Christopher D. AndersonThe long awaited release of God of War is right around the corner. It looks to be an epic adventure that has a fresh new take on the old formula. There are quite a few difference this go around and I think a lot of these are going a long way to bring back a series that was starting to become stale. As a fan of the series, even I have to admit that the old formula was wearing out its welcome. Thankfully this new game looks to bring more character to Kratos and show a whole new world in God of War. Here are 10 reasons God of War will be oh so epic!
1. Kratos is a Dad
Santa Monica was quick to show that this is a much different Kratos then we are used to. At the E3 conference demo in 2016 we got to see a much more intimate side of Kratos in his interactions with his son. No longer the yelling maniac of past entries, our hulking character showed signs of restraint and fatherly advice. I can’t wait to see this dynamic come to light and to see how it adds to this previously one sided character.
2. Tactical Combat
An older, more wise Kratos does not mean a softer Kratos. In fact he’s just as brutal as ever, taking out enemies in violent fashion and even finishing them off with his fists. But it isn’t just simple hack and slash. Kratos’ new weapon adds some strategic elements to battle as well as Atreus himself. You can use your environment and other enemies. And there is no shortage of hostile combatants. You’ll have to think your way through battle as well as use brutal strength.
3. Leviathan Axe
No longer does Kratos have his trademark chain blades, although you can see remnants of them on his wrists still. The Leviathan Axe is a different weapon altogether that, as I mentioned, adds some interesting elements to combat. You can throw the axe which can have a few different effects. It can be used to directly damage, trip up enemies, or even freeze them. On top of all that you also use the weapon to solve puzzles. Oh, and did I mention that you summon it back at will? And that it can hit enemies on the way back? Think of Thor’s Hammer Mjolnir and you’ll get the general idea.
4. Atreus
Atreus is the son of Kratos that I mentioned earlier. And he’s not just simply a new character. Atreus could be considered a weapon himself. He will help his father in battle by shooting arrows, jumping on enemies, and shouting out warnings to Kratos. There is what has been dubbed the “son button” that is dedicated to carrying out these actions on command. This in itself makes him an integral part of the battle system and adds to the tactical aspect. This also reflects their relationship together and enforces the father/son concept in various ways. On top of all that, Atreus is not only a main source of the story but he also a guide for Kratos. Atreus is the only one of the two that can read the Runes scattered about and speak the language of the area.
5. Norse Mythology
Speaking of the new area, or in this case world, God of War leaves the Greek mythology altogether. He’s still a god but he’s in a completely different age. Norse mythology is full creatures and dramatic gods and while it’s unclear how this is going to effect the story, I can see a ton of potential with this setting. It seems like a good fit and is a fresh new way to expand Kratos’ story. Details are scarce but there a lot of interesting things that could happen here. Not only for this game but the potential for future games. What era could Kratos end up next?
6. New Runic Language
If you haven’t noticed already, there are a ton of runes scattered throughout the environment and even on the God of War logo. These aren’t just for looks though. Santa Monica is using an actual runic language for the runes scrawled all over the place. As of right now there is no confirmation of there being an in game translation. Which means us gamers might have some homework. People have already been trying to decipher what can be seen in videos using websites to translate. The point is this, they are going all out to add realism and tell a compelling story. The runes also are an important part of the magic aspect of the game.
7. Looting and Upgrading
An interesting aspect that is brand new to the series is a light looting system. As you destroy enemies and discover chests you’ll gather items that will help upgrade. Upgrading is done by two dwarves Brokk and Sindri who are also responsible for the Leviathan Axe. This isn’t just a simple “feed in these items and get something else in return” kind of system. Upgrading your gear takes into account both Kratos and Atreus and the choices you make can effect the characters and are an important part of the story itself. Get a taste of both in this video.
8. No Loot Boxes
And for the record Cory Barlog has already stated (quite frankly) that there will be no loot boxes. Whew. Thank the gods for that.
No freakin way!!!
— the fake cory balrog (@corybarlog) March 6, 2018
9. God of War is Long
Most God of War games came in at about 15-20 hours. You might want to get comfy for Kratos’ new adventure. Barlog has stated that this new God of War will run for about 25-35 hours. This could mean a couple different things. There could be a ton of side quests to do that might add to that. But there is word that the story itself holds a lot of depth and might actually take that long to get through. I’m okay with that.
10. Beautiful PS4 Pro and Collector’s Edition
If you haven’t already seen it, take a look at the God of War PS4 Pro that is being released the same day. It’s based on the design of the Leviathan Axe and I have to admit, I’m a bit smitten with it. The controller has some runes on it as well and it all looks really nice.
And if your wallet wasn’t already empty enough the Stone Mason collector’s edition of God of War is pretty massive. It includes a statue, the game (duh) in a spellbook case, digital content, and several other collectibles. Take a look.
And there you go, 10 reasons God of War is going to be super epic! I’m sure there are plenty more to add and there is plenty more we don’t know about yet. But it’s not going to be too long until we get to plunge into this new, fresh world. It’s being released April 20th and I for one, am very excited to see this new take on a long running series. Until then you should probably brush up on your runic language.