God Of War's Most IMPORTANT Character That You NEVER Noticed

The Brilliance Of God Of War's Level Design was originally going to be the title of this video. But I figured that based on where this video goes after the mid point, it might be more truthful to make the the title more based on the character that this video is about. God Of War has brilliant level design, but to me it goes further than that. God Of War's Level design is so good, it almost becomes a character in itself.
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#godofwar

[@AlanFN]

Amazing how the traps and challenges of the temple get more and more difficult as the architect loses his sanity seeking to please the gods. You can feel his madness, and in the end you feel rewarded for overcoming challenges that no mortal has ever been able to overcome.The way the rings are unlocked and lined up to receive the beam of light always impresses me. The architect's dead family members being used as a key show just how cruel the world of Kratos is. Incredible storytelling through level design. GoW 1 is a timeless masterpiece :)

[@liammccormick5208]

You're comment on the level design of GoW II actually cleared up something for me. Quite often I would forget why I was in a specific area, at least as far as the story was concerned. This is something that I don't recall ever happening in GoW. I could be biased of course, of all the games in the series the original is my favourite.

[@ExtremeGameplays1]

Man, the music choice! Was surprised you used the Hades Beams theme. Good stuff! Absolutely loved this video. Thanks a lot for the effort. The openness expands to combat as well. Ever noticed how GoW1 is the GoW game with the least amount of barriers in its encounters? If you're interested in combat as much as i am, i have made a video called "Why God of War 1 Stands Out". Again, thanks for the video and effort, man. Your passion is looming around this video. I hope you don't get screwed over by YT, again.

[@rudranshjoshi8142]

Zesty i really do want your channel to grow exponentially like TBP's❤❤

[@khamsumtsheringwangdi1095]

@@rudranshjoshi8142 same, I love your content and you are a criminally underated god of war KZbinr and I really want you to grow

[@Kyle_South198]

Bro seeing my favourite gow youtube comment on my other favourite gow youruber feels like a match made in heaven.

[@Ronbotnik]

The original God of War games are so good, it pains me theres no real way to easily play them these days, outside of 3. It feels like alot about them is being forgotten/misremembered to push this narrative that the old games are mindless immature killing and sex, and nothing else. Like damn do I miss the old puzzles in the new games. They used to be so elaborate and baked into the environments so well, and now theyre watered down to, "have Kratos throw axe at circle" in 10 different ways

[@HishamA.N_Comicbroe]

I love the new games but yeah don't I like when ppl think the old games were immature. They were a product of their time (I don't mean this in a bad way) & still hold up so well.

[@OXY187]

puzzles are good, but when you play the game for like 100th time, they become extremely tiring and boring.

[@kotormaster1975]

the old god of war games are timeless classics pinicles of thier time to me the first 1 yes there are parts that irritate but you can feel the emotions of the characters like the architect, the madness he was getting as his sanity was leaving him you could see and feel in everything he made you could feel the pain he felt after his family died in every little detail and you can see more of what his mind was like at the end, the older games yes had alot of questionable things but do these people who worry about the "mature" aspect of the more recent games would be any different to the older games if there wernt so many damned restrictions? the newer games are held back by this crap dont get me wrong they are good games and they do a fantastic job of showing Kratos growth after the events of god of war 3 the resentment he has for himself the guilt of what he did throughout all of the older games the puzzles in the older games you had to think outside the normal way of thinking to figure out sometimes sometimes after really hard parts the games would throw you a bone so to speak "oh you had a nastily hard battle? heres a nice little easy puzzle for you" or "ok that cutscene took a while then you were hoping? then by all means go nuts on these enemies, i can see your dying to destroy some enemies" the older games were done in a way were ok you've been through this pain in the ass part and then it would make up for it with what we needed to recover from it the storytelling was so damned good for its time and they are still great games to this day and no1 will ever tell me otherwise as someone who has played god of war 1,2,3, chains of olympus, ghost of sparta and even ascension i can say for a fact they are timeless and if anyone wants to talk about the games "finally maturing" anyone who says that clearly has not lived and dont deserve to have a opinion on such matters as they dont know what the hell they missed out on or didnt see the genius behind these games (Ascension i always hated most of but i will say the 1 thing they did right is show Kratos before he lost hope and just didnt care no more but that is the only thing i will defend Ascension on)

[@WarriorVirtue]

I thought the puzzles were a nice change of pace. And from a story standpoint, they showed that Kratos wasn't just a mindless brute. He knew how to use his brain.

[@marek1shtar538]

The Desert of Lost Souls will always be my favorite segment for how hidden it is plus the climb of the small temple to summon Chronos with the horn. That cemented the world for me as alive and the big grand adventure of the game

[@godslayertactician1284]

Love the level design of pandora's temple. The puzzles and traps reminded me of Indiana jones. But it's cool because IT WAS inspired by Indiana jones

[@shawklan27]

I miss it when god of war had ACTUAL puzzle sections unlike the new duds.

[@jeepamir508]

The Athens level and the sense of scale is smth else in the first GOW. GOW was revolutionary when it comes to the levels' design and the sense of scale in those levels. The natural progression through Athens as it's being destroyed by Ares. I couldn't even name another game with such sense of scale like GOW.

[@mohanad-kenany]

Thanks for talking about this! I always liked how GoW made me feel like it's an open world game when it's not. Things like, seeing an area you entered before in the background from a different angle, or returning to the same level or area but with some tweaks like destructions or having the ability to access a door you couldn't access before, or the game surprising you when you get back to an area you visited before but from an underground staircase or a ladder or something. GoW 2 expanded on this aspect so much (from reaching the island of creation and afterwards), like when you see the steeds of time numerous times throughout the game, and you go to them and then leave them and you can still see them from time to time in the background. Or seeing the spire. It never gave you the feeling of "levels", it always felt like a one big world that you walk through. Sometimes the game even rewards you for backtracking and give you some chests or things that you couldn't get earlier when you passed through the same area. Thanks again for this video! My favourite so far.

[@The_Unpunished]

This reminds me of environmental storytelling of Half Life games. You can see a lot of subtle things throughout the game, showing the life of Gordon, other employees, military and what has become of Black Mesa (HL1) and the world (City 17 in HL2). God of War is no different, I love it for that. I like how the game doesn't shove cutscenes down your throat, which makes for good pacing, and yet they somehow managed to show all of the different things about the world, the architector of the Pandora's temple, and it all nicely clicks in and comes together. Great stuff.

[@shinhook2k280]

better than most modern triple AAA games

[@JoshuaKevinPerry]

low bar

[@cheekibreeki904]

AAAAAAAAA games, you mean?

[@theIJPmexican]

I love how everything loops back on itself. Both in the narrative and in gameplay.

[@Mankey619]

God Of War classic will always will be my all time favourite games that Santa Monica Studios made. People who criticise the old games, just shows that they aren’t true God Of War fans. Without these old trilogy of games, they won’t be having God Of War 4 and Ragnarok in the first place.

[@BonesawMcgraw23]

New TBP!!! love every one of these gow vids, replayed the first almost every year since 9th grade and and feeling like I keep finding new appreciations for it is awesome

[@Manjawline]

Interested to see what Santa Monica has planned for the 20th anniversary in 2025. They should port the Greek games onto PS+ premium.

[@Bardia006plus1]

What a GOAT game to start a GOAT franchise...

[@JustKandyMan1]

I have to say dude i found your channel because of your Twisted Metal content, but damn your analysis vids like this one and others are simply great!

[@ikkenanas7127]

Finally a god of war video! please make more because the topics you cover about god of war are super interesting !! Keep it up :)

[@welmancreations]

....I should replay these games.

[@thiefthearcher9907]

I’ve been going through a play through of the first one and I’m currently on Pandoras Temple. The fallen hero out front burning the dead, swimming through and making out with fish women, the new Artemis Sword and enemies, and the secrets within involving the muse keys. I’m having a ball, despite all my deaths.❤😂

[@youcantkilltwice5596]

God of war 2005 best 10-15 hours single player gaming experience imo

[@NapBlack]

Quality videos as always. I enjoy the OG trilogy content for GoW 👍🏾 Thanks

[@wariodude128]

After playing them about three or four times over, I enjoy how each God of War game before the PS4 one has an area you revisit but is radically changed in some way. It's probably why when it was decided to make another one they went with over the shoulder open world as a natural progression. Unfortunately many other games around the same time were doing the same thing so it wasn't as unique. That said, the game's insistence on being what's called a "oner" is great and has only been surpassed by Raganrok which expanded on the concept.

[@Shi-Long_Wang]

So you’re telling me Spinning Spiked Hell Pillar isn’t the key to everything?

[@bobbuilder155]

Something about gow 1 combat combos was more addictive than the sequels. I would say gow 2 for me had better cutscenes, story, and scenery than the other games, which is why I always considered it my favorite amongst the others.

[@SyamDaRos-EndoManno]

ICO and the first 2 Ubisoft's Prince of Persia. Those games have spread this wonderful level design philosophy in 3d games

[@helrazr44]

Just got to the crux of the video, and the immediate thing that came to mind with the world being a character thing was the world of Alice Madness returns. It is a master class of this concept

[@fuckhead0]

In defense of GOW 2 I do love how it feels like Kratos is on a grand journey on that one, blazing through obstacles to get what he wants instead of "carefully" completing a task, but honestly I had those ideas about GOW 1 on my mind for a long time but never actively thought about it and it's really nice to be able to finally have it said out loud, revisiting locations and specifically how Athens feels real, with multiple paths branching and opening leading to the same places since it's a city, it just clicks so nicely, Pandora's temple gets a little bit boring to me but not from padding or repetitiveness but just because some of the challenges are visually boring and don't feel like part of the temple at all, but it's just a small nitpick

[@CiderVG]

Me watching him low-key diss Sonic by showing his games when talking about worlds that aren't coherent

[@adhamwashere5320]

I will say even though gow2 might not have the most elegant design, I think it has the best atmosphere of the original trilogy. I dunno why but gow2 always had this lonely and sinister feeling in nearly every location you go to.

[@anthonytrevino2546]

With this game being my favorite interpretation of of ancient Greece, your argument makes sense. The world is very cohesive and subtly pertinent.

[@derekhogan9685]

I’d love a remake of GoW1 for an anniversary thing. All the look & polish from 3 or even a mixture of Ascension & 3.

[@edisonpach9802]

Babe wake up new TBP just dropped

[@fatkid504]

God of war one holds a great place simply because it's the first one. It set the standard for what the next installments had to rise to and improve on. Having to kill your family again to fight Aires was such a gut punch. God of war 3 though was so satisfying to finish off zues

[@teresaweigel3611]

Nice! 🙏🏼🖤

[@kulekid7405]

Babe wake up new tbp video

[@jetds8466]

That was frogger lvl selection screen

[@tyrantm7]

Hoping that one day you and Luetin09 team up to cover Speed Freeks. Little Twisted Metal, Little 40k. ❤❤

[@lightmohamed5700]

God of war is peak fiction

[@oraziogallipoli7829]

yes i agreed the gow 1 for ps2 have a sort magic.. neverending

[@danielhuelsman76]

I was in an argument about how Kratos seemingly got away with murdering Greece and people don't treat him like the monster that he is. I was in an unsure disagreement with the guy, because I don't know if that's true. He wanted Kratos to suffer consequences like losing an arm with a constantly bleeding wound, or something on that level.

[@broderickblack]

I gotta say it," just like dark souls"; okay I will see myself out

[@gamesthatshouldbeframed3760]

"Hades is the lowest point of God of War 2005." Laughs in the clone wars on hard mode.

[@VictorHernandez-vc5zo]

Haven't played much God of war, but from the sounds of it, it reminds me of devil may cry 3. It's still mission based, but once you get far enough, the entire temunigru or whatever, becomes fully explorable. It's one entire cohesive map. It could be to it's downfall, since for my first playthrough it was easy to get lost, but it was cool to see that you can go back to things you already did. That's one reason I don't like dmc 5 as much as 3 since most of the levels are pretty boring.

[@nathanryu6227]

A job for those who speaks Portuguese =} Someone: hey Kratos, what is your favorite meat? Kratos: boi

[@graduator14]

Well, techinically Gaea is the world, so she plays an even more important role!

[@crimsonapollo1]

Woo tbp!!

[@TioWiki]

Hey my guy could you talk about "spartan total war" it's a god of war clone, i know I'm late but i would be cool to hear your opinion on the game

[@McBerts522]

Anymore god of war clones videos coming?

[@alexhiras7408]

i agree maybe thats why i keep replying the old gow games

[@Kraken-rex9743]

You should try playing primal rage

[@Mannimarco_King_of_Worms]

That's why i always defended Lords Of Shadow 1 gameplay. GoW-styled game is a Perfect example of what 3D Castlevania should be

[@drvictorvondooooom103]

Another well put video well done!

[@cloakeddemon3207]

Tbp!

[@utkarshtiwari9606]

Can someone please tell me the name of the game at 1:31

[@skibot9974]

16:25 favorite in the Greek era or franchise overall?

[@ahmedema3389]

What’s the game at 1:29

[@NotOrdinaryInGames]

I have noticed that a lot of Sony games released between PS1 and PS3 have this strength games USUALLY did not have: the world, the character yo play as, the gameplay, the story, and the music ALL feel like they are a part of a coherent and cohesive whole. You aren't an italian plumber in space jumping on turtles. You are an italian-american plumber fighting an invasion of sewer alligators with your multi-purpose steel toilet cleaning tool.

[@EthanTheDinoNerd]

The only game copycat that had memorable environments is Dante's Inferno.

[@kotormaster1975]

ok that scene youtube needs to stop being so squeemish with the guy tried to off himself and wasn't able to its not saying to all who watch it "go do this" all its doing is showing a man who has been tormented for so long and wants it to end as nothing was gunna help him that scene shows that even the strongest in the world can be pushed to this stage a lesson that wasn't taught in any way at the time it came out you can tell people constantly but to see it gives the message more meaning instead of words from someone who hasn't been to that stage who hasn't dealt with was most others have to even those few who silently suffer because no1 can or will help them that scene shows what its like to be that low and to want it to end this is how we all feel at one stage in our lives it doesnt encourage it it shows us the effects on someone so strong and commited to what he does feels when he gets beaten down so much and can't ever get released from it

[@CiderVG]

In b4 1k

[@GenericProtagonist118]

Nice video as always. Oh and hey, if you're still planning that God of War ripoff series I think a good subject to tackle next would be the "God of War but with Woman"/"Goddess of War" subgenre. You know games like Heavenly Sword or X-Blade.

[@TBP]

I thought about that, but since my usual policy is to showcase five games at a time, there aren't enough female lead God of War style games to fill up a collection. However in my next God of War knock-offs collection, I am definitely covering those two games. But the collective theme will be different.

[@GenericProtagonist118]

@@TBP Aw, shame. Actually now that I think about it before finding out about X-Blade, Heavenly Sword would be the only "FemGod of War" type game I could name off the top of my head. Huh...

[@jurtheorc8117]

@@TBP There's a somewhat recent game by name of Soulstice that came out last year, which technically has two female leads. It seems to be more in line with DMC than God of War though, so it's more in the general Hack and Slash or Character Action (or whatever the term is) side of things. It has its ups, its downs, weird decisions, cool decisions, and potential for a whole lot more. But in terms of games that are very closely in the direction of God of War, Nariko *definitely* has you covered thanks to the titular weapon of her game. I'm personally quite positive towards it and hope you'll enjoy it too-- or at least that it'll be a positively interesting experience. Same with Soulstice, if time and interest allows for playing it.

[@jurtheorc8117]

@@GenericProtagonist118 Quite true, though Nariko's journey is very different from Kratos'. I think her story is among the stronger selection of hack-and-slash protagonists, same with the antagonists. Bohan and Flying Fox especially leave an impression. The only other example i could think of would be St. Lucia from a DLC for Dante's Inferno, but she's not a main character.

[@RhyaKahnum]

I'm desperately fighting my urge to re-edit this video with DIO's stand fart every time you say "The World" lol

[@XpertGreekGamer]

Finally i understand why i prefer GOW over the rest, i always had a dislike to it long ago but a more and more growing appreciation over the years while the rest started to crumble. I could not describe why i liked this game more besides the fascinating journey of a mortal becoming a god, rarely do i make a comment about the first game without bringing up that fascination, idk everything pales in comparison to me in my eyes. I didn't like 2 that much to begin with but now that i'm loving 1 i'm starting to dislike 2 instead. 3 i will always love for the gameplay, but just imagine a remake of 1 with 3's gameplay and variety is all i'm gonna say. I will also say like i obnoxiously do a decent amount of times when (again) i'm talking about GOW that Red Guy's reviews from way back when (I just searched "God of War 2 review (PS2) Red Guy" and holy lord, 10 years ago sheeeeeesh) re-captures some of my feelings for GOW 1 and 2, especially during that Hades section duuuuude, me and my friends when we were trying to beat that damn wall lol, that whole level took a few days but was well worth it. The most embarrassing thing to admit is at the start of Pandora's temple when Kratos climbed it, before he even went in you talk to a living corpse right? Right, i didn't know how to get to him, i saw the thing you had to grab but idk why it didn't compute for me or my friends too lol to just pull the damn handle backwards so that the stones come out of the wall and be climbable to get to said corpse. The part where a statue of Athena pointing down underwater is less embarrassing to admit you were stuck on for weeks since while not the toughest or smartest puzzle in the game it was still unique and interesting. Dude little moments like that made the experience for me, that room full of spikes and the block you had to push, the cliff of madness and the architects story, he reminds me of someone i can't remember rn but anyway ye another cool story bro. GOW 2 in comparison had legendary characters sure, more boss fights and environments but like, i barely remember any of it besides the Colossus, Theseus, Perseus and the last spartan. (also that sword which if you don't defend it'll break and cause Kratos to die by Ares) Sheesh would you believe me if i said i liked Ghost Of Sparta more now that i played it recently, Chains and Ascension still kinda mid but the holy trinity of GOW games for me is like: 1, 3, GOS or 3, 1, GOS, whatever i'm feeling whatever day. Some days i like Uncharted 4 more than 2, others i like 2 more but anyway getting off topic. Starting to realise the similarities between Bloodborne and God Of War, both in the gaming pantheon for being the masterpieces that they are. Not norse GOW though, that's a poor man's Bloodborne in my eyes, which it also references in Ragnarok via a collectable item, Kvasir's Poem: Sanguinity.

[@DedAlexFive]

How the f**k is Pandora's Temple "padding"?! Its literally the central point of the game! Jesus I hate being part of a fanbase sometimes

[@excaliburknives3572]

Yeah the titans have a pretty piss poor design though.

[@rayz0101]

God thats pretentious and needlessly poetic. Still you made some interesting points.

[@cristhianramirez6939]

?

[@thomasderouin72]

Tomb raider... PS1.. insane and so far ahead of anything at it's time for level design!!!! Still my favorite game of all time!!! Nothing has ever gave me the same emotions that game did way back in 95'!!!!! Not even close.