God of War (franchise)

The God of War franchise is a video game series created by David Jaffe at Sony's Santa Monica Studio. It is based on Greek mythology (with later entries also incorporating Norse mythology), and primarily centers around the character of Kratos, a Spartan warrior who is initially motivated by revenge against the Greek Gods.

The series debuted in 2005 on the PlayStation 2 with the game God of War. The core gameplay involves hack-and-slash combat, puzzle-solving, and exploration. Kratos utilizes a variety of weapons, including his iconic Blades of Chaos (later replaced by the Leviathan Axe), and magical abilities to defeat his enemies, which range from mythical creatures to gods themselves.

The original Greek saga, comprised of God of War, God of War II, God of War III, God of War: Chains of Olympus (PSP), God of War: Ghost of Sparta (PSP), and God of War: Ascension (PS3), chronicles Kratos's rise to power, his ultimate destruction of Olympus, and his quest for vengeance against the gods who betrayed him. These games are characterized by their brutal combat, epic scale, and mature themes.

In 2018, the franchise was soft-rebooted with God of War (PS4), which shifted the setting to Norse mythology. This game saw Kratos older, more contemplative, and acting as a father figure to his son Atreus. The gameplay was also revamped, featuring a more over-the-shoulder camera perspective and a heavier emphasis on exploration and narrative. God of War Ragnarök, released in 2022 (PS4/PS5), continues this Norse saga, focusing on Fimbulwinter and the impending Ragnarök, the end of the world in Norse mythology.

The God of War franchise is noted for its graphical fidelity, its engaging story lines, and its intense and visceral combat. The series has been a critical and commercial success for Sony, contributing significantly to the PlayStation's library of exclusive titles. Beyond video games, the franchise has expanded to include novels, comics, and animated shorts.