God Of War Games With The Best Stories

Key Takeaways

Kratos’ evolution from vengeful warrior to multi-faceted character makes God of War’s narratives engaging and captivating.
God of War 2’s narrative improved over the first title, showcasing Zeus as an antagonist and Kratos’ shocking godly heritage.
God of War (2018) offers a personal and emotional journey for Kratos, showcasing his struggle to be a parent while facing his past.

As a seasoned gamer with over three decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that the God of War series has truly evolved and matured over the years. Among these masterpieces, the 2018 reboot stands out as a deeply personal tale that resonates on a profound level. Having grown up playing the original trilogy, it was fascinating to see Kratos in a new light – struggling with fatherhood while grappling with his past.

God of War is renowned as one of video gaming’s most legendary series. Sony’s highly recognized intellectual property boasts an incredible collection of games, and following Kratos’ thrilling journeys to vanquish the gods is a captivating spectacle. In its initial release, Kratos was portrayed as an angry, self-centered warrior, driven by revenge after enduring numerous hardships. Yet, as gaming evolved, it became apparent that his character needed depth to make the stories of these games even more compelling.

This leads to two dramatically contrasting parts of Kratos’ odyssey, which may spark divided opinions among fans or provide insights into the complexities of Kratos’ personality. The stories in each God of War game are delightful to explore, and fans find themselves deeply engrossed in Kratos’ travels as he relentlessly plows through mythological realms that struggle to contain his fury.

5 God Of War

Kratos Seeks Revenge After Being Tricked By Ares

It’s evident that Santa Monica Studios was still navigating its path with the initial God of War, but the game achieved significant success notwithstanding a few minor problems surfacing occasionally. While some might argue that the narrative isn’t as strong compared to other installments in the series, evaluating it on its individual merits reveals numerous promising aspects hidden within this tale. Right from the get-go, God of War skillfully portrays Kratos as a tormented character who, consumed by his anger, unwittingly takes the lives of his wife and daughter.

This afflicts the warrior, compelled to atone by being smeared with the remains of his kin, transforming into a vessel for the gods of Olympus. Throughout the game, his intense animosity towards Ares is tangible and culminates in an emotionally charged boss battle, one of the most memorable in the series.

4 God Of War 2

Zeus’ Trickery Enrages Kratos, Who Embarks On Another Anger-Fueled Adventure

When God of War 2 was released, gamers were blown away by its stunning visuals and enhancements in gameplay compared to the first installment. As one might anticipate, the storyline of this game also took a significant leap forward. In this sequel, Zeus is portrayed as the main antagonist, orchestrating Kratos’ demise and sending him to the Underworld. The player takes on the role of a vengeful Kratos who battles his way back to the land of the living, but at the climax, an unexpected revelation is unveiled.

Just before striking down Zeus, Kratos is taken aback as Athena leaps onto his sword to avert the devastation of Olympus. It’s during this encounter that Kratos learns about his divine lineage — he is the son of Zeus who was marked for death by his own father in an attempt to halt the cycle. Unfortunately, these plans didn’t succeed, and Kratos joins forces with the Titans to launch a battle against Olympus instead.

3 God Of War: Ragnarok

Kratos And Atreus Fight Against Loki With The Threat Of Ragnarok Looming Over Them

Following the dispersal of Faye’s remains in Jotunheim, it became evident that events would unfold on an grand scale – a hint of things to come was the tantalizing tease of Thor’s appearance. In the initial stages of the game, Odin seized the limelight, only to be followed by a thrilling confrontation with the God of Thunder. This paves the way for another momentous journey in which Kratos and Atreus endeavor to prevent Ragnarok from occurring while unraveling the mysteries behind Odin’s intentions.

Just as anticipated, the father-son pair often clash, with Atreus opting for an individual journey when he heads to Asgard and endeavors to decipher Odin’s desires. Eventually, they come to understand that rather than dodging the conflict, they must initiate Ragnarok and bring the struggle directly to Odin if they aim to halt his destructive ambition. Despite Ragnarok‘s grandiose storyline, much of it relies on unnecessary disagreements. Some pacing issues may also fall short of matching the narrative depth of its predecessor, but devotees of this new duology will likely view these as insignificant flaws in the overall context.

2 God Of War 3

Kratos Brings The Titans To Wage War On Olympus

In its first appearance on the PS3, God of War delivered one of the most memorable games from the original trilogy, which continues to be cherished by fans even today. The epic boss battles and the satisfying conclusion to Kratos’ Greek mythology journey are reasons enough for the high acclaim it receives. Initially, the Titans deceive Kratos, fueling his rage so much that he embarks on a destructive rampage, leaving few divine entities alive who dare oppose him.

Although Kratos’ relentless anger is a prominent feature throughout the story, many players will find him remarkably human by the game’s end, especially compared to his earlier adventures. His selfless act of sacrificing himself to distribute the hope-giving energy from Pandora’s Box to the Greeks reveals his hidden capacity for compassion, which makes his character in the reboot more convincing and relatable.

1 God Of War (2018)

A Deeply Personal Tale With A New & Fascinating Take On Kratos

After a long hiatus, I was thrilled to step back into the world of Kratos, now reimagined in a contemporary style that resonated deeply with the gaming community. It became evident early on that Kratos’ original one-dimensional character wouldn’t work for a game centered around story, so Santa Monica Studios crafted a more mature and complex version of this iconic figure. This Kratos grapples with his role as a parent while confronting his past, leading me on an intensely personal and emotional journey that strikes the perfect balance between narrative depth and pacing.

In this storyline, Baldur functions as an ideal antagonist by constantly provoking Kratos to revisit and indulge in the anger of his former life. Yet, Kratos struggles against these impulses, striving to suppress his hateful past. Eventually, he comes to understand that violence can be warranted if it halts the cycle of hatred. After disclosing his past to Atreus and imparting crucial lessons, the pair eventually arrive at Jotunheim and achieve their objective. This conclusion is a fitting finale for one of God of War‘s most impactful narratives, which played a significant role in revitalizing the series’ popularity.

2024-08-28 08:05