On March 2, 2005, God of War debuted on PlayStation 2, bringing a bold blend of ancient Greek myth, blistering action, and a ruthless hero in Kratos. The game quickly captured players with its brutal battles and striking storytelling. In the years that followed, a direct sequel and several prequels expanded the saga. In 2018, the developers pivoted the series into a full RPG experience set in a Nordic world, focusing on Kratos and his son. This article traces how the journey began and why it remains a touchstone for action games in North America and beyond.
2005 in the gaming industry
As the sixth generation neared its end, 2005 stood out for the PlayStation 2. Exclusive titles included Devil May Cry 3, Shadow of the Colossus, Gran Turismo 4, Yakuza, Kingdom Hearts II, Guitar Hero, and Tekken 5. On multi‑platforms, players also enjoyed Resident Evil 4, Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones, and Fahrenheit. In such a crowded landscape, a game inspired by ancient Greek myth could have been overlooked, yet it immediately drew attention and found an eager audience in North America and Canada alike.
PlayStation 2 went on to become one of the most popular consoles in history, with sales surpassing 160 million units—a mark that endures as a landmark in home entertainment.
Development of God of War
Santa Monica Studio began work on God of War in 2002, soon after finishing the prior project. The title was initially pitched as Dark Odyssey, but the core concept quickly crystalized: a fast, dynamic action game in the vein of Devil May Cry, paired with puzzle design reminiscent of ICO, all wrapped in a mythic Greek setting. The game introduced quick-time events and a test of reflexes that defined action games of the era. Inspiration cited by the team included the Indiana Jones films, aiming to give Kratos a bold, memorable presence that players could connect with.
Editors at Sony granted the team significant creative freedom, enabling daring ideas that set God of War apart from other releases of that period.
The plot of the first ‘God of War’. Kratos against Ares
Kratos fights for survival as the conflict with Ares escalates. He enters into a fraught pact with the God of War, receiving aid in exchange for loyalty. Ares helps Kratos topple his enemies, and for years Kratos honors the bond. However, Zeus’s son seizes an opportunity and drives the Spartan toward catastrophe, forcing him to kill his own wife and child. The motive behind this act is to break Kratos’s resolve and bend him to the god’s will. In the end, Kratos rejects the war god’s control and shapes his own fate.
The central narrative follows Kratos as he seeks a way to escape Ares’s grip. Immortality among the Olympian gods makes that quest perilous, yet Athena and other figures offer aid. The game engages with the myths of ancient Greece, expanding beyond traditional legends and offering twists that surprise players and expand the mythic universe.
For many players, the thrill lies in the fast, kinetic combat and the pulse of the action—the plot serves as a frame for the adrenaline rush.
Which part of God of War resonates most with players?
Gameplay. Brutal fights and puzzles
By action game standards, God of War keeps its approach approachable and effective. A variety of weapons, clean combos, and the option to wield magic drive the flow. Rage mode unlocks, granting a window of invulnerability and heightened damage. Wounded foes can be finished with brutal fatalities by executing a quick-time action up close. Upgrades unlock stronger attacks and new abilities as progress is made.
The spectacle blends high-octane battles against harpies, minotaurs, and cyclopes with a 3D platforming challenge that tests timing on a moving obstacle course. In that era, such a combo stood out beside titles like Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Puzzles mix into the rhythm, so success hinges on quick reflexes and sharp thinking.
Each element complements the others. The mix of combat, platforming, and puzzle segments keeps the pacing varied, preventing fatigue and keeping players engaged through the journey up ledges and across arenas.
The reasons for the success of God of War
The first God of War moved 4.6 million copies, a strong figure for a Sony-exclusive title. The game merged accessible action with satisfying progression, offering a straightforward method to dispatch foes without requiring perfection in weapon mastery. Players learned to alternate strong and light strikes, dodge incoming blows, and time openings for best effect, a rhythm that defined the early series.
The Greek myth backdrop stood out in 2005 as a rare focal point in mainstream gaming. Familiar figures like Athena, Zeus, Hades, and Ares captured players’ imaginations, helped by popular culture stories that kept ancient myths in the public eye across North America and beyond.
Heritage of the first war of war
God of War launched a new, enduring series. A 2007 sequel followed, and in 2010 the trilogy concluded with Kratos facing Olympus. Prequels and spin-offs appeared afterward, with gameplay retaining the core formula established in the original.
In 2018 a bold reboot arrived under a simple title, moving the action to Scandinavia. Kratos teams with his son Atreus to confront Norse gods, and the game blends a full RPG arc with equipment choices, skill trees, an open world, and optional side quests. The combat remained spectacular and kinetic. In 2022, Ragnarok continued the Norse saga and wrapped up that chapter. Fans began speculating about future settings, with whispers of an Egyptian-themed adventure following the Norse arc.
Not every fan embraced the tonal shift of the 2018 game. Some players still prefer the harsher brutality and fast tempo of the original trilogy, while others welcomed the deeper character development and narrative depth.
Is the original god of war that is relevant today
From a contemporary perspective, the first God of War feels dated in places. It is not a matter of pacing but certain puzzles and platforming segments that feel out of step with modern design. Tasks like narrow beam runs, spike towers, and traps demanded precision that later installments moved away from, streamlining the rhythm while preserving the core combat.
The original also lacks the variety and standout set pieces that define later entries. The memorable moments, such as the journey to the underworld and the climactic duel with Ares, remain etched in memory, but the exploration can feel repetitive as players revisit similar locales and foes.
That original game served its era well. Today, many fans would welcome a remake that trims some dubious ideas and focuses on the core experience: epic boss battles and dynamic boss encounters. The third installment in the series stands as a successful example of this approach.
Rumors persist of a revival for the original trilogy on modern platforms such as PlayStation 5 and PC, bringing Kratos’s earliest quest to new audiences.
Fans are invited to share their thoughts on the first game, whether they completed it in one sitting or saw it through in stages.
Did Kratos’ inaugural quest leave a mark on the player?