Hades 2has already garnered a nearly universal positive reception. This isn’t exactly surprising, as developer Supergiant Games' track record has been impeccable sinceBastion, but it’s still remarkable how content-rich and polished the sequel is, even in its pre-alpha state. Still,Hades 2can be expected to develop over time, introducing new mechanics, narrative elements, weapons, and areas to explore ahead of its official, full release.
One of the most crucial and enigmatic areas ofHades 2’s early access development has to do with its narrative. At this stage,Hades 2technically doesn’t have a proper ending, and while several storytelling building blocks exist, they haven’t quite been stacked atop each other in a complete way. There are also many missing blocks, as vital characters, like Persephone and Zagreus, have yet to be introduced. Other characters, like Narcissus and the God of the Underworld himself, crop up in the current early access build but are depicted with placeholder art, lacking the nuances that their visual design could otherwise convey. As the story ofHades 2continues to unfurl, the appearance of certain characters will be vital to the plot.
Hades 2: Zagreus' Appearance Will Speak Volumes
Zagreus' Fate Is Unknown in Hades 2
At the time of writing, Zagreus has not truly appeared inHades 2.Zagreus is the protagonist of the firstHadesand brother to Melinoe,Hades 2’s main character, and as such, he is bound to play an important role inHades 2’s full story.
During a flashback sequence inHades 2, players briefly control Hades himself as he recalls Chronos' initial invasion. It is during this flashback sequence that players get their first and, so far, only glimpse of Zagreus, who appears to be trapped in some sort of temporal prison. So, it seems clear that he is not running free, and he may very well have been trapped in this prison for a number of years.
This would explain whyMelinoe is spearheading the anti-Chronos fightinstead of Zagreus. When the first game’s hero does eventually rear his head, it will be interesting to see how these events have shaped him, and how this will impact his depiction in the game.
Based on Melinoe’s age, it can be assumed that roughly 20 or so years have passed since the events of the firstHades. That said, these characters are immortal gods, so the timeline may not necessarily adhere to real-world temporal conventions.
How Zagreus' Depiction Could Be Different In Hades 2
If and when Zagreus crops up inHades 2, Supergiant may want to take risks with his characterization and art design. As the hero of the first game, Zagreus is associated with strength, determination, and youthful exuberance that help him make allies and overcome all manner of challenges. But his time as Chronos' prisoner, and the fate that has befallen his newly reconciled family, may result in him being physically and mentally traumatized, which would naturally mean a more feeble or weakened depiction. He could be seen as scrawny, disheveled, or scatterbrained, depending on the circumstances of his imprisonment.
Alternatively, Melinoe’s first encounter with Zagreus could be a triumphant moment, showing that her brother has maintained his strength and willpower despite all that has happened. Also, if he has been frozen in some sort of magical amber, as Hades' flashback suggests, then it may seem as if no time has passed for him, which may also yield some interesting narrative results.Hades 2may even make Zagreus playablein some way, driving home either his lessened power or his steadfast warrior spirit.
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.
