Stray Gods’ Orpheus DLC is pretty cool.
I got the speed dating song from The Lost Gods The Orpheus DLC has haunted me since I played it. I’d do something else, and “I’ll find a new love, and we’ll go down in history” would creep back into my brain. The premise of the add-on, combined with Anthony Rapp and Erika Ishii’s great screen time and pacing, felt stronger at times than the original story.
The Lost Gods Orpheus can be picked up from the main game save, so your choices affect the DLC, or you can go from the default file. In either case, Orpheus finds himself in the same place as Grace in the original story, minus the whole murder thing. After the events of the game, he is left with an unfinished story and no real purpose. Hermes hears him singing about this situation and brings him back to the mortal realm once more. With that, we get a chance to go through a shorter opportunity to guide him to a new purpose and ending.
For me, a big part of what made The Lost Gods Orpheus feels so much better and even stronger than the main game because of the tighter focus of the DLC. In part, everything is focused primarily on Orpheus and Hermes. They’re both really interesting characters who are prominent in the main game, but don’t always get a lot of attention. They’re also played by two excellent actors, Rapp and Ishii, so it’s nice to see them both get more time to shine and steal scenes. This is most evident in Rapp, who excels in every song he performs. His performance is incredible, and he definitely steals the show in any duet he appears in. (Although I also really like Anjali Bhimani’s performance as Medusa here!)
I also like the songs a lot more. “A New Love”, which has become the most haunting tune, is fantastic. It’s fun and extremely catchy. Every part is great. “Back from the Dead” is also another great song that I’ll listen to outside of the game. “Back from the Dead” also sees things end on a strong note. Although I prefer the original The Lost Gods And some songs Aside from the soundtrack, it seems like the combination of having fewer songs and stronger overall execution makes for a better overall result.
The Lost Gods Orpheus is also incredibly well-paced. So well-paced that this supplement flies by. I finished it in one sitting without intending to. Plus, the way it’s presented and the progression of the Orpheus story is handled in such a way that it doesn’t feel like it takes as long as it actually does. It’s like one of those popcorn movies that you can really get caught up in, so the hours you’ve spent are for nothing. It’s only when you check your watch afterwards that you realize how well-executed, the character interactions, and themes are that it all flew by so quickly. That’s a testament to how solid it is and the world Summerfall has created.
The world of The Lost Gods is a fun game, and the Orpheus DLC gives us the chance to revisit the game in a satisfying way. By focusing on a strong supporting cast like Orpheus and adding Hermes, one of the best parts of the original game, we get to spend more time with people who deserve more attention. The songs also feel stronger this time around, especially “A New Love,” which has a great chorus and premise. It’s a great addition to the story and makes it worth returning to the game.
The Lost Gods and its DLC Orpheus available on PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and PC.
