Greek mythology has always been larger than life. Gods hurling thunderbolts, mortals defying fate, heroes descending into the underworld, it’s the stuff of epic poems and grand tragedies.
Yet, Supergiant Games’ Hades managed to do something few storytellers have ever achieved: it made those untouchable gods feel human.
In a genre often dominated by spectacle, Hades doesn’t just show the might of Olympus, it reveals its messy emotions, flawed relationships, and personal struggles. The result? A world that feels both mythic and heartbreakingly relatable.
How Hades Make Greek Mythology Feel Human Again?
Zagreus: The God Who Just Wants to Belong
At the centre of Hades is Zagreus, the rebellious son of Hades, who decides he’s had enough of the underworld and wants to find his mother on the surface. It sounds simple, until you realise his journey isn’t just about escape. It’s about identity, family, and the universal need for acceptance.
Unlike the stoic heroes of Greek myth, Zagreus isn’t defined by conquest or pride. He’s defined by emotion, his frustration, his humour, his compassion. You don’t play as a demi-god on a divine mission; you play as a young man trying to understand himself and his family.
And the beauty of it is that this emotional depth extends beyond Zagreus. Whether you’re bonding with Achilles, teasing Megaera, or awkwardly navigating conversations with your emotionally distant father, every interaction feels painfully human, even when the characters aren’t.
It’s that same humanity that draws players back again and again, and it’s easy to keep the journey going by using Paypal gift cards UK to grab extra upgrades or expansions that keep the underworld fresh and full of surprises.
The Gods of Olympus: Flawed, Funny, and Familiar
Hades flips the script on the usual portrayal of Greek gods. Instead of distant deities, they’re portrayed like a dysfunctional extended family, equal parts helpful and hilariously self-absorbed.
The Olympian Personalities That Shine:
- Zeus: Grand, charming, but completely unaware of how condescending he sounds.
- Athena: Calm and composed, but with an undertone of superiority that feels all too real.
- Dionysus: The laid-back party god who means well but rarely takes anything seriously.
- Aphrodite: Effortlessly confident and slightly manipulative, but never cruel.
These gods don’t feel ancient or alien, they feel like people you could meet at a family reunion. Their personalities, quirks, and subtle emotional layers make them more than mythological archetypes. They’re characters you can relate to, and that’s where Hades truly excels.
Death, Rebirth, and the Beauty of Failure
Every time Zagreus dies, he’s reborn in the House of Hades. In most games, death is a punishment. In Hades, it’s an opportunity, to grow, to learn, and to reconnect.
This cycle of death and rebirth mirrors the emotional themes of Greek mythology: the constant battle between defiance and destiny. The game transforms the traditional roguelike frustration into a metaphor for life itself, falling, learning, and trying again.
Even the relationships evolve with each cycle. Conversations change, characters react differently, and Zagreus matures. The game design makes progress feel emotional, not just mechanical.
Why Hades Feels So Personal?
Supergiant Games’ genius lies in how it merges myth and emotion seamlessly. You’re fighting monsters and dodging traps, sure, but you’re also having quiet, heartfelt moments in between.
Zagreus isn’t a hero because he’s immortal. He’s a hero because he keeps going, no matter how many times he fails. That’s not divine. That’s human.
A Myth Rewritten for the Modern Player
Hades succeeds because it reminds us that even gods struggle. It strips away the marble perfection of Olympus and replaces it with warmth, humour, and vulnerability. The gods are flawed, but they care. The underworld is harsh, but it feels like home.
In the end, Hades isn’t just a retelling of myth, it’s a reflection of what it means to be human: to love, to fail, and to keep trying.
And for players who want to dive deeper into this beautifully crafted world, digital marketplaces like Eneba make it easy to stay immersed in Zagreus’ story, whether through upgrades, expansions, or other games that capture the same spirit of myth and emotion.
