The recent PlayStation State of Play left one longtimeGod of Warfan deeply unsettled. While the showcase promised new experiences, two announcements in particular sparked concern: a feeling that the franchise might be losing its way, trading bold innovation for nostalgic retreads.
The first tremor came with the reveal ofSons of Sparta. Initial artwork felt jarringly off-key, and early impressions from streamers painted a disappointing picture – a mediocre Metroidvania lost in a sea of superior titles. The high price tag only amplified the disappointment, raising questions about whether the game truly honored the legacy it claimed to build upon.
Then came the announcement of a remake trilogy encompassing the original GreekGod of Wargames. The prospect, potentially helmed by Santa Monica Studio, felt like a misstep, a diversion of talent from the creation of truly new experiences. Remaking three games from the PlayStation 2 and 3 eras is a monumental undertaking, and the fear is that compromises will inevitably be made, sparking endless debate over excised content.
But the challenge extends beyond mere content cuts. The originalGod of Wargames were defined by a brutal, often shocking edginess. How will developers navigate the problematic elements of the past? Will they retain the infamous scenes – a woman crushed in a door mechanism, unsettling sexual content, callous disregard for innocent lives? Sanitizing these moments risks alienating longtime fans, while leaving them intact feels increasingly untenable in today’s climate.
Beyond the moral complexities, the original games’ design presents another hurdle. Antiquated platforming and obscure puzzles, charming to those who experienced them at the time, could feel frustratingly opaque to modern players. The magic of those games was inextricably linked to their era, and replicating that feeling in a contemporary context seems a daunting task.
Remasters, as historical preservation, are understandable. But a full-scale remake of all three games simultaneously feels excessive, a needless expenditure of resources. The concern echoes a wider trend: Naughty Dog’s PlayStation 5 output has been limited to remakes and remasters, and the fear is that Santa Monica Studio is heading down the same path.
The development time required for a remake rivals that of a new game. This raises a critical question: when will fans see a truly originalGod of Warexperience? Rumors of a secret project offer a glimmer of hope, but even that feels distant, potentially years away. The industry is already grappling with longer development cycles, and prioritizing remakes only exacerbates the problem.
The specter ofHorizon Zero Dawnlooms large – a franchise defined by spin-offs and delays, perpetually postponing the arrival of a proper sequel. The ultimate fear is thatGod of Warwill suffer the same fate, diluted by subpar additions and a lack of forward momentum. The recent announcements have fueled a growing anxiety that the franchise is at a crossroads, and the path forward is far from clear.
The core desire of a dedicated fan is simple: to seeGod of Warcontinue to evolve, to push boundaries, and to deliver experiences that are both innovative and impactful. The hope is that Sony will prioritize the creation of new chapters, rather than endlessly revisiting the past.
