God of War's Success Hinges on Reinvention

The God of War series has been a cornerstone of PlayStation gaming across four generations, starting with Kratos' vengeful journey in 2005. Few could have predicted the evolution of this angry deity destroyer over the next two decades. While many long-standing franchises struggle to remain relevant, God of War has thrived by embracing change. The most significant transformation was the 2018 reboot, which shifted Kratos from Ancient Greece to the realms of Norse mythology, altering both the game's presentation and gameplay. However, even before this acclaimed reboot, Sony Santa Monica implemented various smaller, yet impactful, changes to keep the series alive.

For God of War to continue its success, reinvention will be crucial. When the series transitioned to Norse mythology, director Cory Barlog expressed interest in exploring settings like the Egyptian and Mayan eras. Recent rumors have reignited speculation about an Egyptian setting, which is appealing given its rich and distinctive mythology. Yet, a new setting is merely the beginning; wherever the series ventures next, it must reinvent itself as effectively as it did when adapting the successful elements of the Greek trilogy for the Norse saga.

God of War's combat evolved significantly for the Norse games, yet retained the intense spirit of the original Greek trilogy. | Image credit: SonyThe series has consistently evolved with each installment. The original Greek trilogy refined its hack-and-slash gameplay over a decade, culminating in the polished mechanics of God of War 3 on the PlayStation 3. By the end of the trilogy, Kratos wielded an enhanced magic system that complemented his melee combat, facing a broader range of challenging enemies. The PS3's superior hardware allowed for new camera angles, enhancing the visual spectacle.

The 2018 reboot shifted away from some elements of the Greek trilogy. The platforming and puzzle elements, integral to the original games, were modified or removed. The Norse games adopted a third-person, over-the-shoulder perspective, which was less suited to platforming. Puzzles were retained but adapted to fit the new adventure-driven design.

The Valhalla DLC for God of War Ragnarök marked a return to the series' Greek roots, both mechanically and narratively. From God of War 2, the series featured battle arenas where players could set difficulty levels and choose opponents. These were absent in the 2018 reboot but reintroduced in Valhalla, tailored to the Norse setting. This DLC also saw Kratos confronting his past in a story that mirrored the return of these classic features.

The Norse iterations brought more than just reinterpretations; they introduced new elements like the Leviathan Axe's unique throwing mechanics, a combat-defining parry system with various shield types, and in Ragnarök, a magical spear for faster, explosive attacks. These tools facilitated exploration across the Nine Realms, each with distinct foes and environments.

While the original trilogy had solid writing, the Norse duology elevated God of War's storytelling to new heights. | Image credit: SonyThe most notable evolution lies in the storytelling. The Norse games delve into Kratos' emotional journey, particularly his grief over his late wife and his complex relationship with his son, Atreus. This shift from the original trilogy's more straightforward narrative to a deeper, more emotional exploration has been key to the Norse era's critical and commercial success.

God of War's success stems from a willingness to evolve both mechanically and narratively. The developers view the Norse games not as traditional sequels but as extensions of Kratos' journey. This approach should guide future installments.

While reinvention is vital, it's not a guaranteed path to success, as seen with Assassin’s Creed. After shifting to an open-world RPG format with Assassin’s Creed Origins, the series has faced criticism for straying from its assassin roots and becoming overly bloated. The 2023 release, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, attempted to course-correct by returning to the series' Middle Eastern roots and streamlined gameplay, which was well-received. Assassin’s Creed Shadows continues this trend, focusing on stealth with the character Naoe.

God of War's Norse era, while a radical departure, never lost sight of what made Kratos compelling or the series' core mechanics. It built upon the intense combat of the Greek trilogy, adding new elements like Spartan Rage options, diverse weapons, and the ability to play as other characters, enhancing the series without diluting its identity. Future entries, whether set in Egypt or another locale, must continue this approach.

Regardless of whether the Egyptian setting rumors materialize, the next God of War must focus on evolutionary upgrades that preserve the series' strengths. The 2018 reboot emphasized combat, but the next game will likely be judged by its story, the true highlight of the Norse duology. Kratos' transformation from a rage-driven monster to a complex father and leader underscores the importance of storytelling in the series' success. Future games must build on this while introducing bold changes to mark the next era of God of War.