Unleashing Chaos: God of War's Epic Odyssey Surpasses Assassin's Creed

The Norse God of War saga, with God of War Ragnarok, has reached its conclusion. Unlike the Greek trilogy and its numerous spin-offs, this saga consisted of only two games. However, these titles have captivated fans and proven to be highly successful. God of War Ragnarok has not only showcased an evolution of the gameplay mechanics introduced in 2018's God of War, but it has also provided a satisfying conclusion to its emotional storyline. This latest installment has undoubtedly become another timeless entry in Sony's major franchises. With this accomplishment, the epic adventures of Kratos and Atreus can now afford a much-needed break.

Now, the question arises regarding the future of the franchise. God of War Ragnarok wraps up the Norse chapter convincingly, as it explores the concept of Ragnarok itself. Apart from a potential spin-off centered around Atreus, there are limited possibilities within the Norse setting. Speculations before the release of God of War Ragnarok hinted at Egypt being the next destination for the series. However, it is crucial for the franchise to adopt a fresh approach in handling its next mythological themes alongside a change in scenery. Thankfully, Ubisoft's mascot franchise has encountered a similar situation and offers valuable insights on how to tackle it.

Assassin's Creed Gives Each Of Its Settings Just Enough Space

Assassin's Creed has surpassed God of War in exploring different mythologies and cultures. While it initially drew inspiration from Abrahamic religions and blended it with its own lore, the focus gradually shifted to historical storytelling. However, this changed with Assassin's Creed Origins, where the game incorporated various mythologies alongside its new numbers-based action-RPG gameplay. The inclusion of gods and monsters as optional content began with the Egyptian pantheon in Origins.

This trend continued in the subsequent mainline Assassin's Creed games. Assassin's Creed Odyssey featured classic Greek monsters, while Assassin's Creed Valhalla turned towards Norse and Scandinavian creatures. Although there are similarities with God of War, Assassin's Creed primarily focuses on the human element. Additionally, a significant difference between the two franchises is that Assassin's Creed tends to adapt and explore a new setting in each title, whereas God of War could benefit from adopting a similar approach.

God of War Would Benefit From More One-Off Stories

The temptation for God of War is to continue focusing on Norse or Egyptian mythologies, either through spin-offs featuring known characters or starting a new saga in Egypt. However, in order to produce a high-quality game, God of War requires more development time. One option could be to create a concise and well-developed Egyptian God of War story that can be completed in a single game.

The Norse God of War saga, spanning two games, took players five years to complete and even longer for the developers. Following Assassin's Creed's approach, where each title is a fully realized product and story on its own, could help God of War remain fresh in the future. There is a wealth of mythological material the franchise can explore, making this approach ideal for shifting the focus to protagonists other than Kratos. While it is uncertain where God of War will go next, it should not waste any time once it arrives.

God of War Ragnarok is available now for PS4 and PS5.