This March month marks the 20th anniversary of the legendary God of War franchise, and fans worldwide are celebrating two decades of epic battles, unforgettable storytelling, and groundbreaking gameplay. With a special Dark Odyssey cosmetic update arriving for God of War Ragnarök, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the franchise’s incredible journey from its humble beginnings on the PlayStation 2 to becoming one of gaming’s most iconic series. Let’s dive into God of War's history, highlights, and evolution, exploring how it became a cultural phenomenon
The Birth of a Legend: God of War (2005)
The story began in 2005 when Sony’s Santa Monica Studio introduced players to Kratos, a Spartan warrior consumed by rage and haunted by his tragic past. The original God of War was a hack-and-slash adventure set in the world of Greek mythology, where Kratos sought revenge against Ares, the God of War, who had manipulated him into killing his wife and child.
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Key Highlights:
Gameplay Innovation: God of War redefined action-adventure games with its fluid combat mechanics, cinematic camera angles, and jaw-dropping set pieces.
Critical Acclaim: The game received universal praise for its visceral gameplay and compelling story, winning multiple Game of the Year awards.
Legacy Established: Kratos became an instant icon, with his Blades of Chaos symbolizing his eternal struggle against gods and monsters.
The Greek Era: Expanding the Mythos
Following the success of the original game, Santa Monica Studio expanded Kratos’ journey through several sequels and spin-offs during the Greek era. Each installment delved deeper into Kratos’ vendetta against the Olympian gods.
Major Releases:
God of War II (2007):
Kratos battles Zeus after being betrayed by Olympus itself.
Introduced time manipulation mechanics with the Loom of Fate.
Set up an epic cliffhanger leading to God of War I.
2. God of War III (2010):
The climax of Kratos’ Greek saga, where he leads the Titans in an all-out assault on Mount Olympus.
Features unforgettable moments like Kratos’ final showdown with Zeus.
Ends with Kratos releasing hope to humanity — a bittersweet conclusion to his revenge-filled arc.
3. Portable Adventures:
Chains of Olympus (2008) and Ghost of Sparta (2010) explored Kratos’ servitude to the gods and his personal struggles.
These PSP titles added depth to his character while maintaining the franchise’s signature gameplay.
4. Prequels and Spin-Offs:
Ascension (2013) served as a prequel to Kratos’ story, focusing on his early days as Ares’ servant.
Betrayal (2007), a mobile game, offered fans a bite-sized adventure set between major titles.
A Bold Reimagining: The Norse Era
After years of silence following God of War III, Santa Monica Studio reinvented the franchise in 2018 with a new installment simply titled God of War. This marked a dramatic shift in tone, gameplay, and mythology as Kratos transitioned from Greek mythology to Norse mythology.
God of War (2018):
A New Beginning: Set in Midgard, this game introduced Kratos as a father struggling to guide his son Atreus while grappling with his violent past.
Gameplay Evolution: The fixed camera was replaced by an over-the-shoulder perspective, and combat revolved around Kratos’ new weapon, the Leviathan Axe.
Critical Success: Widely regarded as one of the greatest games ever made, it won numerous Game of the Year awards and revitalized the franchise for modern audiences.
God of War Ragnarök (2022):
The sequel continued Kratos and Atreus’ journey as they faced off against Odin and Thor during Ragnarök — the end times in Norse mythology.
Expanded gameplay mechanics with deeper exploration and side quests.
Concluded Kratos’ Norse saga while setting up new possibilities for future games.
Characters That Defined the Franchise
Kratos:
Evolved from a rage-driven demigod to a complex character learning to forgive himself.
Voice acted by Terrence C. Carson (2005–2013) and Christopher Judge (2018-present).
Atreus:
Kratos’ son, introduced in God of War (2018).
Also known as Loki in Norse prophecy.
Voiced by Sunny Suljic.
Other Notable Characters:
Zeus: Kratos’ father and main antagonist in the Greek saga.
Athena: Initially an ally, later revealed to have complex motivations.
Baldur: Primary antagonist in God of War (2018).
Freya: A key character in the Norse saga, with a complex relationship to Kratos and Atreus.
Community and Cultural Impact
The God of War franchise has fostered a dedicated fan community over the past two decades. Fans have created extensive lore discussions, fan art, and cosplay inspired by the series. The franchise’s impact extends beyond gaming:
Expanded into novels, comics, and a forthcoming TV series.
Influenced other action-adventure games in terms of combat and storytelling.
Sparked discussions about mythology, fatherhood, and redemption in gaming.
Dark Odyssey Update: Celebrating 20 Years
To commemorate its 20th anniversary, Sony is releasing a free cosmetic update for God of War Ragnarök called the Dark Odyssey Collection. This update includes:
A stunning black-and-gold armor set for Kratos inspired by an iconic skin from God of War II.
Cosmetic upgrades for Atreus, Freya, shields, and weapons.
Customization options that allow players to alter weapon appearances without sacrificing abilities.
Players can claim these cosmetics from Lost Items chests or access them directly in Ragnarök’s roguelike Valhalla mode starting March 20.
Conclusion
In conclusion, God of War is more than just a series — it’s a testament to gaming as an art form. From its beginnings as a tale of divine revenge to its exploration of redemption and fatherhood, God of War has left an indelible mark on gaming history.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the series, there’s never been a better time to revisit this iconic saga — or dive into it for the first time. With the upcoming Dark Odyssey update adding fresh content to Ragnarök, let’s honor two decades filled with gods slain, myths unraveled, and stories that will live forever.
As we celebrate 20 years of God of War, it’s clear that gaming isn’t just about playing — it’s about immersion, storytelling, and community. At Glitchover, we’re taking that experience even further, creating a platform where fans and streamers don’t just watch but play together. Just like Kratos’ journey evolved, gaming itself is changing, and we’re here to shape that future. Stay tuned — big things are coming.