Hades was the breakaway indie hit of 2020, garnering critical acclaim and winning Game of the Year at the 2021 DICE Awards. At the E3 2021 Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase, it was announced Hades would be coming to the Xbox console on Aug. 13. It had previously been announced the title would arrive on PlayStation the same date. Hades‘ arrival on Xbox and PlayStation marks the first Supergiant Games title to do so. Given Hades‘ rousing success, fans have begun to speculate about what a major DLC or sequel title could look like.
Hades is a roguelike game, which requires players to die and start from the first level in order to increase skills and weapons. Hades takes this concept to the next level, using the respawn level, the Hall of Hades, as a means for progressing the narrative. Zagreus, the rebellious son of Hades, is able to get to know the fellow residents of the underworld, slowly unraveling a deeply-kept family secret. Those who keep playing after the credits role find a secret second ending to the game, tying off the narrative in a neat, happy bow.
Given Hades was released less than a year ago, not counting its beta period, it’s unlikely a sequel is on the way any time soon. Moreover, Supergiant Games has yet to make a sequel to any of its prior games, Pyre, Transistor and Bastion, choosing instead to focus on creating new worlds and new IP. However, if Hades continues Supergiant Games’ firsts, a second narrative should give players a major twist by bringing in in a Norse pantheon.
Hades Sequel: A New Pantheon
Introducing the Norse pantheon to Hades would create a unique, meta experience for fans of the game, as well as create a unique narrative experience by having the two deity aggregations interact with one another. As Olympus and Hades enjoy their newfound peace, they could face the threat Odin and the other Asgardians encroaching on their territory. As Zagreus has spent Hades improving his fighting skills, his father and Zeus could send him to Asgard to battle to Odin to negotiate. In lieu of the Greek gods aiding his progress, Norse ones could step in, offering players fresh skills and weapons to use.
While there are a plethora of pantheons to feature in this format, Norse would be the smartest choice. Norse mythology is experiencing a resurgence in pop culture, largely thanks to the Avengers’ Thor. In the gaming community, popular titles featuring Norse worlds include God of War, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Valheim. The gaming world is already familiar with Norse world and culture, allowing for an easy integration into Hades.
