While we're on "those topics"...

[The Sojourner]

...yes, I now feel compelled to throw my voice/opinions into this chaos and criticize the art and voice acting (but please don't make this political or otherwise derail this thread if y'all can help it — we don't need another locked thread here). I'm also aware that these sprites may or may not be final, though knowing how Supergiant operated on the previous game, my bets are on that if it looks final, it likely is going to be final.

• As others have said, the character art, although grander, is less dynamic feeling than in the original game. This is particularly true of the Olympians.
  
• Does Hermes have Asian eyes now or am I seeing things?.... (I kinda feel like I may be seeing things, though idk, to be sure.)
  
• I don't think Chronos' art gets quite enough criticism. Historically or otherwise, I picture a big, buff Titan with a thick white (or very light gray) beard, not a skinny man (unless there's a serious story-related reason for his appearance, though I doubt it). I would've never even remotely guessed that it was Chronos when I first encountered him, especially if he didn't wear what he wears. Credit where it's due though: digging the scythe (a key aspect of his character).
  
• I've already mentioned it, but I'll say it again: Chaos looks too human! They are recognizable as Chaos at least though.
  
• Finally, the voice acting: I like that all the former VAs for Hades continued to put in good effort for their characters, but many of the newer-to-Supergiant VAs don't have the same "oomph" as the older ones do. For instance, the VA for Melinoe and Echo was decent, but the ones for Hera and Apollo were weak. Too bad they couldn't have gotten Cyrus Nemati to voice Apollo — he likely would've done a better job.

Also, before one compares the character sprites to the historical depictions, know that (1) you can't reliably gauge skin color from an Ancient Greek vase painting or a statue (side note: overall, the races of the characters still feel Ancient Greek, and the skin colors are proportionately balanced among the characters, so please hold your complaints of any "blackwashing" or "whitewashing" or whatever — the authenticity is still there!); (2) the sex/gender of each and every character (even including the new version of Chaos) is 100% historically accurate, and yes, it is balanced, just as the original was; and (3) artistic interpretations of all these gods and goddess have changed over the ages, if Aphrodite/Venus is any indication. This is just Supergiant's modern take on the gods and goddesses.

Finally, if anyone wonders, a serious motive of the "anti-woke" crowd stems from a desire for authenticity — not from racism or sexism (ideally at least). It's what drew me to Hades, as well as its sequel; and if that's lost, that aspect of the product doesn't look and/or feel as good (and thus the reviews suffer, even if only slightly).

[suksas]

Anti woke cloud is split into two camps from want I've seen on twitter so far, the racist, the anime booba people.

to address these without politcs. Here I go.

1. Kinda. I think it depends on the god. Like Zeus and Poseidon were definetly more dynamic in original game. I attribute this to art style change.
2.Hermes does spout asian look, not just the eyes.
3.I actually diasagree. It could be seen as subversion of expectations. Big buff guy with massive beard is what we had in the first game with Hades him self. A thin tall, beardless guy who reeks of evil actually fits rather well.
Put him into suit and he will be a typical villain.
4.Another subversion. The Chaos is well chaotic, unexpected. When everyone expects something weird, how is best to surprise them? Give them something more normal with weirdness being present but more subtle. This is what they have done with Chaos.
5. Can't say much about oice acting.

Personally. I like where they going. the art is somewhat similar but yet distinct enough to look different as well. The studio is well know for choosing more artistic designs for games and I'm actually am happy with the choice.

It's unique and interesting, as opposed to everyone and their dog comparing Hestia to that one anime, where Hestia normally looks like generic anime girl #999.
Though from what I understand at least anime has an explanation for her being more plain looking, which goes obviouusly over everyones heads who argue in favour of her.

[The Sojourner]

I generally agree with where Supergiant is headed as well.

Originally posted by suksas:

I actually diasagree. It could be seen as subversion of expectations. Big buff guy with massive beard is what we had in the first game with Hades him self. A thin tall, beardless guy who reeks of evil actually fits rather well.
Put him into suit and he will be a typical villain.

Almost too typical then. There's subversion of expectations, and then there's taking things a step too far: a change at the cost of authenticity. All that said though, his design is inoffensive otherwise (and at least the hair is gray, so there's that).

[ChakraDarrat]

there is something off with chronos that seems to lean on the fact that other religions do seem to exist (the aspect weapons). he seems to have been put back together like Kintsugi. a chinese method. he also has hints of roman and egyptian culture, which begs the question, is chronos acting alone.

[The Sojourner]

Originally posted by ChakraDarrat:

...he also has hints of roman and egyptian culture, which begs the question, is chronos acting alone.

Oooohh, why did I not think of that angle? Through the sands of time, Chronos is multi-faceted....