With God of War: Ascension launching tomorrow in South Africa and certain parts of Europe it’s never been a better time to take a look back at the history of this stellar series which has seen six games being released between 2005 and 2013.
Development on the original God of War began in 2002 – three years after the formation of Santa Monica Studio. It was the studio’s second title following the release of futuristic PS2 racer Kinetica in 2001. God of War was created and directed by David Jaffe who had previously created the Twisted Metal franchise. Jaffe drew inspiration from a number of sources for the project, including Devil May Cry, Onimusha, ICO, the Prince of Persia series and feature films such as the original Clash of the Titans and Raiders of the Lost Ark.
God of War’s design directive was to focus on cinematic presentation, brutal action, free-flowing combos and a unique selection of puzzles comprised of both self-contained and global brain-teasers.
An interesting aspect of the God of War series in that every game has been helmed by a different director, all of whom have worked on previous entries in the franchise. For example, Cory Barlog directed God of War II after serving as the Animation Director on the original God of War, while Stig Asmussen directed God of War III after being involved in both God of War and God of War II as the Environmental Art Lead and Art Director respectively.
There are enough God of War details and trivia to fill a book so I’ve decided to break down the series into easily digestible parts.
Here’s a brief overview of the God of War franchise arranged by the order in which they appear on the series’ narrative timeline:
God of War: Ascension
- Platform: PS3
- Release Date: 12 March 2013 (US); 13 March 2013 (EU)
- Sales: N/A
- Developer: Santa Monica Studio
- Director: Todd Papy
- Synopsis:
Vengeance is born in the fires of betrayal in this prequel to the best-selling God of War franchise. Six months have passed since Kratos stood over the bodies of his wife and child, his hands stained with their blood – tricked by Ares into murdering the only people he ever loved. Swearing to avenge them, Kratos broke the blood oath that bound him to Ares, but oaths to Olympus are not so easily broken… Sentenced to an eternity chained within a prison for the living damned, Kratos battles insanity at the hands of the Furies. He will be tested as he seeks freedom, redemption for his sins, and the clarity to avenge his family.
God of War: Chains of Olympus
- Platform: PSP
- Release Date: 4 March 2008 (US); 28 March 2008 (EU)
- Sales: 3.2 million
- Developer: Ready At Dawn
- Director: Ru Weerasuriya
- Synopsis:
The ancient world speaks of a mortal that slayed a God. But long before his battle with Ares, Kratos sought absolution from his past sins by pledging himself as a champion to the Gods. These brutal crusades in the name of Olympus became legendary. The Ghost of Sparta is now ordered by the Gods to journey the underworld, after the world plunges into darkness. There he must face the most feared creatures of Greek Mythology and forced to choose between his own personal redemption and saving the ancient world from certain destruction.
God of War
- Platform: PS2
- Release Date: 22 March 2005 (US); 8 July 2005 (EU)
- Sales: 4.6 million
- Developer: Santa Monica Studio
- Director: David Jaffe
- Synopsis:
Kratos is the most feared warrior in ancient Greece, but he teeters on the edge of madness, haunted by a murderous past and an insatiable hunger for death and destruction. Tormented by the gods of Mount Olympus, Kratos begins a quest for vengeance, an act of retaliation against the master he has loyally served, but from whom he has received only pain and suffering in return. Kratos will not rest until he has found and slain Ares, the God of War.
God of War: Ghost of Sparta
- Platform: PSP
- Release Date: 2 November 2010 (US); 3 November 2010 (EU)
- Sales: 1.2 million
- Developer: Ready At Dawn
- Director: Dana Jan
- Synopsis:
His family is dead. His destiny is cursed. Spartan warrior Kratos can do nothing to rid himself of the pain and regret he feels for the actions of his past. But soon a secret will be revealed; a challenge that offers Kratos one final chance to show that somewhere beneath his scarred body and damaged mind, a human heart is still beating. For Kratos, this will be the last hope for redemption.
God of War II
- Platform: PS2
- Release Date: 13 March 2007 (US); 27 April 2007 (EU)
- Sales: 4.2 million
- Developer: Santa Monica Studio
- Director: Cory Barlog
- Synopsis:
God of War saw Kratos, a mortal warrior, set upon an epic quest to dethrone a God. But his journey did not end there. In God of War II, Kratos sits atop his Olympus throne, as the new God of War – far more ruthless than Ares ever was. To end his continued torment, Kratos must journey to the far reaches of the earth and defeat untold horrors and alter that which no mortal, or god has ever changed, his fate. God of War II sets an epic stage for a devastating mythological war to end all wars.
God of War III
- Platform: PS3
- Release Date: 16 March 2010 (US); 19 March 2010 (EU)
- Sales: 5.2 million
- Developer: Santa Monica Studio
- Director: Stig Asmussen
- Synopsis:
Set in the realm of brutal Greek mythology, God of War III is a single-player game that allows players to take on the climatic role of the ex-Spartan warrior, Kratos, as he scales through the intimidating heights of Mt. Olympus and the dark depths of Hell to seek revenge on those who have betrayed him. Armed with double-chained blades, and an array of new weapons and magic for this iteration of the trilogy, Kratos must take on mythology’s darkest creatures while solving intricate puzzles throughout his merciless quest to destroy Olympus.
What are your most memorable moments from the God of War series and which game do you regard as the best entry in this mighty franchise? Let us know in the comments.
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