Reinvention Is Key to God of Wars’ Continued Success

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 both gameplay and presentation. However, even before this acclaimed shift, developer Sony Santa Monica subtly evolved the series, ensuring its survival.

Future success hinges on reinvention. Director Cory Barlog hinted at exploring Egyptian and Mayan settings, and recent rumors suggest an Egyptian setting is a possibility. Ancient Egypt, with its rich culture and mythology, offers a compelling backdrop. But a new setting is just the beginning; future God of War games must reinvent themselves, building upon the strengths of the Greek trilogy while enhancing them, much like the transition to the acclaimed Norse games.

The Greek trilogy, spanning a decade, refined its hack-and-slash combat, culminating in God of War 3. Kratos' magic system complemented melee combat, and challenging enemies provided diverse encounters. The PlayStation 3's enhanced power enabled improved camera angles, showcasing the game's impressive graphics. The reboot, however, sacrificed some elements of the original games.

The Greek trilogy's platforming and puzzle elements were largely absent in the Norse games, due in part to the new over-the-shoulder camera perspective. Puzzles persisted but were redesigned to fit the adventure-focused narrative. Valhalla, the God of War Ragnarök DLC, notably reintroduced battle arenas, a feature from the original trilogy, adapted for the Norse setting. This mirrored the story's return to Kratos' Greek roots, completing a narrative circle.

The Norse games introduced significant innovations: the Leviathan Axe's throwing mechanics, a refined parry system using 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 games dramatically shifted storytelling. Kratos' grief over his wife and his complex relationship with Atreus form the emotional core of the duology, 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 evolution demonstrates a unique approach to franchising. The Norse games are not traditional sequels but extensions of Kratos' journey. This philosophy should guide future installments. However, reinvention alone isn't a guarantee of success. Assassin's Creed, despite frequent changes in setting and time period, has experienced fluctuating fan reception. Its shift to an open-world RPG format, while profitable, diluted its core identity, leading to criticism of content bloat and a departure from its assassin roots.

Assassin's Creed Mirage, a return to the series' origins, received positive feedback for its streamlined gameplay and narrative. This suggests that maintaining a franchise's core identity is crucial for long-term success. God of War skillfully avoided this pitfall. The Norse games, while radically different, retained Kratos' core appeal and the series' fundamental combat mechanics. New additions, such as expanded Rage options and diverse combat styles, enhanced the experience without sacrificing its identity.

Assassin's Creed's experience highlights the risk of abandoning a series' strengths. God of War, however, masterfully navigated this challenge. The Norse games, while a radical departure, preserved Kratos' compelling character and the series' core mechanics. Future installments must continue this approach, building upon the narrative and character development that defined the Norse duology's success. Whether the setting is Egypt or another location, the focus should remain on maintaining the series' identity while introducing innovative gameplay and storytelling elements.