| Zagreus | |
|---|---|
| Hades character | |
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:Zagreus_Hades.png) Zagreus in Hades | |
| First appearance | Hades (2020) |
| Created by | Greg Kasavin |
| Designed by | Jen Zee |
| Voiced by | Darren Korb |
Zagreus is the protagonist of the 2020 video game Hades. He is based on the mythological figure of the same name, used due to Greg Kasavin viewing him as a good fit for the repetitive nature of a roguelike game due to his story of attempting to leave the Underworld and his father Hades. His design was intentionally made to be attractive, with artist Jen Zee wanting to stay true to classical tradition, such as the ideas of heroic nudity in Ancient Greece culture.
He was designed to be bisexual and polyamorous, though his polyamory was a relatively late addition. Kasavin explained that these factors were added as part of his desire to explore a world with different values and a lack of prejudice found in the real world, as well as wanting to depict Ancient Greek culture. He is voiced by Darren Korb, who took inspiration from actor Asa Butterfield and character Loki from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Zagreus has been generally positively received, identified as a standout LGBT character for his bisexuality and polyamory. These aspects were particularly praised, with critics noting how uncommon it was for them to be depicted positively.