The image shown here displays a few years of GoW history. However it omits my two playthroughs of the original on the PS2 and one run through its sequel. Yeah, I suppose I played 1, 2, 1, 3, 1, 2, 3, A, COA, GOS, if you had to really break it down, not counting incomplete playthroughs of those PSP games back in the day.
And as shallow as the games truly are, they were enough to beckon me to return, as made evident here. Now, I’ve only just begun Ghost of Sparta and never finished Ascension and so I’m by no means the series’ biggest fan. However I do believe that God Of War III’s finale was the perfect way to close the series out. It finished the tale and did so in utterly brutal fashion. And while they revisited it later, the trilogy feels very much complete and actually concise once you cut out the other three unnecessary games.
But in only eight days the series takes an enormous leap forward into Scandinavia! Both the story and the setting intrigue me and the visual splendor will be a marvel to behold. Hell, the remaster of 3 was stunning! I am thoroughly excited about the game’s return. Now, the change in tone will be as substantial as the new locale. Atreus. A bearded Kratos playing father. No more chain blades. I, for one, look forward to the new GOW formula. Reviews are glowing, but you can tell they’re holding back on story and gameplay info. What’s going on? How did Kratos’ new wife die? Wait, who is she and why is he there? It’s refreshing to know these details aren’t flowing from the developers and publisher. That restraint will help millions go into this game blindly, just as it should be. It’s hard to believe that 13 years have passed since the first game landed. I was still living in NY, to give that perspective. It’s been eight years since GOW III closed the trilogy out! I suppose amidst all that waiting, one final week should be easy. But some perfect-10 scores only made me thirst for more. April 20th cannot come soon enough!
Oh – and after getting the platinum in 2018’s masterpiece, the above image has been updated to reflect that milestone! :)
