Supergiant Games' roguelike was an instant hit upon its release in 2020, and fans were delighted when it was revealed in 2022 thatHades 2was on the way. After the universal acclaim of the first game, expectations are already high forHades 2, and many players are wondering how the developer is going to deliver another fast-paced and fun entry. Supergiant Games has already revealed howHades 2is going to be making some changes, including following a new protagonist in the form of Zagreus' sister Melinoe and putting more of a focus on magic, but not much is known about the sequel just yet.
While there will be a collection of new characters introduced inHades 2, including thepowerful goddess of witchcraft Hecateand Chronos, the Titan of Time, gamers might also wonder what is being retained from the beloved first game.Hadesestablished a fascinating world based on Greek myths and legends, and its compelling non-linear narrative and challenging combat were the perfect combination to introduce the world of the new IP. However, some aspects ofHades,like its God Mode setting, might be better off if they were nothing but ancient history.
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Hades' God Mode Explained
During the course ofHades' gameplay, players are able to select the God Mode difficulty (although not if they’re currently in a Hell Mode save file). If God Mode has been selected, gamers can enjoy 20% damage resistance which increases by 2% each time one ofZagreus' escape attemptsends in death. This will cap at 80%, but it still gives gamers a hefty advantage against any ofHades' enemies. God Mode might not be for everyone, but the developers felt that it was a good option for players who might want to get through the game’s story quicker and experience the full narrative without dying over and over.
If players only wanted to try God Mode for a little while, they can turn off the setting at any point without experiencing any consequences or missing out on achievements.God Mode was also a way to makeHadesmore accessible, particularly for players that might not be used to the fast pace of the combat or didn’t enjoy the circular structure of dying again and again. As a Prince of the Underworld, the God Mode also felt fitting for Zagreus' backstory and gives him a humorous buff called ‘Deus Ex Machina’, which refers to a phrase used in ancient Greek theater to describe a device when gods were brought in to quickly resolve a conflict.
Why Hades 2 Should Remove God Mode
While players will be used to selecting their preferred difficulty in a lot of different games, not all releases offer a God Mode that can make them near-invincible. This can be an incredibly fun option that lets fans explore their favorite titles as a ridiculously OP character. It can also lead to some hilarious hijinx and a sense of satisfaction when enemies or bosses that gave them grief in their initial playthroughs are now vanquished with ease. However, while it was a modeplayers could choose in the firstHades, not everyone is on board with this setting option forHades 2.
For a lot of gamers, the sense of challenge is what makes a game enjoyable. Being able to test their mettle against the various quests and battles and still come out on top even if their journey has a few hiccups along the way is what brings the greatest sense of achievement, and introducing God Mode can definitely diminish this. The structure ofHadesand Zagreus' many attempts to flee his father’s realm seems antithetical to what God Mode represents, and while theexact narrative and gameplay system ofHades 2might not yet be fully clear, many fans are hoping God Mode doesn’t make a reappearance in the upcoming sequel.
Hades 2is in development.
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