The God of War series has been a PlayStation mainstay for four generations. Kratos' vengeful journey, beginning in 2005, has defied expectations. While many long-running franchises struggle to remain relevant, God of War has thrived by embracing change. The pivotal 2018 reboot, transplanting Kratos from Ancient Greece to Norse mythology, dramatically altered its presentation and gameplay. However, even before this acclaimed reboot, Sony Santa Monica subtly yet effectively evolved the series, ensuring its longevity.
Reinvention is crucial for God of War's future success. Director Cory Barlog hinted at exploring Egyptian and Mayan settings, and recent rumors suggest an Egyptian setting is a possibility. Ancient Egypt's rich culture and mythology make it a compelling choice. But a new setting is just the beginning; future iterations must reinvent themselves, much like the transition from the Greek trilogy to the acclaimed Norse games. This means taking the successful elements of the past and enhancing them for a new era.
The Greek trilogy, spanning a decade, refined its hack-and-slash gameplay. By God of War 3, Kratos wielded a revamped magic system complementing melee combat, facing diverse and challenging enemies. The PlayStation 3's power enabled improved camera angles, showcasing the game's graphical prowess.
The reboot, however, significantly altered the series. The Greek trilogy's platforming and puzzle elements were largely removed in the Norse games, a consequence of the new over-the-shoulder camera perspective. Puzzles persisted, but were redesigned to fit the adventure-focused narrative. Valhalla, the God of War Ragnarök DLC, however, notably brought back battle arenas, a feature from the original trilogy, adapted for the Norse setting. This mirrored the narrative's return to Kratos' Greek roots, completing a thematic circle.
The Norse games aren't merely reinterpretations; they introduced innovations like the Leviathan Axe's throwing mechanics, a parry system enhanced by various shields, and Ragnarök's magical spear, enabling faster, explosive combat. These tools facilitated exploration across the Nine Realms, each with unique enemies and aesthetics.
Beyond combat and exploration, the storytelling drastically evolved. The Norse duology delves into Kratos' grief and complex relationship with Atreus, uncovering hidden truths about both characters. This emotive approach contrasts sharply with the original trilogy's more brutal storytelling, contributing significantly to the Norse era's success.
God of War's transformation reflects a unique approach to franchises. The creators view the Norse games not as sequels, but as extensions of Kratos' journey. This perspective should guide future installments.
Radical reinvention isn't always successful. Assassin's Creed, despite its profitability, faced fan division through multiple changes in setting and gameplay. The shift to an open-world RPG with Assassin's Creed Origins weakened its connection to core lore. Recent attempts at course correction with Assassin's Creed Mirage and Shadows of Roses aim to recapture the series' earlier strengths.
AnswerSee ResultsAssassin's Creed's experience highlights the risk of abandoning what made a series successful. God of War skillfully avoided this pitfall. The Norse games, while a radical departure, retained Kratos' core appeal and the series' fundamental mechanics. It built upon the Greek trilogy's intense combat, adding features like enhanced Spartan Rage, new weapons, and expanded combat options, all while deepening the lore.
Future installments, regardless of setting (Egyptian or otherwise), must maintain this balance. While the Norse games prioritized combat, future iterations will likely be judged on their storytelling, a cornerstone of the Norse duology's success. Kratos' character development, from rage-filled monster to complex father and leader, showcases the importance of strong writing. Future games must build upon this strength while introducing bold, memorable innovations.
