God of War - Review

"I am always serious" – A review of God of War.

I adore mythology. I was one of those children who would beg for books on Greek and Norse myths, ask a million questions about the gods, and eventually lose myself to Percy Jackson (which, to anyone who knows me, will come as no surprise). Even now, if it's based on mythology, I'm likely interested – which is likely what first tempted me to play God of War. Would it live up to my expectations?

Of course it would.

Developed by Santa Monica Studio, God of War follows Kratos, a warrior haunted by his past, as he embarks on a journey with his son. Set in the mythological Norse realms, you follow Kratos and his young son, Atreus, as they set off on a deeply personal journey to scatter the ashes of Atreus's mother from the highest peak of the land. This is an epic quest, but also a deeply emotional one; the game has themes of grief, parenthood and redemption, all set in a world full of magic, gods and monsters. Full of internal struggles, rich, interesting lore and memorable characters, this is a truly great story to lose yourself in.

The gameplay is the perfect blend of exploration, puzzles, and combat. The combat in particular is genuinely great; whilst it can feel a tad repetitive later in the game, I do find that you're really rewarded if you experiment and upgrade throughout your experience. You're encouraged to think tactically and there is a whole host of skills to unlock, keeping battle exciting throughout. Atreus is a helpful addition to puzzle solving, although I must admit that his AI occasionally interferes with combat, which can be slightly frustrating.

The voice acting is great too. Christopher Judge is a great Kratos, delivering his lines with emotional depth and no lack of gravitas, whilst Sunny Suljic is a youthful and authentic Atreus. I found the dialogue to come across as genuine, engaging and at times really funny, and this really enhanced my enjoyment.

The score, composed by Bear McCreary, adds a powerful emotional layer to the game. From thundering battle themes to hauntingly beautiful melodic moments, the music perfectly underscores every scene, heightening the tension and drama whilst adding to the atmosphere.

For me, it's the character development and cinematic story that really makes this game. Full of witty writing, deep lore and a story that will stay with you long after you've finished, God of War is a must play for any fan of action and adventure games.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

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