Summary

• Starting the TV show with a later point in the God of War timeline, like the 2018 game, would be more effective in engaging new viewers and allowing them to jump into the story.
• The more recent God of War games provide a more cinematic experience and align better with the structure of a modern TV show, making them an ideal source material for adaptation.
• While the show can include flashbacks to explore Kratos' backstory, focusing on his time in the Norse mythology realm could attract a larger audience due to the popularity of Norse imagery in media.

There is no shortage of games in the God of War video game franchise, but the TV show will actually be better if it doesn't begin by adapting the very first installment. The God of War timeline is largely quite linear, and while Amazon's coming project could capitalize on this traditional structure, there are parts that it would be beneficial to initially omit. Of all Kratos' exploits in the video game franchise, certain storylines would be more effective if left to the imagination.

The first God of War game was released on the PlayStation 2 in 2005, meaning the series is coming up to its 20th anniversary. The franchise has been steadily added to over the years, with the advancement and introduction of newer versions of the PlayStation allowing Amazon's live-action God of War show.

Amazon's God Of War Shouldn't Open With Kratos' Origin Story

The God of War TV show can skip Kratos' earlier years

Sony God of War in 2018. Despite its simple title, it didn't serve as a reset of the timeline, but rather as a soft sequel to the classic games. 2018's God of War barely references precede games, and the most notable of these omissions is arguably Kratos' history. The format feels very organic and is perfectly suited for players who have never before played a God of War game. In other words, it's not worth playing the original God of War games first. Amazon's coming adaptation should take heed of the effectiveness of this as a starting point.

2018's God of War begins years into Kratos' new life away from the title character's Greek origins. This provides a jumping-on point for those who have never played a God of War game before, and it can do the same thing for TV show viewers who have never before interacted with the world in which the story is set. Kratos is a very compelling character with a rich backstory, but the newer games have proven that his past being constantly teased and revealed through earned references is a much more rewarding way to learn about Kratos' exploits.

The canon of the previous installments remained in place, so there is still plenty of relevant source material for Amazon to delve into.

There are two games in the franchise that simply bear the name God of War. The first was the series debut in 2005, with the other coming in 2018. Before God of War 2018, there hadn't been a game added to the series since 2010's God of War III. The huge delay and resetting of the titling convention would imply that the 2018 game is a hard reboot of the game franchise, but this isn't true. The canon of the previous installments remained in place, so there is still plenty of relevant source material for Amazon to delve into.

The More Recent God Of War Games Would Make A Better TV Show

The two most recent entries into the God of War game universe are already a feast for the eyes

Although the classic God of War games aren't without their merits, the newer era is already far more cinematic. The visual spectacle that is 2018's God of War, as well as its 2022 sequel, God of War: Ragnarök, lends itself very naturally to a TV adaptation. The overall story structure of the post-2018 era is also much more similar to how a modern TV show would be written when compared to the other games. As a result, the transition between mediums would be much smoother than if the show were to start during Kratos' earlier years.

The modern games also take Kratos out of Ancient Greece and move him into the realm of Norse mythology. This means the main character faces off against versions of extremely popular Norse gods such as Thor and Odin, as well as other less well-known deities. Norse imagery has been very popular in recent years due to the success of the MCU's interpretation of Thor. Other Viking properties have also enjoyed success, such as History Channel's six seasons of Vikings and its Netflix spinoff series, Vikings: Valhalla. Therefore, focusing on Kratos' time in the nine realms could boost the show's popularity.

Kratos' Backstory Can Always Be Included In Flashbacks In The TV Show

Flashback episodes can be used to flesh out part of Kratos' history

The God of War show doesn't need to completely ignore Kratos' backstory. In fact, Amazon's version of the story could be made much better if it includes more information about the titular god than the post-2018 era has. The benefit of television is that it comes equipped with the brilliant convention of the flashback episode. The TV adaptation of Sony's games could dedicate huge portions of an episode's runtime to filling in the blanks of Kratos' past, but only when it's relevant to the story taking place in the present day of the show.

Using the older games in this way would not only augment the narrative from the modern era but would also be a fitting nod to the earlier installments of the original franchise. If anything, the show has an advantage that the games never had. Amazon has access to all of this source material from the very start of their project. As a result, they can seamlessly blend elements from various games into their God of War TV show, potentially creating a superior version of Kratos' story.

There is currently no confirmed release date for the God of War TV show.