The God of War series has been a PlayStation staple for four console generations. Kratos' vengeful journey, beginning in 2005, has defied expectations, thriving where other long-running franchises faltered. This longevity stems from a willingness to adapt. The pivotal 2018 reboot, transplanting Kratos from Ancient Greece to Norse mythology, dramatically altered the series' presentation and gameplay. Even before this acclaimed reboot, developer Sony Santa Monica subtly refined the series, ensuring its continued success.
Reinvention is key to God of War's future. Director Cory Barlog hinted at exploring Egyptian and Mayan settings, fueling speculation—understandable given Ancient Egypt's rich culture and mythology. However, a new setting is just the beginning. Future installments must reinvent themselves, building upon the successful elements of the Greek trilogy while enhancing them, much like the transition to the acclaimed Norse games.
The Greek trilogy evolved over a decade, refining its hack-and-slash gameplay. By God of War 3, Kratos wielded a refined magic system complementing melee combat, facing diverse and challenging enemies. The PS3's enhanced power enabled improved camera angles, showcasing the game's impressive graphics.
The reboot, however, sacrificed some elements. The Greek trilogy's platforming and puzzle elements were largely removed in the Norse games due to the shift to a third-person, over-the-shoulder perspective. Puzzles remained, but were redesigned to suit the new adventure-focused design. Valhalla, the God of War Ragnarök DLC, notably brought back battle arenas, adapted for the Norse setting, poetically mirroring the story's focus on confronting Kratos' past.
The Norse games aren't mere reinterpretations. New additions include the Leviathan Axe's throwing mechanics, a parry system enhanced by various shields, and Ragnarök's magical spear, enabling faster, explosive attacks. These tools facilitate exploration across the Nine Realms, each with unique enemies and visuals.
Beyond mechanics, the Norse duology's storytelling is profoundly different. Kratos' grief over his wife and his strained relationship with Atreus are central themes, unveiling hidden truths about both characters. This emotive approach contrasts sharply with the original trilogy's more brutal narrative, contributing significantly to the Norse era's success.
God of War's transformation reflects a unique approach to franchising. The Norse games aren't sequels but extensions of Kratos' journey. This philosophy should guide future installments.
Radical reinvention isn't guaranteed success. Assassin's Creed, despite frequent changes in setting and time period, hasn't maintained consistent fan engagement across generations. Its shift to an open-world RPG format, while profitable, created a disconnect from its core lore, leading to criticism about bloated content and a departure from its assassin roots. Recent attempts at course correction with Assassin's Creed Mirage and Shadows of Liberty aim to address these issues.
AnswerSee ResultsAssassin's Creed's experience highlights the risk of abandoning a series' strengths. God of War skillfully avoided this. The Norse games, while a departure, retained Kratos' core appeal and the series' fundamental mechanics. It built upon the Greek trilogy's intense combat, adding enhancements like expanded Rage options, new weapons, and diverse combat encounters, deepening the lore without sacrificing its identity.
Future installments, regardless of setting (Egyptian or otherwise), must maintain this evolutionary approach. The Norse games set a high bar for combat and storytelling. The next God of War will be judged on its narrative, which elevated Kratos' character arc. Future iterations must build on this strength while introducing bold, memorable changes.
