Get ready to fight your way through the Underworld again, this time as a brand-new character. So, who is Hades 2's Melinoe? This guide has details on our new protagonist.
The first entry in the action role-playing roguelike from Supergiant Games was a massive hit when it came out in 2020. Now that players can get their hands on Hades 2, fans can experience what the sequel has to offer, like new mechanics, characters, and, of course, the Hades 2 bosses.
Now let’s go ahead and do a bit of a background check on Melinoe, the new main character of Hades 2, before jumping into the game.
Who is Melinoe in Hades 2?
Melinoe is the daughter of Hades and Persephone, making her Zagreus’ younger sister and Princess of the Underworld. She is a chthonic nymph that is closely tied to nightmares and ghosts.
In Hades 2, Melinoe has heterochromia just like her brother, with one red eye to represent Hades and one green eye to represent Persephone. Melinoe’s left arm gives off a ghostly green glow that exposes her bones while her feet emit warmth much like Hades and Zagreus.
The chthonic nymph is usually associated with Hecate, goddess of witchcraft and sorcery, in Greek mythology. The game pays homage to this by having Melinoe train under Hecate in the ways of combat. In fact, Hecate is even the introductory boss fight.
Why is Melinoe Trying to Escape Hades?
Well, she isn’t. During the sequel, Melinoe will be breaking into the Underworld to take on the titan Chronos. It’s a nice way of spinning the first game’s premise on its head without shaking things up too much.
In the original game, we follow Zagreus as he tries to escape Hades to learn the truth about his mother, Persephone. During the sequel, Chronos has broken free from his prison and taken over the Underworld. So, it’s up to Melinoe to stop her grandfather.
But regardless of whether you’re trying to escape the underworld or enter it, the gods of Olympus will be ready to lend you aid. You’re going to need all the help you can get to stand a chance against the personification of time.
How Does Melinoe Play Differently from Zagreus?
Having been trained by the goddess of witchcraft and sorcery herself, Melinoe plays much more like a mage rather than a warrior like her older brother. Though the Princess of the Underworld can also switch up her combat style by using a variety of weapons, she does like to incorporate some spellcasting into her offence.
Hades 2 also introduces players to a new sprint mechanic, making Melinoe much faster when traversing the Underworld. This new feature takes some getting used to if you were a fan of the first game, but it’ll no doubt be essential in your fight against Chronos.
And that’s all you need to know about Hades 2's Melinoe. For more on the roguelike game, feel free to check out our guide on how to beat Hecate in Hades 2.