The Norse saga ofGod of Warhas had a dramatic impact. The design of the franchise changed a lot, Kratos' character experienced a wealth of development, and players were introduced to memorable new characters like Atreus, Angrboda, and Mimir. Santa Monica took a big risk introducing changes to the franchise formula withGod of War(2018),but it paid off, because the game is both a critical and commercial success.
It seems Kratos and Atreus’s tale isn’t over yet, and the franchise still has more to give. Future entries should take a few notes fromGod of War(2018)and not shy away from innovation. This will help the franchise to remain exciting and prevent it from becoming predictable and derivative.
God of War (2018) Switches Up the Franchise’s Formula
Since the first game’s release in 2005, theGod of Warfranchise has been highly popular with PlayStation players. It’s not hard to understand why, as the games are full of action and adventure, and they pack a story steeped in interesting mythology.Kratos also proves to be an intriguing protagonistwho has a complex personality and faces many moral dilemmas.
The pre-2018God of Wargames are easy to recognize as they all have a similar style. Specifically, they employ a fixed camera perspective, which allows for enough screen space for players to face hordes of enemies. They’re also highly cinematic and feature Kratos using his fieryBlades of Chaosas his weapon of choice. The formula worked for many years, but eventually, Santa Monica decided to do things differently to prevent franchise stagnation.
Differences Between God of War (2018) and Prior Games
The changes 2018’sGod of Warintroduces are vast. The game ditches the fixed camera perspective for a third-person, over-the-shoulder one. This means players can see fewer enemies at a time on the screen, but it also means players feel much closer to the action, making combat more impactful. For much of the game, Kratos is without his Blades of Chaos and instead uses the frostyLeviathan Axe.
Perhaps the most interesting change is the transition from Greek mythology to Norse mythology. This allows players to interact with mythical figures such as Thor, Odin, and Freya. Joining Kratos on his journey is Atreus, his son. Atreus is vital for combat, as players can control him and Kratos simultaneously. The boy is also an important piece of the plot, as through Atreus, players witness a softer, less bloodthirsty side of Kratos.
The Next God of War Game Should Reinvent the Franchise Again
Santa Monica made a good choice by switching things up inGod of War’s Norse saga. It ensures the franchise remains fresh and keeps players guessing. Furthermore, it allowed the franchise to adapt to the changing gaming landscape in which there is a specific look and feel which is expected from AAA. In its current form, the franchise sits comfortably alongside other popular AAA action-adventure games for PlayStation.
Although it must have taken a lot of creativity to reinvent theGod of Warfranchise, innovation is a constant process and the studio can’t rest yet. In thenextGod of Wargame, the studio should change things again to prevent stagnancy. This can be done by changing the mythology which the franchise explores. There are plenty of myths from around the world to explore, but rumors suggest Santa Monica has its eyes on Egypt, which was considered as a setting for 2018’s game.
The design of the game could also be changed, and the franchise could go from semi-open-world to alinear game much likeThe Last of Us. This would result in a much more streamlined title that would perhaps eliminate some of the bloat that plagues the games of the Norse saga.
Santa Monica hasn’t revealed its plan for the franchise, though players can still look forward toGod of Warcontent. Thelive-actionGod of Wartelevision seriesis coming to Amazon Prime, andGod of War Ragnarokis coming to PC. Regardless of what direction the studio takes the franchise, if the future is anything like the past, fans can rest assured that the action and epic adventures are far from over.
God of War Ragnarok
WHERE TO PLAY
Embark on an epic and heartfelt journey as Kratos and Atreus struggle with holding on and letting goFrom Santa Monica Studio comes the sequel to the critically acclaimed God of War (2018). Fimbulwinter is well underway. Kratos and Atreus must journey to each of the Nine Realms in search of answers as Asgardian forces prepare for a prophesied battle that will end the world. Along the way they will explore stunning, mythical landscapes, and face fearsome enemies in the form of Norse gods and monsters. The threat of Ragnarök grows ever closer. Kratos and Atreus must choose between their own safety and the safety of the realms.
