Sony Santa Monica's God of War is nothing short of a master class in game design.Post Date: 4/25/18
Breaking the Chains of Olympus:
How they could make me resonate with Kratos after all these years being a one note character is a feat in itself, but making the bold choice to make this game as a continuation of the original series, carrying the torch forward rather than tossing the baby out with the bathwater is a testament to the teams passion for the series. I think it's important to look back at what the franchise was prior to this game to fully appreciate how far it's come. The last outing for Kratos was very much a low point for the series in God of War: Ascension (2013) the game was a prequel for the original trilogy and it came out to good reviews at an 80 on metacritic which was trending down 12 points below God of War: III but besides the fact that the rating was lower which is up for interpretation, the game was a prequel which to some said that Sony Santa Monica was just out of ideas on where to take the franchise moving forward. I am here to tell you that they are not. Gone is the far off almost isometric camera view point and the cut scenes that take you out of the game, in is the new viewpoint which is only slightly pulled back from Kratos's shoulder and the game was done through one continuous shot unless you're pulling up a menu the camera never cuts away as a result the franchise for the first time in years feels fresh, I want to know these characters motivations, I want to spend time in the incredible world they built in Midgard. Simply put, not only did they succeed in making a sequel, they did it in such a spectacular fashion that I am completely on board for whatever Cory Barlog and the team over at Sony Santa Monica bring us next.
Exploring Midgard:
I remember when I first heard the rumors that the new God of War would possibly be set in a different location and that the Norse mythology was a favorite pick. I thought about all the possibilities, thinking man it would be sweet to explore that mythology while it would also allow for Kratos to separate himself from Mount Olympus to which he's been intrinsically bound. I cannot state enough how well crafted this games world is, from small details to the world serpent looming in the background at all times. I think the setting also helps thematically as there is a certain amount of solitude that comes with often harsh frozen lands of Midgard. The other thing that stuck out to me is that the game is deliberate in everything it shows you, there seems to be nothing wasted, I was always rewarded for paying attention to details, there were great puzzles and a great many reasons to revisit areas once you acquired new abilities throughout the game. All of this while being hands down the most beautiful game I have ever played, console or elsewhere. Yes, including Witcher 3 & Horizon: Zero Dawn which were fighting for the top spot previously.
GodBorne:
So you've played God of War before right? Well throw all of that experience out the window your button mashing skills will do you no favors here boy! I was intrigued when it was first confirmed this game would be an action RPG but I was hesitant to see how well implemented it would be coming from a studio that has a pedigree in the combo breaker style action combat they helped mainstream. I am gleefully happy to report that this game was not made in a bubble. They have been out there playing games like Darksouls, Bloodborne, Witcher 3 and Nioh and any other deeply rewarding skill based action RPG combat game that has come out in the last 10 years. They didn't just pull from those games, they made the combat their own, gone are Kratos's signature chained blades and in comes the Leviathan Axe which is a downright pleasure to use. The amount of ways you can approach combat in this game is pretty astonishing from throwing your Axe then fighting bare handed to recalling the thrown axe perfectly timed to stagger an enemy mounting a hay-maker is some of the most rewarding combat I have ever played. This is not even accounting for Atreus who is at your command with his own skill tree and ways to command, or the multitude of various abilities you find in the forms of runes which you attach to your gear which allow for a very customized system.
A father and his son:
I went into this game with certain expectations based on my experience with the series, I assumed we would have some glorious God on God combat, Kratos would rip some enemies apart while enraged, you know the usual. Well, to be fair, I got some of that. It has familiar trimmings that make God of War what it is but they all take a backseat to the incredible story about a father struggling with his inner demons while trying to raise his son to be better than himself. I think part of the genius of this game is that the premise is very simple. Kratos's wife Faye has died, her wishes were for her ashes to be spread atop the highest peak in all the realms so Kratos and his son Atreus set out to fulfill Faye's dying wish. The game does a fantastic job at telling you a fully realized story through alternative means, there are very few monologues that explain everything you find. Instead you come across tapestries and statues in your travels that the characters will discuss in game while traveling between points of interest, its ingenious decisions like this that keeps the games pacing perfect. I would love to discuss the ins and outs of why I think this games story is so special but I really do think I would be doing the game a disservice to spoil what it has in store for you. Suffice to say that this games best attributes are it's story, characters and the world building. If you had asked me last week how I viewed this series I would have told you it's a fun albeit dated and one note franchise, like we get it Kratos is always angry. Kratos smash! It's amazing how 30-40 hours with this game have fundamentally changed how I view the franchise, this game establishes a new benchmark for the industry while also giving new life to a franchise I think everyone including myself thought was on it's way out. Bravo to Sony Santa Monica they have created not only one of the best games this generation but this writers favorite game of all time.
- Brutal Tactical Combat
- Fully Realized World
- Powerful Story Telling
- Master Class in Game Design
No comments:
Post a Comment