God of War Ragnarok is one of the most loved gaming stories of 2022. With Sony's efforts to translate franchises like The Last of Us and Uncharted into the TV and film space, it wasn't a huge surprise that Kratos and company would receive the same treatment. Amazon Prime has scooped up rights to adapt the games, which is an exciting proposition in large part because of Amazon's ability to conjure successful shows, but also because of the narrative weight of God of War being ripe for the silver screen.
The Sony Santa Monica series is a tale of two sides. Its 17-year legacy is set across two different mythologies that are largely different in style, atmosphere, characters, and location. Kratos is the son of Zeus, so when he's seen fighting Magni, Modi, and Baldur in Midgard it's a surprise; his past as a Spartan has him intertwined with Greek lore. Most of the God of War games take place in Greece. The later Norse games are more critically praised and commercially successful, but it would be a disservice to the franchise to skip over the first games entirely.
Kratos is a Product of Greece
By the time the events of 2018's God of War begin, it's clear that Kratos is worn-down, exhausted, and in dire need of a quiet life. His largely subdued rage feels like a product of a life of hatred, and this is true, as his exploits in Greece are shrouded in tragedy. The life he forged in Midgard is uplifting for players, as it was a fulfilling and deserved ending for the character. Embarking on the journey to Jotunheim to spread Faye's ashes feels like dragging a once-retired man into a fight he didn't pick, nor did he deserve, which is one of the many reasons the game's story is as effective as it is.
That long-dormant rage has to be born of something, and should the Amazon series pick up long after Kratos has left the clutches of Mount Olympus, there would be no narrative reason for him to be so grumpy. It would set an expectation that viewers have played the Greek saga of games, which isn't even necessarily true of those who jumped in with the Norse titles. Flashbacks could be an effective method of weaving the Greece-set God of War games into the show, as it would prove difficult to integrate two polarizing sides of Kratos into one cohesive story, but leaving the Greek story out entirely would be a mistake, and wouldn't best capture all of Kratos' long and satisfying character arc.
Greek Mythology's Polarizing Presentation
The stark difference in visuals between Greece and Norse mythology is evident. The marble-lined streets and towering pillars of Greece are a far cry from the stalwart wooden structures in Midgard or the gothic spires of Alfheim, and opting to overlook God of War's Greek era would be leaving a mountain of visual potential on the table. Using different styles in a TV series can wield some interesting results, using unique color filters and style flourishes to show that the story being told is multifaceted.
Amazon's take on God of War has huge boots to fill, and fans of the property will be keeping a keen eye on its development. There are countless people who entered the franchise in 2018, but this does not omit the games set in Greek mythology, as they are an essential part of Kratos' journey. In one form or another, Greece has to be included, and while it will be difficult to unite the settings, the challenge should be taken up by Amazon.
God of War will premiere on Amazon Prime Video.