Greek mythology has inspired countless forms of entertainment, from films like Wonder Woman to TV shows such as Percy Jackson and the Olympians. In the world of video games, both Hades and Age of Mythology: Retold bring these ancient gods to life in different ways. The 2023 remake, Age of Mythology: Retold, focuses heavily on Greek mythology, with gods like Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades taking center stage, much like in Hades, the popular roguelike from Supergiant Games. Despite their shared mythological roots, the portrayals in these games differ significantly.
Comparing the Visual Designs of Age of Mythology: Retold and Hades
Hades and Age of Mythology: Retold both feature an array of gods and goddesses, but their design approaches couldn’t be more different. Hades takes a highly stylized, cartoonish approach to the gods, often exaggerating their features in unique, artistic ways. For example, Hades’ Zeus is towering, with an abundance of white hair and electrifying visual cues. This design is whimsical and striking, making the gods feel larger-than-life while still maintaining recognizable traits like their iconic weapons or powers.
In contrast, Age of Mythology: Retold adopts a more realistic style, aiming for depictions that echo ancient Greek sculptures and classical art. Gods like Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades appear as more grounded and serious figures, in line with how they were portrayed in ancient Greek culture. The realistic approach in Age of Mythology seeks to maintain a connection to the historical and mythological source material, offering a more traditional view of these iconic deities.
For fans interested in how Greek gods are represented in other games, you might want to check out Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, another game with heavy Greek mythological elements.
Comparing the Powers of Age of Mythology: Retold and Hades
The powers of the gods play a crucial role in both games, but they function differently. In Hades, players are granted « Boons » from the gods, which enhance their combat abilities. Each Boon reflects the powers of the specific god who offers it. For example, Athena’s Boons often provide defensive advantages, while Ares’ Boons deal damage through status effects like Doom.
Age of Mythology: Retold, on the other hand, uses « God Powers » that can be unlocked by advancing through different ages and recruiting Minor Gods. These God Powers have similarities to the Boons in Hades. For instance, Athena’s Restoration in Age of Mythology heals units and buildings, which echoes her Last Stand Boon in Hades that restores the player’s health after they fall in battle. Likewise, Ares’ Pestilence God Power in Age of Mythology causes a plague, akin to the Doom effect in Hades, which inflicts lasting damage on enemies.
For players looking to master divine powers, you may also find similarities in God of War, where gods play a central role in the story and gameplay mechanics.
Conclusion: Greek Gods in Two Different Lights
While Hades and Age of Mythology: Retold both draw from Greek mythology, they do so in ways that reflect the distinct genres of each game. Hades embraces a stylized, character-driven approach with unique and exaggerated designs, while Age of Mythology: Retold stays truer to historical portrayals. Similarly, their use of divine powers fits their respective gameplay styles—Hades emphasizes fast, personalized combat enhancements, while Age of Mythology applies its God Powers to strategic, large-scale battles.
By highlighting these contrasts, it’s clear that even with the same mythological source, two games can create entirely different experiences for players, offering both charm and strategy in their portrayals of the Greek gods.
