The original Hades introduced not only the Olympians, but the primordial essence of Chaos, Cerberus, the shades of Achilles and Patroclus, and most integrally the Chthonic gods of the underworld. In addition to seeing Melinoe in action, fans were given a glimpse of all of Hades 2’s confirmed characters, which include the gods, goddesses, and mythic figures who will grant her succor and gift her boons on her journey. While not as well known as some of the others, the scarce canon details of Moros could allow Hades 2 to explore his story and character in a more creative fashion.
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Greek Mythology Helps Frame Hades 2’s Moros In Relation to Thanatos and Hypnos
Moros is a less discussed deity in comparison to the other gods and goddesses but is still a vital part of canon mythology. As is the case with the interpretation of many texts and Hades’ mythological characters, he has various origins and renditions. In the account of Hesiod, he is described as being born only of Nyx, the goddess of death, while Roman interpretations present him as a scion of both Nyx and Erebus, the god of darkness. His siblings include both Thanatos and Hypnos, two characters from the original Hades game. In addition to being the brother to Death and Sleep Incarnate, Moros is also a sibling to spirits of death known as the Keres.
They are described as craving human blood and being present on battlefields in anticipation of death, as well as the Moirai, who are more commonly known as the three Fates. Moros is described as being not only a portent of doom, but also a cruel spirit who represents the certainty of death in mortal lives, and the meaninglessness of struggling against it. This is in stark contrast to Hades’ romanceable Thanatos, who is known to bring about a peaceful death. In the Greek tragedy Prometheus Bound, Moros’ foil is the embodiment of hope, named Elpis, created in order to combat the terror of the doom-bringer and his role in granting mortals the knowledge of their inevitable ends.
What Role Moros Will Play in Hades 2
Little is known about any of the new characters seen in the trailer for Hades 2, but the brief glimpse of Moros’ design could offer insight into his character. He is depicted as having the same gray pallor as both Thanatos and Hypnos, as well as the newly introduced Nemesis, indicating his relationship to them according to Greek mythology. Being the children of Nyx, it might not be so far-fetched to assume fans will be able to see her and her children once again.
The nature of the family ties within the Greek texts, as well as the game’s use of the deities, might be a clue as to which characters from the original Hades will be seen in the sequel. As Thanatos and Hypnos served as guides (the former being an option to romance), Moros might join his brothers in such a role. His title divulges more about his status as a Chthonic deity when compared to Apollo who, being Artemis’s sister, is referred to as the God of Light and is seen granting Melinoe a boon. The official Steam page for Hades 2 states that players will be able to harness not only new Olympian powers but also the boons of those from the original game.
Fans can’t be sure what role Moros will play, as both he and Nemesis are “Incarnates” of their respective concepts, just as we see in Hypnos, Thanatos, and Nyx. Hades 2 could improve its roguelike gameplay by allowing them to grant boons or serve in a similar capacity to Achilles. Alternatively, they may also provide guidance through the underworld more along the lines of the assistance that Sisyphus and Patroclus give.
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Moros’ Connection to the Underworld and How it Could Impact Hades 2
The new game promises a more obscure dive into the pantheon and its assorted texts, with characters like Hades 2’s mythological Hecate and her role as a guide to Melinoe. Zagreus himself is not a prominent figure in Greek mythology, and in some stories, he and Melinoe are even considered the same being, just as Zeus and Hades are occasionally read as such according to the Orphic myths. It can be expected that Hades 2 will continue to tell its own story using subtle nods to the canon history while weaving artful and modern interpretations of the myths and their counterparts.
How it will do this with Moros is unknown, but in the trailer, he does seem to be asking Melinoe to help make a better future for all of them, which could be referencing the denizens of the underworld after Hades assumed capture at the hands of Chronos. As a being of Doom Incarnate, bettering the world might seem out of his character, but the story’s playful narrative liberties and the ways in which Hades’ art direction augments its characters are part of what made it such a critical and commercial success. Moros’ role in aiding Melinoe’s struggle against Chronos could be due to it mutually benefiting him, or it might be that he has his constituents’ best interests in mind.
The fact that these characters are associated still so strongly with the underworld could also be hinting at the direction of the story: as Hades focused on Zagreus receiving the boons of the Gods and Goddesses of Olympus to escape his prison, Melinoe’s story of combating Hades 2’s Chronos might mean that receiving help from beings like Moros will result in different interactions than the ones Zagreus had with the Olympians, who could only send down aid and watch as he struggled to escape his father’s realm. As a sister to Zagreus, Melinoe may already be well-acquainted with these Chthonic figures, or she might be meeting them for the first time outright, so fans can expect explorations of such relationships and, hopefully, mentions of Chthonic characters from the first game.
Hades is an award-winning game that has succeeded far beyond its scope of expectations, so Hades 2 has a lot to live up to. Introducing previously unknown characters from canon promises new ways in which it can explore established lore. It will also shake up the boon system, as more and more Olympians add their aid to the mix. Overall, Hades 2 will likely provide a new venture with all the familiar whimsy, challenge, and fun of the original.
Hades 2 is expected to go into early access in 2023.
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