2018's God of War, which acted as a partial reboot to the series, was a huge success and attracted many new fans to the series. There are some notable differences between the original trilogy (and side games) and 2018's new entry into Kratos' story, and playing each is a different experience. The original trilogy has long been praised for its fun gameplay and epic boss battles. A whole new audience could devour a remastered version of the entire trilogy on next-gen consoles while discovering more of Kratos' past.
The first game in the God of War series was released all the way back in 2007 for the PlayStation 2. The main pull for both the reboot, and the original, is how the games explore mythology. While the reboot has beautiful cinematography and a touching story, the original explored the brutality and complex nature of the Greek gods. Through this, the character of Kratos was forged. It's important to remember that the Kratos that appears in the 2018 game has changed and grown. To understand his journey, as well as various references to it in the new game, the original trilogy is a vital play for anyone who wants the full experience this franchise offers.
God of War's Legacy
Both the first and second games received a remastered port for the PS3, and God of War III was remastered for the PS4. All of these were released before the success of the fourth game, and before the capabilities of next-gen consoles were truly explored. An untitled sequel to the 2018 game is eagerly anticipated, with expectations it will be released on the PS4 and PS5 at some point next year. However, the original trilogy may be a hidden gem if remastered on next-gen consoles.
While the reboot is certainly the graphically superior game and contains a more emotive story, the original games shine in their memorable boss fights, hidden easter eggs, and in creating a unique and interesting atmosphere. While the original games feature a more one-dimensional Kratos, the enormity of the boss fights perfectly encapsulate the grandness of Greek epics.
Similarly, the soundtrack and subject matter of the originals, particularly when played in succession, add to the atmosphere of the mythological world Kratos explores. Although the reboot is considered a more artful story, the originals do contain a very dark story of the cruelty of the gods that's well suited to the tradition of Greek epics. There is less emotional development in the originals, but despite that, the final confrontation with Zeus is a cathartic release for players who have spent the last three games playing as Kratos in his struggle against cruel gods.
A New Audience for a Remaster
It's this unique magic that made the original trilogy such a big success, and it would be a pity for these games to get left behind. What's really important to note here is that the reboot and the originals are entirely different experiences. The Norse mythology of the reboot is popular now with the success of Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Marvel properties like Loki, but the original trilogy explores a starkly different pantheon of gods with separate rules and customs.
It makes sense for there to be cultural differences between a narrative set in ancient Greece and one set in the Norse Midgard, but these differences are what informs Kratos' character. Understanding Kratos, and his relationship to Atreus, require a playthrough of the original trilogy and this experience could be elevated with next-gen console capabilities.
The reboot made some big alterations to how combat has previously worked in the series. Partly to separate the 2018 game from its predecessors and also to mature the game somewhat, the development team decided to largely do away with the patented hack 'n' slash of the originals. Though some might look down on the genre, the original God of War trilogy owes a lot of success to just how fun the gameplay is. The mix between puzzles and fast-paced battles where Kratos could unleash a slew of combos with his trusty Blades of Chaos and AoE magic attacks was still just as interesting.
The original God of War was innovative for its time, but unlike some older gen games, it is still a fun and accessible play for gamers of any skill level. The developer behind these games, Santa Monica Studio, has been open to remasters in the past and in particular, the remaster for God of War III was a decent success.
However, with renewed interest following the reboot and next-gen console capabilities, these games could be revived for players in this decade, over 15 years after the original release of the first game. As a PlayStation exclusive, any new console release opens the door for new players who may have previously only used a different platform to game, which is yet another reason a remaster of these games could reach a larger and eager audience.
With the huge anticipation for God of War Ragnarok, which has now been delayed, it seems like the perfect time to revisit the original trilogy, and what better way to do it than on a next-gen console. Plus, everyone that has a PS5 but didn't have a PlayStation previously, should get a chance to play one of the most significant console exclusives Sony has. Such well-loved games deserve the rejuvenation a next-gen remaster could bring, especially considering the legion of new fans the reboot has amassed. 2018's Kratos has certainly evolved and grown, but his roots as the god-killing antihero who defies fate should not be forgotten.