If You Love Hades 2, You Should Read This (Much Better) Book

by

For thousands of years, Greek mythology has captivated people and inspired countless artists. It’s wonderful to see how different creators – writers, painters, filmmakers, and even game developers like the team behind Hades 2 – each bring their own fresh take to the stories and characters. In the sequel to the hit game Hades, Supergiant Games lets players experience the world of Greek gods through the eyes of Melinoe, the princess of the Underworld.

In Hades 2, you play as Melinoe, a young witch who offers a fresh perspective on life in the Underworld. Unlike her brother, Zagreus, Melinoe didn’t grow up in the palace. She lives in a makeshift camp on the edge of Hades’ realm, feeling distant from her family. Her only link to them is a single cherished drawing in her simple room. The game begins with Melinoe, determined and strong, embarking on a quest to save her family from the Titan Kronos and bridge the gap that has always kept them apart.

Hades 2 isn’t the only recent work reimagining the stories of women in Greek mythology. Playing as Melinoe brought Madeline Miller’s novel Circe to mind. Published in 2018, Circe retells the story of the goddess Circe, a witch exiled to the island of Aeaea by Zeus. While she’s known in Homer’s Odyssey as a deceptive sorceress who turned Odysseus’s crew into pigs, Miller’s book offers a chance to see the events unfold from Circe’s perspective.

If you enjoyed Hades 2, especially if you’re fascinated by Greek mythology and stories centered around powerful women, then Madeline Miller’s Circe is a must-read. It’s not only a captivating and easy read, but it also enriched my understanding of Hades 2 and highlighted areas where the game’s story could have delved deeper into certain themes.

In Madeline Miller’s Circe, witchcraft is portrayed as a challenge to the authority of the traditional gods. While the Olympians are powerful because of their lineage, witchcraft gains strength from the natural world. Anyone – whether human or divine – can develop this power through dedication and persistent effort. Circe becomes a skilled witch by tirelessly working with herbs and flowers, literally grinding them with a mortar and pestle, to create potent potions. This power is distinctly feminine, blossoming from the consistent, nurturing work of tending a garden and keeping a well-stocked pantry.

Like the character Circe, Melinoe constantly gathers herbs and flowers to become more powerful and improve her base camp. As I played, I felt a connection to her, learning the game’s mechanics and collecting resources to strengthen my abilities, much like a witch honing her craft. However, Melinoe’s path to power differs from Circe’s. Instead of relying on her own strength, Melinoe gains power from the Olympian gods, who give her special abilities and stat boosts.

Melinoe is Hades’ daughter, and while he doesn’t fully support her journey, he still helps by giving her improvements and supplies. Playing as Melinoe is surprisingly different from being an outcast; instead of facing hostility, the Olympian gods are friendly and welcoming. Even Zeus, despite his problematic history, is cheerful and readily offers her his power. Unlike the goddesses in Circe’s story, Melinoe has the freedom to choose who she wants to be with.

Supergiant Games’ new take on Greek mythology feels surprisingly bright and polished. While traditional Greek myths are known for their harshness and the often-cruel behavior of the gods, this game leans into a more upbeat tone. This works, considering Hades 2 is largely a charming dating game combined with exciting action combat. However, it sometimes feels like Supergiant simply applied its successful formula with a female lead without fully exploring how the story or themes might change when viewed through a woman’s eyes.

Circe, as portrayed in the book, is a relatively unimportant goddess. She doesn’t fit the typical image of a beautiful goddess, making her unmarriageable—and in the world of the gods, a woman’s worth is often determined by who she can marry. Being the daughter of a Titan also places her lower in status than the Olympian gods. She lacks the immense natural power of her father, Helios, who often mistreats her. However, unlike some other stories about her, this version of Circe focuses on her personal growth and how she discovers her own strength to challenge the established order of the gods.

It’s refreshing that not every story with a female lead has to be heavy or focus on hardship. Hades 2 is simply enjoyable—lighthearted fun, really. I’m completely absorbed by the gameplay and love the engaging characters. It’s great that we have games like that! However, if you’re looking for a truly immersive story that delves into the complex and often challenging lives of Greek witches, I highly recommend Madeline Miller’s Circe.

Read More

2025-10-20 23:40