Is anyone else missing the lighter tone of the first one?

[Penny Lane]

I loved the first game but this one hasn't connected with me the same way so far and for a while I was puzzled as to why. But I think it now clicked: the first game was about a teenager trying to escape his mean dad while being helped by more or less hedonistic disaffected gods who were real jerks in their own right.
This game is about revenge for a family tragedy and all the gods helping are super earnest about it. It's a _very_ different tone.
I'm not very far into the game yet but I am doubtful this fundamental tonal difference is going to change. Am I the only one who liked the characters and dialogue in the first one better for this reason?

[Calamity Heart]

That's a fair point to make. The sequel is definitely trying to tell a different kind of story from the first one.

I think some of the lighter tones are still present, and I like the story so far, for what it's worth, but I can understand someone not clicking with 2 because the tone is very different; it is.

[boz]

I kinda agree with you and said the same thing elsewhere earlier.

"...I like "Kid rebelling against his father" story of first game more than this "ragtag team of rebels against the big bad / personal revenge" story..."

But you gotta let go and accept it. It's unlikely to change considering the monumental task of rewriting everything, re-recording all the sound lines, replace the big bad etc. This is a different kind of story and maybe it clicks with other people more. I wish it was more of my taste but not everything has to cater to my preferences.

And for what it's worth characters are great in general. Narcissus is my favourite at the moment.

[Morton Koopa Jr.]

I absolutely prefer the tone here. I saw a lot of threads early on complaining the story isn't as good. But it's just a different story.

Part 1 was just a delinquent kid with daddy issues who eventually reconciles with his family and finds purpose.

So far, part 2 is about a resistance against force greater than gods, with the backdrop of war.

And frankly, I find the latter more entertaining.

[Taishon]

I won't spoil the story directly but from what I have seen so far I like a lot. I've beaten the Underworld several times now and nearly made it to the end of Greece as well. The progression of the story is a lot more serious for sure but it's a fitting story well suited to Greek mythology. I could easily see this as a canon myth which as a mythologist I appreciate greatly. The original Hades is in the same boat and Super Giant has done a very good job of building off of obscure figures in mythology.

[Saras]

Theres still plenty of humor, but it does feel that way because Mel is largely quite serious and straight laced, where ol' Zag was the god of sass. Mel does have her silly moments though.

[Wormerine]

Originally posted by Penny Lane:

But I think it now clicked: the first game was about a teenager trying to escape his mean dad while being helped by more or less hedonistic disaffected gods who were real jerks in their own right.

I don't think the tone is different from the first game, but it is a different story.

Like you pointed out Hades1 story was quite down to earth - revolving around family squabbles, with no real antagonist and stakes being personal, rather that "saving the world". At the same time it felt very unique and "myth" like as Gods being petty, and killing each other over family squabbles fits the source material rather well.

I don't think this aspect is entirely gone from Hades2 (I do feel like they are building toward something more interesting), but from a get go it feels fairly generic, and so far relations between characters aren't nearly as explosive. Every one is focused on killing Chronos and supporting you and that is not particularly interesting. The few characters who go against the grain seems the most interesting to me.

That said, Hades2 narrative stuff is still very strong. I think one needs to move on from expectations of Hades1 as much as possible, and try to appreciate what sequel has to offer. Following a narratively strong game is always hard, as we can't get more of the same 2nd time, the way it can be done with gameplay mechanics.

[Penny Lane]

Thanks for everyone's feedback so far. Good to see I'm not the only one but also interesting to see some people even like the tone in this one better.
I was careful not to turn this into a value judgement in my original post. It's a matter of personal taste and what works for one, might not work for someone else and vice versa.