God of War

Santa Monica Studios and its partners could have simply relied on the God of War formula and still landed a hit. Instead, however, they threw many familiar elements into the abyss and didn’t just transplant Kratos into Norse mythology—they also gave him a son by his side, for whom the previously aloof hero is visibly concerned. This makes an even greater impression, since fans of the series are well aware of the Spartan’s uncompromising past. The fact that the son isn’t just someone who pops up in cutscenes, but actively fights alongside his father, makes their bond all the more valuable. The new camera perspective, which brings us closer to Kratos—and thus closer to Atreus as well—does the rest to break down his former aloofness. This simple trick also makes the game world feel bigger, more impressive, and more immersive. The developers underpin all of this with a fascinating setting, a motivating combat system, and memorable enemies. Odin approves—Kratos has never been better.

The DCP Jury 2019