Highlights

  • Zagreus' inclusion in Hades 2 could bring a sense of nostalgia and heartfelt reunions for fans of the first game, adding depth to the storyline.
  • Zagreus' resilience and experience in the Underworld could make him a valuable NPC, offering boons and upgrades to assist Melinoe on her quest in Hades 2.
  • While Melinoe should take center stage, bringing Zagreus back in a supporting role would enhance the continuity of the Hades franchise and allow players to reconnect with a familiar character.

Hades was perheps the biggest surprise of 2020. The headliners of the year were games like Final Fantasy 7 Remake and The Last of Us 2, and while both of those titles were praised by critics, the Supergiant roguelite had a quality that was arguably unmatched. It spent a while in early access to refine the edges, making sure its full release harnessed its full potential. At the 2022 Game Awards, the aptly-titled follow-up, Hades 2, was announced, and expectations are understandably high.

The upcoming project is the developer's first true sequel. Previous games from Supergiant have taken cues from its other projects, but soon players will be transported back to the same take on Ancient Greece as a new character looks to make her mark. Zagreus could still be around, though, and Hades 2 might be best served bringing him back, with it being able to do so in a variety of ways.

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Pros of Bringing Zagreus Back

Cons of Bringing Zagreus Back

Hades 2 takes place in Greek mythology, and so giving Hades a lore of its own would help add to the world-building, and in that case Zagreus' presence would make sense.

Zagreus' inclusion in the story could detract from Melinoe's personal journey, as some fans might be more invested in his arc in Hades 2.

Zagreus was so well developed in Hades that his inclusion in the story could make for some heartfelt reunions, and bring a smile to the faces of those who enjoyed the first title.

Bringing Zagreus into the narrative could mean fans would expect answers as to what happened after the events of Hades, which could dampen the impact of Hades 2's story.

Then journy Zagreus embarked on in Hades could make him a perfect NPC to grant Melinoe Boons and upgrades that make her quest more manageable.

Hades was a near-perfect experience when it released in 2020, and should Zagreus be poorly implemented, it could sour people's opinion of both him and the first game.

Zagreus' Charm Could Make Any Game Better

Zagreus Hades

Zagreus' journey in Hades is filled with disappointment, failure, and brief victories. More often than not, each run will end with his death and subsequent arrival back at the House of Hades, only to be belittled even more by the titular character. This makes Zag's resilience obvious, but the constant attempts to leave the Underworld can dampen his spirits, until small victories are achieved and players are gifted some beautiful character development. His interactions with characters like Persephone or Sisyphus are golden, and show that he can be so much more than just a vessel for Hades' incredible gameplay.

As a character, Zagreus has a lot of room for more, and Hades 2 bringing him back to serve as a companion, helpful friend, or tough adversary would be a welcome call back for fans to enjoy. His skillset is varied, and the way he learns more about his surroundings and what can threaten his goal is inspired. Hades 2 would do well to capitalize on this.

Zagreus' Presence Can Add to Hades 2's Progression Loop

hades-2-gameplay

While Melinoe is at the forefront this time around, Zagreus doesn't need to be absent, and his place in Hades 2 could be more than just ornamental. He has known how it feels to try and fail, so using him to aid the game's progression could be wise, and doing so would connect the pair of games to make one, brilliant product

He could take the role of Skelly in the first game by imparting knowledge and guidance to Melinoe, or maybe offer up Boons to make her fight with the Titans that much more managable. Instead of being upgraded by personalities who have had little-to-no impact on the series, it may benefit the narrative to have the first entry's protagonist on hand, as it could connect each game and show that Supergiant has thought of both the continuity of Hades as well as the mark Zagreus had left on Greece as a whole.

To be clear, Zagreus has to be demoted to a side character in Hades 2 to let Melinoe's quest take center stage. Him not being there would be more of a missed opportunity than a universal disappointment, as he has played no part in its promotional material. Still, bringing him into the fold would benefit Hades 2's ability to immerse players in its world, while also giving them a chance to rekindle their friendship with a familiar face.