God of War Review

 

After reintroducing me to video games through the Spider-Man series, my fiancé wanted to show me one of his favorite games: God of War. Not the original trilogy, not the other spin-offs, but the 2018 game where Kratos (voiced by Christopher Judge) moved to the universe of the Nordic gods. I watched a video explaining the other games, though, so I knew a little bit about the background and how Kratos got there. I will be reviewing each game separately in this post, so be careful to read the spoilers if you haven't finished Ragnarök!

God of War (2018)

The nine worlds of God of War, a game inspired by Norse mythology, tell the tale of Kratos, a Spartan, and God of War from the now-destruction Greek homeland. Many refer to him as the God Killer or the Ghost of Sparta. Ever since coming to Midgard, he has made an effort to lead a quiet life as an ordinary guy. He had a kid named Atreus (Sunny Suljic) and was married to Faye (Deborah Ann Woll), who was subsequently discovered to be a giant. But after she passes away, Baldur (Jeremy Davies) finds him, and he must travel through numerous adversaries to scatter his wife's ashes on the world's largest peak. the nine domains. He uses an axe that Faye gave him, which has ice-based powers and comes back to life when it is remembered. His son uses a bow and the magic he has been taught.  He makes friends and enemies, learns more about their destiny, grows as a father, and finds closure with his past—most especially, the Blades of Chaos—all during this journey. 

The Characters: Aesir and Vanir gods and goddesses are introduced in the game, along with a few additional characters from various species. The other characters only made appearances during plot points or checkpoints because the games are centered around Kratos and Atreus' quest to reach the highest mountain. After being presented as the Witch of the Woods, Freya (Danielle Bisutti) soon became a crucial and useful character and storyline aspect. She is ultimately shown to be the enemy, though, since we killed her son Baldur to preserve her life after we battled him and unintentionally eliminated the spells of immortality, which shielded him. Plot-point adversaries that are battled and defeated throughout the game include Magni (Troy Baker) and Modi (Nolan North), Thor's sons, one by Kratos's hand and the other by a brazen Atreus. The Dwarf brothers Brok (Robert Craighead) and Sindri (Adam Harrington) are two of the game's primary checkpoint characters. They offer vital information, camaraderie, humor, and weapon/gear upgrades. They were a really helpful and enjoyable aspect of the game, and you can unlock more the more you talk with them! One intriguing character initially functioned as a checkpoint before turning into a story point. personality. Alastair Duncan's character Mimir was presented as a useful traveling companion to disperse Faye's ashes. With his extensive knowledge, he may assist with plot progression, respond to inquiries, and share some stories with players so they can learn more about the nine realms they are currently visiting. All in all, each character was unique, underwent some sort of transformation, contributed something to the plot, and was meticulously created. The Mythology: Although I would never consider myself an expert, I am a big fan of Norse mythology. I don't know every detail, but I know enough to be familiar with most people and certain stories. To ensure that our games are as accurate as possible, the game developers conducted a ton of research. It is technically only "inspired by" Norse Mythology because there must be exceptions for the sake of the story and the characters, but I would contend that it is incredibly accurate and an excellent portrayal of all those tales. The monsters' and creatures' designs matched the settings, and the explanations provided made sense to account for their presence in a location. Seeing these stories come to life in a reasonably authentic manner was fascinating. Even though the identities of several characters were first ambiguous, once they were given names, their identities became evident. Each of the nine places we were able to explore was breathtaking in its own right, just as the mythology had predicted. But because Helheim felt a little constrained and lacked any interesting elements, I was a little let down by it. Though I didn't know who was in charge before Hela entered the picture, the enormous bird that guarded the realm was fascinating. In general, I thought that Kratos was skillfully integrated into the world and story and that the mythology was appropriately portrayed. It is stupid to be concerned that certain things are not 100% correct when it seems obvious that his presence would influence things. 

The Story: As previously indicated, the storyline can be summarized as Kratos and Atreus attempting to disperse Faye's ashes from the highest mountain in all the realms. Of course, it's not that easy; they have to overcome numerous obstacles, hardships, and difficulties in their path. However, everything was masterfully done in both the subtle and large ways that it was interwoven and the story was told. As a writer, it is consoling to know that nothing remains unanswered. During the game, I had questions addressed on everything. Everything was explained clearly and concisely and matched the narrative, as opposed to using protracted cutaways to clarify minor information. I found great pleasure in the lore that was interwoven throughout the game. If you appreciate world-building, it's worth reading even though it does require some reading. I have never seen a game with such perfect storytelling, and both fans of the previous games and newcomers alike will enjoy the subtle nods to Kratos's background throughout the narrative, which comes from both music and character dialogue. This is the story-driven game you've been waiting for.

The gameplay: It appeared to be a rather simple game mechanic. All of the controls, including weapon upgrades and skills, have a tutorial, and the options allow you to change the controls. Motion blur can assist prevent nausea because of the amount of details in the realms and the intensity of some conflicts. Although Kratos is the primary antagonist of the game, you can also use Atreus's abilities, weapons, and magic, but they are only useful when he has reached a higher level. The all-inclusive cuisine (weapons, armor, collectibles, etc.) is manageable at first, but it might be a little perplexing because there are so many alternatives. However, the gameplay moves quickly, especially during battles, thus it might not be suitable for inexperienced players.

The introduction of Jormungandr, often known as the World Serpent or the Midgard Serpent, was my favorite portion of the game. I've always loved the first three of Loki's children—Jormungandr, Fenrir, and Hela—so it was thrilling to watch him in action. He had an incredible design, his name was pronounced correctly, and the explanation of his current existence—despite Loki not yet having any children—was quite clear. The confrontations with the Valkyrie were my least favorite aspect of the game. Even though I wasn't playing the game myself, they nevertheless made me feel something as a spectator tremendous strain and were really challenging. If you haven't played Dark Souls, it's an incredibly challenging game. The author wanted to incorporate some incredibly challenging combat that is reminiscent of that game. That was undoubtedly accomplished. 

All things considered, this is a fantastic game. I would gladly watch the game again or even play it through to relive every moment. Even in simple mode, though, it's a challenging game that takes patience and commitment to finish. Go play it and watch the descriptions of the other games if you're a gamer and haven't played it before! Before playing it if you're not a gamer, I suggest watching a playthrough. However you choose to play the game, it's fantastic and I heartily suggest it.  

Ragnarok, God of War (2022)

I was somewhat excited about this game after finishing the last one because the trailers featured a lot more well-known Norse gods and characters. Since the initial game, several years have gone by, and Fimbulwinter has been wreaking havoc throughout the realms, with varying impacts in each. Kratos is only trying to survive and stay out of Ragnarok, Freya is seeking retribution, and Atreus has reared and trained some wolves. The story in this game and the opportunity to explore all nine realms are even more extensive! It's an excellent game to play with A poignant conclusion that offers closure, fresh possibilities, and a true sense of perspective on everything that has transpired. It's a great touch that they included that some of the more recent characters shared facial features with their voice actors. 

me closer to Kratos and accepted her son's passing, evolving into a game featuring a cast of characters, both well-known and unfamiliar. Everyone from the first game, especially Freya who joins the adventure as a companion, has an important part to play in the story. Each of the new individuals has a connection to either the Vanir gods or Asgard as a royal dynasty. As the game progresses, each of the four main characters—Kratos, Mimir, Atreus, and Freya—has significant personal growth. The consideration and attention to detail that went into their emotional shifts and situational management really impressed me. My favorite change was when Freya because way Freya became closer to Kratos and accepted the loss of her son was a formidable ally both in the fight and in the conclusion. As he gained knowledge from Atreus to improve as a father and a general once more, Kratos matured nicely. By the game's conclusion, he had at last come to terms with his choices and was clearing up the disaster that Asgard had left behind. Mimir continues to be a hilarious head and gives players important details to help them comprehend the plot. Atreus undergoes significant character development, most notably towards the conclusion of his tale when he transitions from Atreus to Loki to rescue the last few Giant's souls. All things considered, the character writers for this game did a fantastic job. 

The Mythology: As previously indicated, I am not an authority on Norse mythology, but I do possess a strong grasp of the stories and gods. Although I didn't know many of the stories in this game, I believe they are based on the stories that the Vikings have told over the ages. Naturally, it must be acknowledged that due to Kratos's presence in the universe, the game will make some artistic license with the characters. The way Asgard is portrayed in the game is the one thing that bothers me. There is no rainbow bridge or golden realm; it is depicted as a typical village. Although not every story of The Mythology: I am not an expert on Norse mythology, as I have said before, but I do have a solid understanding of the tales and gods. I think the storylines in this game are based on the tales the Vikings have recounted throughout the ages, even though I didn't know many of them. It goes without saying that the game will take some creative license with the characters because Kratos exists in the universe. The one thing that irritates me is how Asgard is portrayed in the game. The scene is shown as a normal town; there is no rainbow bridge or golden realm. Not all accounts of The Story: A few years had passed after the last game's conclusion when the game started. Atreus has developed greatly as a person, learning survival skills and rearing wolves that were spared a terrible fate. Throughout the game, he experiences moments of disobedience as he tries to figure out what his other name, Loki, means. While Odin wants Atreus to cease his search for Tyr and Freya is trying to exact revenge, among other things, circumstances force Kratos to keep them alive and out of conflict. While Kratos is only trying to make it through the hard winter that has been brought upon the land, Freya is out for blood, and Magic and spell power are waning. The characters and plot have plenty of time to grow because the game is lengthy. Even though the tale is developing toward the battle with Asgard, the protagonists' journey is still compelling. To survive, Kratos and Atreus are compelled to vanish and must search the outside world for supplies and information. To get retribution, Freya ends up escorting Kratos to Vanahiem to break the enchantment of Odin. There, they encounter her brother, and she is set free, turning her fury away from Kratos and toward Odin. Their bond grows during and after Atreus discovers All the tales come together in the fight against Asgard as a result of his mistakes. The way the story was resolved at the end with cutscenes and a few additional objectives to complete to complete the game 100% was one aspect of the narrative that I found enjoyable. Overall, excellent narrative writing with all of the questions answered! 

The Conclusion: The game's conclusion was so lengthy that it required its own paragraph. It is amazing to watch and play every moment from the moment you blow Gjallarhorn till you part ways with Atreus.  After blowing the Gjallarhorn, you're committed to completing the game. There is no slowdown as everyone is flown to Asgard in a massive battle. To find Odin and beat him, you must travel to the wall and destroy it; this is made simpler if you have already reached a higher level. You fight different adversaries, Thor, and ultimately Odin, a formidable antagonist who kills Thor. The village is destroyed by Freya, Atreus, and Kratos, and after Odin is vanquished, his spirit is encased in a marble. But as payback for Brok's death, Sindri shows there and breaks the stone, permanently destroying Odin. Asgard starts to collapse, sending everyone away and rendering Kratos comatose in the process. As he proceeds to find Atreus, he is woken up in Vanaheim, where they have taken refuge. He speaks with all of the characters about what transpired. They search for the last mural, which reveals that Faye truly deserted her people to get Kratos and Atreus to pursue their own interests and not merely go along the predetermined route. In an incredibly moving moment, Kratos and Atreus part ways. He discovers a hidden painting in the back that shows him as a revered god of war. At last, he finds serenity at this point. After the game's credits have rolled, you can accomplish any discoveries you haven't yet encountered, like defeating Gna, finding the true Tyr, and facing the Berserker King. 

I had a few favorite moments in this game. The first of these was the soul's creation of Fenrir in the form of a huge wolf. He was incredibly cute, and I really liked that they kept him around as Loki's "son." The second instance was the Ragnarok battle between Jormungandr and Thor. They were referring to the battle from the first game, where Jormungandr is sent back in time and everyone remarks on how much younger he appears. At the conclusion, we witness him being sent back in time before he confronts Thor. The last exchanges of the fight with Odin were my third and last favorite part. Atreus, Freya, and Kratos give him a lovely ass kick. I hope you get to witness it in a playthrough because I am unable to express it! Or, if spoilers don't bother you, search it up. 

All in all, this is among the greatest games I've ever had the pleasure of seeing or playing. I was devastated when the game ended because it swiftly became one of my favorites. These games have amazing writing, and the gameplay strikes a nice mix of difficulty and accessibility. I heartily suggest these games if you're a frequent gamer! Easy mode or simply watching a playthrough would be ideal if you're not a regular gamer because some bouts need multiple tries and memorization of attack patterns. In any case, I recommend playing this game!

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