Prolific film director Guillermo del Toro is a big fan of video games, and it sounds like the modern God of War titles rank among his absolute favourites.
Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, he's asked what the best game he's ever played is, and he names several classics in his long answer, but lingers longest on Santa Monica Studio's action series.
"Some of the God of War [games] are just some of the most cinematic experiences I've ever had," del Toro says.
"When [Kratos] fights Odin [we think he might actually be referring to Baldur], and he keeps coming back and he looks like a Peaky Blinders brawler, and he beats the crap out of Kratos. What a great video game."
He continues, praising the cinematic qualities of the modern games.
"The way they use the budget of data on the console to create atmospheric dispersion and light — that [game] is lit like a film," del Toro says.
God of War (2018) and it's sequel, God of War Ragnarok, aimed for a more grounded, cinematic approach, even going so far as to use a one-shot camera to keep players engaged, and it seems it's resonated strongly with del Toro.
Some other bangers he brings up are BioShock, Death Stranding, Metal Gear Solid, Left4Dead, Red Dead Redemption, and Shadow of the Colossus, which he calls a "masterpiece".
It seems he has great taste. What do you think about del Toro's comments on God of War? Tell us in the comments section below.
Comments 16
uh ya
his Frankenstein wasn't very cinematic though
He's right. God of War and its sequel are truly something. I'd say the closest thing to a masterpiece I've experienced in my life as a gamer.
I really enjoyed GoW, Ragnarok not so much. It all felt a bit "watch lengthy cut scene, hit X to win, watch watch lengthy cut scene ad infinitum"
Still prefer the original GoW trilogy overall.
@BrownOwl GoW 3 will always be the peak of the series.
Kratos the g.o.a.t. 🐐 👑. Word up son
I get so frustrated with this game's combat in higher difficulty modes but i always come back to it (2018) no matter what. There's something about it that just tickles my brain in the right way: the presentation, level design, story, sound design, puzzles, exploration, graphics, menu, combat (even when I'm pissed at the game because of it)...this game is pretty much my autistic repetitive behavior firing at all cylinders
@Frmknst really? i've heard really good things about it
When I was a little kid I was obsessed with Clash of the Titans in the 80s. Getting to fight and destroy Perseus in God of War 2 with voice acting from the actor in the movie I think is my favorite epic gaming moment of all time. I had no idea he would be in the game so it was an awesome surprise.
It was actually the cinematography in Ragnarok that put me off it. Felt like they were trying hard to make it film-like and the gameplay was interrupted too many times. Especially with the amount of pointless “squeezing through tight spaces” type situations.
This might have been good for the actor but wasn’t so much for me as a gamer and end user. Not everyone has to be naughty dog and I wonder if there’s internal competition within Sony studios that think they have to make things even more cinematic when to me I just want to play the game, not watch it.
@wildcat_kickz it has some great cinematography throughout. I could see pacing complaints but not cinematography. This guy just comments something negative on anything that isn’t Uncharted.
Excellent taste. His list of favorite games is spot on. Although I’ll admit that Left4Dead is a blind spot for me, but the others are among my favorites as well.
@wildcat_kickz
It is a good movie. Like Kenneth Branagh's version it sticks close the the book so doesn't do anything particularly new, but that works in the films favour and so is very much worth a watch.
And the cinematography is superb. I honestly don't know what this user is waffling on about.
Guilermo probably one of the few Hollywood director who really knows what's he talking about when comes to video games, anime, and manga.
But i'm surprised that Sony never try to hire him to handle one of their game to movie adaptation.
@IamJT cinematography, sets and costumes where all superb , didn't think much of the creature design , looked like the engineer from prometheus , which was quite fitting i suppose , mia goth was wasted didn't see the point of her , christoph waltz was superb as always, I enjoyed it for the most part , wasn't a fan of the Wolverine super powers though.
I think these new ones - 2018 and Ragnarok are excellent. The graphics and design of assets is incredible. Kratos is more likable in the latter because he agrees to go on exploration and do side quests, angry man!
@Oram77 agreed. I usually put the reboots after the first three games w ragnarok being last. They’re great games mind you… just not on the level of 1-3.
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...