God of War Is Great, but Nothing New

The Punished Backlog's Sam Martinelli writes: "God of War is a great game, but its emotional story largely contradicts the actual gameplay. The result is a game that fails to live up to its potential."

[gangsta_red]

It may not be anything new but it was superbly done. I'm glad they went in the direction they did even if it was a safe thing to do with the whole third person behind the shoulder gameplay that a lot of Sony games are known for. It was still something that had to be done after three previous games of being action arcade orientated.

I also felt this was a step in a more mature direction and not the over the top violence or sex the last trilogy was known for.

I also like the semi open world of the game which I think a lot more games should incorporate.

In conclusion i think Santa Monica did a great job changing God of War but not too much to where it wouldn't be God of War anymore.

[Gazondaily]

Completely agree. It was a great change in pace and I really welcomed the maturity of it all.

It hooked me stronger than any single player game this gen bar one and that's BoTW.

Minus the repetitive enemy classes and the ending which I didnt like, this was such a well done game. It didnt need to be 'new' but it did things very new in comparison to its predecessors.

One of the highlights of this gen for me.

[darthv72]

It really is a fantastic achievement in taking an existing character and reinventing it into something even more compelling. I wasn't sure about it when it was first revealed (being a big fan of the original series concept) but it had me convinced when i played it. you could def see the amount of care and dedication went into its creation and even though they set the bar really high to beat... I'm confident that SSM can beat it with their follow-up.

Can't wait to see how the new story unfolds.

[GamerRN]

I agree... It doesn't have to be new if it's done right! The game felt great, presentation was top notch, and it was just enjoyable to play.

Now if only my PS4 Pro didn't become a jet engine every time I play it...

[bluefox755]

Clean it. I do it once every few months, and it's quiet as a mouse.

[iplay1up2]

That is one thing I don't like about PS4, IT IS LOUD. No matter what game I am playing on my X1X it is whisper quite! And the games look fantastic!

[iplay1up2]

PS4 is loud. My Xbox One X is whisper quite, and my Switch doesn't make a peep! 😁 However I finally get to play Horizon Zero Dawn, God of War and Spider Man. I missed all of those and more First party PS4 games. I don't get to play till the day after Christmas. My partner and I will be in Vegas with family till then. PS4 Pro is one of my gifts, and a ton of games.

[DaDrunkenJester]

I would have liked if with the move to Norse Mytho's we would have gotten a full reboot without Kratos. Because all I wanted to do is play it like old GoW which I thought had MUCH better combat. Once I got the blades that's all I used since I didn't really care about the axe all that much, Unless I had to use the axe for certain enemies.

It also lacked the big significant boss battles with only the dragon fight feeling like a true GoW boss, and way too many recycled troll fights...

But all and all it was still a very solid and great game. I still prefer the old GoW personally, but I can see GoW2 PS5 really ramping up in story, combat, and bosses. Excited to see it.

[IamTylerDurden1]

Jester

I personally feel like the combat in GoW has always been great, and the reboot was no exception. In fact, I think the combat in GoW 2018 was perhaps superior to the old games. It was more varied and far more tactical.

I used the blades when I got them for a while and then I would switch back n forth tactically. It was a nice change in pace and very nostalgic, but function wise, the axe is a better weapon. The axe has more strategy and just felt better imo. Even throwing it is more technical than some may think because it still hits on the way back. You can trip ppl with throws, pin them to a wall or tree, and perform wicked specials and finishers. Also, the ability to brawl bare handed added a ton of fun and strategy especially early game with the ability to amass chaos more quickly. Then, there's Atreus and the ability to influence his shots. Combos with Atreus where he launches off you. Skill trees, armor, loot, upgrades, and even shields and the strategy that they implore. Shield bashes, blocking fire, and interrupting enemies.

The combat in GoW 2018 is some of the best 3rd person combat I have ever seen in a game of its ilk. It had evolved past the exciting, but more limited combat of previous games.

I also feel like the new GoW was superior to the old games. It just has so much more depth in terms of narrative and combat. I believe it's a truly great game and easily one of the best, if not the best, game this entire generation.

[DaDrunkenJester]

@IamTyler

Did you just say it evolved past the more limited combat of the previous games? Wtf? lol

The new GoW does a lot right, but you aren't doing 200+ combo hits, launching enemies into the air for crazy air combos, switching between multiple different weapons which all had their own combo list to go through... and then also pairing that with the big magical spells.

The combat for GoW 2018 was good as a 3rd person over the shoulder cinematic game, but it never even rose to the depth that the old GoW had let alone evolve past it. You were limited to power moves based on runes equipped and cool downs. You couldn't even jump, and the camera being so close made some situations very annoying.

[Gaming4Life1981]

I really enjoyed the story and the semi open world but I felt the gameplay was lacking but it's not bad or anything. Overall god of war was great and one of ps4 best exclusives this gen. I dont think it had the epicness of the first 3 games or great bosses but no doubt it's a great game.

[MasterCornholio]

" I'm glad they went in the direction they did even if it was a safe thing to do with the whole third person behind the shoulder gameplay that a lot of Sony games are known for."

With the way God of War used to play I wouldn't exactly call it safe. Thankfully there wasn't a huge amount of backlash when they overhauled the gameplay of the franchise.

[Christopher]

I wouldn't call revamping the gameplay "safe".

I liked the story, the characters. The combat was fine, about as good (IMHO) as the old games, but not better. I loved the setting, but that's bias on my part. I really do wish they had better boss battles, though. Weakest part of the game, IMHO, is the lack of interesting, let alone different, boss battles.

[neutralgamer1992]

I think this was just a set up game for new trilogy we will see more verity and hopefully ability to jump in future games

More bosses
More enemy verity
Even more interactive world

This trilogy could be amazing especially where the story and story development could go especially with Boy

Overall a great first entry

[IamTylerDurden1]

It wasn't safe at all.

One shot camera

Completely new setting

Absolute change I narrative focus and character development

An AI son.....for KRATOS

Loot and RPG elements

Semi open world

Betting on a completely new iconic weapon

Risk of alienating fans of the series

Changing perspective and combat flow

Betting on yourself. The reboot was always planned as a multi part series. Cory put all his chips in, changed the IP dramatically, and took a huge gamble.

[fr0sty]

Who asked this clown to show up to the party months late giving opinions nobody cares about on a game that all of us beat months ago?

[AspiringProGenji]

It was something new for the series, which made it fresh again. That’s all that matters

“ God of War is a fun and enthralling experience, but it still feels like a missed opportunity, as even just a couple of moments in-game for Kratos to walk away from a fight or show some genuine emotion besides anger and sadness could have made most story beats land as powerfully as a swing of the god’s axe. The game, however, does not afford Kratos many chances to demonstrate through gameplay that he’s truly a new man, and therefore I’m hard-pressed to view God of War as a truly new game.”

You missed the part where Kratos did not want to fight Bardur, snd the part where he was trying to change him. Hell, if Kratos did not have that many obstacles, he would not have fight anyone and went straight to the mountain. Did you also forget when Freya said “the gods do not take kindly of outsiders. And when they find you, and they will, they will make things difficult?”

Kratos is being a target all the time. Is he supposed to back down or let them kill him because he is a changed man? Really?

We even got to see Kratos Smile in the game. That was a miracle the series lol

[TK-66]

"You missed the part where Kratos did not want to fight Bardur, snd the part where he was trying to change him."

That wasn't gameplay.

However, something the author should've mentioned is that Atreus' change in personality, after discovering hes a god, is reflected in gameplay. For a period he stops listening to you and fire arrows whenever he wants rather than on your command. Was a very subtle touch that was done very well. Things like that, where the story directly impacts the gameplay, are what we need more of in games.

[AspiringProGenji]

But getting back the blades of chaos was gameplay, a unexpected event and change influenced by gameplay

[TK-66]

@AspiringProGenji

You're technically correct, but its not specifically the story impacting gameplay. In theory, if Barlog wanted he could've made it a completely different weapon. I don't view getting new equipment in the same way as Atreus' character development affecting gameplay. The blades of Chaos play more into the metroidvania element; Atreus' character development impacting gameplay is a far more impressive accomplishment.

[Hardiman]

I marked out when the blades were retrieved! Also that Athena was in the boat. I guess some have trouble grasping the level of which makes up GOW. Because they don't really have something of similar caliber.

Don't you have to get back to trolling Death Stranding articles?!?!

[TK-66]

@Hardiman

"guess some have trouble grasping the level of which makes up GOW. "

Take some English lessons; you're in desperate need of them.

"Don't you have to get back to trolling Death Stranding articles?!?!"

What does Death Stranding have to do with my comment?

[AspiringProGenji]

Sorry I meant influenced by story at the end

[TK-66]

"Sorry I meant influenced by story at the end"

You'll need to be more specific.

[Muzikguy]

Sometimes I just don't understand what these reviews are getting at. Was it supposed to be a brand new completely different game? Not every game can do that. I thought God of War was great for what it was. I was actually turned off at first by how Kratos was treating his son. I played it though and it was a very good game.

[ShinRon]

i liked the old Kratos, the gameplay in the new game was good but with all the recycled bosses, weak puzzles, exploration and characters... i didnt think it was better than the first two.

still overall a great game

[gangsta_red]

That would also be my complaints about the new GoW, the recycled bosses which was very disappointing and the biggest fault of the game.

But yes, other than that it was an excellent game.

[gangsta_red]

@Hardiman

Uuuuum, ok....Not sure why you're getting upset at me or why you feel the need to talk about M$ and it's games.

"Pretty hypocritical man."

Hypoctical of what? Do you even know what that means?

"The critics and fans have spoken and GOW is a masterpiece!"

Yeah, and I said it was an excellent game, or is that not enough to satisfy you?

"...get 2 or 3 more versions of systems that will be lauded until they aren't!"

Lmao, yeah...I think it's time for you to chill out and take it easy. Going a little too hard on the racetrack there buddy.

[AspiringProGenji]

Weak Exploration and character? Gotta disagree with that. Mimir was awesome, and the dwarfs too.

[ShinRon]

they were great supporting roles but the main cast and the overall story didnt captivate me like the original games.

[Imalwaysright]

To me the first 2 GoW games are great even by today's standards.

[ShinRon]

agreed, the combat mechanics of the original game is pretty dated but the story, pacing, level design and puzzles are still better than most games.

the first one coulda used more bosses but i prefer a game making me want more and beckoning replays compared to the 2018 approach.

[CrimsonPheonix]

nah those games were shit tier

[Veneno]

There's 4 games before this one, not 2. 6 if you count PSP but those aren't SSM.

GoW 3 easily trumps all of them.

[Imortus_san]

Well said.

[Fishy Fingers]

Few minor criticisms I had compared to the previous games would be the puzzles and lack of true boss fights. Other than that I have no compaints, only praise. Although there is something said for the hack and slash (button bash) style of the originals. I honestly found more replayability with that format.

Played GOW once, loved it. Never touched it again.

[Smokehouse]

I’ve seen n4g comments that are more credible.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

When you're super late to the hate train, but you figured you paid for your new outfit already anyway.

[Hardiman]

They gotta grasp at those proverbial straws man. Instead of taking that hate and frustration out on their company of choice they attack games the caliber they haven't seen in years if ever!

[Tross]

But, all the straws are gone. They have been gone for ages. There's no grasping to be had. I guess they have to try though.

[SinisterKieran]

i love it, one of my favourites. its as innovative as a new gears, forza etc...basically the same thing can be said about any game thats come out in the past couple years.

i'm not saying its bad but why pick god of war? i haven't seen a game do anything new in a while.

[Traecy]

The new GOW was great,my only gripe was it should have had more unique bosses & left out the numerous recycled mid bosses, unique/different mid bosses would have been better.

[Gwiz]

The game came out last year of course it's nothing new :P.

You got to counter these stupid articles with equal stupidity.

[TheKingKratos]

“ God of War is a fun and enthralling experience, but it still feels like a missed opportunity, as even just a couple of moments in-game for Kratos to walk away from a fight or show some genuine emotion besides anger and sadness could have made most story beats land as powerfully as a swing of the god’s axe. The game, however, does not afford Kratos many chances to demonstrate through gameplay that he’s truly a new man, and therefore I’m hard-pressed to view God of War as a truly new game.”

Uhhh, you just proved to me that you never played the game or didn't pay much attention to it because all that was in the game ,Boi

[Abcdefeg]

I kinda miss the old kratos, playing as a total sadist was quite an unique perspective in gaming. I also miss platforming and the more complex puzzles

[AspiringProGenji]

You can still be a Total sadist in this game And pull great combos

[Abcdefeg]

Nah you can't be a total sadist, there's nothing in this game that comes close to bashing a guy head on a book to solve a puzzle or using Poseidon princess to stop a contraption and the gore is also toned down a lot with orange blooded and stone creatures.
The combat system change doesn't bother me tho because the Japanese aways did hack'n slash better

[CrimsonPheonix]

that was just dumb shit, how does that excite you. its way better now

[TheGamez100]

Like a ton of any other games released these days are anything completely new lol. Gow ps4 was amazingly well executed.

[Larrysweet]

Its epic from graphics the combat the story the world design

[CaptainHenry916]

This is the same way I feel about a few other games

[Lighter9]

Ragnarok is coming.

[Italiano1234567]

As of right now its the best game of the generation as far as im concerned

[Hardiman]

Not just you. Many fans and even critics have the same feelings!

[Pacifico]

Its actually an overrated drag on please end type play thru. 1 and 2 far superior for action and combos and killin.

[tinchotin]

The camera, combined with the axe throwing mechanics and combos, arrow shooting, and melee combat is new to me. Is there something like that that I missed? Also the world transforming through the level of water, DAYUM

[Blu3_Berry]

There are not a lot of series where they change the direction of the game for the better. The only franchises in my opinion that changed the direction overall that comes to mind is Mario with Super Mario 64, and Resident Evil with Resident Evil 4. Both of those games change the direction for the series and introduced alot of new mechanics to that series. The change of camera made it that much better and fresh. That's what God of War did. It may not be anything new, but it was definitely needed to make the series feel fresh again.

[ILostMyMind]

"God of War Is Nothing New, but is Great."

I fixed it for you.

[Lord_Sloth]

"God of War Is Great"

Thank you. Couldn't agree more. Fantastic experience, gg, nice title.

[jznrpg]

So what game has done something new ? New doesn’t mean good or fun necessarily. Are you going to skip every single Multi Plat because they don’t ever or rarely bring anything new

[smashman98]

Well, no s*** it came out almost 2 years ago.

[GamePeace]

God of War is excellent, but it doesn't feel like something really new ... had the same feeling. I partially prefer the old ones, still waiting for the second part of God of War. My favourite game in the nordic realm was Skyrim (in the last years) ...

[AnotherGamer]

What's with all these articles lately? They been very strangely opinionated.

[goldwyncq]

The entire game feels more like a setup to the next games which isn't a bad thing but I wished they could've done more with story.

[Godmars290]

Isn't this article a bit late?

[chiefJohn117]

It being nothing new don't mean it's not a good game. Nobody said it was something new. Stop looking for BS when there is none.

[Hardiman]

Guess you haven't played the OG trilogy and haven't played GOW 2018 because it is something new. New in the fact that Sony had the balls to change the series completely! Wish other companies would do the same with their milked to death series. Or better yet create new IP's!

[Veneno]

So I really don't know what was so new about GoW 2018. Infact, I found it to be a regression. Repeated bosses was never a thing in the series before. You were always fighting new bosses in the past. Kratos is now castrated. His lust for women is gone. The violence is toned way down. It used to be waaaay more gruesome. You used to be able to see who was behind you and now you have dumb little yellow arrows that indicate an enemy but it's useless if you don't know how close they are. Kratos was a man. Atrreus is a whiny little suburban kid b1tch. I can't believe that's Kratos' son. He wouldn't raise a wuss like that. Horrible addition to the series and total buzzkill.

[Christopher]

Based on Veneno's post alone, I'm really happy they changed Kratos. I mean, just reading that made me feel like I was reading a post from an angst-ridden teenager with an unhealthy outlook on sex and violence.

[sampsonon]

wow! MS not only showed the box thing, but they wrote a lot of checks as well.

[Poopmist]

Well yeah it's nothing new. It came out like over a year ago.

[Christopher]

"but its emotional story largely contradicts the actual gameplay"

Eh, that can be said of any action-y game out there to be honest, but this one I feel is less of what the author is saying than a ton of others. The fact is that Kratos is coming to terms with his past and dealing with his future. Yeah, there's a ton of violence, that's part of the game. If there was only an acceptance of stories that supported violence and not other emotions outside of that, then there wouldn't be many stories to tell in general and we'd be playing the same games over and over.

Fact is, you have to ignore the concept of the gameplay sometimes to support a different story while enjoy the gameplay because it's gameplay that people enjoy. Uncharted was similar in that Nathan Drake is a murderer. Lara Croft the Same. Kratos is now the same.

By this logic, aren't things like the Borderlands and Batman Telltale games too emotional for action-characters?

[NiteX]

It was new April 2018.

[MrVux000]

''’ I've written before about how I appreciate how games like Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 and Devil May Cry 5 tell the absurd, campy stories that mix nicely with over-the-top action. ''

Well then...

[Lilrizky]

I don't know what other game you've played that has a one-shot camera transitioning between gameplay and cinematics without ever breaking but please let me know if there are any.

[drunkenspy007]

How to spot flamebait troll articles: they something absurd that goes against popular opinion. No need to even glimpse at this trash.

[SyntheticForm]

I loved it so much. Great interpretation of Midgard - really liked what they did with the mythology. Everything about the game was top notch.

Easily one of my top games of the generation.

[Exvalos]

Doesnt have to be new to be amazing, and good lord the game came out last year. Why you choosing now to bash it out of nowhere.

[SwagginMcdoodles]

It was definitely new for the series. This game could have easily fallen flat on it's face taking the this risk, but it didn't. So good on Barlog for pulling it off.

[DigitallyAfflicted]

if there is nothing intresting to wright about, don't waist yours and our time. have a kitkat....

[lellkay]

lol

[RaidenBlack]

Why is there a sudden rise in articles related to belittling PlayStation stuffs in N4G?

[Stanjara]

"The result is a game that fails to live up to its potential"

In today's age where we seen so much fat cats, corporate commanders and mafia this game is absolute triumph of gaming.

[S2Killinit]

If this wasnt new then i dont know what is

[S2Killinit]

If this wasnt new then i dont know what is.

[Donnie81]

No there’s not really anything original about the game. It’s a good romp but way over scored. I aim to replay it soon but my first play through I’m gonna say a stellar 8.5. Plus kraits doesn’t want any of Thor. Keaton used to be just a Demigod now all of a sudden he’s a full on god. I’m not letting stuff like that slide

[Orionsangel]

I love easy to use attacks in a game and that make you feel like a badass. I love exploration and discovery in a game. I love good dialog and lastly good graphics. Everything worked for me. Sometimes you don't need new. You just need to create a fun worthy experience and that's just what they did with the new GOW.

[Minute Man 721]

My only problem, not enough epic boss fights. Maybe they are saving it for the 2nd chapter

[Takwin]

I saw it as one of the most perfectly executed, polished, paced, and fun game. An unabashed 10/10 and a great sign for the future with how they took an existing IP and changed direction (like Assassin's Creed did, but maybe not quite to the grand success as GoW, but close).

[bluefox755]

If there was another game like it, I have yet to play it. This article is nonsense. Is it 100% original mechanics and narrative? Of course not, no game is, ever. I guess when you need traffic though, you talk down one of the best games this entire generation. Furthermore, it obviously was trying to build a world for future games, of course there's holes in the plot, it's not a completed story. I love how shamelessly archetypal it was though, all of the best stories have been around for thousands of years, that's why they've stood the test of time. There is actual meaning behind them.

[Fraggle1987]

Clickbait

[Lulz_Boat]

punishedbacklog.com is not great, and it's sh*t. nuff said

[joinsideke]

ok?

this also isnt news. Why is this a headline.

[leejohnson222]

Random article about a game that's been out a while now and did well critically and financially, so who cares, if it did well it means the appetite is there for these titles

[Gordoncordon]

god of war is near masterpiece in every angle, don't fool yourself article writer

[LucidIllusion]

Yeah..... This is just sad.