God of War Review (PS4)
Introduction
This is a sequel to the original God of War series, which was set in Greek mythology and universe. Developed by Sony Santa Monica Studio, this game focuses on Norse mythology, with a brand new world and creatures. Kratos returns as a playable character, and he will meet several new characters that belong to this mythology.
The game however, plays differently than the previous God of War games, with different changes to the combat, customisation, and camera. This game also focuses more on open-world exploration as well as story.
Story
This game takes place in Norse mythology based world, where Kratos ended up mysteriously after the events of God of War III. Kratos had a son with his second late wife, who is named as Atreus. After the death of his second wife, he is tasked to bring her second wife's ashes to the highest peak of the realm with Atrerus. Due to certain circumstances, they have to travel to other different realms, as well as bonding together as father and son.
The game's story is good. It has interesting take on Norse mythology, good character developments, and interesting characters. I particularly like all characters in the game, but Mimir is an excellent character who tells interesting stories. Kratos also has a decent development made off-screen between God of War III and this game, who approached different situations more calmly. The blacksmiths Brok and Sindri are great characters too.
However, I find some of the sub-plots dropped too quickly while I was playing the game, such as when Atreus acts out in one portion of the game, the unknown person who summoned World Serpent, and etc. Despite those missed opportunities on resolving the mysteries, I think this game seems to build up to the next God of War game really nicely with the secret epilogue, so the next game might answer those mysteries.
Gameplay
This game plays as an action adventure game with open-world exploration. However, unlike previous God of War games, this game uses a different camera system where it is focused from Kratos' back, like Horizon Zero Dawn as well as different combat and leveling systems.
The game's exploration is different than the previous God of War games too, where you can explore optional areas before going to story-related areas. While there are some story areas can't be revisited after completing certain story objectives, optional areas can be revisited back to unlock additional rewards. As Kratos, you can run, walk, or crawl in tight spaces. You can also interact with objects, work together with Atreus to solve some puzzle sections, and etc.
Story progression is simple, as you need to complete your main objectives by going to designated story-related areas. You might be required to solve some puzzles, battle against enemies and bosses, as well as climbing sections. You may also traverse to optional areas and complete side quests called Favours to gain additional rewards.
This game has more extensive customisation system that is similar to RPG games. You can equip Kratos with different armour pieces to boost his stats and level. Each piece may have different effects and stat boosts, so check them before equipping them to Kratos. You may find them by opening treasure chests, completing Favours, crafting them via blacksmiths, or buying them. Not only you can equip Kratos with different armour pieces, you may also equip Atreus with a different garb to increase his combat effectiveness.
The leveling system ties directly to Kratos' stats. As Kratos' stats increase via equipping different armour pieces, his level will change accordingly. This is called Power Level, where it dictates on how strong you are against enemies and bosses, as well as what attacks you can block or survive. You can also boost Kratos' stats by equipping different Enchantments on his armour pieces too, which also grants additional effects while fighting enemies.
As you fight enemies and complete story objectives, you will gain experience points, which you can also use to learn new Skills for Kratos and Aterus, as well as upgrading your special attacks called Runic Attacks. Keep in mind that you can only acquire higher leveled skills if you have upgraded your weapons sufficiently.
The combat system is slower-paced than the previous God of War games' combat system, but still has some similarities such as light attacks and heavy attacks. Kratos has access to two main weapons, where he can use the Leviathan Axe or attack enemies with his bare fists. Each weapon has several differences, such as his bare-fist attacks has lower damage than his axe attacks, but it allows him to stun enemies faster for an instant kill move.
Kratos also has access to other techniques that can help him in battle, such as throwing his axe to a faraway enemy, use powerful skills called Runic Attacks to defeat his enemies, or use the Rage of Sparta mode for temporary invincibility and health regeneration. You may also command Atreus to shoot his arrows at enemies for distraction or increased damage at enemies. You may also block or parry enemy attacks with your shield.
There are few enemy variety in this game, where you will fight humanoid enemies, trolls, and other type of enemies. Some enemies have resistance on your axe attacks, so you need to switch to your bare-handed attacks to stun them and kill them instantly. Boss fights are also present in this game, where they can be tougher than regular enemies.
This game has solid gameplay. Interesting combat system, good variety of Runic Attacks, decent crafting system, good equipment system, fewer QTE sections, good story pacing, good exploration, and plenty of side-content.
However, I find that this game's camera system too limited. Although there are attack indicators from Kratos' blind side, I find that it is still difficult to dodge attacks reliably due to lack of view. Enemy variety also feels too few, especially when it comes to boss fights. There are too many troll-type boss fights in this game, and not enough unique bosses. Understandable, since this is the first game in the new God of War series set in Norse mythology. I also personally feel that the game's Power Level system doesn't scale reliably in multiple difficulty modes, but that is just me.
Regardless, this game has promising start with the solid gameplay ideas, that I wish to see them being refined in a possible sequel.
Graphics
Undeniably, this game has incredible graphics. Incredible looking character models, beautiful environment, and solid performance. Jormungandr is one of the highlights of the game, being a massive serpent who covers most of the part in Midgard.
I have some issues with the game's user interface, where I find that the text size of the Lore entries too small, as well as the subtitles before the game's latest update.
Sound
This game has good soundtrack, which is composed by Bear McCreary. I love the main theme, but I find that the main theme doesn't played enough throughout playing the game. This game also has incredible voice acting performances, but I must give the shoutout to Mimir, Sindir, and Brok voice actors for doing really good voice acting performances. Mimir's stories make me really interested with the Norse mythology, and both of the dwarves made me entertained while playing the game, whether the story missions or the optional dialogues.
I find that T.C. Carson's absence as the voice actor for Kratos in this game disappointing. I think it is a wasted opportunity to have a consistent voice actor for Kratos, since he is the same character from the original games.
Replay Value
This game has moderate replay value. After completing the game, you can complete all of the Favours (side quests) scattered in the game, collect all artifacts, fight the game's optional bosses, complete all of the Trials in Muspelheim, and etc. It is also possible for a New Game + mode to be included in a future update, which may increases the game's replay value considerably.
Conclusion
This is a solid start of another God of War series set in Norse mythology and starring both Kratos and Atreus. I like the world, mythology, characters, and the new gameplay features.
I strongly advise that new players should play the original God of War games that are set in Greek mythology first, as those games provide some insight on Kratos' character, as well as to show how much he changed between those games and this game, for better or worse.
In conclusion, this is a really good game with some issues. A great addition to PlayStation's exclusive lineup of games.
Score
Story: 8/10
Gameplay: 8/10
Graphics: 10/10
Sound: 9/10
Final Score: 8.5/10
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Interesting story.
- Great showcase of relationship between Kratos and Atreus.
- Memorable and likable characters.
- Mimir is a great storyteller.
- Interesting lore.
- Solid gameplay.
- Good story pacing.
- Less QTE sections compared to previous God of War games.
- Good amount of side-content.
- Interesting combat.
- Great graphics.
- Good music.
- Excellent voice acting.
Cons
- Some dropped sub-plots.
- Sequel-bait epilogue.
- Hit-or-miss camera system.
- Few regular enemy variety.
- Power Level doesn't scale reliably in some difficulty modes.
- Very few boss fights, and many repetitive troll-type boss fights.
- Some user-interface issue, such as the in-game text size in the menu.
- T.C. Carson did not return to voice as Kratos for consistency sake.
**Images are from official Sony Santa Monica Studio site.
This is a sequel to the original God of War series, which was set in Greek mythology and universe. Developed by Sony Santa Monica Studio, this game focuses on Norse mythology, with a brand new world and creatures. Kratos returns as a playable character, and he will meet several new characters that belong to this mythology.
The game however, plays differently than the previous God of War games, with different changes to the combat, customisation, and camera. This game also focuses more on open-world exploration as well as story.
Story
Play again as Kratos in a whole different world than the previous God of War games.
The game's story is good. It has interesting take on Norse mythology, good character developments, and interesting characters. I particularly like all characters in the game, but Mimir is an excellent character who tells interesting stories. Kratos also has a decent development made off-screen between God of War III and this game, who approached different situations more calmly. The blacksmiths Brok and Sindri are great characters too.
However, I find some of the sub-plots dropped too quickly while I was playing the game, such as when Atreus acts out in one portion of the game, the unknown person who summoned World Serpent, and etc. Despite those missed opportunities on resolving the mysteries, I think this game seems to build up to the next God of War game really nicely with the secret epilogue, so the next game might answer those mysteries.
Gameplay
Work together with Atreus, in both puzzles and combat.
The game's exploration is different than the previous God of War games too, where you can explore optional areas before going to story-related areas. While there are some story areas can't be revisited after completing certain story objectives, optional areas can be revisited back to unlock additional rewards. As Kratos, you can run, walk, or crawl in tight spaces. You can also interact with objects, work together with Atreus to solve some puzzle sections, and etc.
Story progression is simple, as you need to complete your main objectives by going to designated story-related areas. You might be required to solve some puzzles, battle against enemies and bosses, as well as climbing sections. You may also traverse to optional areas and complete side quests called Favours to gain additional rewards.
This game has more extensive customisation system that is similar to RPG games. You can equip Kratos with different armour pieces to boost his stats and level. Each piece may have different effects and stat boosts, so check them before equipping them to Kratos. You may find them by opening treasure chests, completing Favours, crafting them via blacksmiths, or buying them. Not only you can equip Kratos with different armour pieces, you may also equip Atreus with a different garb to increase his combat effectiveness.
Learn new Skills and equip new armour pieces. to win your battles.
As you fight enemies and complete story objectives, you will gain experience points, which you can also use to learn new Skills for Kratos and Aterus, as well as upgrading your special attacks called Runic Attacks. Keep in mind that you can only acquire higher leveled skills if you have upgraded your weapons sufficiently.
The combat system is slower-paced than the previous God of War games' combat system, but still has some similarities such as light attacks and heavy attacks. Kratos has access to two main weapons, where he can use the Leviathan Axe or attack enemies with his bare fists. Each weapon has several differences, such as his bare-fist attacks has lower damage than his axe attacks, but it allows him to stun enemies faster for an instant kill move.
Kratos also has access to other techniques that can help him in battle, such as throwing his axe to a faraway enemy, use powerful skills called Runic Attacks to defeat his enemies, or use the Rage of Sparta mode for temporary invincibility and health regeneration. You may also command Atreus to shoot his arrows at enemies for distraction or increased damage at enemies. You may also block or parry enemy attacks with your shield.
There are few enemy variety in this game, where you will fight humanoid enemies, trolls, and other type of enemies. Some enemies have resistance on your axe attacks, so you need to switch to your bare-handed attacks to stun them and kill them instantly. Boss fights are also present in this game, where they can be tougher than regular enemies.
Solid gameplay.
However, I find that this game's camera system too limited. Although there are attack indicators from Kratos' blind side, I find that it is still difficult to dodge attacks reliably due to lack of view. Enemy variety also feels too few, especially when it comes to boss fights. There are too many troll-type boss fights in this game, and not enough unique bosses. Understandable, since this is the first game in the new God of War series set in Norse mythology. I also personally feel that the game's Power Level system doesn't scale reliably in multiple difficulty modes, but that is just me.
Regardless, this game has promising start with the solid gameplay ideas, that I wish to see them being refined in a possible sequel.
Graphics
Awesome graphics.
I have some issues with the game's user interface, where I find that the text size of the Lore entries too small, as well as the subtitles before the game's latest update.
Sound
Good soundtrack and great voice acting.
I find that T.C. Carson's absence as the voice actor for Kratos in this game disappointing. I think it is a wasted opportunity to have a consistent voice actor for Kratos, since he is the same character from the original games.
Replay Value
Moderate replay value.
Conclusion
A solid start for a Norse mythology series of games starring Kratos and Atreus.
I strongly advise that new players should play the original God of War games that are set in Greek mythology first, as those games provide some insight on Kratos' character, as well as to show how much he changed between those games and this game, for better or worse.
In conclusion, this is a really good game with some issues. A great addition to PlayStation's exclusive lineup of games.
Score
Story: 8/10
Gameplay: 8/10
Graphics: 10/10
Sound: 9/10
Final Score: 8.5/10
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Interesting story.
- Great showcase of relationship between Kratos and Atreus.
- Memorable and likable characters.
- Mimir is a great storyteller.
- Interesting lore.
- Solid gameplay.
- Good story pacing.
- Less QTE sections compared to previous God of War games.
- Good amount of side-content.
- Interesting combat.
- Great graphics.
- Good music.
- Excellent voice acting.
Cons
- Some dropped sub-plots.
- Sequel-bait epilogue.
- Hit-or-miss camera system.
- Few regular enemy variety.
- Power Level doesn't scale reliably in some difficulty modes.
- Very few boss fights, and many repetitive troll-type boss fights.
- Some user-interface issue, such as the in-game text size in the menu.
- T.C. Carson did not return to voice as Kratos for consistency sake.
**Images are from official Sony Santa Monica Studio site.
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