8 "Simple" Video Game Features That Took YEARS To Perfect

7. That Axe Throw - God Of War

For four games, the Blades of Chaos had become the default death bringers for God of War's Kratos, but with a new era and setting, the character needed a new tool. Fortunately, from the very first gameplay demo, it was made clear that the Leviathan Axe was going to be a worthy successor.

Everything about it was satisfying, but it was the ability for Kratos to fling the axe, and then recall it Thor style, that made it so much fun to use. The ballet of syncing axe slashes to a ranged throw to personal hand-to-hand punches and then having the weapon fly back ever got old, and looked spectacular.

While it seems easy enough to pull off, after all it's just a throw and then a return like a boomerang, there were so many tweaks the devs had to implement to make it as satisfying as possible in game, and most of them you probably didn't even notice.

For instance, when recalling the axe, not matter its trajectory, it will hit an enemy for added oomph. Even a tiny thing, like the weight of the axe causing Kratos' arm to move back a little due to the force, was constantly tweaked to make sure the weapon didn't seem too heavy for him, or too limp. There were a bunch of other elements, like having the axe wiggle, having it arc a little, and three different rumbles taken into consideration as well.

Over five years, the devs constantly tweaked the axe, which was documented by one of the game designers here.