Summary
BothHadesand theRed Dead Redemptiongames have been praised for their strong and emotional narratives. While each game offers something wildly different from the other, they share a significant thematic element, and looking at how that theme is developed in bothRed Dead RedemptionandHadescan yield unique perspectives on the matter.
While fansdon’t know much aboutHades 2, theRed Dead Redemptionduology certainly shares a common narrative thread.Red Dead Redemption 2features many of the same core characters as the first game, showing them at different points in their lives and thus making them more complex and multifaceted. Perhaps one of the most admirable qualities ofRed Dead Redemption 2is that it manages to form a cohesive whole with the first game, despite the two releasing almost a decade apart and having to juggle several different plot elements.Hadesis just one game, but it has a wealth of narrative content on offer, and its story and characters continue to unravel and develop long after the credits roll.
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As bothHadesandRed Dead Redemptionfans await their respective sequels, they may be revisiting these award-winning narratives and noticing something that is central to the stories: fatherhood. This parental theme is somewhat more figurative and complex inRed Dead Redemption 2and more literal inHades, but each touches on the same issues of responsibility, maturity, and personal growth. That said, both games have unique things to say about the idea of fatherhood.
InHades, the story revolves around Zagreus attempting to escape from his father’s realm. At first, this desire seems to stem from a sort of youthful rebellion, but players eventually discover that it’s more complicated than that, as Zagreus wishes to find his true mother. Despite thepacing issues inHades, the game manages to culminate in a shocking twist, as players learn that Hades was actually attempting to protect his son the whole time while mourning the loss of the life he could have had with his mother. The family drama of the game highlights how parents set out to keep their children safe, but how they can’t control them as they grow older. It also shows the importance of honesty and overcoming personal challenges with the goal of forming a stronger bond between father and son.
Hadesmay have something of a happy ending, but the samecan’t be said for theRed Dead Redemptiongames. The tragedy of the series revolves around fathers and sons. In the first game, it is a literal father-son relationship as John fights for a better future for Jack, but it ultimately isn’t enough. This leads to the epilogue of the game, wherein Jack’s love for his father carries the story to its bittersweet conclusion.RDR2still features John and Jack, but the cast has grown to include Dutch and Hosea, who serve as surrogate father figures for both Arthur and John. This relationship leads to moments of tenderness, toxicity, and disillusionment, as Arthur and John learn that these men, specifically Dutch, aren’t the perfect “fathers” they once thought they were.
It seems that parenting has become quite a popular theme in modern gaming, let alone best-selling titles likeThe Last of UsandGod of Warcenter around fatherhood, and all the complications that come with it. ButHadesand theRed Dead Redemptiongames handle this theme in ways that are a bit more singular, with their strong thematic cores playing a major part in keeping them engaging and emotionally resonant with players.
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