Amazon Prime Video’s upcoming live-action adaptation of God of War could make a huge mistake by choosing to start with the wrong part of Kratos’ story. Every game in the God of War franchise can essentially be split into two eras: the Greek era, which is when the original games that follow Kratos as he attacks the Greek pantheon are set, and the Norse era, when the newest games that follow Kratos and his son, Atreus, are set. Now that Amazon Prime Video is making a live-action God of War show, it has to decide which era to focus on, which could present a major problem.
Amazon’s God of War show has already gone through some trouble, even though it’s still early in production. The God of War show already switched showrunners from Rafe Judkins to Ronald Moore. There’s no telling exactly how Moore is planning to change the show’s creative direction, or if he’ll change it in any major way at all, but the shift in showrunners could be a sign that the God of War show will be taking a different approach. If Moore decides to start with the Norse era of God of War‘s timeline instead of the Greek era, however, it would be a huge mistake.
God Of War’s Live-Action Show Should Not Skip The First Three Games
God Of War’s Early Games Provide Important Kratos Characterization & Great Stories
No matter what, Amazon’s live-action God of War show cannot skip over the original Greek era of video games. The first three God of War games, as well as their various spinoffs, are an essential part of Kratos’ story. They explain how he went from a mortal soldier to the Greek god of war, how he killed his own wife and daughter due to Ares’ manipulation, and all the atrocities he committed in the name of anger and revenge. It would simply be wrong to start an adaptation of God of War anywhere else, even though the original games aren’t as new or popular anymore.
It would be a shame if the live-action God of War show didn’t use all the backstabbing, manipulation, mythology, drama, tragedy, action, and Kratos’ best quotes that the earlier games had.
On top of being an integral part of Kratos’ story, the earlier God of War games are also just great stories on their own. It would be a shame if the live-action God of War show didn’t use all the backstabbing, manipulation, mythology, drama, tragedy, action, and Kratos’ best quotes that the earlier games had. The first three God of War games and their spinoffs told a tremendous tale about Kratos’ revenge and fight against fate, and they deserve to be adapted. If that isn’t enough reason to include the Greek era, skipping over the original games would also weaken the Norse era.
God Of War 2018 Revitalized The Franchise (But Isn’t The Start Of Kratos’ Story)
The Newer God Of War Games Are Popular, But They Built Off The Originals
Starting the live-action show with the events of God of War (2018) may be tempting, due to the Norse era’s recent popularity, but it would be a mistake. The Norse era of God of War was a revival for the franchise, but it wasn’t a reboot. The newer games used Kratos’ characterization from the Greek era and gave him a chance to reflect on his past mistakes and choose to be better. Without seeing the horrible man Kratos was when he was the Ghost of Sparta, his redemption in God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök simply won’t be as compelling in the live-action show.
Related
Amazon’s God Of War TV Show Should Make This Game Character Its Hero (Not Kratos)
Kratos has led every God of War game in the series so far, but Amazon’s TV adaptation would benefit by anointing a different protagonist.
If Amazon’s God of War show doesn’t start from the beginning, however, there would still be a way to fix such a mistake. The live-action God of War show could start with Kratos and Atreus at Faye’s funeral, introduce the idea that Kratos has a dark past, and then begin revealing what happened in the original God of War games through flashbacks. That would let Amazon’s God of War show capitalize on the popularity of the Norse era while maintaining the incredibly important parts of Kratos’ backstory. Whatever order it’s presented in, however, Amazon needs to adapt the story of the original God of War games.
Adapted from the PlayStation video game franchise, God of War is an action-adventure drama series in development under Amazon. The series will center on series protagonist Kratos, but no other information on the series has been divulged.
- Seasons
- 1
- Creator(s)
- David Jaffe , Cory Balrog
