How to play Hades 2 on Mac

Game Overview

Hades 2, the highly anticipated sequel to Supergiant Games‘ critically acclaimed roguelike, Hades, has quickly garnered popularity for several reasons. Its predecessor set a high bar with its engaging gameplay, rich storytelling, and unique art style, winning numerous awards and a dedicated fanbase. Hades 2 builds upon this foundation, introducing new characters, environments, and gameplay mechanics while retaining the core elements that made the original game a success. Hades 2 introduces Melinoë, the sister of Zagreus from the first game, as the new playable character. This change brings fresh narrative perspectives and character dynamics to the game. The story revolves around battling the Titan of Time, Chronos, adding new layers to the game’s mythological world. The sequel introduces new gameplay elements, such as Omega attacks and a Magick mana pool, which add depth to combat strategies. These changes, along with new weapons and abilities, offer players a fresh yet familiar gameplay experience. Upon its Early Access release, Hades 2 quickly surpassed the original game’s all-time peak player count on Steam, reaching over 100,000 concurrent players within the first day. This impressive milestone reflects the game’s widespread appeal and the community’s eagerness to dive into the sequel. While Hades 2 is currently available on Steam and the Epic Games Store for PC, there are ways to run it on Mac. The game’s developer, Supergiant Games, has expressed intentions to eventually release Hades 2 for Mac and console platforms, although specific platforms and release dates have not been confirmed yet. In the meantime, Mac users have successfully run Hades 2 using compatibility layers such as CrossOver.

1. Play Hades 2 with CrossOver via Steam

CrossOver is a software tool that enables users to run Windows applications on macOS and Linux without needing a Windows operating system license. It is based on the popular open-source Wine project and works by translating Windows API calls into POSIX calls on-the-fly, eliminating the performance and resource penalties of virtual machines. With CrossOver, users can seamlessly integrate Windows applications into their native environment, running them as if they were native applications on their Mac or Linux systems. This software is especially useful for those who need access to certain Windows-only programs for business, education, or gaming purposes, providing a streamlined and efficient solution without the complexity of dual-booting or maintaining a separate Windows installation. Here’s how to play Hades 2 using CrossOver through Steam:

1. Visit the CrossOver website, purchase the software, and download it. Install CrossOver on your Mac by dragging it into the Applications folder.
2. Open CrossOver, click Install a Windows Application, and select Steam from the list. Follow the prompts to install.
3. On the right side, in the Advanced Settings, switch D3DMetal and MSync toggles.
4. Launch Steam within CrossOver, log into your Steam account, find Hades 2 in the Steam store, and install it.
5. Navigate to the Library in Steam, find Hades 2, and click Play to start your simulation.

Install a Windows Application -> Steam

Install Steam on Mac via Crossover

2. Play Hades 2 on cloud gaming services (Boosteroid and AirGPU)

Cloud gaming platforms stream games from remote servers, offering high performance without demanding hardware. Cloud gaming services are expanding the accessibility of gaming by eliminating many of the traditional barriers, such as the need for constant hardware upgrades and the initial cost of games. As internet speeds increase and technology advances, cloud gaming continues to grow as a popular alternative to traditional console and PC gaming.

Boosteroid

Boosteroid is a cloud gaming platform that allows users to play video games directly from the cloud on various devices, including PCs, smartphones, and smart TVs. This service provides access to a wide range of games without the need for powerful hardware. With Boosteroid, gamers can stream their favorite games over the internet, bypassing the need for downloading or updating games locally. The platform operates on a subscription model, offering different tiers to accommodate various user needs and preferences. Boosteroid is known for its ease of use, enabling seamless gaming experiences across different operating systems and devices, promoting greater accessibility and convenience for gamers worldwide.

1. Visit Boosteroid, sign up, and subscribe.
2. Search for the Hades 2 game and play directly in your web browser.

Note: Boosteroid streams games seamlessly, making it accessible on most internet-connected devices.

AirGPU

AirGPU is a cloud gaming service that offers users the ability to rent high-performance virtual gaming PCs on demand. This platform enables gamers to stream the latest and most demanding games directly to their devices without the need for high-end local hardware. AirGPU provides a flexible rental model, allowing users to pay by the hour for access to powerful gaming rigs equipped with top-tier graphics and processing capabilities. The service supports a variety of devices including desktops, laptops, and some tablets, ensuring that users can enjoy a premium gaming experience from virtually anywhere. AirGPU stands out by offering personalized settings and configurations, giving gamers the freedom to customize their virtual machines to meet specific gaming needs.

1. Sign up at AirGPU and rent a high-performance virtual PC.
2. Connect to your cloud PC, install Hades 2 from any digital platform.
3. Enjoy the game with high-quality graphics.

3. Play Hades 2 using Parallels

Hades 2 is playable on Parallels, on Intel or M Macs, however you need to have at least 16 GB of RAM, because Windows 10 or 11 VM eats many resources.

Parallels is a software application that allows users to run Windows and other operating systems simultaneously alongside macOS without rebooting. This virtualization technology is particularly popular among Mac users who need to access Windows applications for work or play. Parallels Desktop is known for its seamless integration, offering features like Coherence Mode, which allows applications from different operating systems to run side-by-side as if they are part of the same system. This makes it incredibly convenient for users to switch between macOS and Windows applications. Additionally, Parallels is designed to optimize performance, ensuring that both the Mac and the virtualized environments run efficiently. This software is a robust solution for those who require multiple operating systems but prefer to use one computer. Here’s how to use it:

1. Go to the Parallels website, download the installer and apply for free trial.
2. Install a Windows operating system within Parallels. You’ll need a Windows license.
3. On Windows, download and install Hades 2 as you would on a PC (using Steam).
4. Launch the game within the Windows virtual machine.

Install Windows 11 on Mac with Parallels (Step 1)

Install Windows 11 on Mac with Parallels (Step 2)

Install Windows 11 on Mac with Parallels (Step 3)

Install Windows 11 on Mac with Parallels (Step 4)

4. Use Boot Camp (for Intel-based Macs only)

Note: Boot Camp is not supported on Macs with M1/M2/M3 chips.

Boot Camp is a utility software included with macOS that allows users to install and run Windows on Macintosh computers in a dual-boot configuration. By partitioning the computer’s hard drive, Boot Camp enables a Mac to boot either into macOS or Windows, providing full system performance for Windows as it runs natively on the hardware. This solution is ideal for Mac users who need to run Windows applications that do not have macOS versions or who require the performance benefits of running certain programs directly on the hardware without virtualization overhead. Boot Camp simplifies the installation process, guiding users through the setup with step-by-step instructions and making it straightforward to switch between operating systems.

1. Get the Windows 10 ISO file (Windows 11 ISO file) from the Microsoft website. Choose the version that matches your license.
2. Find Boot Camp in the Utilities folder within your Applications. Open it to start the setup.
3. Use Boot Camp Assistant to allocate space on your hard drive for Windows. Follow the on-screen instructions to adjust the partition size.
4. Follow the prompts in Boot Camp Assistant to begin the Windows installation. Your Mac will reboot into the Windows setup.
5. During the Windows installation, choose the BOOTCAMP partition and format it.
6. Complete the installation by following the Windows setup instructions.
7. To switch between macOS and Windows, restart your Mac and hold the Option key to select the operating system you want to use.
8. Once Windows is installed, set up Hades 2 like on any PC.

Using one of the methods above you will be able to run Hades 2 game on any Mac computer, choose the way, that is compatible with your machine and enjoy the game!