Can I start with God of War 1?

Can I Start with God of War 1?

The God of War series has been a thrilling ride for gamers worldwide. With the latest installment of the series, God of War 2018, gaining huge popularity, many are now wondering if they can jump into the series starting with the first game, released in 2005. In this article, we’ll explore the possibility of starting with God of War 1 and whether it’s a good idea to do so.

Spoiler Alert:

If you haven’t played any God of War games, some minor spoilers may follow, but don’t worry; we’ll keep it short and sweet.

Key Takeaways:

1. You can technically start with God of War 1, but doing so might limit your appreciation for the series’ story and its characters.
2. The games are not strongly linked by a single storyline, but rather by shared character arcs and mythological roots.
3. The prequels (Ascension, Chains of Olympus, and Ghost of Sparta) provide valuable context and backstory for Kratos and the world of Olympus, but are not strictly necessary to understand the later games.

Why Not Start with God of War 1?

Starting with the first game can limit your understanding of the later games’ storylines. Here’s why:

Lack of Character Background:

God of War 1 introduces Kratos as a brutal, brooding character, but provides little background on his early life or motivations. In the subsequent games, particularly God of War (2007) and God of War III, his backstories and character developments take center stage. Knowing about his past and emotional connections with the gods will deepen your understanding of the franchise.

Mythological Context:

God of War 1 explores mythological Greek gods, with a focus on Olympus’ pantheon. While you may not need to be familiar with Greek mythology, playing the earlier games provides deeper context and understanding of the gods, their powers, and their roles in the world. This understanding helps to enrich the story, characters, and battles, making the experience more enjoyable.

Gameplay Style:

The earlier God of War games (especially the first one) differ significantly from the later entries in terms of gameplay and tone. The games 1-3 were built around hack-and-slash combat, whereas God of War (2018) introduced a more fluid and strategic combat system, set in a Norse-inspired world. Jumping straight to the 2018 game might lead to disconnection from the series’ growth and evolution.

On the Other Hand…

If you still want to start with God of War 1, you’re not missing out on vital information. The series can be enjoyed as individual entries, with each game contributing to the overall lore, characters, and combat experience. You can:

1. Play God of War 1, God of War: Chain of Olympus, Ghost of Sparta, God of War (2007), God of War: Ascension, and God of War III to grasp the early story arcs.
2. Keep the context separate: Recognize that the games share connected worlds, characters, and mythological roots but follow distinct storylines.
3. Focus on characters and gameplay: Pay attention to Kratos’ personality, relationships, and evolutions throughout the series. Enjoy the combat systems and world design, regardless of the specific game’s continuity.

Conclusion:

While you can start with God of War 1, doing so may curtail your appreciation for the series’ story, characters, and world. Understanding the mythological context and character backgrounds will enhance the experience. If you prefer to start with God of War 1, at least be aware of the differences and keep context in mind. For new fans, we recommend playing God of War (2018) and then working backwards to explore the earlier entries.

Table of Prequels and God of War Games:

I hope this article has been enlightening, and you can now make an informed decision about where to start with the God of War series.