This piece is exactly what the title says it is. I just wanted to look at all the hot people from Hades again, and I figured I’m not the only one. Plus, new hotties at the end. Thank you, Supergiant Games, and shout-out to Ana Diaz for regularly reporting on updates over at Polygon.
This piece was updated on May 9, 2024, with the Hades II Early Access release!
This piece was updated again on June 22, 2025 with new art for Athena, Ares, Circe, Dionysus, Medea, and Narcissus from Hades II for The Olympic Update, the Warsong Update, and The Unseen Update!
So, here’s a comparison of all Hades II characters and their original Hades appearances; I’ll continue to update as more come in. Of course, there are spoilers for characters who will be in the game, and I have tried to avoid showing dialogue with plot spoilers.
Aphrodite in Hades vs. Hades II
Aphrodite looks even better somehow?! She has a white eye make-up style mask that looks similar to Ares (keep scrolling to see him). I like her power stance.
Poseidon in Hades vs. Hades II
The detail on his collar is so amazing! Hair, luscious. Pecs, here. Poseidon is ready to conquer the ocean.
Artemis in Hades vs. Hades II
I like that Artemis has a more confident stance this time around! And that her funny little birds are still there. Would we call those doves?
Zeus in Hades vs. Hades II
Zeus is determined to win the zaddiest zaddy title this time around, but I’m surprised he put armor on. His brother Poseidon seemed fine without it. I do like that they added some cyan to his lightning bolts.
Hypnos in Hades vs. Hades II
Hypnos, known for his quips in the original Hades, has fallen into a deep slumber in Hades II. Hope you wake up soon, bro. We miss ya!
Demeter in Hades vs. Hades II
I personally liked Demeter’s original Hades look better. I like that you could see her wrinkles; there are so few elder women in media. Plus her braids look so good. That’s a level of hair game I dream of.
Skelly in Hades vs. Schelemeus in Hades II
Way to go on the promotion, big guy. Or at least, I’m assuming they’re the same or at least related. Love his lil medals. Good job.
Hermes in Hades vs. Hades II
Hermes has a significant new look in Early Access! He looks Asian, which I love (I am a proud Asian American and we don’t appear a lot in video games). I love his new look and that he’s now facing the audience head-on like the other characters.
Chaos in Hades vs. Hades II
Gamers took to X to defend the character art transformation in the Early Access release. One pointed out the definition of how Chaos is primordial, ever-changing, and another showcased how the art itself illustrates the evolution/change.
Charon in Hades vs. Hades II
As of June 2025, Charon got an updated look in The Unseen Update! Charon is now more active, though you can’t see as much of the coins on their outfit (which Charon famously took as a toll for passage). Overall, very demure, very mindful.
Athena in Hades vs. Hades II
Athena appeared in The Olympic Update which released in October 2024. She’s looking so strong and fierce! Her shield has a really emo look to it now which makes sense given the pain of war and she’s the goddess of wisdom. I really miss her owl though, which is her famous symbol.
Dionysus in Hades vs. Hades II
I feel like there’s nothing I can say here that won’t be a rather R-rated metaphor so I’ll just say, here’s Dionysus’ new look, as of The Olympic Update in October 2024.
Ares in Hades vs. Hades II
Ares appeared in The Warsong Update which released in February 2025. The God of War is covered in blood now, but he’s also got a smirk this time. A battle is on the horizon!
New Characters in Hades II
There are gods and goddesses new to the franchise, as well as all new witchy characters that heroine Melinoë will meet on her journey. Everybody looks amazing, of course.
Melinoë in Hades II
Apollo in Hades II
Selene in Hades II
Selene has some very thoughtful design similarities to Nyx, Night Incarnate, with the moons on her dress.
Moros in Hades II
Hecate in Hades II
Nemesis in Hades II
Hephaestus in Hades II
Odysseus in Hades II
Awesome to see Odysseus this time around! In Hades, we spent a lot of time with Achilles.
Eris in Hades II
Eris is new in Hades II Early Access. I love them; they look like such a baddie.
Hera in Hades II
Hera is looking stunning in the Hades II Early Access release!
Hestia in Hestia II
Hestia is new in Hades II Early Access! She was previously shown with a cloak placeholder.
Heracles in Hades II
Heracles, commonly referred to as Hercules, is in the Hades II Early Access! His dialogue is spoiler-heavy, so X user @AndreaFrostland blocked it out.
Scylla in Hades II
Scylla is a new wailing songstress enemy seen in the Early Access.
Polyphemus in Hades II
The famous Cyclops gets the zaddy treatment in Hades II Early Access.
Medea in Hades II
Medea got her official look in the The Unseen Update released in June 2025! She looks incredible, and it’s fun to see the evolution from concept sketch to official looks.
Narcissus in Hades II
Narcissus got his official look in the The Unseen Update released in June 2025! He is serving. Love the flower boy energy.
Circe in Hades II
Circe is an enchantress famed for meeting (and delaying, lol) Odysseus on his journey home. She’s listed in-game as “Witch of Changing” which is maybe why she’s got these cute lil ears. Her look debuted The Unseen Update released in June 2025.
And Many More Characters in Hades II!
There are plenty of other exciting-looking characters in the cast! Here’s a quick look at who’s hanging out in the Underworld this time. Can’t wait to see more of them! I don’t want spoil too much, so I’ll leave it here for now.
Which Hades Gods Won’t Be Back in Hades II?
There are several (hot) characters from Hades whose fates in Hades II are currently uncertain. Here are a few favorite characters we haven’t seen yet in the technical test, nor in Early Access for the sequel:
Which Hades II Character Looks The Best?
I mean, obviously, Aphrodite, but after that? Let us know in the comments.
Amanda Tien (she/her or they) loves video games where she can pet dogs, punch bad guys, make friends, and have a good cry. She started writing for the site in 2020, and became an editor in 2022. She enjoys writing about mystery games, indies, and strong femme protagonists. Her work has also been published in Unwinnable Monthly (click here to read her cover feature on Nancy Drew games), Salt Hill Journal, Poets.org, Litro Magazine, Public Books, and more. She was the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Columbia University's Culinarian Magazine, and served for two years as the Managing Editor of Aster(ix) Literary Journal. She recently graduated with a MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in Creative Writing from the University of Pittsburgh. Her writing, art, graphic design, and marketing work can be viewed at www.amandatien.com. She does not post a lot on social, but you can find her on X and on Instagram.
1 Comment
Dionysus is in the game!