Fans of Supergiant Games' mythological rogeulike were excited when the announcement came in 2022 thatHades 2was on the way, with the sequel heralding a brand-new chapter for the Underworld. WhileHades 2still doesn’t have a confirmed release date, players do know that it will be taking place sometime after the first game’s narrative concludes, and it will feature its own protagonist. Instead of focusing on Zagreus and his attempts to escape the Underworld, gamers will be taking on the role of his sister Melinoe inHades 2. In addition to expanding the roster of characters from the first game, some players are hopingHades 2expands the romance aspect of its predecessor as well.
Romance and roguelike might not be two concepts that gamers would usually expect to see together, butHadesmanaged to interweave some relationship optionsinto its fast-paced action and stylish dungeon-crawler gameplay. Romance can be a popular feature of action games, much like in BioWare’s seriesDragon AgeandMass Effect, and fans ofHadeshave already done a lot of the legwork when it comes to romantically pairing up characters, even if it’s only in their own headcanon.Hades 2could capitalize on this, taking an aspect that has become increasingly popular in the fandom and bringing it more firmly into the gameplay.
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Romance In Hades
Although players were able to develop Zagreus' relationships with some NPCs into romantic ones, this wasn’t an overt or obvious part ofHadesby any means. There were only three characters that gamers could choose to pursue –Dusa, Thanatos, and Megaera– and this could only be done by supplying them with Nectar over multiple interactions. They would also have to complete the quest that the character gave them, and then finish this off with repeated gifts of Ambrosia until the subject of romance was broached. Players also didn’t have to choose and could pursue multiple relationships simultaneously with no negative side effects.
In addition toZagreus' attempts at romance, there were also some obvious romantic layers to other NPC relationships. Lovers of Greek mythology might be aware of the ill-fated love story of Achilles and Patroclus, a pair that players can work to reunite in the game along with the titular ruler of the Underworld and his absent wife Persephone. Some of these pairings end up happier than others, but it sets a precedent for romance to be a theme forHades 2’s narrative as well. With a whole new main character and Hades and Persephone’s story seemingly concluded, the time seems right to expand Melinoe’s options and bring romance to the forefront of the story.
How Hades 2 Can Improve Its Romance
With only a short trailer and few insights to go on, players aren’t completely sure whereHades 2will take them just yet. However, they do know that the immortal princess of the Underworld and sister of Zagreus will be taking the reins of the story and that Chronos will be the main antagonist after he wages war on Olympus. Alongside new characters like Melinoe, Chronos, and the Goddess of Retribution Nemesis,Hades 2will also be prominently featuring Hecate, the mysterious and often misunderstood Goddess of Witchcraft, Necromancy, Doorways, and Crossroads. WithMelinoe’s own magical abilitiesshe learned from her mentor Hecate,Hades 2is already setting itself up as an exciting extension of the first game.
There will undoubtedly be more characters and famous figures from mythology that will join this growing roster, and these could all be interesting and diverse romantic options for Melinoe as she works to defeat Chronos and release her father Hades. Although Melinoe is related to some of these new NPCs like Chronos and Demeter, that doesn’t mean there won’t be other intriguing options she could potentially pursue. It would also be great to see a wide range of sexualities within these romantic relationships, likeDusa’s asexualityand Thanatos' queerness from the first game, butHades 2could continue to expand on these and represent a multitude of identities in narratively creative ways.
Hades 2is in development.
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