Leaked God of War 4 concept art shows Norse Mythology setting

The site in question is Nerd Leaks, a site that seemingly specialised in leaking gaming-related stuff. Fair enough, we’ve all done our fair share of leaking in this racket. The site recently found some images that were created by a former Sony Santa Monica concept artist, or at least he was a part-timer or something. The images seem to suggest that God of War 4 will take Kratos and his angry pectorals from Greek mythology and dump him into the world of Norse Gods. Fair enough. Nothing like a change of scenery, is there? Maybe it’ll even help cheer up the angry sod.

[Hoffmann]

Yo, would you prefer to see Kratos back in action in a Norse Mythology setting or a completely new main protagonist who can also be called the "God of War"?

[Spyroo]

Keep this Kratos. Just maybe change design abit each time like zelda link fairy guy

[Hoffmann]

You mean Kratos, reborn as a viking but still being Kratos with the most of look intact?

[zeal0us]

I'm guessing the story will involve Loki persuading Kratos to the kill the Norse gods in order to restore his wife. Sadly his actions will commence Ragnarok and here we go again.

[xHeavYx]

I'd love to see other Gods trying to take Zeus' place and Kratos going against them.

[darthv72]

Kratos vs Thor... yeah I'd pay to see that.

[k2d]

How about if someone leaked these concept arts because they knew GoW: Valhalla would never come to fruition? Just a thought.

I want a Valhalla game, I'd love for it to be made by Santa Monica. I don't want it to be a GoW game, hehe...

[Eonjay]

Kratos vs Odin would be so badass. Its like a wet dream. But then again so would Kratos vs Anubis and Ra. Like the purest form of badass.

[ravens52]

That's a good plot zealous, they could bring it together with that.

[bouzebbal]

Tyr is the nordik equivalent of Ares the God of War. He only has one hand according to the mythology.
I don't think the the hero will be Kratos it doesn't make sense.

[badman1]

NO NO & NO, We want a new character. We all love kratos but hes had his story.

[NewMonday]

to much work done on those images to be fake, but they could still be, someone couldn't get the work done before April 1st?

@Hoffmann&nus

"You mean Kratos, reborn as a viking but still being Kratos with the most of look intact?"

if the images are true it looks like that is the plan, they keep the iconic image but personality/story/moves/weapon s can be different

[Christopher]

Opposite of nus. We need a new protagonist. I'm sick and tired of the pointless Kratos who is nothing but anger personified and does all the wrong things for all the wrong reasons.

[Hoffmann]

Yeah I would prefer a new Protagonist as well who uses completely different weapons and also has very different abilities than Kratos.

[emad-E-three]

That's because he's a selfish son-of-b*** and that's what made him stood out!
No Kratos is simply not GoW imo.

[Christopher]

***No Kratos is simply not GoW imo.***

Wouldn't be a problem with me if it was God of War-esque, but not an actual God of War game. Leave Kratos where he belongs, dead and alone.

[Germany7]

Ben Affleck could be the new God of War.

[jb227]

Do you think Santa Monica is capable of smoothing those rough edges & evolving the character of Kratos?

I think getting rid of Kratos entirely may be throwing the baby out with the bath water, because there is an interesting story about an anger machine's road to personal growth that could fit in line pretty well with certain directions they could take. Granted, he's still on a mission but that mission can be less a scorched earth trail to vengeance & more a journey towards freeing humanity from enslavement to all deities & mythologies.

[Christopher]

***Do you think Santa Monica is capable of smoothing those rough edges & evolving the character of Kratos? ***

To be honest, I really don't have any faith in Sony Santa Monica after God of War 3 (a good game, IMHO, for the series). But, I think going back to the same old played out pony isn't going to help them. I think what would is people with better storytelling capabilities, and that's something they have to find, not create.

[SharnOfTheDEAD]

Whats wrong with playing as a flawed character? Anti-Heroes are more interesting than generic protagonists.

[Cuzzo63]

Or how about a more battle hardened, wiser Kratos. He has been thru alot. Maybe after a long thought process he realizes the destruction he set forth. Maybe it wont be the same ger fuelded Kratos. But one thats tryna make peace with himself. But the other Gods in the Norse realm witnesses the destruction layed by the God killer. They are in fear. And possibly bring a battle to one that only seeks peace out of his rage...

[Drakul]

Kratos is dumb, dumber and the dumbest in the all game characters.

It would be awesome to play GoW 4 with new main protagonist.

[Eonjay]

For a cohesive story, yes, but what badass could possibly be more badass than Kratos.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

He was tricked into killing his family. I think he's got reason to be angry. But there's much more to him if you actually played the series.

[Christopher]

***Whats wrong with playing as a flawed character? ***

It's not that he's flawed. It's that he's one-dimensional.

***But there's much more to him if you actually played the series.***

There actually isn't. There's a lot more to the people who surround him, but nothing else to Kratos. His actions are predictable, to say the least.

[bradleejones]

Try Heavenly Sword... Same deal, different character. Pretty bad ass. Not as cinematic as GOW3, but good nonetheless.

[UltraNova]

Chris,

As a one dimensional character Kratos served his purpose during the trilogy. His mission was to dethrone Olympus by all means necessary. There was no time for love affairs, family squabbles and other generally overused character building scenarios in that concept.

Since when do action games have to go for the best character/story Oscar?

Kratos character and motivations were imperfect and flawed which in turn made the setting and execution perfect for us the gamers > Non stop, no excuse brutal action.

Now, I believe they should keep Kratos, because yes GoW is Kratos no matter how you slice it, but explore more sides of him, develop him further as a character and pitting him against a totally different mythos could be what the devs need to pull it off in a convincing way.

I'm all for making a franchise out of Kratos going against other mythological deities! Imagine a trilogy about Norse mythos, another for Egyptian, another for Chinese etc...

Yeap, count me in!

[vastolorde666]

Kratos all the way....give me a plot were a sensible person would go killing gods....I'm beginning to sense someone dumber tham kratos..why would any sane being go on a rampage killing gods...

[Christopher]

***Since when do action games have to go for the best character/story Oscar?
***

First of all, no one said it had to win any awards for writing. Second, it's my money, it's something I care about in a game that has a story.

Which would you rather play: a God of War game with a good story that doesn't just mimic the first 3 games and the gameplay you know and like or a God of War game where the story is just the same Kratos we already know doing the exact same thing he always does with the same gameplay you know and like?

Why does it have to be this one game where you can't criticize it for something it lacks? Why is it this protagonist that we have to give a pass to even though you should note that by playing him I am living out his story and that's something that I am expected to enjoy in order to do?

Let alone you didn't see me complain about the first 3 games, only thereafter. I played the first three games. I enjoyed them. But, at the end of the third game... I was, and still am, 100% done with Kratos and his story. Why? Because there was no point to it. He had gone to the top of Olympus and killed everyone along the way and what did he get in the end? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. The story of Kratos is written in the blood of the people he killed and nothing else.

[Drakul]

Yeah, Kratos has less IQ than ghosts in PacMan..it is really hard to play those beautiful games with that lame character so completely new main protagonist would be awesome.

[thricetold]

So basically you're NOT a fan and want a totally new game, just with the same name and general theme? Plenty of other series that may fit your needs instead of turning GoW into some deep story/character driven game instead of the balls to the walls action game it is known for.

[Christopher]

***So basically you're NOT a fan and want a totally new game, just with the same name and general theme?***

Sure, if you want to take my only complaint of "Kratos is a one-dimensional character" to mean "I want to play a game that isn't GoW because I totally hate GoW". I love the setting, I love the combat, I love the graphics, I love everything about it... except I hate how one-dimensional Kratos is.

So, sure, why not move onto something that is 100% not at all GoW rather than be allowed my opinion on the one thing I don't like. Let alone that there are really very few God of War-esque games out there. Especially in this generation of games.

[TwoForce]

But if you look his skin, he's no longer pale.

[gninja92]

yeah he is back to normal, in the end of 3 where you kill Zeus there is a brief moment just before Zeus explodes where you see the chains o his arms fall off naturally and if you look closely you will notice the rain washing off the ashes.

[Master-H]

Idk. I like Kratos' design and character but the problem is his attacks, weapons, and moveset has gotten too samey 4 console games and 2 portable games deep.

[gangsta_red]

I wouldn't mind seeing Kratos come back, older and worn out from his previous outing.

But I agree with some on here, he needs to have more range and motive than just "Aaargh, Arrgh! My Family, Aaarrgh!".

I can already see some angle as to Loki offering a way to maybe undue the damage he's done or a way to bring back the ones he lost by performing some sort of deed but wouldn't be the case because well...it's Loki.

[Hoffmann]

I would love to see Kratos being in the game but only as a story character ..maybe as an unlockable character but with a new main protagonist who really fits into the different setting.

Instead of going against all gods I would also prefer a fight together with the good guys against the hordes of Nifelheim, including so powerful beings like the Midgard Serpent, Hel, the Fire Giants and yeah..maybe Loki too..but Loki based on the norse mythology would fit better as a funny nps who accompanies the protagonist but is usually the opposite of a help.

[Chexs1990]

@Hoffmann
If they did that, i could kinda Imagine Loki acting like the shade sidekick in the first darksiders :)
Could be pretty cool actually

[MeleeDamage]

I think Kratos looks the part within Greek mythology, but perhaps not for Norse. They have an opportunity to do something great with the next God of War in terms of story and character development because let's face it, Kratos is very one dimensional. We could see a parallel universe of sorts where Kratos was of Nordic descent rather than Greek.

[jb227]

I honestly think he will be a fish out of water jumping through different mythologies for the rest of the series. GoW3 set up the idea that freeing the people from their enslavement to mythologies was delivering hope into the world, so his new quest may be killing all of the gods now that he has ended the Greek pantheon.

People don't generally consider that these aren't entirely self contained myths by the very nature that they shared the same planet while they were being created. So while the entire Greek myth plays out in its corner of the universe, we still have all of the other ones happening even if the Greeks don't acknowledge them. All it would take is a boat ride for Kratos to end up in an entirely different universe so to speak.

I dunno if that's where they are going w/ it, but if you invert the title and make it War to Gods then you could essentially keep the game moving & fresh in perpetuity. I'd like it if we spent the next trilogy moving to a different pantheon for each installment & eliminating their deities one by one. I'm a sucker for environmental design & it would be amazing to be dropped in an entirely different world every time a new game dropped. Kratos would end up taking up the armor and weapons of the people each time so he would fit w/ the surroundings but still be the same character, this time freeing the populace from their torment instead of only working to free himself.

[Kratos0289]

Kratos this isn't Assassins Creed

[Hoffmann]

What if Kratos is a girl in God of War 4?

[rainslacker]

@Hoff

wouldn't really be Kratos then would it?

Granted, the new GoW could be one of the Valkyrie, but given what the Valkyrie actually were, I'd imagine they're going to be the one's that actually choose the new God of War...that being Kratos or someone else.

I'd personally be more into a new GoW. Someone more in line with Norse traditions. Throwing in a Greek personification into a Norse setting just doesn't seem like it'd work. While there is a lot of similarity between their deities, the actual culture was very different.

[Prubar]

Completely new. I feel we've seen everything that Kratos can offer as a character and power wise. I mean how much bigger can you get when you're on the back of a Titan climbing to mount Olympus to fight gods. Plus the blades of chaos are getting a little stale 6 games later.

[Silly gameAr]

Kratos. I would like to see what eventually happens to piss him off this time, and makes him kill a whole different group of gods.

[mt]

to me Kratos is God of War.

[Slevon]

Love god of war but to me Kratos is the worst protagonist in any franchise I enjoy and has literally no redeeming qualities. plus itll be easier to tell a better story in a new mythology without him having to explain why he's there to kill them because reasons.

[FITgamer]

They have to keep Kratos, how can you have a "God of War" game without the God of War?

[Hoffmann]

Its a video game after all, giving it another protagonist and a different setting shouldnt be a big problem

[Germany7]

Kratos!

[gangsta_red]

"Instead of going against all gods I would also prefer a fight together with the good guys..."

You also have a point here. Having him just rampage through the Norse gods would be nothing more than a re-telling of what happened in 1 thru 3.

We definitely need a new type of plot and story.

Maybe a new protagonist for God of War is in order. Maybe this new God will run into Kratos and go from there. Almost like the whole Luke scene in Star Wars.

I think I like that idea better.

[Godmars290]

Would rather see something more than the obvious similarities presented.

[DarXyde]

Totally new. God of War is known for its powerful narrative and I believe they need to know when to let a character's story rest. Remember God of War I when the narrative slowly unfolded, telling the story of his tattoos and ashen skin? That was great how the exposition played out. I'd like them to recapture that new feeling without using Kratos because we already know his story. Give us something new with a new protagonist and his/her own problems. I don't even think being a God of War necessary means you need to be angry all the time. That was my problem with Kratos. He only had one setting: rage. Even before he needed to get revenge on Ares. There's so much potential. Too much to waste on another chapter for Kratos, if you ask me.

And please, take the time to do away with the blades of chaos/Athena/Exile. They've more than run their course. Jaffe himself, if I recall, wanted to do something bigger with the combat. Make it so, Barlog.

EDIT:

You know what might be interesting if done well? Having the Norse Gods rise after the destruction of Olympus and, upon hearing this, Kratos comes back to kill them because he feels the world's would be better off without Gods. Then, you play as the Norse God of War and help to defeat Kratos with the help of the other Gods. Then they make sequels from there.

Just my two cents.

[MWH]

in my humble gaming opinion, Kratos should retire. he fulfilled his story and exacted his only motive; destructive vengeance.

to me, he's so angry all the time it's exhausting and i stopped relating to his cause when he became a bloodthirsty selfish bastard who brought only destruction to the entire world because of choices he willingly made and is making every creature below and above paying for it and then some. so f*** that!

the best thing to do now is a new beginning with a new protagonist and a new story, without the shouting.

[Jaqen_Hghar]

new continuity. New protagonist. No matter how you try to connect these two stories it will be sloppy

[showtimefolks]

kratos is god of war

like drake is uncharted

[Davi123]

@xHeavYx

That's a cool ideia! :D

[Inzo]

Kratos is GOW, so no.

[Spurg]

Im sorry but these concept art look terrible...either the artist is bad or its fake
Take a look at these 3 bad concept:
http://pureplaystation.com/...
http://pureplaystation.com/...
http://pureplaystation.com/...

[Toiletsteak]

Somebody needs glasses. I will give you a clue, it isn't me.

[BlakHavoc]

I agree, and I think they're fake.

[WeAreLegion]

I'm sorry. I don't understand. That's bad? These aren't completely realized paintings or anything. They're concept art. They can be as simple as stick figures. So long as they get the art style and general idea across.

[Spurg]

Oh please dont try to defend this trash. I come from an art background and i know composition of artwork. Non of these so called concept art have any narrative going on in them...plus there are clearly badly photoshopped.
If you still believe this is legit then try to compared them to the ones posted the the user below and you'll see a grand level of difference.

[WeAreLegion]

We all come from an art background. We're idiots who argue on a gaming forum.

I'm telling you that's not out of the ordinary for early concept art. The stuff below is in the story stages. The stuff in the article definitely isn't.

[Spurg]

You know when I say art background I mean studied and have a degree in it.
I can easily tell when something is off with the composition and colour scheme... none of it looks remotely professtional.Dont try to lecture me on concept art
This is an example of early concept art from artist at Santa monica studios:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v...

And this piece of trash you call concept art
http://pureplaystation.com/...

[Imalwaysright]

Agreed

Concept art from Ascension

http://conceptartworld.com/...

Concept art from GOW3

http://www.jungparkart.com/...

EDIT

Also it seems that Jung is still working with Santa Monica and there is no way in hell that he would create that crap.

http://www.jungparkart.com/...

[Toiletsteak]

http://www.reactiongifs.us/...

[Kal-V3]

It will be interesting to see how he blames Odin for killing his family.

[AnotherProGamer]

Odin stepped on his new Jordans

[mt]

If I would do the setting for it, it will be Kratos trying to go back to Greek world/ universe or whatever it is called. but because Kratos doesn't ask gods nicely and start killing them.

[Angainor7]

Its gonna be awesome, norse and egyptian mythology would be epic!!!

[randomguy35]

I think an Egyptian or Persian setting would be better personally, besides Athena was never killed. That pic of Kratos reminds me of Max Payne 3 lol

[SpinalRemains138]

This can't be real

[payikick]

Oh no, then it'll be GOW:Ghosts (with a dog) GOD:BO Then GOW:In space, oh wait.....

[MasterD919]

If they do bring back Kratos...his beard will need a major upgrade.

[opinionated]

I'd like Norse or Egyptian spinoff but I don't know how I feel about it still being Kratos. I'd rather a new story and character.

[Der_Kommandant]

He's going to take out Thor and Odin with that axe? lol

[one2thr]

I can see Kratos having an apprentice, someone to carry on his rage, his hatred towards the norse Gods, especially the ones that don't fulfill their promises.

Or he becomes something "higher", like Athena.

[SharnOfTheDEAD]

Doesn't look as bad ass as Krotos, and this guy is supposed to be a Viking, where is his colossal beard?

[ZombieGamerMan]

really hope it's not the same Kratos, his journey of vengeance is over. Don't mind a new guy who looks like Kratos but isn't fighting Norse Gods

[T2X]

No. I think there was still more story to tell at the end of GOW3. This shit about Norse mythology sounds stupid to me. But that's just my opinion. It's NOT Gow if Kratos isn't in it and it can't really be Norse or any other other mythology just yet. We still don't know what the f happened after the end of GOW 3 as I said.

[Davi123]

Why couldn't exist a reason to Kratos get into Norse Mythology to recover his family? Or the norse gods go against Kratos because of the power he have of the pandora box?

[Sevir]

Honestly, I don't see the point... 6 god of war games, 3 origin/prequels... what would be kratos' motivation after killing all the god's in Greek mythology and seeing just how much he upset the balance of the world just for his quest for revenge?

I we don't need a new game in the series, we should have gotten Stig's New Ip instead of scrapping it to move resources into a franchise that's wrapped up it's 6 game story line...

Whatever, it's more god of war, it'll be a beautiful and brutal action game with great gameplay.

[A LIVING LEGEND]

Could not agree more.Well I could actually but you know

[Bathyj]

Id prefer Heavenly Sword 2

[phoenixwing]

I'd love heavenly sword 2 as well

[Kingoftherodeo]

so will they send kratos to kill norse gods or recreate god of war series but with a viking kratos? if only smite added kratos that would be god of war 4-5-6 all into one

[Gaming4Life1981]

I hope for more epic battles in this but how can poisiden ever be surpassed?

Hope that the game play is far enhanced as well but overall I will be buying this......

[Themba76]

nice now how about we see him taking on the gods on ancient egypt like RAH or Osirus

[A LIVING LEGEND]

Anything,and I mean ANYTHING but what we have been shovelled lately .

[Jaymz808]

I love the God Of War Series! I would love to see God Of War done in style like The Witcher. Open world, open underworld, open heaven. Crafting and creating your new blades and armor. Being able to have a few friends join you in campaigns.

[S2Killinit]

I like what i see. Getting more and more excited.

[Tallpine]

Aw yeah, new characters in the Norse world. Sign me up.

[saimcheeda]

Maybe if they ind a new way to reinvent the series. But the same character with new gods doesnt seem appealing!

[Helios86]

Man I'd love for him to go kill monotheistic gods. What a glorious shitstorm that would create.

[Kratos0289]

Have people forgotten God of War III ends on a cliffhanger?

[Fishermenofwar]

It could mean anything...Loki could have appeared and taken the body and he could be a slave to him....Lots of things could have happened

[Fishermenofwar]

make his beard blonde....LEGEN........

DARY

[Heavenly King]

I hope it continues the story from GOWIII, and now that few greek gods are remaining, the norse gods will begin to rise to take over the world.

In GOW Ascension there is mention of norse gods and egyptian gods, so I think they will merge all the mythologies in 1 unique universe.

[Heavenly King]

GOW without Kratos is not GOW.

[MilkMan]

More Kratos is never a bad thing.
Exactly how his story will now merge with viking lore is of the utmost importance. Lets see what happens. Im just glad to know there is more on the way.