God of War is back, and it's looking better than we ever could have imagined. Kratos has returned, but this time he's got a new set of Gods to deal with – all from Norse legend. "We are parsing it as the time in which the Vikings spoke of their Gods walking the Earth," creative director Cory Barlog told a panel at E3 2016, as reported by Eurogamer.net. "So it's not in the era where the Vikings are around, we're predating them by a considerable amount of time."
Of course, Norse mythology wasn't the only idea that the developer had. "Egyptian mythology was the other one and half the team was way into that," he said. "All of them had great reasons. I think, for me, as I looked at both of those, Egyptian mythology is about the pharaohs as embodiments of the Gods on Earth and there's a lot more about civilisation – it's less isolated, less barren. I think at this time, we really wanted to focus on Kratos."
The new God of War represents a departure for the series, with Kratos living life more prosaically with his son. But fans of the franchise for its bombast won't be left behind. "I think spectacle is part of our DNA," he admitted. "I made a very deliberate choice not to put that in this demo. We needed to stand out a little bit and show people why we changed this game. But there's still the David vs. Goliath. The troll fight is a small version of what we really have to show."
[source eurogamer.net]
Comments 20
I can already see the IGN reviews - 7/10 "too much sand."
Egyptian mythology could be incredible but I agree that it would be less isolated. I'm not sure how an isolated hero works in ancient Egyptian mythos. However, if they introduce new characters in the upcoming game, they could try their hand a larger cast of anti-heroes in an Egyptian setting, playing on the idea that Kratos is tragic character who is reincarnated throughout different ages, always doomed to bring about some form of downfall.
God of war is the best.best playstation franchise of all times
If you guys look at 3:45 in the God of War demo you'll see a robed figure move away to the right of the crossroads and if you look very closely at the end when the dragon flies to the screen, the break in the treeline isn't actually water... It's Jörmungandr, the great world-serpent!
@Neolit I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass! The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun!
I quite interested in the back story behind this because when SSM's Sci Fi game was cancelled the studio would have been in trouble, they had their external projects but their lost three years of development on a new game and essentially let go of a good chunk of the GoW team. Then 4 months later Cory Barlog revealed on the PS Blog that he was coming back to the studio and he was allowed to his own team. So in many ways this new God of War is a resurgence for the studio who for many have been quiet ever since GoW ascension.
@rjejr "The sand in Journey had more to say artistically, and less blood" 6 out of 10. Kotaku
I wonder if at any point we can play as the Son, or if he will just be killed off in classic GoW fashion.
I think that's good, because while Greeks and Nordics talk about the human side of the Gods, including a lot of bad characteristics, the Egyptian ones were more omnipotent and divinity like. So let's kill the violent ones!
I'm ready for Valhalla. I've always liked GoW, but after playing them a lot I'm bored with the combat. Seems like they've really come good this time, for me.
I would have loved a Egyptian god of war but I am happy with the direction of this game it looks great so far cannot wait to sink my teeth into it
I would have liked it because god of war(greek) vs god of war (Egyptian) but the game still looks great anyway
I really like the new direction they are taking God of War.
One of my biggest problems with GoW 1-3 was due to Kratos being such a donkey hole, I basically didn't care about him or his cause.
The spectacle was nice, I enjoy spectacle fighters like the ones Platinum makes, but the combat system was so button mashy. While I'm sure Kratos will eventually get more weapons than just the Ice Axe, I hope none of them are mindless and require meaningful decision from the player.
Loved the look of this but I hope it still has red/blue orbs!
@NomNom Gotta say, I really hope that's the case. I love the direction they're taking, but for me the kid embodies everything that winds me up about child characters and game side-kicks. The moment he shouts 'Yes!' when he strikes with his arrow is so cringe-worthy. I felt like I was watching the Phantom Menace again with Anakin's 'That's a neat trick!' line. I am a grumpy b'stard, though, so maybe it's just...sorry, hang on a sec...
...What?! Your ball?! No. No, it's mine now. You can have it back when you learn to keep clear of my gard...What did you say?! You kiss your mother with that mouth? What?! Why you...That's right, run! Run!! And don't let me see you around here again!...
Sorry about that. What was I saying again?
@rjejr
7/10... too much beard
We dodged a bullet....
We dodged a bullet....
@JaxonH I've known you for years now, and that might be the funniest thing you ever typed, I'm coughing up a lung over here. So glad I wan't drinking anything, I'd need a new keyboard.
Whilst an Egyptian setting would be interesting, I think Norse mythology is a better call. There are aspects of the folklore and the setting that feel a lot harsher and colder than other mythologies.
God of War really blew me away. I'm not huge into the series but it's great they're shaking it up and looking at more character depth within their narrative. Bring it on!
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