Summary
It will be interesting to see howtheHadesfranchise develops over the years. WithHades 2being Supergiant Games' first sequel, it’s in a unique position to not only evolve and iterate upon the foundations of its predecessor, but also to establish the IP as a more long-running series, perhaps even setting the stage for some sort of anthology format, where each game features a new protagonist, characters, and settings.
Although the combat, roguelike progression, and sprawling, intimate narrative ofHadesis remarkably unique, it’s easy to draw parallels between it and other contemporary, AAA franchises, mainlyGod of WarandAssassin’s Creed, as these IP fold in a number of distinct, real-world mythologies and cultures, much likeHadesdoes. But whileGod of Warhas only visited Greece and Scandinavia,Assassin’s Creedhas gone to numerous different settings over the years, and this diversity has formed the backbone of the series, allowing it to take players to various disconnected time periods and locations without seeming too jarring or unnatural. WithHadesdrawing parallels to English, Christian, and Chinese myth and legend, among others, it could conceivably take a similar approach asAssassin’s Creed, but it shouldn’t.
An Assassin’s Creed-Style Anthology Format Wouldn’t Suit Hades
On the surface,theAssassin’s Creedformula (jumping to different mythologies, characters, and settings while maintaining a loose narrative throughline) might seem like a natural way to keep theHadesfranchise going, it’s not really the best choice for the experience Supergiant Games has crafted.Hadesdoes canonize other mythologies, and time will tell if and how these references pay off inHades 2, but their inclusion is far from major. More than anything, mentions of figures like Lucifer and Beowulf are Easter eggs tied to meaningful, optional unlockables, rewarding players who spend more time with the game and complete various side objectives.
Using these Easter eggs as the justification to pivot to anAssassin’s Creed-esque anthology series runs the risk of seeming cynical, unnatural, or just generally uninteresting, asHadeswould then become just another major crossover series, which are a dime a dozen. Moreover,Hades' story is rooted in Greek mythology—it’s central to the duology’s identity. There’s no Animus-equivalent plot device or story thread to rationalize either theHadesnarrative or gameplay loop with a different mythological backdrop. All in all, unlessHades 2introduces a compelling reason to do so, the series visiting other mythologies in subsequent games wouldn’t fit its style, spirit, or story.
It should be noted that Supergiant Games hasn’t indicated any intention to turnHadesinto anAssassin’s Creed-style anthology series. This is merely speculation about the potential downsides of such a decision.
Hades 2 Could Be the Last Hades Game, and That’s Okay
Many times, when agame is as successful asHades, there’s a desire to turn it into a major franchise. From a business perspective, this makes sense: it’s difficult to establish a property with such mass appeal and marketability, so when a game does manage to have that ‘lightning in a bottle’ characteristic, it can be hard to ignore the potential profit associated with making it a long-running series. One could argue this is essentially what happened withAssassin’s Creeditself—the formula was simply too promising to abandon after just a few games.
But while some games might work as evergreen franchises with a new entry every few years,Hadesis specialbecause it doesn’t feel like just another blockbuster franchise. Maybe Supergiant Games has a thirdHadesgame up its sleeve, but this should only be developed if there’s a good reason to—beyond just the fact that it’s an option.
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.
