The God of War series has been a PlayStation staple for four generations. Kratos' vengeful journey, beginning in 2005, has defied expectations, thriving where other long-running franchises faltered. This longevity stems from a willingness to evolve. The pivotal 2018 reboot, transplanting Kratos from Ancient Greece to Norse mythology, dramatically altered presentation and gameplay. Yet, even before this acclaimed shift, Sony Santa Monica subtly refined the series, ensuring its survival.
Reinvention is crucial for future God of War success. Director Cory Barlog hinted at exploring Egyptian and Mayan settings, and recent rumors suggest an Egyptian setting might be on the horizon. Ancient Egypt's rich culture and powerful mythology make it an alluring prospect. However, a new setting is merely the starting point. Future installments must reinvent themselves, building upon the successful elements of the Greek trilogy while innovating, much like the transition to the acclaimed Norse games.
The Greek trilogy, spanning a decade, progressively refined its hack-and-slash gameplay. God of War 3, built for the PlayStation 3's enhanced power, featured a refined magic system complementing melee combat, and more challenging enemies. New camera angles showcased the game's graphical prowess.
The reboot, however, shed some elements of the original games. The Greek trilogy’s platforming and puzzle elements were largely removed in the Norse games, a consequence of the shift to a third-person, over-the-shoulder perspective. Puzzles remained, but were redesigned to fit the new adventure-focused design.
Valhalla, the God of War Ragnarök DLC, notably brought back battle arenas, a feature from the original trilogy, adapted for the Norse setting. This mirrored the narrative, seeing Kratos confront his past in Valhalla. This return to Greek roots, both mechanically and narratively, completed Kratos' arc.
The Norse games weren't mere reinterpretations; they introduced innovations like the Leviathan Axe's throwing mechanics, a parry system enhanced by shields, and Ragnarök's fast-paced spear combat. These tools facilitated exploration across the Nine Realms, each with unique enemies and visuals.
Beyond mechanics and exploration, the Norse duology significantly evolved storytelling. Kratos' grief over his wife and his complex relationship with Atreus formed the emotional core, a stark contrast to the original trilogy's more brutal narrative. This emotive approach contributed significantly to the Norse era's success.
God of War's transformation reflects a unique approach to franchises. The Norse games are not sequels, but extensions of Kratos' journey. This philosophy should guide future installments.
Radical reinvention isn't a guaranteed formula for success. Assassin's Creed, despite frequent setting changes, hasn't maintained consistent fan engagement across generations. The shift to open-world RPGs, while profitable, diluted the series' core assassin lore, leading to criticism of content bloat and a departure from its roots. Recent attempts at course correction, with Assassin's Creed Mirage and Assassin's Creed Shadows, aim to recapture the essence of earlier games.
AnswerSee ResultsAssassin's Creed's experience highlights the risk of abandoning a series' strengths. God of War skillfully avoided this pitfall. The Norse games, while a departure, retained Kratos' core appeal and the series' combat foundation. Each new game built upon this, adding Spartan Rage options, new weapons, enhanced combat, and playable characters, enriching the experience without sacrificing identity. This approach deepened lore rather than replacing it.
Future installments, regardless of setting (Egyptian or otherwise), must maintain this evolutionary approach. While the Norse games prioritized combat, future iterations will likely be judged by their narrative depth, a cornerstone of the Norse duology's success. Kratos' character development from a rage-filled monster to a complex father showcases the power of storytelling. Future God of War games must build upon this, while simultaneously innovating to create another memorable era.
