Hades 2’s technical test recently launched, with Supergiant Games streaming the first part of the game to fans. Many fans who applied for the technical test and were lucky enough to be accepted, along with those who watched the official stream, may have noted the visual changes in the designs of the Olympians. Although the design changes are linked to the story events inHades 2, their new designs, Aphrodite’s in particular, are also clever links to their original myths in Ancient Greece.
Aphrodite in Hades
Aphrodite’s New Appearance and its Connection to Ares
Hades 2takes place during a war between the Olympians and Chronos, the Titan of Time.All the Olympians shown so far inHades 2are depicted in battle armor, a contrast to their outfits inHadeswhere only the gods of war, Athena and Ares, are depicted in armor. Even Aphrodite, the goddess of love, joins the fray. Aphrodite appears nude as in the previousHadesgame, but come the new game, she has the addition of a spear and shield. Aphrodite also has an additional appearance change in a subtle smear of war paint across her eyes inHades 2.
Aphrodite’s new war paint mirrors Ares' appearance inHades. This is a nod to Aphrodite and Ares' relationship in Greek mythology, where the two gods were notoriously lovers and had several stories together, despiteAphrodite’s marriage to Hephaestus. This also points to one of her most little-known roles in some parts of Ancient Greece as a warrior goddess, the aspect of Aphrodite that appears inHades 2.
Aphrodite in Mythology
Most depictions of Aphrodite show her solely as the goddess of love, and references to her participating in battle in theIliadresult in her failure, with Zeus telling her to leave the fighting to the war gods such as Athena. However, there is evidence that the earliest versions of Aphrodite depicted her as a war goddess. The version of Aphrodite seen in theIliadmay have been Athenian propaganda that pushed back on the Spartan depictions of Aphrodite as a goddess of war.
Aphrodite Areia in Hades 2
Deities in Greek mythology were given epithets, or titles, for their different forms, and Aphrodite’s war form was called Aphrodite Areia, or “warlike Aphrodite.” This version of Aphrodite was common in Sparta, and there have been temples found dedicated to both Aphrodite and Ares together as a war couple.Hades 2’s creating a connection between Aphrodite and Aresthrough Ares' iconic war paint is a clear reference to their mythological connections.
The Aphrodite depicted inHades 2is clearly Aphrodite Areia, a version of Aphrodite rarely depicted in art or literature. Aphrodite Areia is very thematically appropriate forHades 2, and Supergiant Games paying homage to this little-seen version of the goddess of love is a great Easter egg for fans of Greek mythology. Another reference to Aphrodite being greater than she appears isDemeter’s comment inHades 2that Aphrodite is very, very old, a reference to the fact that Aphrodite is the most ancient of the Olympians.
Aphrodite and Ares
It’s unknown ifAres will appear inHades 2,but as the god of war, it’s likely he’ll appear at some point, either as an addition during Early Access or during a later stage of the game. As Aphrodite and Ares are now visually linked, the pair may have a dual boon to bestow on Melinoe if the mechanic is still a part of the game.
Hades 2
WHERE TO PLAY
The first-ever sequel from Supergiant Games builds on the best aspects of the original god-like rogue-like dungeon crawler in an all-new, action-packed, endlessly replayable experience rooted in the Underworld of Greek myth and its deep connections to the dawn of witchcraft. BATTLE BEYOND THE UNDERWORLDAs the immortal Princess of the Underworld, you’ll explore a bigger, deeper mythic world, vanquishing the forces of the Titan of Time with the full might of Olympus behind you, in a sweeping story that continually unfolds through your every setback and accomplishment.MASTER WITCHCRAFT AND DARK SORCERYInfuse your legendary weapons of Night with ancient magick, so that none may stand in your way. Become stronger still with powerful Boons from more than a dozen Olympian gods, from Apollo to Zeus. There are nearly limitless ways to build your abilities.MINGLE WITH (MORE) GODS, GHOSTS, AND MONSTERSMeet a cast of dozens of fully-voiced, larger-than-life characters, including plenty of new faces and some old friends. Grow closer to them through a variety of new interactions, and experience countless unique story events based on how your journey unfolds.EVERY RUN IS ITS OWN ADVENTURENew locations, challenges, upgrade systems, and surprises await as you delve into the ever-shifting Underworld again and again. Reveal the mysteries of the Arcana Altar, tame witchy familiars, and gather reagents using Tools of the Unseen to get closer to your goal.THE PERKS OF IMMORTALITYThanks to a variety of permanent upgrades and the return of God Mode, you don’t have to be a god yourself to experience whatHades IIhas to offer. But if you happen to be one, you can brave escalating challenges for greater rewards, and prove just how divine you really are.
