 2026. These are two games that lead their genres — Hollow Knight as a metroidvania classic, and Hades 2 as a roguelike action RPG newly filled with praise from critics and players. If you haven’t decided which one to play next on PC, this guide is for you.

Overview: Two Indie Masterpieces

When discussing the best indie games on PC, these two names always come up: Hollow Knight by Team Cherry, and Hades 2 by Supergiant Games. They have different approaches to gameplay and storytelling, but both provide a deep experience for the player. Choosing between the two depends on your play style and what kind of challenge you are looking for.

History of the Two Games: How They Became Indie Icons

According to Wikipedia, Hollow Knight was released on Windows on February 24, 2017 — a small indie project by Team Cherry from Australia that became one of the most acclaimed games of modern times. By November 2017, it had sold over 500,000 copies, and by June 2018, it had surpassed one million sales on PC. On the Switch, it sold over 250,000 copies within just the first two weeks after its release on that platform.

Meanwhile, Hades 2 was announced in December 2022 and first released in early access for Windows in May 2024 — it is the first sequel made by Supergiant Games after many years as a single-game studio. It entered macOS early access in October 2024 and was formally released (full release) in September 2025 for Windows, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. In April 2026, it was also released on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, making it accessible to more players now.

Gameplay Comparison: Exploration vs. Repetitive Runs

The biggest difference between Hollow Knight and Hades 2 is the type of gameplay loop each offers. Hollow Knight is a pure metroidvania: exploration of a vast interconnected world is the heart of the game. You will find new abilities that open up previously inaccessible areas, and every corner of the map has hidden lore and challenges. There is no map at the start — you need to buy a map from a merchant in each new area, adding realism and suspense to every exploration.

Hades 2, on the other hand, is a roguelike: each run starts anew, but you carry over the permanent upgrades and new abilities you gathered in previous attempts. Each run is different due to randomized rooms, weapons, and boons from the Greek gods. The goal: strengthen your character until you reach the end of the game.

Combat and Control

The combat in Hollow Knight focuses on precision: a sword (nail) is the primary weapon, and you have spells that use SOUL collected from enemies. Timing for dodge and parry is crucial, especially in boss fights. Hades 2, on the other hand, has faster and more chaotic combat: many types of weapons, each with its own attack pattern, and the boons from the gods significantly change the gameplay in each run.

Controller Support and PC Performance

Both Hollow Knight and Hades 2 have excellent controller support on PC. Hollow Knight is known for its low system requirements, making it suitable even for older PCs. Hades 2 is newer, so it requires higher specs, but Supergiant Games has optimized it for a wide range of hardware. For Filipino gamers with older gaming PCs, Hollow Knight may perform better in terms of performance.

Difficulty Level: Which is Harder?

One of the most common questions among Filipino gamers: which of the two is harder? Based on community-based difficulty tracking from DifficultyQuest, Hollow Knight has a difficulty rating of 1,582 elo, while Hades 2 has 1,305 elo — meaning, in the experience of thousands of players, Hollow Knight is harder. This may be because the game has no built-in accessibility mode to reduce difficulty, and some boss fights are known for requiring very precise timing.

Hades 2, on the other hand, has a similar God Mode to the first Hades — a feature that provides incrementally increased defense with each failure, so the game can be completed even by those not accustomed to roguelike games. It doesn’t completely remove the challenge, but it makes it more accessible to a wider group of players.

“Hollow Knight tests your patience and precision; Hades 2 tests your ability to learn and adapt with each new run.”

Story and World: Atmospheric vs. Dialogue-driven

Hollow Knight uses environmental storytelling: the story is conveyed through the world’s architecture, deep lore fragments, and rare dialogue. You are not given a clear direction in the plot — you need to find and interpret the pieces of the story yourself. This type of storytelling leaves a strong impression on those who like to think and question while playing.

Hades 2, on the other hand, has more active storytelling: every time you return to the hub area after a run, the NPCs have new and unique dialogue. The character’s relationship and narrative arc build with each attempt, so you feel the story’s progression even if you lose. This is more traditional RPG storytelling, but effective and very engaging.

Replayability: Which is More Worth Playing Repeatedly?

Hollow Knight has very high replayability for a non-roguelike game: many hidden boss fights, secret endings, challenge modes like Path of Pain and Godmaster, and various builds using Charms. Many players have replayed the game multiple times to achieve 100% completion or try speed runs. The REPLACED Game Review also shows this trend in indie games with deep content.

Hades 2, on the other hand, is roguelike by design, meaning replayability is at the heart of the game itself. Each run is different due to randomized elements, so you won’t experience the same game twice. Major updates like the Olympic Update (October 16, 2024) and Warsong Update (February 19, 2025), according to Wikipedia, added even more content: new regions, weapons, and characters, further expanding its replayability.

Recent Updates and News (2025-2026)

In terms of the latest updates, Hades 2 has been more active in recent years. Its full release in September 2025 was accompanied by significant new content from earlier major updates, and the console release for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in April 2026 opened the game to a wider audience. The physical version of the game was released on November 20, 2025, so collectors can also purchase it.

For Hollow Knight, the most anticipated news in these years is Hollow Knight: Silksong, the next game from Team Cherry. However, Silksong is a separate game, not a DLC. Based on available information from Wikipedia, no major update or expansion was provided for the original Hollow Knight in 2025-2026, but its sales continued to rise to over 15 million copies.

Comparison Table: Hollow Knight vs Hades 2

Which Should Filipino Gamers Prioritize?

For those new to the indie game genre, Hades 2 might be a better start due to its God Mode and clearer progression system. You won’t be immediately frustrated without explanation in the game — each failure comes with something new to learn about your character and the game’s world.

For experienced players in metroidvania or those seeking a challenge that leads to the heart, Hollow Knight is unparalleled. The feeling of discovering a hidden boss room or solving a cryptic puzzle about the lore of Hallownest is a unique experience you won’t find in Hades 2. If you want to know other excellent indie games for your PC, visit the Alabaster Dawn Review for another great indie RPG.

“In the end, the best game between the two is the one that aligns more with your desires — exploration or repetitive action.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do you need to finish the first Hades before playing Hades 2?

It’s not necessary, but it helps for a deeper understanding of the story. Hades 2 is self-contained and has its own introductory explanation for newcomers, but you will better understand the nuances of the narrative if you have completed the first game. For those with limited time, you can start directly with Hades 2 without any hassle.

Is Hades 2 more expensive than Hollow Knight?

The exact price varies depending on the platform and sale events on Steam or other digital storefronts. As a general recommendation, check the official page of each game on Steam for the most updated price before purchasing. Both games often have significant discounts during seasonal sales.

How long is Hollow Knight compared to Hades 2?

Hollow Knight has a main campaign that lasts approximately 25-40 hours for the average player, and can reach 60+ hours for 100% completion. Hades 2 has shorter individual runs, but the total time needed to discover all content may be longer due to its roguelike nature. Most players report 30-50 hours for a complete experience.

Is it better to play both games on Switch or PC?

Both Hollow Knight and Hades 2 are great on PC and Switch. Hollow Knight on Switch is known as one of the best versions of the game, and it sold over 250,000 copies in the first two weeks on the platform according to Wikipedia. Hades 2 is available on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 since its full release in September 2025, proving the quality of its port.

Which is more suitable for Filipino gamers new to indie games?

For beginners, Hades 2 is generally more accessible due to its God Mode, clearer tutorials, and faster feedback loop. Hollow Knight is more rewarding for those experienced in platformer or metroidvania games, but its steep learning curve may be daunting for newcomers to the genre. Tips for other games can also be found at Best PC Co-op Games for those who want to play with friends.

Are there new contents for Hollow Knight in 2026?

Based on available information from Wikipedia, no major update or expansion was provided for the original Hollow Knight in 2025-2026. The most anticipated news for Team Cherry supporters is Hollow Knight: Silksong, but it is a separate new game, not a DLC for the original. Hades 2, on the other hand, has been more active in terms of new content, with major updates released in 2024 and 2025.

Final Thoughts

The PC and Indie Game Review: Hollow Knight vs Hades 2 shows that two games of different genres should not be compared — the more appropriate question is which one suits your play style better. Hollow Knight, with over 15 million copies sold according to Wikipedia, is best for those who want deep exploration and atmospheric storytelling. Hades 2, the latest roguelike masterpiece from Supergiant Games released fully in September 2025, is more suitable for those who want fast action and repetitive runs with new and unique experiences each time.

If you have enough time and budget, the best answer is to play both — these are two of the best indie games available on PC today. For more news and reviews of the latest games, follow Top 5 Most Downloaded Mobile Games in the Philippines for the latest in the Filipino gaming scene.

References

• Hollow Knight — Wikipedia — retrieved on July 29, 2026
• Hades II — Wikipedia — retrieved on July 29, 2026
• Hollow Knight vs Hades 2 – Which one is harder? — DifficultyQuest — retrieved on July 29, 2026