Monolith's Wonder Woman Takes on God of War Ragnarok's Blades of Chaos

Article Key Points

The upcoming Wonder Woman game by Monolith is largely speculated to follow in the footsteps of its Middle-earth duology in terms of gameplay.

The game prominently features the Lasso of Truth as a crucial item, offering multiple functions such as combat, interrogation, and even assisting with traversal. The developers have prioritized incorporating Wonder Woman's unique abilities and iconic weapons right from the beginning, without postponing their full exploration to a potential sequel.

The details surrounding Monolith's Wonder Woman game are currently scarce, making it uncertain whether a piece of concept art from a developer's LinkedIn page is genuine. However, it is widely believed that the game will draw inspiration from Monolith's previous Middle-earth duology. It will be fascinating to see how the game incorporates elements from Wonder Woman's mythology, such as the choice of weapons players can equip her with. For instance, utilizing a sword would resemble the Freeflow-style combat seen in Middle-earth. Additionally, Wonder Woman's iconic tool, the Lasso of Truth, has already been confirmed for the game.

The cinematic teaser announcement for Wonder Woman introduced Diana, although her appearance may differ in the actual game's reveal. In the teaser, she skillfully twined a long and radiant lariat around herself. Consequently, it is apparent that the Lasso of Truth will play a crucial role in the gameplay, with various mechanics already in place to utilize this powerful tool. However, if Monolith and Warner Bros. Games intend to turn Wonder Woman into a franchise, they should avoid releasing new mechanics gradually, as seen in recent entries of God of War.

God of War’s Blades of Chaos Have an Understandably Granular Development

The Blades of Chaos from God of War reappeared in the first part of the Norse saga and then made a full appearance in Ragnarok. In the previous installment, these dual, chain-linked cleavers had a smaller role compared to the Leviathan Axe. However, in Ragnarok, they gained a more significant presence and were given a new ability to traverse the larger world of the sequel.

This new functionality allows Kratos to propel himself up and down walls and cross vast gaps, greatly enhancing the sense of movement that was previously limited when using the Blades.

Wonder Woman’s Lasso of Truth Needs to Be Multifaceted Right Away

It was logical to make traversal more interactive and seamless, particularly considering Ragnarok's focus on environmental puzzles. Additionally, since the previous game had already showcased the impressive Blades, Santa Monica Studios had the freedom to explore other potential gameplay functions for them. Despite this, it is hoped that Wonder Woman doesn't delay in fully utilizing its own iconic weapon, without having to wait for a sequel.

Diana's lariat can serve two primary functions effectively: it can be used to lash out at enemies and either pull them closer or bring Diana herself closer to them, or it can be employed as a means to interrogate enemies, similar to how Celebrimbor interrogates foes in Shadow of Mordor. Infusing Wonder Woman with the essence of Middle-earth could enhance the excitement of this combat experience. Additionally, it would be intriguing to witness her utilizing the lariat for traversal purposes while exploring Themyscira and other parts of the known mainland.

Wonder Woman's Abilities Will Need to Be Carefully Considered

The debate over Diana's ability to fly has always been ongoing, leading to the necessity of an invisible plane for her transportation. A more grounded approach to the character could involve her traversing environments by grappling, similar to Kratos' utilization of the Blades in Ragnarok. As for the true potential of the multifaceted lariat, only time will reveal. However, waiting for a Wonder Woman sequel to fully explore its capabilities might prove to be a mistake, considering the possibility of enhancing gameplay right from the start.

However, if Monolith and Warner Bros. Games intend to create a franchise based on Wonder Woman, they should avoid following the approach of gradually introducing mechanics as seen in recent God of War games. It is worth noting that Wonder Woman is presently under development.

Editor's P/S

As a passionate fan of both Wonder Woman and the Middle-earth duology, I am thrilled to see Monolith taking on the challenge of creating a Wonder Woman game. The Lasso of Truth is such an iconic weapon with so much potential for creative and engaging gameplay mechanics. I'm excited to see how Monolith incorporates it into the game, and I hope they don't shy away from showcasing its full potential right from the start.

I also appreciate that Monolith seems to be taking a more grounded approach to Wonder Woman's character, with a focus on grappling and traversal similar to Kratos' use of the Blades of Chaos in God of War Ragnarok. This could make for a more immersive and engaging experience, and I'm eager to see how Monolith brings Themyscira and other iconic locations to life in this new game.

Overall, I'm cautiously optimistic about Monolith's Wonder Woman game. I believe the studio has the potential to create something truly special, and I can't wait to see more of it in the future.