What is God of War based on?
God of War is an action-adventure game developed by Santa Monica Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The game is based on Greek mythology, but with a twist. While the game’s protagonist, Kratos, is a demigod from Greek mythology, the game’s story and characters take significant creative liberties to deviate from the original mythological tales.
Ancient Greek Mythology
God of War draws inspiration from ancient Greek mythology, particularly the stories of the gods and goddesses of Olympus. The game’s world is populated by characters from Greek mythology, such as Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Athena, and Ares. These characters are reimagined with their own unique personalities, motivations, and backstories, which depart from the original myths.
Norse Mythology
In 2018, Santa Monica Studio released a soft reboot of the God of War series, which shifted the game’s focus from Greek to Norse mythology. The game is set in a Norse world, where Kratos and his son Atreus embark on a journey to spread their wife/mother’s ashes from the highest peak in the realms. This new setting introduces a host of characters from Norse mythology, such as Odin, Thor, and Freya.
Creative Liberties
While God of War draws inspiration from ancient mythology, the game’s story and characters take significant creative liberties. The game’s narrative is not a direct retelling of any particular mythological tale, but rather a reimagining of the characters and settings in a new and original way.
Gameplay Mechanics
God of War’s gameplay mechanics are also inspired by Greek and Norse mythology. The game’s combat system is designed to reflect the brutal and bloody nature of ancient mythology, with Kratos wielding his iconic Blades of Chaos and other weapons inspired by Greek and Norse mythology.
Key Influences
Some of the key influences on God of War’s story and characters include:
- Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series: The game’s narrative and characters were influenced by Riordan’s popular young adult book series, which reimagines Greek mythology for a modern audience.
- Clash of the Titans (1981): The game’s depiction of the gods and goddesses of Olympus was influenced by the classic 1981 film Clash of the Titans, which reimagines Greek mythology for a modern audience.
- The Illiad and The Odyssey: The game’s story and characters were influenced by Homer’s epic poems, which tell the story of the Trojan War and Odysseus’ journey home.
Key Takeaways
Here are some key takeaways about God of War’s inspirations:
- Ancient Greek and Norse mythology: God of War draws inspiration from ancient Greek and Norse mythology, but takes significant creative liberties to deviate from the original mythological tales.
- Creative reimaginings: The game’s characters and story are reimagined in a new and original way, rather than being a direct retelling of any particular mythological tale.
- Gameplay mechanics: God of War’s gameplay mechanics are designed to reflect the brutal and bloody nature of ancient mythology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is God of War based on a specific mythological tale?
A: No, God of War is not based on a specific mythological tale. Instead, the game takes creative liberties to reimagining the characters and settings of Greek and Norse mythology.
Q: What is the inspiration behind God of War’s story and characters?
A: The game’s story and characters are inspired by ancient Greek and Norse mythology, as well as popular culture, such as Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series and the film Clash of the Titans.
Q: Is God of War a historically accurate depiction of Greek and Norse mythology?
A: No, God of War is not a historically accurate depiction of Greek and Norse mythology. The game takes significant creative liberties to deviate from the original mythological tales.
Q: What is the significance of the Blades of Chaos in God of War?
A: The Blades of Chaos are a key part of God of War’s gameplay mechanics and narrative. They are inspired by Greek mythology and are a symbol of Kratos’ past and his connection to the gods.
Q: Who is the main protagonist of God of War?
A: The main protagonist of God of War is Kratos, a demigod from Greek mythology.
Q: What is the setting of God of War?
A: The setting of God of War is a Norse world, which is inspired by Norse mythology.
Q: Is God of War suitable for all ages?
A: No, God of War is rated M for Mature by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) due to its graphic violence, blood, and gore.
Q: Can I play God of War without prior knowledge of Greek and Norse mythology?
A: Yes, you can play God of War without prior knowledge of Greek and Norse mythology. The game’s story and characters are designed to be accessible to new players, and the game’s narrative is easy to follow.
Here is a table summarizing the key points about God of War’s inspirations:
| Influence | Description |
|---|---|
| Ancient Greek and Norse mythology | The game’s story and characters are inspired by ancient Greek and Norse mythology |
| Creative reimaginings | The game’s characters and story are reimagined in a new and original way |
| Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series | The game’s narrative and characters were influenced by Riordan’s popular young adult book series |
| Clash of the Titans (1981) | The game’s depiction of the gods and goddesses of Olympus was influenced by the classic 1981 film |
| The Illiad and The Odyssey | The game’s story and characters were influenced by Homer’s epic poems |
I hope this article provides a comprehensive overview of what God of War is based on.