To Be Compared to The Last of Us is Fantastic, Says God of War Director

Cory: "I think a lot of people mean it as a dig, which I’ve never really understood."

[Nyxus]

"So I will never ever be bothered by the fact that we are being compared to The Last of Us, because I think it’s truly a watershed moment in our industry."

Very true!

[Lynx0207]

Unfortunately GoW is nowhere near TLoU. Very polished gameplay and beautiful graphics but storytelling is on completely different level. TLoU is still an amazing game, in 3-4 years GoW will be just one of many good (but overhyped) games from the past.

[Goldby]

Please explain how Gow is overhyped

[DialgaMarine]

Both are excellent games.

[Roronoa0411]

You couldn’t be more wrong...

[BehindTheRows]

Over"hyped" or overrated? People often get those confused. In neither case would I agree, as the sum of God of War's parts are nicely represented by that high 94 Metascore, but I figured I'd help you with that. :)

[goldwyncq]

Kratos and Atreus's relationship is better than Joel and Ellie's, but that's just my opinion.

[affrogamer]

much better!

[Lilrizky]

it felt more natural and more realistic to me for sure.

also the side characters are waaaaaay better

[jc12]

Please. Get the F out with that nonsense.

[Harkins1721]

Id rather the gameplay and boss fights of GoW than the story from TLoU. Both great games but I prefer gameplay in my video games. God of War has always had an interesting story.

[RedDevils]

Yeah which TLOU is better at.

[kevnb]

no, games with great game play age well.

[DialgaMarine]

Exactly what I said; how is being compared to one of the greatest games of all time suddenly a bad thing?

[UCForce]

Yeah, i don’t get it. I love The Last of Us even the intro still got me.

[Smokehouse]

It depends. Barlog doesn’t care because he knows GOW is better. It is an honor to be compared because it stands on its own legs. It pisses off Sony bend because their game probably isn’t going to be better. When you are recognized as a clone it’s not an honor it’s an insult.

[Skankinruby]

You're damn right it is, being compared to one of the greatest games ever made is a huge honor, and I'm glad they recognize this.

[BenRC01]

Tlou trounces gow in every aspect other than graphics.

[georgenancy]

gameplay and graphics gow destroys last of us

[Sevir]

They're COMPLETELY DIFFERENT GAMES THAT SHARE similar aspects... But to say GoW is a better hack and slash game than a well made third person cover based shooter? Y'all are reaching...

People initially bashed The Last of Us because they watered it down to a big escort mission. And the same nitpickers levied the same remarks to the new God of War because it's shares a similar over the shoulder camera and has an AI companion throughout the entire game... Besides some platforming and puzzle solving mechanic. These games couldn't be more different.

In anycase, they're remarkable and fantastic games that stand apart and individually... These people digging at GoW have been humbled now that the game has come, flipped the franchise on it's head and propelled it on to New heights up there with the likes of Naughty Dog... And that's a fantastic circle of talent and excellence to be in.

[Flewid638]

I feel like the graphics remastered still trump GoW.

[Smokehouse]

It’s better than the last of us in every possible way.

[Fantomex]

This is literally a hard one. They're both masterpieces in their own right.

[Smokehouse]

I could undertandthat view for some but it’s not even close to me.

[capjacksparrow]

Gonna have to disagree with you there. The Last of Us has better pacing (due to the game being linear, makes it way easier). God of War does an amazing job of taking that pacing and applying it to a semi open world experience, which works really well, but still kinda hinders the pacing (unless you go straight through and don't do any of the side stuff).

Also, a few of the GoW story beats happened too quickly, for instance; *SPOILER* when Atreus finds out about his true nature, he just becomes a huge duck right away, it just didn't seem natural. Never really felt like that with the Last of Us.

Gameplay wise, they're totally different games that do their own respective thing quite well, though GoW is at the top of its game and is way more satisfying when it comes to its combat.

They're both in my top 5, The Last of Us being right above GoW, but make no mistake, I loved them both. I'm so happy with SSM's product. My favorite GoW game in the series.

[rivaldoo777]

Yeah, I am completely with you. No doubt that SSM achieved a masterful craftsmanship in this game however, when narrative and character dialogue and the overall emotional impact is considered ND is on another level .

[Smokehouse]

I disagree. Sure it’s linear but the story to combat ratio is set in stone. The pacing was better in GOW because the gameplay was much more frequent. The semi-open world didn’t affect the pacing because it’s all optional. The pacing was chosen by the player and that’s why it’s better. I didn’t have to sit at the dock and wait for mimir to end his story, I chose to.

It’s not a spoiler, everyone knows Kratos is a god and his son is at least a demigod. You wouldn’t become an arrogant dick if you found out you were a god? With your father telling you not to take crap from anyone and do whatever you want? I would lol. I didn’t like those parts, he was annoying I agree but he was supposed to be. I’m a big fan of mythology so the subject material grabbed my attention more than the slow, methodical story of the last of us. I think it was good for what it was, the acting and whatnot. I just didn’t like what it was.

The gameplay is one area where it’s not even questionable. The combat is the main reason why GOW is more fun.

GOW is in my top 10 for sure. The last of us just isn’t my thing. GOW took the best parts of TLOU and trumped it in every way imo.

[rivaldoo777]

Smokebox than what is your top 10?

[RedDevils]

there no way GOW is better than TLOU, I feel empty when I completed it, and it not satisfied as much as TLOU. The gameplay is good but in the end it what your prefer style, like how you like more hack and slash while some like slow and stealth type. So whatever swing your boat.

[Smokehouse]

There is a way when the boat swings the other way lol. I agree with everything besides “no way GOW is better than TLOU” and not being satisfied but you have a point. I said GOW trumps it every way but I was wrong. The last of us is a stand alone story, it could have ended there and been fine. I like the stand alone model more. GOW is a big game but it did feel like chapter one opposed to a complete story. This GOW arc will be the better franchise though imo.

@rivaldoo777
I don’t know I would have to think about it. GOW would probably be in it, or this current arc would. TLOU wouldn’t. TLOU2 might who knows. I’ll see e3 I guess.

[jc12]

These people saying GoW is better than the Last of Us "in every single way" are effing insane. I get it, your fanboyism compels you to shout GoW's praises from the rooftops, but let's not get carried away here. GoW is a very good game, but legendary it is not.

[Smokehouse]

Your fanboyism compels you to reject the truth, I get it. Don’t pretend you are speaking objectively. Or at least tell me why you don’t think it’s better instead of calling me insane.

[jc12]

In regards to story, TLOU is in a league of it own. There's more drama, more emotion and a much more engaging and empathetic character arc for both Joel and Ellie. The bond that grows between Joel and Ellie feels organic, not inevitable or forced; its a bond predicated on necessity at first, but later evolves into something much more. On the other hand, Kratos and Atreus share a decent bond by game's end, but for father and son, I'd dare say its typical. Characters in GoW seem to lack watershed moments - with the exception being Kratos rediscovering his chaos blades and embracing his past.

I also think the setting in TLOU is more intriguing and relatable. We all fear the end of humanity - the apocalypse if you will. Such an event is more relatable, we can see ourselves fighting for supplies and survival. In this context, GoW failed to evoke a similar feeling of desperation, survival, and ultimately, relatability.

The weapon selection also felt more varied in TLOU, as did the enemies throughout the game. I also felt like every encounter in TLOU could be my last, I had to ration ammo, med kits, etc. In other words, I had to play desperate. In GoW, many of my encounters felt rote, sort of going through the motions-esque, particularly by games end. With just the axe and blades (and let's be honest, most just used the axe) GoW lacked weapon and enemy variety, with encounters eventually feeling a bit "recycled."

Don't get this twisted though, GoW is an overall very good package. It certainly has better graphics - and production values are on par with TLOU. But, from a story and combat perspective, it tended more towards your traditional third person hack and slash game, ala Dark Souls.

Ultimately, I've played through TLOU campaign at least 10x over the last several years. I've no intention of ever jumping back into GoW though; I completed the game and its side quests, and I feel satisfied with the experience. For me at least, that says it all.

[Smokehouse]

Fair enough. I disagree but I can see where you are coming from. I didn’t play god of war to be relatable. We aren’t supposed to, it’s about mythology. The apocalypse in Norse mythology to be exact.

I do agree with one thing though. I never wanted to play GOW again after I got the platinum. The difference is that I didnt want to play the last of us while I was playing it. That’s why I said top 10, maybe even 15. There are many games I have played repeatedly over and over. But the mythology and story of GOW puts it in my top tier.

[Flewid638]

I enjoyed GoW....but it doesn't come close imo.

[Inzo]

I think GOW has surpassed the stage of being compared to TLOU.

[Yui_Suzumiya]

Why is everyone drinking hateraide today? Both games are absolute masterpieces. Be happy good games are still made.

[DrumBeat]

I personally enjoyed TLoU more than God of War. TLoU and Witcher 3 are my favorite games of all time. God of War was great, but not as much fun for me as those two.

[Smokehouse]

Witcher 3 and GOW is hard for me. I’d probably give it to witcher 3 because of the hours put in alone but it’s close. They are both top tier.

[GamesMaster1982]

To be compared to a beast like the last of us is an honour in itself . But GOW is a beast of a game in its own right . And if future games ever get compared to GOW that would also be an honour to them also.