God of War at 20: A Retrospective on a Gaming Colossus

The PlayStation 2 stands as a monumental pillar in gaming history, a console that not only defined an era but also served as the fertile ground for the modern triple-A gaming landscape. It was on this platform that iconic franchises like Resident Evil and Monster Hunter evolved into the powerhouses they are today. Furthermore, the PS2 era solidified Sony’s first-party developers as true titans of the industry. Among these giants, Sony Santa Monica emerged as a key player, primarily thanks to the groundbreaking success of God of War.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the original God of War, a landmark title that redefined the action genre. The game’s impact cannot be overstated, and its enduring legacy continues to shape the industry. The initial allure of God of War stemmed from its raw, unadulterated action and its willingness to embrace a level of brutality rarely seen in mainstream games. The demo alone was a masterclass in grabbing the player’s attention, throwing them directly into the heart of the carnage. Players were immediately introduced to Kratos, a Spartan warrior driven by rage and vengeance, who wielded his chained Blades of Chaos with terrifying efficiency. The gameplay loop was simple yet incredibly satisfying: sling blades, obliterate enemies, and deliver spectacularly gruesome finishers to mythological creatures.

Prior to God of War, the PS2’s action game crown was largely held by Devil May Cry. While both games shared a penchant for stylish combat and over-the-top action, God of War carved out its own niche by appealing to a different, perhaps more visceral, audience. God of War embraced its mature themes and graphic violence, creating an experience that was both exhilarating and unapologetically brutal. This bold approach resonated deeply with players, catapulting Kratos into the gaming pantheon and birthing a franchise that would span generations.

Following the success of the original, Sony Santa Monica spearheaded the mainline God of War installments, including the visually stunning and narratively ambitious God of War III, which recently celebrated its 15th anniversary. Simultaneously, the now defunct Ready at Dawn studio expanded the God of War universe with spin-offs like Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta. These prequels delved into Kratos’s backstory, exploring the events that shaped him into the vengeful warrior he became. They provided valuable context to his motivations and further fleshed out the world of ancient Greece.

However, despite the consistent quality of these titles, a sense of franchise fatigue began to creep in. It felt as though the studios were relentlessly trying to extract every last drop of potential from the God of War formula. The ill-fated attempt to adapt the game into a movie further exacerbated these concerns. By the time God of War: Ascension was released in 2013, Kratos’s story seemed to have run its course. The game, while technically proficient, lacked the spark and innovation that had defined the earlier installments. Even God of War III’s ambiguous ending, hinting at Kratos’s potential return, failed to generate the same level of excitement.

Then, in 2018, Sony Santa Monica delivered a seismic shift to the franchise with the release of God of War, a soft reboot that reinvented Kratos and his world. This new iteration of the series transported Kratos to the Norse realms, where he found himself as a father to a young son named Atreus. Armed with a powerful axe and burdened by the ghosts of his past, Kratos embarked on a journey of self-discovery and redemption.

The reboot presented a significant narrative challenge. How could players reconcile the Kratos of old, a ruthless god-slayer responsible for unimaginable devastation, with this new version of the character, a stoic father striving to protect his son? It was a difficult ask to accept that the same man who single-handedly brought about the end of the Greek world now wanted a better future for his child. Yet, the game masterfully navigated this transition, thanks in large part to the phenomenal performances of Christopher Judge as Kratos and Sunny Suljic as Atreus. Their dynamic, a blend of gruff mentorship and burgeoning affection, formed the emotional core of the game and resonated deeply with both longtime fans and newcomers.

Throughout its 20-year history, God of War has consistently delivered breathtaking spectacle. The series has consistently portrayed Kratos as an unstoppable force of nature, whose presence inevitably leaves a trail of destruction in its wake. In a landscape where cinematic storytelling has become a defining characteristic of PlayStation’s first-party titles, God of War stands out for its ability to seamlessly blend narrative depth with unparalleled action. From epic battles against colossal titans to intense one-on-one encounters with gods, the series is replete with moments that are both awe-inspiring and intensely fun.

While other action games have attempted to replicate the scale and combat of God of War, few have managed to capture the same magic. Titles like Bayonetta, Darksiders, and Dante’s Inferno, all released in close proximity to God of War III, offered their own unique interpretations of the action genre, but ultimately fell short of the benchmark set by Sony Santa Monica’s creation. The God of War formula, refined over years of development, has struck a particular sweet spot, allowing the franchise to thrive across multiple console generations, outlasting many of its PS2-era contemporaries.

Looking ahead, the future of God of War appears bright. A television adaptation is currently in development, promising to bring Kratos’s story to a wider audience. The vastness of mythology offers endless possibilities for future installments, fueling speculation about potential encounters with other pantheons. The prospect of Kratos battling his way through various mythologies has been a long-standing fan desire, and it is easy to envision Sony Santa Monica pursuing this path, much like Assassin’s Creed or Call of Duty, albeit without the same level of annual releases.

However, an alternative, and perhaps more intriguing, possibility exists. Sony Santa Monica could leverage the expertise gained from the God of War franchise to create something entirely new. Similar to Naughty Dog or Insomniac Games, the studio has consistently delivered critical and commercial success for PlayStation, earning them the creative freedom to explore uncharted territory. Shelving Kratos for a few years could allow the studio to innovate and develop fresh ideas. According to a former developer’s LinkedIn post in 2024, this may indeed be the current direction. If this is the case, there is hope that this new project will be successful in its own right. And when the time is right for Kratos to return, hopefully it will feel as monumental and impactful as the 2018 reboot.