The God of War series has been a PlayStation mainstay 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 presentation and gameplay. However, even before this acclaimed shift, Sony Santa Monica subtly refined the series, ensuring its continued success.
Reinvention remains crucial. Director Cory Barlog hinted at future expansions into Egyptian and Mayan mythology. While rumors of an Egyptian setting remain speculative, the appeal is clear: Ancient Egypt offers a distinct culture and rich mythology. But a new setting is only the beginning; future God of War installments must reinvent themselves, much like the transition from the Greek trilogy to the acclaimed Norse games—building upon what worked while innovating.
The Greek trilogy, spanning a decade, progressively refined its hack-and-slash combat, culminating in God of War 3's polished mechanics. Kratos wielded a revamped magic system complementing melee combat, facing diverse and challenging enemies. The PlayStation 3's enhanced power enabled improved camera angles, showcasing the game's impressive graphics.
The reboot, however, discarded some elements. The Greek trilogy's platforming and puzzle elements were largely removed in the Norse games, due in part to the new over-the-shoulder camera perspective. Puzzles persisted, but were redesigned to suit the adventure-focused narrative.
God of War Valhalla, the Ragnarök DLC, notably resurrected battle arenas—a feature from the original trilogy—adapted for the Norse setting. This mechanical and narrative return to Greek roots, with Kratos confronting his past in Valhalla, brought the story full circle.
The Norse games, however, weren't mere reinterpretations. New additions included 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, the Norse duology significantly evolved storytelling. Kratos' grief over his wife and strained relationship with Atreus form the emotional core, a departure from the original trilogy's more brutal narrative. This emotive approach contributed significantly to the Norse era's success.
God of War's success stems from viewing the Norse games not as sequels, but as extensions of Kratos' journey. Future installments should maintain this approach.
Radical reinvention isn't always a guarantee of success. Assassin's Creed, despite frequent setting changes, hasn't consistently maintained fan engagement across generations. The shift to open-world RPGs, starting with Origins, diluted the series' core lore, leading to criticism of bloated content and a departure from its assassin roots.
Assassin's Creed Mirage, a soft reboot, attempted a course correction, returning to the series' origins and receiving positive feedback. Assassin's Creed Shadows appears to continue this trend.
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 radical departure, retained Kratos' core appeal and the series' combat foundation. Each new game built upon this, adding features like enhanced Rage options, new weapons, and expanded combat options without losing its identity. This approach deepened the lore rather than replacing it.
Future installments, regardless of setting (Egyptian or otherwise), must continue this evolutionary approach. While the Norse games prioritized combat, future titles will likely be judged on their storytelling—the cornerstone of the Norse duology's success. Kratos' character development showcases the importance of strong writing. Future games must build on this strength while daring to innovate.
