Anyone else think Aphrodite is the most boring interpretation?

[Ambassador of Benevolence]

One of my favorite things about Hades is the unexpected characterization of the gods. They all feel like fresh interpretations, with loads of personality in what they say and how they say it. In particular, their personalities seem to have a bit of a modern 'role.'

Very loosely:
- Hades is a king, but also a bit like a 1900 bank bureaucrat
- Poseidon is the ocean god, but also the 'cool' uncle with the not-quite top job
- Artemis is the maiden goddess of the hunt, but also a semi-awkward lesbian teenager
- Ares is the god of war, but also has sophisticated weapon-dealer vibes
- etc etc.

But Aphrodite is... Aphrodite? Anyone else feel like she's the dullest god? (Even Athena, whose personality is very Athena-y, at least has an unexpected and iconic visual design.) Like if Aphrodite was holding a helmet, or a big feather, or had a different kind of diction, or something, it would be closer to par to the other outstanding representations.

Or if they hinted at a personality more mixed with on a recognizable archetype something, like they did for Hades or Artemis, she would be more interesting.

It seems like a missed opportunity. I almost wish they'd swap in a new drawing for the full release.

[Ardenian]

Interesting perspective, for me Demeter is the only goddess that surprised me. All other deities are more or less as you would expect them to be, based on their "area of rule", aren't they. Therefore, I can't quite follow your statement that there are many unexpected characterizations.

[Ambassador of Benevolence]

Originally posted by Ardenian:

Interesting perspective, for me Demeter is the only goddess that surprised me. All other deities are more or less as you would expect them to be, based on their "area of rule", aren't they. Therefore, I can't quite follow your statement that there are many unexpected characterizations.

Ah, that's good to hear you thought that way!

I meant primarily unexpected aesthetic choices, since there are pretty standard ideas of what the Greek gods are "supposed" to look like. For instance, here is Google images [www.google.com] for a "normal" Poseidon.

While in Hades, Poseidon looks a bit funkier and acts like a fairly modern person. (Even though he still is god of the oceans.)

[Ardenian]

Originally posted by Ambassador of Benevolence:

Ah, that's good to hear you thought that way!

I meant primarily unexpected aesthetic choices, since there are pretty standard ideas of what the Greek gods are "supposed" to look like. For instance, here is Google images [www.google.com] for a "normal" Poseidon.

While in Hades, Poseidon looks a bit funkier and acts like a fairly modern person. (Even though he still is god of the oceans.)

I see what you mean. Well, most of my knowledge about Ancient Greek comes from the books by Rick Riordan and the deities there kinda fit the ones here, except for Demeter. However, from your point of you, I agree, you could say they tried to modernize them and from that perspective, Aphrodite is indeed a little bit boring.

[Lord Nightcrest]

Originally posted by Ardenian:

Interesting perspective, for me Demeter is the only goddess that surprised me. All other deities are more or less as you would expect them to be, based on their "area of rule", aren't they. Therefore, I can't quite follow your statement that there are many unexpected characterizations.

Demeter surprised me as well. But that was because they chose to showcase her dark side, which is rarely referred to in pop culture. SSG scored many points on that for me.

[Lord Nightcrest]

Originally posted by Ambassador of Benevolence:

Like if Aphrodite was holding a helmet, or a big feather, or had a different kind of diction, or something, it would be closer to par to the other outstanding representations.

What if she looked exactly like she does right now, but with the addition of vintage reading glasses, a personal diary and a feather quill?

That would infuse her otherwise basic domain of rule (bom chicka wah wah) with an unexpectedly unrelated sophistication.

[Morton Koopa Jr.]

Yeah I didn't notice this in but they definitely phoned that character in. Not dissing the performance but it lacks that creative edge compared to all others. I mean. She's even naked. Lol

[C4RNIVOR3]

Originally posted by Morton Koopa Jr.:

I mean. She's even naked. Lol

It took me like 60 hours of gameplay to even notice. I have zero excuse beyond maybe the way the art is stylized, but it just genuinely never even crossed my mind until the realization abruptly hit me in the middle of a run.

[Wexmajor]

I do not think that, nor do I agree with your premise that all of the gods are or should be reimagined just for the sake of being quirky or whatever. Zeus, Ares, Artemis, Hermes, Dionysus, Athena, are all pretty pure representations. Can't say I see anything even slightly unorthodox about those depictions, they just have higher production values than maybe you're used to seeing Greek gods presented with? Artemis was always a "maiden", portraying her as a teenager isn't new. So it's really just Poseidon, Hades, and Demeter that are arguably unique interpretations for this game.

If anything I think that Aphrodite's creepy face alone makes her a more original interpretation than most of the other gods. I think a semi-demonic looking naked woman who talks down to everyone is a pretty entertaining depiction of the goddess of love. Can't see why they should change it or what they should change it to. Imagine being the character designer and reading this vague complaint. "This drawing is ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ and should be replaced but I have no real idea of why I feel that way or what would be better." Now that's constructive feedback!

[letran.thai]

Regarding the level of graphical detail, Aphrodite doesn't differ much from her Olympian brethren. Sure, she is butt-naked, but she has a fair share of accessories and that hair that seems to curl into heart shapes all on its own (perhaps showing more individual strands or more shading contrasts would be an improvement, because it looks a bit plastic-y, not reflecting light like natural hair would).

My major gripe with her are those strange eyes that don't seem to have pupils, and that right collarbone looks off - but I only noticed that just now after a closer inspection.

As for her personality, she is expectedly flirty and playfully envious during Trials, but it shows the most when she comments on other gods, or on Zagreus' own romantic pursuits. Added flavor: For some reason, she seems to be the only god worthy of being hung up as a pin-up poster in Zagreus' room, so that must mean something. It must be a relief for him that he never met her in person yet, because his only reply would probably be "Ummmm..."

[Ambassador of Benevolence]

Originally posted by Wexmajor:

I do not think that, nor do I agree with your premise that all of the gods are or should be reimagined just for the sake of being quirky or whatever. Zeus, Ares, Artemis, Hermes, Dionysus, Athena, are all pretty pure representations. Can't say I see anything even slightly unorthodox about those depictions, they just have higher production values than maybe you're used to seeing Greek gods presented with? Artemis was always a "maiden", portraying her as a teenager isn't new. So it's really just Poseidon, Hades, and Demeter that are arguably unique interpretations for this game.

If anything I think that Aphrodite's creepy face alone makes her a more original interpretation than most of the other gods. I think a semi-demonic looking naked woman who talks down to everyone is a pretty entertaining depiction of the goddess of love. Can't see why they should change it or what they should change it to. Imagine being the character designer and reading this vague complaint. "This drawing is ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ and should be replaced but I have no real idea of why I feel that way or what would be better." Now that's constructive feedback!

Hah, you must not be familiar with how Artemis is usually presented -- as alien, unknowable, graceful, beautiful, wild, vengeful. Here she's an semi-awkward lesbian teenager! She's just like people I know in real life.

So it's not just about the look. It's how their personalities are shaped by unusual roles. Hades is a bureaucrat! Which is awesome! Hermes is a big city messenger! They all have 'modern' twists on them.

But Aphrodite is just flirty, and that simple personality makes her by far the least interesting god to talk to, in my opinion.

But based on comments here, maybe she's intentionally supposed to be unsettling, which I was reading as a weaker design.

[Wexmajor]

Originally posted by Ambassador of Benevolence:

Originally posted by Wexmajor:

I do not think that, nor do I agree with your premise that all of the gods are or should be reimagined just for the sake of being quirky or whatever. Zeus, Ares, Artemis, Hermes, Dionysus, Athena, are all pretty pure representations. Can't say I see anything even slightly unorthodox about those depictions, they just have higher production values than maybe you're used to seeing Greek gods presented with? Artemis was always a "maiden", portraying her as a teenager isn't new. So it's really just Poseidon, Hades, and Demeter that are arguably unique interpretations for this game.

If anything I think that Aphrodite's creepy face alone makes her a more original interpretation than most of the other gods. I think a semi-demonic looking naked woman who talks down to everyone is a pretty entertaining depiction of the goddess of love. Can't see why they should change it or what they should change it to. Imagine being the character designer and reading this vague complaint. "This drawing is ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ and should be replaced but I have no real idea of why I feel that way or what would be better." Now that's constructive feedback!

Hah, you must not be familiar with how Artemis is usually presented -- as alien, unknowable, graceful, beautiful, wild, vengeful. Here she's an semi-awkward lesbian teenager! She's just like people I know in real life.

So it's not just about the look. It's how their personalities are shaped by unusual roles. Hades is a bureaucrat! Which is awesome! Hermes is a big city messenger! They all have 'modern' twists on them.

But Aphrodite is just flirty, and that simple personality makes her by far the least interesting god to talk to, in my opinion.

But based on comments here, maybe she's intentionally supposed to be unsettling, which I was reading as a weaker design.

Not sure what specific representations you're referring to but having read random myths since I was a kid I always thought of Artemis as the lonely tomboy which she is depicted as in this game. The story of her and Orion pretty strongly lends itself to that characterization. Obviously that's just one facet of her and the many mortals she has screwed over aren't about to think of her that way but that's how it goes when we're talking about characters that have been written about for thousands of years.

As for Aphrodite, I definitely feel like she is supposed to come across as sinister and eerie in addition to flirty. If she was just straightforward friendly party girl then that would be boring and I would agree with you.

[Chimera]

I'm not too well-versed in greek mythology, but I definitely see what you mean, OP. All gods have quite a lot of personality to them. Dionysus hasn't been mentioned much, but even he has some interesting quirks in what he says, and the way he's presented.

Out of all gods, Aphrodite seems to be the one who sticks to the most "obvious" way people would expect any of the gods to react. She's kinda predictable, I guess? Every time I had to oppose another god's will (like in a trial), I kept wondering if something irreversible was gonna happen (even though the game probably wouldn't do that) or if there would be references to that later, but never with Aphrodite because she was always so easy to see as the sexy, romantic god that would always go back to trying to seduce me no matter what.

[Wintermute]

Dionysus is also as stereotypical as possible. And completely glorious at it.

I like Aphrodite's personality as it is. ESPECIALLY how she behaves during trials. It's very, very double-edged.

[Ambassador of Benevolence]

Originally posted by Wintermute:

Dionysus is also as stereotypical as possible. And completely glorious at it.

I don't think Dionysus is completely stereotypical! His look is very distinctive, with a very dynamic pose and a creepy steaming potion. In fact, I think he's one of my favorite interpretations, with very distinct modern cadence. He sounds just like some of my boozy uncles: "Zag man, you shouldn't have, you know I can't get enough of this stuff!"

But you're right, it's not pushing the envelope hard (still boozy). Kudos to the voice actor, who I think absolutely crushes that role. I sometimes laugh aloud while playing.