The Epic Evolution of Fatherhood in Hades 2

Highlights

Hades 2 will likely have a very strong central theme, building on the theme of fatherhood from the first game.

Hades 2 will delve deeper into the theme of fatherhood by exploring new parent-child relationships, expanding beyond Zagreus and his abusive underworld king father, Hades.

Contento fragment

Themes play a crucial role in storytelling across various mediums such as TV shows, movies, comic books, and video games. Every story needs to revolve around at least one central theme that drives the characters' journey. This theme can encompass a wide range of topics, including revenge, love, acceptance, or sadness. As long as there is at least one theme present, the story stands a good chance of resonating with a portion of the audience. Considering it is the sequel to one of the best Indie games in recent years, it is highly likely that Hades 2 will have a compelling and powerful central theme.

Among the challenging yet universal themes, the concept of fatherhood stands out. Fatherhood, in its essence, is an incredibly expansive theme. While the first Hades game delved into this theme to some extent, it merely scratched the surface. With the sequel introducing even more connections to parenthood, it is expected that Hades 2 will strongly emphasize and explore the central theme of fatherhood established by its predecessor.

How Hades 2 Doubles Down on the Series' Themes of Fatherhood

Wrapped in a layer of Greek mythology and humor, the primary focus of the first Hades is fatherhood. Players assume the role of Zagreus, the son of the underworld king, as he tirelessly attempts to escape his hellish home. Hades consistently demeans and mocks his son's escape efforts, questioning his drive. As the game progresses, it is revealed that Zagreus seeks to find his missing mother, Persephone, who vanished after giving birth to him.

Zagreus embarks on his quest driven by his father's abusive parenting, fueling his strong desire for a loving parent. Even at the cost of repeatedly dying, he perseveres to achieve this longing. In the ultimate showdown with his father, players experience a shared triumph as Zagreus overcomes his father's constant reprimands.

From what fans have glimpsed, Hades 2 appears to explore a similar theme. In some interpretations of Greek mythology, Melinoe, the main protagonist, is the daughter of either Hades and Persephone or Zeus, with Zeus disguising himself as the underworld king. Regardless of the chosen mythological version, the story is likely to place a significant focus on fatherhood and the strained relationship between Melinoe and either Zeus or Hades.

Intriguingly, Hades 2 reveals another fascinating father-child relationship. The storyline of Hades 2 revolves around the escape of the Titan Chronos from his underworld confinement and his subsequent capture of Hades. In Greek mythology, Chronos is the father of many inhabitants of Mt. Olympus, including Zeus and Hades. As the central plot of the game, it is expected that Hades 2 will further explore the theme of fatherhood, potentially involving a significant portion of its cast. Currently, Hades 2 is undergoing development.