The God of War franchise has been a driving force in action-adventure gaming since it first appeared on the PlayStation 2. If for nothing other than its gruesome combat and mythological tale-telling, the franchise has evolved to be much more.
With God of War Ragnarok’s release, the series has hit new emotional and artistic peaks, and fans have welcomed it each step of the way, tending to create their artwork, such as powerful illustrations of Cronos and his mythological past.
Cronos figures in both Greek mythology and the original God of War games. Although the games do take some artistic license, they remain faithful to what’s at their center. In the myth, Cronos overthrows his father, Ouranos, something that brings into existence the Furies.
Later, having a fear about a prophecy that his offspring were going to revolt against him, Cronos swallows them, only to have Zeus manage to escape and later rebel against him. Later in the God of War world, Zeus fathered Kratos, who becomes the main character of the series and is manipulated into a cycle of revenge and violence.
God of War Ragnarok continues with Kratos and his son Atreus now traveling through a much changed world, one that is informed by Norse myth. The game combines the new mythos with the emotional resonance of their father-son dynamic. It’s not about fighting and gods anymore—now it’s about legacy, forgiveness, and what it means to escape the past.
They act like they’re on their adventure, and their dialogue is tense, warm, and detailed. The voice acting and writing shape these characters into realistic humans who feel real and human.
Visually, the game is stunning. From the icy summits of Midgard to the flames-lit halls of Muspelheim, all the places have a living quality about them. Character appearances are well-thought-out and detailed, providing mythological characters such as Thor and Odin with fresh interpretations that still feel solidified in their ancient heritage.
As Ragnarok concludes this installment of the series, gamers are already speculating about what comes next. Atreus, it is now revealed, is Loki, and looks set to play a larger part in the future.
Will he take center stage in the next games? And how will the legacy of Kratos affect the world he departs? These are the questions that have got plenty of people speculating—and buzzing—with regards to the future of the series.
As the saga goes on, something is certain: God of War isn’t merely about gods and monsters—it’s about the stories we bear with us and the stories we have to tell ourselves.