While the the game isn’t a total reset, God of War is going to be a very different experience from past games. Sony and Santa Monica Studios have wasted no time highlighting the game’s cinematic nature, showing off a technique called the “Single-Shot” Effect that makes the game progress without cutting, giving the player a truly immersive experience.
The question now on everyone’s lips is it all worth it? Have the teams at Santa Monica Studios and Sony managed to create a game worthy of the original trilogy or is God of War destined for failure? With reviews beginning to roll in it’s time to find out.
IGN ( Jonathon Dornbush)
Score: 10/10
Polygon (Chris Plante)
Score: 10.0/10.0
The Verge (Andrew Webster)
Score: N/A
GameSpot (Peter Brown)
Score: 9/10
Nerdist (Dan Casey)
Score: N/A
Screenrant (Rob Keyes)
Score: Absolute Must-Play
Forbes (Dave Thier)
Score: 9.5/10
TechRadar (Stephen Lambrechts)
Score: Play It Now
It seems by all accounts that the team over at Santa Monica Studios have by and far exceeded expectations. It’s always a risk when developers reboot popular franchises from the past but any concerns appear unwarranted as God of War has proven to be a master class of mixing the old with the new, keeping the large-scale action and settings but adding more emotional depth.
Creative director on the game Cory Barlog has already spoken at great length about the need for the series to mature and his and the team’s desire to create a more human Kratos. Most critics seem to agree the use of his son Atreus to make him a more dimensional character is the game’s greatest strength and what makes it possibly one of the best games in the series.
While its understandable that some longtime fans might be uneasy by the series going in this new direction, hopefully they will give the game a chance. Sometimes change is necessary, and by all accounts God of War is not a gaming experience to be missed.
God of War is set to release on April 20, 2018 for PlayStation 4.
