Forced to Romance Everyone in Hades 2
▼ Summary
– The author has a love-hate relationship with Hades 2, criticizing its mechanics and story but continuing to play it extensively.
– Returning features in Hades 2 feel similar to the original but slightly worse, with romances being a key example of this issue.
– Romance options in Hades 2 are doubled but feel too similar, with female characters defined by hating Melinoe and male characters being overly sensitive and shy.
– The author wishes they could romance other new characters like Heracles, Odysseus, or Artemis, who offer more diverse personalities and interactions.
– The similar romances limit Melinoe’s character development, repeating the same dynamics instead of expanding her personality like in the first game.
My experience with Hades 2 perfectly captures that strange mix of frustration and addiction, I can’t stop playing even as I nitpick its flaws. Night after night, I dive back in, driven by the same magnetic pull that made the original so compelling. Yet the more I play, the more I notice how returning elements feel slightly diluted. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the romantic subplots, a feature I adored in the first game.
As someone who genuinely enjoys dating mechanics in games, I found the original Hades romances refreshing and well-integrated. Developing deeper bonds with characters like Thanatos and Megaera felt organic, and the game even allowed you to pursue both without jealousy or drama. It was a clever touch that respected player choice while enriching Zagreus’s journey.
Hades 2 doubles the number of romanceable characters, which should be a dream for fans like me. Unfortunately, the new options feel disappointingly similar in tone and dynamic. For female romance paths, players can pursue Nemesis or Eris. Though their personalities differ, Nemesis resents Melinoë for taking her place as Chronos’s challenger, while Eris embodies chaos and disagreement, both relationships center on mutual dislike. My choices for same-sex romance boil down to two women who start off hostile.
The male options don’t offer much contrast either. Moros and Icarus are likable enough, but they share a sensitive, hesitant demeanor that leaves little room for variety. Yes, their backstories and interactions with Melinoë unfold differently, but their core personalities overlap significantly. Like the female romance arcs, these relationships explore nearly identical emotional territory, making it hard to feel motivated to pursue them all. It’s a case of quantity over meaningful distinction.
What’s especially frustrating is encountering characters who would make fascinating romantic partners but are strictly off-limits. Heracles and Odysseus, for example, bring entirely different energies to the story. Heracles begins with a gruff, skeptical attitude but grows to respect Melinoë’s strength. Odysseus, meanwhile, adopts an almost flirtatious older-brother dynamic, addressing her as “goddess” with a charm that feels intentionally disarming. Both characters stand apart from the official romance options and from each other, offering the diversity the current roster lacks.
I’ve also held out hope for Artemis since the first game, where her subtle interest in Zagreus was a sweet, understated thread. In the sequel, she remains a supportive and gentle presence, a steadfast ally in Melinoë’s struggle. Having the chance to romance a character who genuinely enjoys your company, without starting from a place of conflict or shyness, would be a welcome change of pace.
Ultimately, the repetitive nature of these romantic arcs limits how much we learn about Melinoë herself. With Nemesis and Eris, the central tension revolves around overcoming mutual animosity. With Moros and Icarus, it’s about helping them move past their timid admiration. Zagreus’s relationships revealed new facets of his personality, but Melinoë’s feel like variations on the same themes, her combative dynamic with women and her obliviousness to male reverence.
Still, here I am, ready to log another hundred hours. The game’ grip is just that strong.
(Source: Aftermath)