Comparing God of War's Cronus to Hades 2's

Summary

Hades 2 and God of War offer contrasting views on Chronos/Cronos based on their unique narratives and presentation styles.
Hades 2's depiction of Chronos as a powerful villain differs greatly from God of War's portrayal of Cronos as a secondary character.
The games' interpretation of Chronos/Cronos showcases the varied approaches to Greek mythology in storytelling and character development.

Hades 2 and pre-2018 God of War both draw on real-world Greek mythology for their stories, but they take decidedly different approaches to presentation and framing. Nowhere is this clearer than in the games' respective representations of Chronos/Cronos: Hades 2 imbues the Greek God of Time with a very different narrative purpose and flair than God of War, making him a rather interesting point of comparison.

Hades 2 is still in early access and its story has not been finished, meaning that there may be more to learn about Supergiant's rendition of Chronos.

There are a few striking similarities between God of War's Cronos and Hades 2's Chronos. Both are sons of Ouranos (Uranus) and among the first Titans, siring major gods like Zeus and Hades, who eventually turn on their father in accordance with prophecy. This mostly aligns with the character's depiction in real Greek mythology: Cronos/Chronos heard tell of a prophecy that he would be overthrown by one of his children, and so he swallowed them all, except for Zeus, who was spared by his mother Rhea. Zeus led a rebellion against him as an adult, leading to a prolonged period of war which culminated in Chronos' imprisonment. Hades 2 imagines Chronos' retribution for this imprisonment, while God of War chronicles it, albeit with a number of creative liberties.

How Hades 2 and God of War Differ In Their Presentation of Cronos/Chronos

Hades 2 and God of War Differ In Their Depiction of Chronos/Cronos As The God of Time

The different spellings of Cronos and Chronos are not merely a matter of linguistic departure: Cronos is the first of the Titans, King of Gods, and is directly linked to the myth of the Great War and the rebellion of Zeus, while Chronos is the personification of time. Many ancient scholars considered Cronos and Chronos to be separate entities, though the notion that Chronos is an aspect of Cronos became a widespread interpretation during the Renaissance era, either through confusion or intentional association.

Hades 2 leans further into the post-Renaissance interpretation of Chronos than God of War does. Chronos in Hades 2 is explicitly referred to as a Titan and father of both Zeus and Hades, while also being defined as the personification of time—something that is reinforced by Chronos' many special abilities in-game. Thus, Hades 2's Chronos adheres both to the history of the Titan Cronos and the mystical, temporal significance of Chronos, God of Time. Cronos' connection to the concept of time is much more tenuous in God of War, which focuses more on his position as a Titan and Zeus' father.

Cronos' Role in God of War Is Different From Chronos' in Hades 2

Chronos is the Big Bad of Hades 2, the ultimate antagonist of the story. This is not the case in God of War: Cronos is a very insignificant character in the first God of War and a minor ally in God of War 2, when he allows Kratos to climb his back and access the Temple of Pandora. Cronos returns as an antagonist in God of War 3, though he is far from Kratos' main nemesis. Rather, he holds a grudge against Kratos, considering him responsible for his imprisonment in Tartarus by Zeus. Kratos ultimately brutalizes and kills Cronos in battle, relegating the Titan to the position of a secondary antagonist.

This stands in stark contrast to Hades 2's Chronos, who is presented as something of a villainous mastermind and a much more imposing threat. Although Hades 2's lore positions Chronos in a similar manner as God of War—that is, establishing him as an enemy of Olympus, Zeus, and Hades—Supergiant depicts him as considerably more competent. By the time players encounter Cronos in God of War 2, he has already been bested by Zeus. In Hades 2, he has risen above Zeus' dominance, and is now in a place of significant, dangerous power.

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Hades 2

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Released: September 25, 2025

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Battle beyond the Underworld using dark sorcery to take on the Titan of Time in this bewitching sequel to the award-winning rogue-like dungeon crawler.

The first-ever sequel from Supergiant Games builds on the best aspects of the original god-like rogue-like dungeon crawler in an all-new, action-packed, endlessly replayable experience rooted in the Underworld of Greek myth and its deep connections to the dawn of witchcraft.

BATTLE BEYOND THE UNDERWORLD
As the immortal Princess of the Underworld, you'll explore a bigger, deeper mythic world, vanquishing the forces of the Titan of Time with the full might of Olympus behind you, in a sweeping story that continually unfolds through your every setback and accomplishment.

MASTER WITCHCRAFT AND DARK SORCERY
Infuse your legendary weapons of Night with ancient magick, so that none may stand in your way. Become stronger still with powerful Boons from more than a dozen Olympian gods, from Apollo to Zeus. There are nearly limitless ways to build your abilities.

MINGLE WITH (MORE) GODS, GHOSTS, AND MONSTERS
Meet a cast of dozens of fully-voiced, larger-than-life characters, including plenty of new faces and some old friends. Grow closer to them through a variety of new interactions, and experience countless unique story events based on how your journey unfolds.

EVERY RUN IS ITS OWN ADVENTURE
New locations, challenges, upgrade systems, and surprises await as you delve into the ever-shifting Underworld again and again. Reveal the mysteries of the Arcana Altar, tame witchy familiars, and gather reagents using Tools of the Unseen to get closer to your goal.

THE PERKS OF IMMORTALITY
Thanks to a variety of permanent upgrades and the return of God Mode, you don't have to be a god yourself to experience what Hades II has to offer. But if you happen to be one, you can brave escalating challenges for greater rewards, and prove just how divine you really are.

SIGNATURE SUPERGIANT STYLE
Rich, atmospheric presentation and storytelling fused with responsive action is the hallmark of Supergiant's titles. Vivid new hand-painted environments, even smoother real-time 3D characters, and an electrifying original score make this mythic world burst with life.