The Epic Showdown: God of War Ragnarok Unleashes an Unforgettable Norse Pantheon - Leaving the Greek Gods in Awe

Highlights

The storytelling and character development in the Norse series of God of War have greatly improved due to a more targeted approach. Unlike the Greek games, which featured a wide array of gods, the Norse series focuses on a smaller group of deities. This shift has allowed for a more genuine and impactful narrative and characters.

In order to maintain a balanced and engaging experience, the next installment of God of War should cautiously introduce new gods from Norse mythology without overwhelming the narrative with an excessive number of characters.

The use of ancient pantheons has been integral to the success of the God of War franchise. From the early games that depicted Kratos challenging the Greek gods to the recent exploration of Norse mythology, both realms have contributed to the intricate storytelling of Kratos' journey. However, when evaluating the franchise as a whole, the focused approach on a smaller number of gods in the Norse series has proven to be more effective than its Greek counterpart. Therefore, in order to continue the success of the upcoming God of War game, it would be wise to maintain this concise approach when introducing new gods from different mythologies.

There are numerous titles in the realm of God of War series, however, the franchise took a fresh direction in 2018 by delving into the realm of Norse gods. This shift brought a completely revitalized feel to the series, resulting in a huge success. Not only did the 2018 reboot of God of War introduce a brand new pantheon of gods for Kratos to confront, but it also streamlined the number of gods featured in the game. This strategic decision has granted both God of War (2018) and the upcoming Ragnarok installment a significant advantage over the original Greek-focused games.

Fewer Gods Has Kept the Norse Series More Focused

The original Greek God of War games were groundbreaking in their own right. However, keeping track of the numerous gods throughout the franchise's Greek era could sometimes feel overwhelming. Pantheons from different cultures often include a multitude of gods, and the Greek gods, being among the most widely known, posed a challenge as the franchise attempted to incorporate every deity into the narrative.

Ragnarok expanded the roster of gods in the Norse storyline following the success of its 2018 predecessor. However, compared to the Greek story, the Norse narrative has remained relatively restrained and centered. By emphasizing fewer gods, the Norse games not only simplify the task of keeping track of new and captivating characters, but also provide players with a more immersive and nuanced story. It would greatly benefit the God of War franchise's future installment to maintain this concentrated approach, as it lends a heightened sense of realism to the story and the themes it explores.

Rather than attempting to include every possible god in the Norse narrative, a smaller selection of gods allows players to delve deeper into each deity's story in a more meaningful manner. With fewer gods vying for attention, the Norse gods who do appear in the story are developed and crafted with greater attention to detail. This narrower focus enables the game's writers to infuse each god with more complexity and depth, ultimately breathing life into the Norse God of War games in a way that surpasses their Greek-based predecessors.

With rumors circulating about a forthcoming God of War release, fans eagerly anticipate what the franchise has in store. The conclusion of Ragnarok witnessed a poignant farewell between Kratos and his son Atreus, leaving room for the next installment to delve into uncharted territory with new gods. However, should the upcoming God of War venture into a different pantheon while retaining the Norse gods, it must strike a careful balance to prevent an overwhelming abundance of divine beings that could detract from the exceptional nature of this new iteration.