God of War, set in a Norse mythological world, takes you through an emotional roller-coaster of a relationship between a father, Kratos a tenacious god who has experienced the cruelties of war and his son, Atreus, a young, naïve, curious child.
Despite significant differences in personalities, both characters are experiencing grief, with the loss of Kratos’ wife and Atreus’ mother, with whom he had an inseparable bond, but deal with it in astoundingly distinctive ways. Kratos is the epidemy of toxic masculinity, who never shows emotion or pride for his child whom he refers to as “boi”.
Coupled with a grief-stricken child, no emotional support is given, instead a quest, to honour his mother’s wishes by scattering her ashes at the tallest peak in the land but many obstacles await them. Kratos’ lessons in tough love teach the “Boi” how to navigate through a dangerous world, against godly and threats.
The evolution of this parental relationship in this game is outstanding, where you experience the growth of a father, who begins to take on a more nurturing role and a son who becomes more self-sufficient. The frustration and stress of parenthood are perfectly performed when the “Boi” lets his ego get the better of him, almost killing his father or when he has a tantrum and runs off, putting himself in immense danger, causing momentous torment for Kratos, something the gamer experiences alongside him.
The story also includes the company of allies (who sometimes can’t be trusted), who observe the father and son relationship.
Mimir, known to be the smartest man alive, who was banished to Midgard and sealed in a tree by Odin, becomes a bodiless companion who brings knowledge, wit and a lot of sarcasm, assisting the duo through their journey.
The Witch Of The Woods is another crucial companion, who also assists the duo and becomes a close friend to the “Boi”, almost filling the void that his mother had left behind. On the other hand, the nameless witch causes concern for Kratos, especially as she somehow knows him as a foreign god and is trapped in one of the realms. These characters, alongside many more, valuably add to the story but they never distract you from the key relationship between father and son.
The gameplay is captivating with nine brilliantly designed realms that demonstrate the Santa Monica Studio’s extensive and accurate research into Nordic mythology, providing an educational experience, alongside high emotions and excitement. Another commendable aspect of this game was the satisfying combat, with fulfilling swings and throws, where you can create your combinations and sequences.
With the “Boi” as your companion firing from his bow and the blocking of attacks with your shield, the combat feels fluid and rewarding. Despite the game being very linear, it does not feel restricted, and it is easy to find yourself going off-piste, allowing you to gain more experience points.
However, a subjective criticism would be that there are too many complicated puzzles which slow down the story and become excruciatingly challenging, becoming an annoyance. This is down to personal preference, and many people enjoy these puzzles in games, however, it is an unnecessary addition which can infuriate you and many other players.
Another criticism would be that enemy variety is quite low, making it feel very repetitive towards the ends as the movements are the same, with their only three unique boss battle fights: the dragon in the minds, Modi and Magni, and finally Baldur.
The game is designed to perfection and the graphics in the game are marvellous boasting an array of colour and realism. To sum up, this game covers everything you could possibly want in a game and it is guaranteed to bring you enjoyment.
