Summary
For the first time in the studio’s history, Supergiant Games is releasing a sequel.Hades 2, a follow-up to 2020’s hit roguelike, is set to launch into early access sometime next year. While the game is sure toimprove upon the originalHades, specific information about it is sparse, and it’s unclear if Supergiant intends to turn the IP into a long-running franchise beyond this second entry. If there ever is a thirdHades, though, there’s one cue it could take fromGod of War.
Like the originalGod of Wargames,Hadesis a story that centers on Greek mythology. Players fight a number of mythological beasts and characters like Theseus and Hades himself, and the protagonist develops close and sometimes contentious relationships with many Greek gods and demigods. Of course,God of Warin the modern era is better known for its focus on Norse mythology, as Kratos flees Greece after the events ofGod of War 3. A follow-up toHades 2could benefit from a similar approach.
Future Hades Games Could Feature Different Mythologies
TheGod of Waruniverse contains mythological pantheonsbeyond Greece, as evidenced by the shift into Norse mythology in the 2018 game and the references to Egyptian mythology in the recent games. This shift opened the door to an all-new narrative and unique gameplay opportunities, as Kratos could make use of different equipment and abilities that fit that setting. In short, adopting a different mythological backdrop allowed for new opportunities.
Something similar could work wonders for theHadesfranchise, if Supergiant keeps it going afterHades 2. Zagreus, Melinoe, or some other hero could travel to Egypt, Japan, or Scandinavia, and the game could basically hit the refresh button, introducing all-new weapons, characters, powers, and narratives. There are many examples ofGreek mythology in gaming, and for good reason, butHadescould blaze a new path by giving representation to mythological stories and figures that aren’t as ubiquitous in the medium. The core gameplay ofHadesis strong enough to work in just about any setting.
All that being said, there are some potential issues with this idea. A major reason whyGod of Warswitched mythologies is because it had to; Kratos all but annihilates the Greek pantheon by the end ofGod of War 3, so there weren’t too many stories left to be told in that setting.Hadesdoesn’t have this issue, so it would be harder to justify. There is still plenty ofGreek mythological ground thatHadeshasn’t covered, so some might argue that it would be best for the franchise to stick to its roots. Additionally, while Greek and Norse mythology have proven to go over well with audiences, other stories may not be so well-suited to a video game adaptation. What many in the western world consider fantasy is thought of as sacred in other parts of the world, and a combat-centric game featuring this content could come across as being in bad taste.
Ultimately, Supergiant Games will have to decide if it wants to tell a contained story with a shared cast of characters or branch off in a wildly different direction. Other mythologies are referenced inHades, and players may pick up on even more connectionsonceHades 2launches in early access. The series could have virtually endless potential if it followsGod of War’s lead with the mythology swap, but it could miss out a lot of opportunities by leaving Greece behind, and Supergiant might already have a plan for a third game with the same characters and setting. Even if Supergiant doesn’t make a non-GreekHadesgame, perhaps another developer will see the potential of the concept.
Hades 2
WHERE TO PLAY
The first-ever sequel from Supergiant Games builds on the best aspects of the original god-like rogue-like dungeon crawler in an all-new, action-packed, endlessly replayable experience rooted in the Underworld of Greek myth and its deep connections to the dawn of witchcraft. BATTLE BEYOND THE UNDERWORLDAs the immortal Princess of the Underworld, you’ll explore a bigger, deeper mythic world, vanquishing the forces of the Titan of Time with the full might of Olympus behind you, in a sweeping story that continually unfolds through your every setback and accomplishment.MASTER WITCHCRAFT AND DARK SORCERYInfuse your legendary weapons of Night with ancient magick, so that none may stand in your way. Become stronger still with powerful Boons from more than a dozen Olympian gods, from Apollo to Zeus. There are nearly limitless ways to build your abilities.MINGLE WITH (MORE) GODS, GHOSTS, AND MONSTERSMeet a cast of dozens of fully-voiced, larger-than-life characters, including plenty of new faces and some old friends. Grow closer to them through a variety of new interactions, and experience countless unique story events based on how your journey unfolds.EVERY RUN IS ITS OWN ADVENTURENew locations, challenges, upgrade systems, and surprises await as you delve into the ever-shifting Underworld again and again. Reveal the mysteries of the Arcana Altar, tame witchy familiars, and gather reagents using Tools of the Unseen to get closer to your goal.THE PERKS OF IMMORTALITYThanks to a variety of permanent upgrades and the return of God Mode, you don’t have to be a god yourself to experience whatHades IIhas to offer. But if you happen to be one, you can brave escalating challenges for greater rewards, and prove just how divine you really are.
