E3 2016: Sony announces new God of War

Kratos? In touch with his emotions? Raising a kid? The world has been turned upside down!

David Craddock

June 13, 2016 6:09 PM

9

At the top of its conference this evening, Sony unveiled a new God of War for a new generation.

Neither sequel nor prequel to the existing canon, God of War circa 2016 reimagines the mythology of Kratos, one-time wrathful deity slayer.

Developed by Sony Santa Monica, God of War turns much of that established mythology upside down. Kratos is a father; action is displayed from an over-the-shoulder POV, and Norse rather than Greek mythology informs the game's flora and fauna. At the end of the demo, a dragon swoops over Kratos and his son, who kneel over an animal the boy hunted through the wilderness.

Don't worry: not every aspect of God of War is unfamiliar. In between showing breathtaking new vistas and Kratos's son's hesitation to deal a killing blow to his prey, father and son team up to slay a troll using brutal melee combat that should seem familiar to fans of the series.

David Craddock

Long Reads Editor

David L. Craddock writes fiction, nonfiction, and grocery lists. He is the author of the Stay Awhile and Listen series, and the Gairden Chronicles series of fantasy novels for young adults. Outside of writing, he enjoys playing Mario, Zelda, and Dark Souls games, and will be happy to discuss at length the myriad reasons why Dark Souls 2 is the best in the series. Follow him online at davidlcraddock.com and @davidlcraddock.