God of War is one of the oldest and most popular first-party gaming franchises operating under the umbrella of PlayStation Studios. After spending years working on the original trilogy featuring the Olympian Gods and Kratos’ bloodlust and rampage in his youth, fans have grown tired of seeing the same old character in a new coat of paint. The game developers wanted to show a different side to Kratos and decided to bring in an old friend right for the job.
Director Cory Barlog returned to the franchise and allowed some of his experiences as a father to dictate this new iteration of Kratos. Barlog was worried fans might not react positively to this change but made one of the best decisions in gaming.
The God of War Franchise Needed a Fresh Start Without Starting over From Scratch
After killing all of the Greek Gods, Kratos stumbled onto Norway where he met and nearly beheaded, his future wife, Faye. The retired god gained a second chance at being a father and got more than that as Atreus encouraged him to become a better god along the way. Kratos tried his hardest to hide and run away from his dark past by being more reclusive and avoiding conflict with the foreign gods but fate had different plans for the father-son duo.
Barlog wanted to tell a different story that Kratos needed but grew fearful of how the fans would react. The plot of the 2018 adventure reflects his life and makes it much more relatable knowing many father and son relationships go through the same struggles.
You don’t love me, you don’t want to spent time with me, it’s obvious that I don’t live up to your expectations.’ I’m trying to be better for my son. And regretting every moment that I’m not spending with him.
Kratos believed he had nothing good to offer Atreus and preferred to keep him away from a distance failing to realize his lack of affection is the root of his illness. Atreus went through extreme lengths like cutting his face to mirror his father’s and for him to feel like him and gain his approval.
God of War was revealed during E3 of 2016 with a live demo and an orchestra playing the score in real-time. Barlog rehearsed the brief gameplay demo many times but felt nervous about how fans would react to a much older and mature Kratos with a son in a different land but gained confidence after thunderous applause from the audience.
Director Cory Barlog Saved the God of War Franchise by Telling a Human Story
Fans were ready to take part in this journey about fatherhood with mythological deities in the background. Faye taught Kratos what it was like to love, extended that to his son, and later opened his heart to the suffering of others as he saved the Nine Realms from Odin’s reign of tyranny.
The relationship between Kratos and Atreus later bloomed in the sequel as the duo became a formidable team amidst the looming threat of Ragnarok, especially after their fight against Garm in Hel, arguably one of the best interactions between the two characters. None of this character development would have happened if it weren’t for Cory Barlog’s direction and experience.
Santa Monica Studio stuck gold with the recent games because they were not trying to reach too far. Barlog’s son inspired him and motivated him to adapt to the awkward relationship between Kratos and Atreus and it worked on multiple levels.
Barlog is trying to become a better father and we see Kratos do the same. Art imitates life and vice versa.
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