Summary
Supergiant’s smash-hit roguelikeHadesis getting a long-awaited sequel soon, making it the first of its kind for developer Supergiant Games. Naturally, this is an exciting prospect for many fans of the original game, and whileHades 2has a lot of potential, it is also establishing the IP as a bona-fide franchise rather than a one-off indie darling, putting it in a unique position.
Hades' approach to action-packed gameplay and epic storytelling with a Greek mythology backdrop might remind some players of another, albeit much different, gaming franchise:God of War. For years, Santa Monica Studios' mythological hack-and-slash was Sony’s leading action series, pitting players against some of the most formidable threats and intriguing characters that Greek mythology has to offer. After a while, though, the series seemed to have exhausted the potential of its setting and premise—there are only so many Greek gods Kratos can kill, after all. This led to the famous and well-received switch to Norse mythology, which breathed new life into the IP.
After Hades 2, the IP Might Be Done with Greek Mythology
Hades 2 Is Pushing Greek Mythology, Maybe Even to Its Limit
Hades 2will bring back some of the first game’s cast, but it will also be expanding in scope, covering more of the Greek pantheon and lore through characters like Hecate and Chronos. In many ways, this is one of the most exciting aspects of the upcoming title, as the way the first game weaved together its well-written narrative, gameplay, and progression systems through the lens of Greek mythology is one of its biggest selling points. The fact that the sequel will be delving even deeper into its rich source material is certainly promising.
Although the arrival of new mythologicalfigures like Titans to theHadesformula, alongside the many other updates, changes, and improvements, is worth being excited about, it could also mean thatHades 2is the last stop for the series. Just like howGod of Warran out of Greek gods for Kratos to kill and conflicts for him to engage in,Hadesmight squeeze itself dry, not leaving any narrative juice for a third entry, or at least, not one that covers Greek mythology again.
Hades Could Jump to Another Mythology, But It Doesn’t Have To
There’s a distinct possibility thatHadescould followGod of War’s leadand switch to another system of mythology, as the first game establishes links to various other pantheons and legendary figures from different cultures. This would certainly solve the issue of running out of mythological material to adapt, and would avoid overuse of its original stories, settings, and conflicts. In terms of both story and gameplay, a theoreticalHades 3could definitely make good use of another mythological backdrop.
Then again, the series could simply be a duology that ends withHades 2. There’s a tendency for developers to try to build an IP into a long-running, sprawling franchise, and this tendency has become so ubiquitous that some, both players and game-makers, treat it like a golden rule. But just becauseHades 2is breaking Supergiant traditionas a direct sequel, that doesn’t mean that it is destined to grow into an established franchise with a new entry every few years. Part of what makes Supergiant Games' releases special, includingHades, is the fact that they are inventive, bold, and unique experiences that don’t feel tailored to meet specific audience expectations or maintain a brand. Supergiant may see enough potential inHadesto make a sequel, but unless it feels natural to turn it into ‘indieGod of War,’ maybe a sequel is as far as the IP should go.
Hades
WHERE TO PLAY
Defy the god of the dead as you hack and slash out of the Underworld in this rogue-like dungeon crawler from the creators of Bastion, Transistor, and Pyre.BATTLE OUT OF HELLAs the immortal Prince of the Underworld, you’ll wield the powers and mythic weapons of Olympus to break free from the clutches of the god of the dead himself, while growing stronger and unraveling more of the story with each unique escape attempt.UNLEASH THE FURY OF OLYMPUSThe Olympians have your back! Meet Zeus, Athena, Poseidon, and many more, and choose from their dozens of powerful Boons that enhance your abilities. There are thousands of viable character builds to discover as you go.BEFRIEND GODS, GHOSTS, AND MONSTERSA fully-voiced cast of colorful, larger-than-life characters is waiting to meet you! Grow your relationships with them, and experience thousands of unique story events as you learn about what’s really at stake for this big, dysfunctional family.BUILT FOR REPLAYABILITYNew surprises await each time you delve into the ever-shifting Underworld, whose guardian bosses will remember you. Use the powerful Mirror of Night to grow permanently stronger, and give yourself a leg up the next time you run away from home.NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLEPermanent upgrades mean you don’t have to be a god yourself to experience the exciting combat and gripping story. Though, if you happen to be one, crank up the challenge and get ready for some white-knuckle action that will put your well-practiced skills to the test.SIGNATURE SUPERGIANT STYLEThe rich, atmospheric presentation and unique melding of gameplay and narrative that’s been core to Supergiant’s games is here in full force: spectacular hand-painted environments and a blood-pumping original score bring the Underworld to life.
