While 2020 was packed with exceptional games from a litany of veteran developers, there was one that stood out as an unlikely Game of the Year contender. Hades is the fourth game from Supergiant, a small studio known for its fantastic storytelling and visual style. Zagreus’ desperate, but rarely fruitful quests to leave the underworld never feel like doomed attempts at an impossible feat, instead progress is smooth enough to keep players’ minds alive. Along the way, there’s so much Greek myth woven into the story and world-building, but there’s plenty that it omits, including some characters and stories familiar to almost everyone.
Supergiant has yet to release a sequel to one of its games, but its universal critical acclaim and strong commercial performance would indicate that Hades is ripe for a sequel. The gameplay loop is satisfying and doesn’t get old over extended gaming sessions, and the knowledge woven into all corners of the underworld is just too good to leave with the company’s next release. Going back into Greek mythology with another character’s exploits can give existing fans something different, while enticing new eyes to see what all the fuss is about. A familiar face in fiction, Heracles has had his own share of the hardships associated with the… Hades formula.
Heracles in Greek Mythology
Also known as Hercules in Roman myth, Heracles is the son of Zeus and widely regarded as the greatest Greek hero. One of the most recognizable characters in fiction, popularized by Disney and featured in features such as god of war and Marvel ComicsHeracles’ name is synonymous with courage and might. While a few Olympus gods such as Zeus, Poseidon, and Athena may be more directly associated with Greek mythology, Heracles has such a defined reputation that is rarely tarnished by divine politics and bickering, much of which can be seen in Hades.
The Twelve Labors were tasks assigned to Heracles as punishment by Eurystheus for unknowingly killing his children and Megara. Most of them seem way too hard for one man to achieve, which is what makes them so perfect for the Hades format. Hades is so similar to the work of Heracles that many attempts lead to failure, meaning players must overcome adversity each time they return to the House of Hades. Lifting the philosophy of HadesBorrowing gameplay elements and mimicking the progression system could carry over to Heracles’ battle, leaving Zagreus behind could provide an entirely new tone and character dynamics, further enhancing Supergiant’s narrative prowess.
Hades is perfect for the twelve labors
Heracles is the half brother of Dionysus, and being the son of Zeus, he is intrinsically linked to the characters of Hades. The absence of Heracles in the 2020 title is therefore puzzling, especially when more obscure characters such as Sisyphus and Eurydice appear regularly. The twelve labors that Heracles undertakes also have a strong connection with Hades. Capturing Cerberus, the underworld hound and Zagreus’ pet-friendly friend, is the last task, and killing the Lernaean Hydra is the second. The Bone Hydra that Zagreus fights repeatedly looks like this because of his battle with Heracles. The hero’s mark is certainly felt, albeit in a somewhat insignificant way, in Hades.
Making a title centered around the twelve labors of Heracles would be a perfect opportunity. The number of tasks makes progression feel practical and systematic, the achievements themselves can provide many interesting gameplay opportunities, and Heracles’ strong bond with almost all characters in Hades means that the character models, environments, visual style, and voice acting can be replicated to ensure a sense of continuity. Hades successfully balances mythological accuracy with artistic freedom, so it would be promising to offer Heracles the same luxuries as the reluctant, but persistent Zagreus. The Twelve Works is a perfect way to make this happen, as it is a collection of difficult tasks for gamers to work their way through, not unlike the layers in Hades.
Hades is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
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