After a well-received Early Access launch on PC, Supergiant Games’ Hadeswill be coming to Nintendo Switch this autumn. A highly stylized Rogue-like action RPG, Hades follows Zagreus, son of the titular god of the Underworld, as he attempts to escape the horrors of his father’s realm and reach Mount Olympus. Featuring gorgeous dungeons, heart pumping combat, and a compelling story, Hades has already captured the attention of many a gamer.
Whether racing over to Steam to download the Early Access version or waiting patiently for the Switch release, players may want to brush up on their Greek mythology before diving in. After all, there’s a reason Hades is not named after its main character: Zagreus is a comparatively less recognizable figure from Greek mythology, associated with many conflicting myths and origin stories. As such, players could be in for cameos from all sorts of mythological figures, ranging from gods to titans to beasts.
Here are four video games to help players brush up on their Greek mythology before Hades releases later this year.
God of War
Before the series reinvented itself in 2018 with a new Norse mythology-driven game, Kratos’ God of War story was firmly set in Ancient Greece. The title of the franchise is a reference to the Greek god of war, Ares, who Kratos (spoiler alert) kills and ultimately replaces at the end of the first game. The main series spawned three widely acclaimed games set in Ancient Greece, two of which are often regarded as some of the greatest video games of all time, or at least of some of the best games on the PS2. Though God of War and God of War II, released in 2005 and 2007 respectively, may feel a bit dated to contemporary players, the “retro” feel of the older games is the perfect segue into Hades’ classic dungeon crawling, and God of War III still holds up both graphically and mechanically.
Apotheon
A beautiful 2D action game, Apotheon offers fun platforming, brutal combat, and absolutely gorgeous visuals in the style of Ancient Greek black figure pottery. Though the story of “the gods have forsaken us” may seem a bit familiar to gamers and mythology fans alike, Apotheon offers a new twist in its breathtaking artwork and varied gameplay. The Metroidvania vibes are also sure to appease any “classic” gamers who are drawn to Hades’ Roguelike gameplay. Bonus points: the voice of Zeus is provided by SungWon Cho, a popular actor and YouTuber known to his nearly three million subscribers as ProZD.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Assassin’s Creed has always capitalized on its historical tourism appeal, and the latest installment in the franchise, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, is no exception. Odyssey transports players back in time to the Peloponnesian War, where they take on the role of an Ancient Greek mercenary. In addition to a gorgeous open world and hours upon hours of fantastic gameplay, Odyssey features an entire DLC dedicated to Greek mythology. The Fate of Atlantis boasts a wide-ranging cast of gods, monsters, and other mythological beings that the player can battle and interact with as they delve deeper into the Assassin’s Creed lore. Plus, a large portion of the DLC is set in the Underworld itself, setting players up to familiarize themselves with its residents and lore in preparation for Hades.
Horizon Zero Dawn
It may seem odd to include a post-apocalyptic action RPG on a list of mythology-inspired games, but Horizon Zero Dawn’s mythological roots run deep. In addition to featuring a classic hero’s journey complete with a mysterious origin story and initially reluctant protagonist, nearly every single AI system featured in Horizon is named after a related mythological character. For example, GAIA, the AI responsible for rebuilding the world, takes its name from the Greek primordial personification of the Earth, and the system’s built-in failsafe that ultimately turns rogue and becomes the game’s villain is named after none other than the god of the Underworld himself. Horizon Zero Dawn is a great indirect introduction to the Ancient Greek pantheon that will leave gamers itching for a showdown with the god himself in Supergiant Games’ Hades – and get them more than ready to grab Horizon Forbidden West when it hits shelves next year.
Hades is available now in early access on PC.
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