Verse in the Underworld: How the Lyrical Poetry of Hades Transcends the Screen
Video games have long since evolved past the era of simple bleeps and bloops, blossoming instead into deeply immersive works of art. Among the finest modern examples is Supergiant Games’ critically acclaimed rogue-like masterpiece, Hades. Beyond its fast-paced combat and rich storytelling, the game features a haunting musical landscape that blurs the boundary between song and written verse.
For players who stumble upon Eurydice humming in the scorching kitchens of Asphodel, or who unlock the game’s internal music player features, the vocal tracks function less like standard video game background noise and more like modern lyrical poetry.
The Intersection of Myth, Music, and Poetry
In classical mythology, poetry and music were inseparable. Figures like Orpheus—who plays a central role in Hades as the House of Hades’ resident court musician—used the lyre to charm stones, trees, and even the lords of the dead themselves. Hades taps deeply into this ancient tradition, presenting tracks like “Good Riddance” (performed by the haunting voice of Ashley Barrett as Eurydice) not just as melodies, but as deeply emotional poems.
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