Unveiling the Unmatched Storytelling Brilliance in God of War, Beyond Kratos

Highlights

Santa Monica Studio's success in revitalizing the God of War franchise and taking Kratos in a new direction has made it beloved by fans.

The games based on Norse mythology are both innovative and true to the source material, featuring a fresh perspective from over the character's shoulder and captivating characters.

Although Kratos' journey is significant, it is often the supporting cast who steal the spotlight, captivating the audience with their charisma and captivating presence.

Santa Monica Studio, a beloved developer in the realm of single-player games, has garnered immense popularity for its revival of God of War and the daring decision to take Kratos on a new journey. Despite facing challenges along the way, the studio reached new heights of success with the release of the 2018 game, and God of War Ragnarok concluded the story in a manner that pleased both new and longtime fans. These two games, set in Norse mythology, showcase innovation and faithfulness by placing a seasoned character like Kratos into unfamiliar territory.

With a fresh perspective from a over-the-shoulder viewpoint, changes to his weaponry, and encounters with intriguing new characters, Kratos' fate in the Norse realms offers a refreshing and distinct change of pace. It is the personalities surrounding him that serve as the most captivating aspect of the games, emphasizing that the storytelling of God of War excels when the focus shifts away from the Ghost of Sparta and onto the Aesir gods, Dwarven creators, and ordinary individuals who unexpectedly cross his path.

Kratos' Journey is Filled with Compelling Characters

In God of War, Kratos used to be the central focus, but in Midgard, it's the people around him who shine the brightest. Freya starts off as kind and selfless but becomes consumed by vengeance. Brok and Sindri provide comic relief but their situation becomes heavier. Atreus' role in the saga escalates as the games progress. By the end of God of War Ragnarok, these characters have completely transformed from who they were when Kratos and his son first left home.

Kratos' personal journey is arguably the least captivating compared to the other main and side characters. This might be because he isn't as intricately connected to the Norse world. He mostly serves as a facilitator, bringing Atreus into the story, and doesn't exert much influence on the major events that unfold. As Kratos and the player journey through the story, they encounter a diverse cast of characters who carry most of the dialogue and are generally more interesting than the Spartan himself.

Kratos' Silence is Sometimes Useful

Introducing Kratos' son in the 2018 game was a bold decision with the potential to significantly impact players' perception of him. Previously, he was portrayed as a brooding, angry character with no distinct personality. However, in the Norse realms, we witness a more nuanced version of him as he attempts to form a connection with his son despite lacking the necessary parenting skills. Despite these improvements, Kratos still remains closed-off, which adds to his complexity but also makes him come across as uninteresting, an issue that had been raised in previous games.

On the flip side, this allows other characters to shine and take the spotlight in God of War's storyline. Kratos is spoken to more often than he initiates conversations, giving side characters the opportunity to lead specific scenes. For instance, the moment when Freya mourns the loss of her son at the end of God of War is truly breathtaking. Kratos remains mostly silent during this powerful moment, providing the game with a chance to showcase a new side to Freya, making her one of the standout characters in the entire series.