Hadeshad a good idea with its unlockable weapon aspects, butHades 2can improve on the concept with a few tweaks.Hades 2is going to need an arsenal similar to its predecessor, and that means not only will Melinoë need a selection of weapons, but she’ll need weapon aspects to modify them. At the same time,Hades 2can ensure to use at least one of its aspects to strike at a niche that was otherwise missing in the original. By doing so, it may be able to offer entirely new strategies for runs.
Among the first game’s perks, thehidden weapon aspects inHadesare some of the more memorable thanks to their effect on the game. Unlike the regular weapon aspects which only require Titan Blood and are based on characters from Greek mythology, the unlockable weapon aspects invoke characters from other mythologies. Each weapon had one, and in order to unlock them, the player needed to find phrases that were hidden behind various unlock conditions. These unlockable weapon aspects modified the weapon to a greater degree than other aspects. Most of the time, they required a completely different playstyle to get the most out of them.
RELATED:Hades 2 Should Follow Haunted Chocolatier’s Lead
Hades 2’s Hidden Weapon Aspects Could Emphasize Swiftness As Well As Power
The unlockable weapon aspects had cool powers that madeHades' adventure through Greek mythologymore exciting, but there was one direction they never seemed to take. Most of the time, the hidden weapon aspects encourage a slow-paced, more methodical style of gameplay to get a good return on their abilities. For example, players will need to make heavy use of Aspect of Guan Yu’s multi-hitting, health draining projectile due to its heavy penalty to Zagreus' maximum health. For most of these weapons, the payoff for their powers is heavy damage from their unusual fighting style. One method of doing so was never properly explored, though.
A hidden weapon aspect that’s faster than usual could be a way forHades 2to improve on the original. While the first game’s hidden weapon aspects grant new powers, very few of them improved the player’s mobility. The only exception was Aspect of Gilgamesh’s rapid dashes, which was mostly a side effect of its improved dash uppercut. It would be a good change of pace for at least one of Melinoë’s hidden weapon aspects inHades 2to focus more on agility. Such a move could encourage players to play more of a glass cannon style, speeding through levels with a high risk, high reward approach.
This approach for hidden weapon aspects could help to differentiate Melinoë’s playstyle from Zagreus', especially ifZagreus is playable inHades 2. While Zagreus' hidden aspects slowed things down in exchange for powerful buffs, Melinoë’s could turn her into a more agile, aggressive, hit-and-run type of fighter. For example, her dagger and sickle could have an aspect that builds damage every time she dodges before attacking, or the staff’s hidden aspect could let her teleport with its special attack. Since Melinoë already has a different set of weapons, their aspects could further differentiate them from the first game’s arsenal.
Hidden weapon aspects were a lot of fun to use inHades, butHades 2can tackle them in ways the original never did. Alongsidebringing new gods toHades 2, changing up some old designs to make Melinoë’s gameplay more distinct from Zagreus' can make her adventure more memorable, rather than coming off as a retread of the first game. Following through with this approach would give the game even more replay value, especially if the aspects are as diverse asHades' were. Some quicker hidden weapon aspects inHades 2could make it an even more exciting sequel.
Hades 2is in development.
MORE:Hades 2 is a Golden Opportunity for More Supergiant Games Speedrunning
