8 Video Game Franchises That Reclaimed Their Throne

Before 2018's spectacular God of War reboot, the series' last main entry was 2013's Ascension. On its own, Ascension isn't a terrible game, with furious, fast-paced combat and clever puzzles to solve. The real problem is that it was a painfully average game, one that didn't seek to alter the status quo in any way.

As a result, God of War was still a series that had incredible combat, but a main character that was difficult to like. His story was fascinating and his grim past befitting a great Greek tragedy, but Kratos himself was far too thorny and aggro to really gain any sort of deep affection for. Kratos, much like the series itself, needed a change and it needed it now.

So when Sony Santa Monica decided to reboot God of War in 2018, the first order of business was exorcising the demons of the past. The series had to overcome its problematic history, which was riddled with misogyny and toxic masculinity, in order to create a story that would put Kratos in a position that seemed impossible; a loving father.

Director Cory Barlog used his own experiences as a father to shape God of War, as well as the relationship between Kratos and his son Atreus. Kratos was still the same at his core, but he felt much more grounded and realistic than ever before. He had something to fight for other than revenge and as a character, both he and his franchise were better off as a result.