God of War Still Matters 20 Years Later

Kratos, a formidable character from gaming, has proven to be remarkably resilient over the past two decades. Just as he subjugated Mount Olympus with unyielding power, so too has he dominated PlayStation consoles. The divine status that God of War attained following numerous exceptional games lends it significant importance in its own right. However, when viewed from a broader perspective, the impact it has made becomes even more profound.

The impact of God of War was instantly apparent when it launched in 2005. Not only did it receive high praise and strong sales, with an average score of 94 and 4.6 million copies sold, but it also sparked a wave of games that bore more than a passing resemblance to Kratos’ journey, as evidenced by titles like Ghost Rider, Splatterhouse, Heavenly Sword, Dante’s Inferno, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Clash of the Titans, Thor: God of Thunder, Conan, X-Men: Origins: Wolverine, Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters, and The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon. In essence, it seemed as though these games were all graduates from Kratos’ school.

The C-average class never came close to dethroning [something/someone]. Instead, the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and PSP versions consistently dominated the character action genre by outshining competitors in terms of scale, visuals, combat, and finish quality. Even the weakest game in the series, Ascension, towers over most other titles mentioned. This franchise’s ability to inspire an entire generation of action games while maintaining its dominance is truly impressive and serves as a testament to Santa Monica Studio’s (and Ready at Dawn’s) expertise with this franchise. Though some are slightly superior, each game has its unique value.

It’s clear that having so many successful titles under its belt is a praiseworthy accomplishment, as not every franchise manages this consistency. Yet, excellence alone doesn’t tell the whole story about God of War. What truly sets it apart is its remarkable ability to adapt and grow over time.

In 2018, the latest duology started with the game titled God of War. Although it was a reinvention to some extent, it primarily continued the storyline. Kratos became more realistic, the plot and characters were intricate, and the camera angle was adjusted for closer combat, yet it didn’t diminish the fighting or erase Kratos’ past. Quite the contrary, those earlier games significantly influenced the overall narrative and provided a grand arc for Kratos. Some franchises like Terminator and Halloween choose to break away entirely from continuity, but maintaining the lore to guide the future can yield even greater rewards. Fighting and storytelling have always been the cornerstone of God of War, and they remained crucial elements, presented in modernized forms.

In the new age, Kratos’ return necessitated a period of reflection rather than simply diving back into familiar territory. While another standard God of War game could have been impressive, revisiting the same concept might not have been as thrilling. Instead, God of War has adapted to the changing times and audience preferences, which is truly admirable. This evolution is a key topic explored in Raising Kratos, a comprehensive documentary about the 2018 God of War. Various developers highlighted how both the studio and its player base had evolved, making it logical for God of War to mature accordingly.

In many cases, franchises lack the opportunity or resources to thrive, as they are often trapped in safe zones due to risk-averse publishers who cling to traditional success. Franchises like Halo and Gears of War struggle to reinvent themselves while maintaining freshness. Some series, such as Dead Rising and Ninja Gaiden, dilute their unique identities instead of evolving them. However, franchises like Resident Evil have shown that transformation can be beneficial if approached with authenticity and sincerity. Similarly, God of War remains current due to its ability to adapt intelligently, even when that means making significant changes or ending a chapter.

In the 2019 documentary mentioned earlier, Barlog expressed that change is not only possible but crucial. Similarly, in an early behind-the-scenes video for the first game, creative director David Jaffe aimed to reinvent established action genre concepts with a unique twist, delivering an “epic experience” players hadn’t previously encountered in gaming. These ideas, presented at different times, explain why the franchise has thrived: it consistently embraces innovation relevant to its time. The future of God of War remains uncertain following Ragnarok, yet if it maintains the title, it will do so by adapting to whatever challenges or opportunities lie ahead.

2025-03-22 20:40

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