Despite 2020 being the release year for a plethora of fantastic games, including The Last of Us 2, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and Final Fantasy 7 Remake, there was still room for Hades to stand out. It used the roguelike format in a way that was welcoming, and made each death feel like a genuine opportunity to improve, while presenting characters in the House of Hades that were a pleasure to talk to. It was another example of developer Supergiant's commitment to quality, so it was little wonder that the studio decided it would be the first game in its catalog to receive a sequel, now officially known as Hades 2.
Ever since Hades 2 was formally announced at The 2022 Game Awards, theories have been aplenty about what it will entail. Melinoe will be the protagonist this time around, but many gameplay features will remain, ensuring that players feel right at home when it releases. Zagreus' quest has been put to one side, with a new story that has the main character take the fight to Chronos, the Titan of Time. Zeus has an important history with Chronos, and it's not a huge stretch to assume that Melinoe's adventure will have her interact with the leader of Olympus, ensuring his presence is felt in a big way.
Zeus Has A Role to Play in Hades 2
In Hades, Zeus is largely reduced to a background personality, much like the other Gods of Olympus. He's helpful with the boons he provides, but otherwise feels condescending and self-centered, so much so that taking an upgrade from him always feels like a stroke of his ego. In Hades 2 it seems as though Melinoe's quest is to free the titular character, which could allude to Zeus featuring more this time, given the ending of Hades that sees a family reunion and Zeus and his Underworld brother finding some kind of friendship. As to how that will unfold is largely unknown, but it would make sense that Zeus has a hand in how things will unfold, given his impressive might and ever-willingness to stick his nose in.
Zeus has so much narrative potential, as games like God of War and Immortals Fenyx Rising have showed. With Melinoe taking the fight to Chronos, it would make sense that Zeus has something to say about the whole ordeal given his backstory with the titan, and could offer critical guidance by way of advice and upgrades that make each run more manageable.
Chronos and Zeus Have History
Chronos is known in Greek mythology for swallowing is children whole, before Rhea tricked the titan into eating a rock wrapped in a blanket instead of Zeus. The God of Thunder would later revolt against the other titans, free his siblings, and banish the Titan of Time to the underworld. With Chronos looking set to be the antagonist of Hades 2, it would be a good time to dig into the unique father-son relationship, giving more context to it and adapting myth in the same inventive way that the first game did.
Much of the Hades 2 story is still shrouded in mystery, but if it's anything like the first it will adapt the Greek mythological characters, settings, and storylines with care. Zagreus may be stepping to one side to make way for Melinoe but she, like her brother, may be a fantastic looking glass into a more complex story and structure in Greek mythological lore. Zeus is perhaps the most famous, fearsome, and mighty god of them all, so while he is confirmed to appear in Hades 2, it won't be a surprise if his role in the story is bigger than the trailer alludes to.
Hades 2 is in development.