The Gameplay of God of War’s Next Saga Could Hinge On One Concept

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The Gameplay of God of War's Next Saga Could Hinge On One Concept

As a seasoned God of War enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at the intricate tapestry woven by Santa Monica Studio. The franchise’s knack for blending mythology with captivating gameplay is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Kratos’ evolution from a vengeful Spartan to a doting father is as compelling as the monstrous Norse and Greek creatures he vanquishes.

Despite taking significant artistic liberties with its foundation, the action-adventure game God of War remains grounded in the Norse and Greek tales that underpin its storyline. These ancient mythologies are fundamental to the series’ main plot, but they also significantly impact the gameplay mechanics of God of War, shaping the narrative reasons behind battles and exploration, as well as subtler aspects like character interactions and weapon design.

In the world of God of War, Kratos is a Spartan warrior driven by vengeance, and his combat style adapts as he grows, transitioning from the original games to the reboot of the Norse saga. The mythical creatures and deities that Kratos encounters are not mere decoration; they serve significant purposes in shaping the game’s design. For instance, Heimdall’s foresight influences his behavior during battles. As the series progresses, with Atreus taking command and perhaps venturing beyond the Norse realms, it is crucial for the franchise to maintain its tradition of narrative influencing gameplay mechanics, using mythology as a compass to guide various aspects such as gameplay mechanics, set pieces, and overall structure.

Future God of War Games Have an Interesting Opportunity When it Comes to Death

Death Has Played an Unexpected Role in Previous God of War Games

Despite emerging unharmed from God of War Ragnarok, Kratos has experienced death numerous times throughout the series. Prior to his Norse adventures, Kratos met his end at least five times in earlier installments of the game.

  • God of War: impaled by Ares after opening Pandora’s box
  • God of War 2: killed by Zeus with the Blade of Olympus
  • God of War 2: fell into the River Styx
  • God of War: Chains of Olympus: fell into Tartarus following a fight with Charon
  • God of War: Chains of Olympus: visited Elysium before ultimately deciding to continue living.

The character has ventured into realms associated with the afterlife without experiencing death. A recent illustration of this can be found in Kratos’ journey to Valhalla depicted in the DLC of “God of War Ragnarok,” or his visits to Helheim, which occurred in both the Norse games. These instances suggest that for Kratos and his allies, death is not an absolute certainty, and future games may explore this concept further.

Atreus, Egypt, and Death Could All Play Compelling Roles in Future God of War Gameplay

Exploring the buzz surrounding the lore of God of War, two themes seem to surface most often: Atreus and Egypt. There’s a strong belief that Atreus might step into the limelight as the main character, perhaps embarking on a journey to Egypt, whose mythology is hinted at in the 2018 version of God of War. If these rumors prove true, future games could offer rich opportunities to explore and reinterpret the idea of death using these elements.

In ancient Egyptian belief, when someone dies, their heart is measured against a feather belonging to Ma’at, the deity symbolizing justice. If the heart is found light or virtuous, the individual ascends to a paradise called Aaru, where they spend eternity in happiness. However, if their heart is heavy with wickedness, they plummet into the waiting jaws of Ammit and suffer in Duat, the Egyptian netherworld.

In an Egypt-inspired version of God of War, perhaps death might play a role in a karma system where character deaths within the game could lead to different penalties or rewards based on the player’s actions throughout the story, symbolized by the scale of Ma’at (the heart-weighing process). This concept would be fitting for Atreus as he grapples with difficult decisions and resists corruption in his growth, aligning with ancient Egyptian beliefs about morality and the afterlife. By incorporating death as a significant gameplay element, this God of War adventure could creatively explore the themes of morality and the afterlife, building upon the franchise’s past representation of these topics.

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2024-09-09 23:05