With 2018’s “God of War,” a reinvention of the long-running mythical action series for Sony’s PlayStation consoles, the hero, Kratos, was transformed. While Kratos was once a man of more fury than words, Sony’s Santa Monica Studio’s’ “God of War” turned him into one of the video game medium’s most famous dads. In a game of fabled, larger-than-life beings, it was inner conflict that ruled, specifically Kratos’ impossible struggle to shield his son Atreus from the physical and emotional dangers of a confused world.
“God of War” became a hit, winning top honors at the yearly Game Awards and selling 23 million copies worldwide. Its parenting themes were celebrated, held up as a further example of mainstream gaming’s continued maturation and ability to handle complex themes.
Now, Kratos and Atreus have returned this month in “God of War Ragnarök,” a massive adventure in which the younger deity tries to come to terms with his fate and Kratos struggles with Norse legends that constantly aim to needle him into fits of rage, all while coming to grips with his own foreshadowed death.
“God of War Ragnarök” is shaping up to be the biggest video game release of the holiday season. Just days after its release, “God of War Ragnarök” led the 2022 Game Awards nominations with 10.
