Hades has taken the myth of the Oly🦋mpic gods and turned it on its head. The game is a true delight for fans of RPGs with a twist that also incorporates mythology in a way that isn't boring. These gods and goddesses you see in Hades aren't the color♑ful and cheerful ones you may recall from Disney's Hercules.
This dungeon crawler tasks you with escaping the underworld and the clutches of your father, Hades. You play as Zagreus, the Prince of the Underworld. Along the way, you will also encounter the different takes on well-known and some not-so-well-known gods and goddesses who can help you by granting you "boons." Others will𝔉 be trying to stop your escape to Mount Olympus.💦 It's a true treat for the eyes and mind and makes it worthwhile to check out.
Zagreus, Prince of the Underworld
Dominion: Cthonic
Game Lore: He is the Prince of the Underworld and the main protagonist of th﷽e game. Before beginning the game, Zagreus decides he doesn't agree with his father Hades and vows to escape from the Underworld no matter how many times it takes him. Nyx and his mentor Achilles both aid and encourage him throughout♈ his treacherous journey. Though he was raised by Nyx, he is the son of Persephone. He is truly the opposite of his father, being quite friendly towards all those he meets.
Mythology: Zagre🌃us has conflicting origins in Mythology. Some say he is the son of Zeus and Persephone, while others say he is Hades' son. He is also identified as a god that is worshipped by followers of Orphism. Zagreus in that legend is said to have been the first "Dionysus" — the son of Zeus who was actually torn apart by the Titans and reborn again.
Hades, God Of The Dead
Dominion: Cthonic
Game Lore: Hades in the game is much like his Mythological counterpart, residing over the Underworld an🅰d being a strict father to Zagre꧟us. The in-game codex entry describes him as "a god of character," that takes all matters relating to the Underworld extremely seriously. It also describes Hades as someone who truly has no love for his family on Mount Olympus nor his son.
He is also described as leading a solitary life, following his d꧑ecision to sever all ties with his Olympian relatives. It is thought that, because of that choice, his rel😼ationship with his son Zagreus is not the best, which is evident when his son continues to try and escape the Underworld.
Mythology: He is the god of the underworld, riches, darkness, and metals. Mostly known for being King of the Underworld, he rules over the place where all souls go to rest according to Greek Mythol♉ogy. He is the son of Kronos and Rhea and the oldest male among his siblings. His brothers are Zeus and Poseidon, and his sisters are Demeter, Hera, and Hestia, who are all older than him.
When he was born, he and his other siblings were swallowed by Kronos, who feared that his children would become more powerful than꧒ him. Zeus eventually freed them all. Following ending the ten-year war known as "Titanomachy," Hades, Zeus, and Poseidon divided the world into three areas to rule over the seas (Poseidon), the sky (Zeus), and the Underworld (Hades). Hades also eventually married/kidnapped his wife Persephone, daughter of his sister Demeter.
Charon, Stygian Boatman
Dominion: Cthonic
Game Lore: W⛄hile Charon still functions as the ferryman, similar to his Mythological origins, he is really the in-game shopkeeper. He will sell Zagreus helpful boons to aid in his escape, powe♓rups, and other helpful items.
His wares are not cheap, however. His in-game codex entry mentions he is a man of few words, and it's also speculated he has his own agenda th෴at differs from Hades.
Mythology: Charon is Hades' ferryman who ferries the souls of recently deceﷺased individuals across the river Styx. Tha𒆙t river is said to be the divider between the land of the living and the land of the dead.
In Ancient Greece, many would bury their loved ones with a coin in their mouth to pay the ferryman for their voyage into the Underꦉworld. If a soul does not have the payment, they might be left to wander the bankဣs of the Styx for 100 years. He is the son of Nyx and brother to Hypnos and Thanatos.
Megaera, First of the Furies
Dominion: Cthonic
Game Lore: Megaera is one of the three Fury sisters sent by Hades to stop Zagreus from escaping. You have to defeat her (or one of her sisters) to continue your escape attempt. She is also in charge of handling issues that arise in Tartarus, such as being an obstacle to Zagreus. Her sisters are apparently dealing 🎀with a war that has broken out between the mortals which often leaves her alone to deal with Underworld issues.
Megaera is considered the fiercest of 🌞her sisters who enjoys the "grim work," and her weapon of choice — a whip — is well known in the Underworld. It is also hinted that she and Zagreus have a history together, and you can choose to pursue a romantic relationship with her or keep on as friends.
Mythology: According to legend, Megaera is one of the Furies, also known as "personified curses." She and the other two furies, Tisiphone and Alecto, reside in the Underworld an💎d ascend to Earth to pursue wicked ones.
Other texts speak of the furies as being born from ghosts that were murdered. There are many conflicting reports about 🐲their origins.
Alecto, Tormentor of Passions
Dominion: Cthonic
Game Lore: Alecto, like her Fury sisters Megaera and Tisiphone, is another boss Zagreus can encounter. She s💛eems to take the most pleasure in carrying out her duty to punish the mortals who give into their impulsiveness and commit wrongful acts. Her barbed whip is infamous in the Underworld as well as the mortal world. Alecto does not seem to be on the best of terms with her sisters and because of past insubordination, she, too,🃏 is not allowed in the House of Hades.
Mythology: Alecto is one of the famed Furies, tasked with punishing mortals by driving them mad. She was u𒐪ltimately responsible for punishing 🐻those who display great anger. It is said she had a hand in the Trojan war — her mission was to bring chaos to the Trojans and lead to their downfall.
Tisiphone, Tormentor of Murder
Dominion: Cthonic
Game Lore: Another Fury Sist✱er who only appears in Tartarus following Megaera's defeat a few times, Tisiphone is thought to be mostly responsible for why the Furies are so widely feared both in the Underworld and in the Mortal world. She is extremely focused on her task of punishing murderers. Tisiphone is also not welcome in the House of Hades.
Mythology: Tisiphone is one of the three Furies in Greek Mythology who would aid her sisters in punishing mortals who commit crimes of p♉arricide, fratricide, and homicide.
Some texts describe her as being the guardian of the Gates of Tartarus, and one myth te🎶lls of her falling in love with a mortal. When her love was not returned, she turned a piece of her hair into a deadly snake that bit and killed him.
Nyx, Night Incarnate
Dominion: Cthonic
Game Lore: Nyx serves mostly as a protector and caretaker of Zagreus, looking out for him and even helping him with his escape. She is 🍬known as "Mother Night" sometimes and is the mother of Hypnos, Thanatos, and Charon. Nyx also manages the House of Hades and will even counsel Megaera.
Mythology: Nyx is the Greek goddess of the night. She is said to be quite beautiful and so powerful — having been born out of Chaos — that even Zeus is afraid of her. It is also said she was there right at the beಞginning of the creation of the universe itself.
Chaos, Primordial Originator
Dominion: Cthonic
Game Lore: Chaos is the literal personification of the void, and brought forth Nyx and the Titans. Chaos assists Zagreus on his quest, offering boons that are far more powerful than those from the💎 Olympian Gods, but they'll come with conditions.
Mythology: In Greek Mytholog🌌y, Chaos is the birthplace of creation from which every living thing sprung forth. It was the state of the world before "the creation," often being described as the void between the sky and earth. Unlike the game, Chaos does not seem to be depicted as anythin🧸g humanoid and rather is mostly just a dark abyss.
Thanatos, Death Incarnate
Dominion: Cthonic
Game Lore: Thanatos is Death personified and also the twin brother of Hypnos. Being the literal representat𓃲ion of death itself, he finds himself venturing up to the mortal realm quite often but dislikes it because of the brightness. He is another one of Zagreus' childhood friends and can also be romanced, should you choose.
Mythology: The Greek version of the Grim Reaper, Thanatos is considered to be a minor god compared to the other more famous ones. Texts reference him but he is often never seen in persoꦦn. Thanatos is regarded by mortals as a god who is merciless and hated by both mortals and gods, both of whom he also hates in return.
Hypnos, Sleep Incarnate
Dominion: Cthonic
Game Lore: Hypnos serves as Hades' secretary in the Underworld, keeping track of each new soul 🐟that enters. He spends quite a good deal sleeping on the job, however, which seems fitting being the god of sleep. He also takes great pleasure in taunting Zagreus each time he fails to escape.
Mythology: Hypnos is the son of Nyx and brother of𒊎 Thanatos, who is Death personified. Hypnos is considered sleep personified and known to be a gentle and kind God. He will help humans in need, wh⛎ich seems quite different from how he is portrayed in the game.
