God Of War PS4 Review: 8 Ups & 1 MINOR Down

Ups

8. Kratos' Redesign And New Character Traits Are PERFECT

Going from the walking embodiment of an angry muscle flex to a sad, soulless, broken husk of a man, Sony's re-approach of Kratos treats his past adventures as something he's moved on from. In many ways he's buried his past in an attempt to live a more peaceful life; settling down with a wife that's now passed away; ushering him into a forced relationship with young boy, Atreus.

The heart of the game and core of all the self-reflective purposes of the script, Kratos and Atreus' relationship goes on an adventure of its own. Thankfully, Sony steer clear of "quippy, overly-happy child and parent" clichés and simply present this battered, isolating individual starting to soften, as a more innocent mind gets to experience the supposed "glory" of battle.

Kratos is angry no longer, his dull, sullen eyes telling a lifetime's worth of grief and tapped rage. He's still a mountain of a man, but moves with a considered slumber that's half-retired wrestler, half-war torn veteran.

Sans spoilers, by the time the credits roll, we have more than enough to build another trilogy on - which is good, because Sony have already confirmed another sequel is in the works.