God of War’s reimagined combat is spectacular

Even the Grinch has a heart

Since his debut on the PlayStation 2, Kratos has been rage personified, a brute who killed anyone and anything. After becoming an instrument of war, players controlled Kratos as he took down gods, titans, and everything in between—all without the slightest bit of remorse.

The formula was attractive at first, and no game had more spectacle than God of War. But several years (and eight games later), and the one-dimensional approach became tired. To the point where the very appeal of Kratos became his most insufferable quality.

The newest God of War will show a more vulnerable side of Kratos, who finds himself in a new land confronting a past that continues to weigh heavily on his shoulders. Turns out, having Kratos finally look inward was exactly what the franchise needed.

“For characters to grow, they need to legitimately grow,” said Cory Barlog, God of War’s director. “You don’t want to keep hammering on the same notes.”

When the game first begins, it’s clear Kratos is a mere shell of the man he once was, in a period of transition confronting unfamiliar feelings. He’s broken, battered, and a little bit somber, finally coming to terms with his fate as a cursed god. But he isn’t alone on his journey of retribution.

Article source: https://www.technobuffalo.com/2018/03/19/god-of-war-gameplay-hands-on/