GOD OF WAR : A close answer to an improvement over an already Flawless video game experience.

COMPLETED : GOD OF WAR

Kratos, who still feels like Kratos only wiser and more characterized is back after a long exile to be found in unknown lands: a Norse setting, a world he doesn't understand.


The focused narrative storytelling has been given up for a personal cinematic saga which I am not a big fan of and it did hurt my experience in the first quarter.

Nonetheless, the story of a father and son capturing all their emotions and the development their relationship goes through in the 20 hour long journey with the right pacing, past references, the same twists and turns and moments of brilliance is still interesting if not as epic or motivating and sets up the future games very well.

Understandably, A Fresh approach was needed on the combat front.

Gameplay video : Valkyrie Queen (good example of the combat and the best fight in the game)

The Leviathan Axe does the job to change it for a more slow strategic system along with a closer camera helped most of the time with on-screen visual warnings as well as Atreus's calls of the direction of incoming attack.

The ranged throw and recall attack works amazingly well and is arguably the most satisfying projectile attack in hack and slash games.Or should I still call it one ?

An action rpg would be more suitable and a good one at that with more focus on combat than stats.

Combos which are still fluid lack variety and somewhat make up for it with its depth, the inclusion of Atreus although refreshing feels underutilized and parrying is sweet.

The game showcases Kratos's godly nature by continuing its tradition of epic main boss battles,although heavily short on number in the main campaign are still fast in spite of the slower combat system.

The final blow causing demolition of the enemy is still present as scripted moves but without the quick time events reducing the sense of conquest which didn't make sense at all.

Shift from the linear yet gripping level design to a beautiful wild open world on par with the top open world games with graphics that show the pinnacle of gaming draws one in eventually but not enough to explore beyond the main campaign.

The world can't transfer it's quality to the puzzles, an essential element in the God of War formula which individually have been more thoughtful than ever but lack the wholeness and connectivity of gigantic mechanisms being unlocked slowly part by part or the new treasure puzzles which felt more like chores.Also Platforming is near absent.

The question was : How do you better an already flawless classic video game experience?This game could be a close answer :

Expanding, modernizing as a game borrowing a lot from the likes of The Last of Us,Souls series and at the same time respecting its roots, an improvement over a range of segments from the Original God of War formula and even if a considerable amount of these are in parts which aren't my first priority or what God of War had been known for,the game does stand out in a way.

An overall better game? Yes.
A better God of War game uh,NO!