Summary
ModernGod of Wargames exist within a successful single-player, story-driven framework, but they could be broadened to include a controversial feature fromGod of War: Ascension. Bringing back this divisive inclusion would allow the nextGod of Warto keep its cinematic focuswhile offering more diverse gameplay options.
ThoughGod of Waris now thought of as a highly polished ‘prestige gaming’ title similar to something likeThe Last of Us, this wasn’t always the case. In the days of the PS2 and PS3, the franchise was firmly tethered to hack-and-slash conventions, featuring a fixed camera angle, flashy, frenetic combat, over-the-top action set pieces, and a narrative that, while iconic and well-written, was characterized by a decidedly different tone. Nowhere is this difference in design philosophy more apparent than in 2013’sGod of War: Ascension, which featured a multiplayer mode that some fans considered unnecessary. It’s true thatAscensionfollowed the trend of hitching a multiplayer mode to a traditionally single-player franchise, and while this mode certainly isn’t perfect, it has the potential to be iterated upon in a newGod of Wargame, to great success.
Adding Multiplayer to the Next God of War
God of War’s single-player storyshould still be central to the overall experience of the next game, but additional game modes shouldn’t be ruled out.God of War: Ragnarok’sValhallaDLC proves how enjoyable an isolated and experimental game mode can be, and while another version of this roguelike spin-off might make a return, multiplayer could serve as another unique way to engage withGod of War’s gameplay systems.
God of War: Ascension’s Multiplayer
Multiplayer inGod of War: Ascensionfeatures fairly typical progression systems and modes. Players can select a class and unlock various pieces of gear and cosmetics by participating in PvP and PvE matches, including free-for-all battles, team deathmatches, and capture the flag. Revisiting or reworking these gameplay modes while implementingGod of War’s new Norse mythology elementsand more methodical combat mechanics could make for a fun take on hack-and-slash multiplayer.
Modernizing God of War’s Multiplayer
While a theoreticalGod of Warmultiplayer mode could just rehashAscension’s approach, it could also adopt a different style altogether, perhaps playing with the formula of a MOBA or hero shooter, letting players experiment with different character archetypes in competitive matches based around teamwork and synergy. Granted, this would require quite a bit of work for the developers, as balancing and fleshing out each character or class would be a potentially arduous endeavor, but it could pay off. Ultimately, this sort of multiplayer mode couldplay toGod of War’s strengthswhile being novel and exciting for even the most veteran players.
The gameplay of modernGod of Warcould also be suited to cooperative play, with a horde or base defense mode seeming particularly fitting. Through this approach,God of War’s combat would truly be pushed to its limits, pitting a small group of players against an overwhelming enemy force that gets more powerful and numerous with each wave. It could be a fresh take on something likeCall of Duty’s famous Zombies mode, focusing on mastery of melee combat rather than shooting mechanics.
The brutally difficultValhallaDLCallowsGod of War’s combat mechanics to shine by recontextualizing them, giving players different progression opportunities and stripping away other gameplay components like puzzle-solving. Multiplayer could achieve something similar by setting players in a competitive or cooperative environment, with either slight or transformative changes to the combat formula. Sony has been transparent about its desire to expand its multiplayer portfolio, andGod of Warcould be part of this expansion.
