Barlog: Kratos Will Have To Make Choices on What He Wants for Atreus; Many Criticized GoW @ E3 2016

Cory Barlog stated that Kratos will have to make choices about what he wants for Atreus in God of War. He also revealed heavy initial criticism by some E3 2016 attendees for the first demo.

[ccgr]

Hope they take feedback to heart

[ULTp0ltergeist]

Kratos dies!

[Eonjay]

He won't. Spoilers, this was kinda already established by the devs.

[Atticus_finch]

Even if he died, kratos would simply rip a hole in hell and escape.

[Exvalos]

he has died like 5 times at this point, so that's nothing new lol

[AspiringProGenji]

Can't have something new without a few doubters...

I liked what I saw from the very start and I believe in this direction: New myth, new gameplay, new perspective... I rather have all of that than the same thing as before, which is why I am very much excited for this

[Aurenar]

So true. Nevermind them Cory, another traditional God of War would have been the real fail

[Nyxus]

He must close his heart to their suffering. He must close his heart to their desperation.

[Obscure_Observer]

Thing is, Balrog did say he changed GoD to be a more story driven game, because he wants to make it more appealing to european gamers whose are not too keen on "pure" hack n slash games.

Some gamers just want the good old tortured Kratos screaming vengence, engaging hot women and tearing everything else apart.

[Nyxus]

There are six games like that those people can play right now. For the future, it's good to chance things up every once in a while.

[MegamanXXX]

@Nyxus
I agree

[AspiringProGenji]

I have been following all news since E3 and I never read anything like that

Engaging hot women? Good luck with that nowadays. The old series might have gotten away with that before , but not today

[UCForce]

I think it's more about a redemption of Kratos. Kratos lost his family once. And he won't let that happen again. New GOW gameplay is still fast pace but more grounded and personal.

[opinionated]

@nyxus
There are games like the last of us, uncharted 4, hellblade, etc you can play. Oh you already played those? Okay... Why ruin god of war with story driven garbage? How many more action games need to be turned into ultra boring mega dramas before you guys learn how to read a book or watch movies for such cravings?

[Nyxus]

@ opinionated: jesus, calm down. Then don't play it.

[Alexious]

Last I checked, it's not just European gamers who prefer third person camera to fixed camera...

[Kratos0289]

Barlog did not say that, that was Jim 'master of PR' Ryan

[opinionated]

@nyxus
IM NOT GOING TO DO WHAT EVERYONE THINKS IM GOING TO DO AND FLIP OUT maaan

I'm calm, I just think that's a stupid thing to say lol. I have already played the god of war games. I liked the god of war games. I don't want to replay them, I want to play a new god of war. Feel me? I don't want a god of war bed time story, I want to rip some mythological heads off.

[ShadowWolf712]

Man, that gets tired, fast.

I'd much, much rather allow a character to develop.

[Obscure_Observer]

@Kratos0289

You´re right, that was Ryan.

“It’s a franchise that has historically acutely underperformed in Europe,” said the firm’s global head of marketing and sales. Ryan’s next comments read like he blames Kratos’ inability to shift copies in those oh so sophisticated European territories on the fact God of War’s story has always been an irrelevant side distraction. "Hack and slash games tend to not do so well in Europe, so the narrative this time around will make a big difference. European gamers love narrative games. And Singstar."

Anyway, if it was a Sony´s decision, Barlog is ok with that decision. For better, or worst. I personally welcome the change. But i also understand Kratos´s hardcore fans feelings toward this changes.

[OB1Biker]

Before it was revealed I've read so many comments on here saying they didn't want the same GOW games. I think the majority of gamers are happy GOW will be different and that has nothing to do with where they are from
Whatever the reason they changed from the old games doesn't really matter as long as people are happy with the change and I'm sure they are

[thejigisup]

@aspiringprogenji kratos is going to bed men and women in this game in order to appease everyone.

[darthv72]

I too am looking forward to the new aspects of this game. Curious about how it segues from GoW3 to this one seeing as it is not called GoW4 but simply GoW which is to say a genesis (new beginning) of the franchise.

[Eonjay]

This was answered by the devs during the panel. It's a continuation.. in this universe, all mythos have their own area and can be traversed. It is assumed that given enough time you could travel from one the next. Restarting the counting may just signify a new mythos. But we dp know that this is the same exact Kratos.

[PhoenixUp]

Kratos is the most symbolic PlayStation mascot of all time, a brand born for getting revenge on the then videogame gods(Nintendo & Sega) that betrayed it.

[UCForce]

I'm glad Corey Barlog realize the risk he and his team take. At E3 2016, it paid off pretty well.

[-Foxtrot]

I just don't think I can give a shit about Atreus. God of War is about Kratos...not hand holding a kid and I hope it's just a one game thing to change things up. I would have rather seen someone older like a woman who ends up being his wife later on or even he remarries and she goes with him...someone that has that appeal like Nariko in Heavenly Sword

Looks great obviously but like I said my attention is on the bad ass Kratos.

[UCForce]

Don't expect everything change. It's Kratos and his kid story from now on. He used to have a family one he destroyed it (tricked by Ares). Now he won't waste it here.

[-Foxtrot]

Hey anything can happen, that's just one possible outcome of many...the kid could be killed off at the end of this one or second one fueling his rage again and showing him he's always going to be "that guy"...the guy who is cursed to leave nothing but destruction, anger and pain in his path. Perfect motivation to set up more games.

I just don't see Kratos as the kind of guy to settle down someday and have a long happy ending where everything is peaceful.

[Kratos0289]

Nariko had appeal? Heavenly Sword is all but forgotten now

[ShadowWolf712]

Likely Translation: A hot chick.

[-Foxtrot]

Well you're wrong because if Heavenly Sword 2 was announced and was a direct sequel people would loose their shit.

[thejigisup]

kratos would be so weak over meeting nariko. I'm still waiting on a crossover that will never happen :(

[UCForce]

Not this time. This is Kratos and Atreus story from now on. The name of that kid is from Greek mythology. Atreus name does have infamous reputation like Kratos. I trust Cory Barlog because he did pretty on God Of War 2 which is a fan favorite including myself. Like I said, I trust him and his team.

[Senboza]

Kratos needs a new motive to go on a rampage again. So I think Atreus will get killed brutally in the first 15% of the game, and then we will see Kratos going full berserk mode. If I am wrong, then we'll have Last of Us norse mythology edition..*sigh*

[UCForce]

No, it's time for him to let it go and move on. Kratos has been suffered way too much in previous games. Kratos won't kill his son, because Atreus remains Kratos a lot of his lost child.

[opinionated]

So it's possible to eat all of the dog food and let the kid starve?

[Kratos0289]

Wise up

[opinionated]

lmao! To what exactly? Share thy wisdom oh mighty god of war.

[Kratos0289]

Your incessant whining on every God of War thread, you don't like the change we get it too bad

Best rip the band aid off now and deal with it

God of War needed this if it was to remain relevant

[opinionated]

Oh I need to wise up about you crying about my harmless opinions lmao. No thanks. If they ruin god of war I'll be sure to remind you in every thread I see that it's your fault.

And you call yourself a fan.. You even named yourself after him. Yet he needed a cinematic story to stay relevant? Thats funny shit.

[Phill-Spencer]

@kratos
i agree. Imo it's more than great that santa monica went for a new direction after ascencion showed the first symptoms of the franchise becoming stale. We had gow 1-3, ghost of sparta, chains of olympus and ascension at some point you either have to give a series a rest or make fundamental changes to the ip

[Kratos0289]

Wise up = crying over opinions lol Your the one crying in every God of War article mate

Oh I'm sure even if it reviews really well you'll tell me they ruined it regardless and I'll tell you to eat that crow

I put zero thought into my username a bit like yourself and God of War has always been cinematic and story driven take off your nostalgia goggles

[opinionated]

That was your explanation, not mine lol. I'm not crying at all, I made a comment about the article. The example of mad max having a choice of eating all of the dog food for maximum strength or giving some to his dog for an able lookout. If it's possible to kill off the kid, I would. See, I actually read the article. Crying would be telling me to delete my account like I violated somebody's safe space lol. "Wise up" was a dumb comment that even you can't articulate. You didnt put much thought into that one either, ironically.

I don't care about reviews. A meta collection of useless hack "journalists" doesn't hold any ground with me. I value your opinion more than theirs. If it's great, it's great and I will be more than happy to admit it. If it sucks, it sucks and I will have no problem admitting that either.

I'm very stubborn in my thoughts (as you know) but it doesn't mean I'm wrong or unreasonable. You clearly don't know what story driven games are. Surprising seeing as you are a Sony cultist and it's the only thing they make these days.

[Kratos0289]

I said 'wise up' because you where coming off as a little petulant especially your older comments on the game

When it comes to critics I totally agree however everything I've seen of this game I love including the emphasis on exploration and I trust the pedigree of the developers and Cory who directed what most people think is the best God of War game

Of course I know what story driven games are I've been playing them for years (that was a dumb comment your made yourself there) it's what hooked me in God of War 1 and is one of the reasons this is my favourite series

lmao I am no Sony fanboy I'll happily call them out on their bullshit and they have first party games I couldn't care less about, think before you label people ok

[opinionated]

Lmao can you give an example of an older comment that came off as petulant? Wouldn't "grow up" be the correct term for that description?

Well I'm glad we agree on that lol. God of war 2 was the best gow game. Everything I have seen so far in the new one has been 98% cutscene. I haven't seen any exploration. My speculation is not to troll or be petulant. I'm still waiting for real information and hoping they didn't ruin it. It's my honest opinion on what I have seen so far, as a fan of the series and not a fan of cinematic games. Mostly because there is only only one pacing for cinematic games, ultra slow.

That's not what story driven games are lol. Pretty much every game has a story, it doesn't mean they are story driven games. God of war had a great story, it still doesn't mean it's a story driven game. "Story driven" "narrative driven" "cinematic story" refers to the actual story telling techniques and pacing. Hellblade is a story driven game. Gow had it's flashy cinematic moments and popularized the QTE but it's nowhere near being a story driven game. It's an action game first and foremost (or WAS lol, I'll guess we'll see where it goes)

My apologies if you're not a fanboy. Most of the people who cry about my opinions are.

[RememberThe357]

Homeboy's gone full douche

[opinionated]

I know right? I guess the break in monotonous dick riding jarred his senses. What?! Somebody isn't sold yet? *triggered* must reply.

[UCForce]

It's possible for Kratos to let it go and move on. Kratos couldn't forgive himself what he did to his family (Ares tricked and abused him). But his wife and his child spirit accepted his apology and wanted him to let it go. He did in the end, but still hold some of his struggles. Now he has a son and he won't repeat the same mistake again.

[opinionated]

Would make a great chick flick.

[bluefox755]

I'm glad they stuck to it. I like this new direction.

[Kratos0289]

Well it's a good thing most of reactions where positive definitely the best game shown at E3 that year

[SubZtx]

Can I choose to throw the kid off a cliff if he shoots you with an arrow like the REAL Kratos would do?

[Kratos0289]

As much of an asshole Kratos is I don't see him doing that to a child, he'd definitely chuck trolls like yourself tho :P

[SubZtx]

No troll and probably a bigger fan of the series than you. I remember back in the day staying up til 4 am to kill Ares, I felt like craaaap the next day.

[Kratos0289]

I bought the abysmal Total Recall Blu Ray for the Ascension demo...You are not as big of a fan than me I assure you

[DialgaMarine]

Well, the original E3 2016 video on PlayStation's channel has over 18.1 million views, 334K likes, and only 10K dislikes. I'd guess the naysayers are mostly just fanboys of the competitor's console, who would complain about the game no matter you guys do. Keep up the good work Barlog and team; the game is looking excellent.

[mayberry]

serious, is Kratos changed? he looks vastly different besides age.. wasn't he black? I know his voice actor was.

[RememberThe357]

The f---? He's Greek...

[mayberry]

There were black people all over Europe including Greece, they were referred to as Moors.
The actor, T.C.Carson does his voice and he is Black.
David Jaffe has said on more than one occasion that if there were to be a God of War movie, he would want Djimon Hounsou to play Kratos.

[RememberThe357]

Kratos isn't a damn Moor. Wtf? And the race of the voice actor doesn't have anything to do with the race of a character, Nadine is played by a white lady. One day we'll get a hero who's black from the gaming industry, until then we'll have to stick with CJ from San Andreas.

[Liqu1d]

-_-

[Atticus_finch]

This game will be insane. I have no doubt that the new take on Gow will pay off. Sony santa are doing exactly what they needed to do.

[S-Word]

My choice would be to throw him off of a cliff at the beginning of the game.

[ShwaaMan]

I love this series with all of my heart but in my humble opinion it's been getting stale for the last couple of entries. I, for one, have always been thrilled they decided to take it in a more evolved direction.
Sony Santa Monica are impeccable at making games and they're the right team to take on the challenge of evolving this franchise(it's their franchise after all so who better?). With Barlog at the helm also, I am confident. It's not like they're turning it into an RTS or FPS, but even if they were they'd give it their all I have no doubt.
Can't wait

[Sm3000]

I'm very intrigued about the dev saying this game will be one big long shot. The way I understand it, the camera will never leave kratos, not even once

[Frenchfries2000]

Cory barlog won't disapoint .

[dRanzer]

We can easily compare him to Neil Druckmann.amazing two Intelligent people

[AmUnRa]

Yeah, they could go the easy way and made a GoW game just like the other GoW games.
But they didn't and i love it.
i love that they build this game and i will buy it day one. Of course theyr will be doubters, but i think the most gamers will learn to love the new way this GoW game is taking.
The easy way would be: if it isn't broken dont fix it, but that would be playing save.

[mochachino]

If the game looked like a re-skinned PS3 GOW, I'd have no interest. This new take looks amazing.

[FernDiggidy]

I pray the combat system is rich and deep like in GOW3. I don't want to be performing the same 6 moves throughout the whole game. Gameplay is king. I hope they put as much love and dedication to that as they have with the story.