To conclude the latest PlayStation State of Play showcase, Santa Monica Studio announced a major new project: a God of War trilogy remake that would reimagine the first three games in the popular, enduring franchise.
While there was plenty of excitement about seeing these games return, and to have the original Kratos, TC Carson, back in the role, there were also plenty of questions about the direction of the trilogy remake – and what would happen to more controversial elements, like the franchise’s sex mini-games.
God of War’s controversies remain in the spotlight – quick links
The original God of War trilogy is far more edgy than modern games
The original three God of War games were developed between 2005 and 2010, and they are certainly products of their era. This period was a more cloistered time for games, where major studios catered towards a narrower demographic: largely male and interested in high impact media.
Games that were darker and edgier drew loyal audiences, as players looked for new experiences that allowed them to indulge in their interests.
While God of War eventually developed into a measured, mature series, its early entries focused on violence as revenge fantasy, with protagonist Kratos carving a bloody and uncaring path through the world of the Gods after they tricked him into killing his family.
Fuelled by rage, Kratos spends the original three games killing the Gods, forcing them to atone for their crimes – and he doesn’t care who gets in his way. That includes various women in Olympus, who essentially serve as concubines for Kratos before being tossed aside.
Women, in these games, are treated largely as sexual objects to be interact with in optional mini-games. On completion of in-game sex, players are rewarded with red orbs, which help their journey onwards.
These mini-games were criticised when the God of War games originally launched. 2005 wasn’t quite the dark ages, and many players and critics noted the series was becoming known for misogyny, as it treated women largely as ‘discoverables’ with no agency.
In the years since, the mini-games have only caused the God of War trilogy to be perceived as aging badly. But the upcoming remake trilogy is a chance to change that.
God of War’s sex mini-games should stay, but with modern twists
The sex mini-games in God of War are not inherently awful. Depictions of sex and intimacy can reveal more about characters and provide some scintillation without being pure objectification. It’s all about intentionality.
The God of War remake trilogy has the chance to redefine the original games with a modern lens, understanding that depictions of sex don’t always have to be exploitative. It’s a chance for the women of God of War to get redemption, and to paper over some of the blocky awkwardness and controversy of the original adventures.
There are already some commentators claiming that any changes would be censorship of the original story. But not all change is bad and reworking the sex scenes to be more meaningful, to be more revelatory of character, and to give the game’s women a more active role would enhance the God of War story, rather than detract from it.
The sex mini-games have an important place in Kratos’ journey – as outlined in-depth by IGN recently – and they should not be erased. Instead, with a more careful hand, they should be presented with clearer intentions, in a way that underscores Kratos’ bloody quest without displaying the same misdirected anger and violence towards women that the original trilogy maintained.
For now, Santa Monica Studio has not revealed further details about its in-development God of War remake trilogy. To learn more about what’s to come, and how those sex scenes will be realigned or otherwise modernised for a new and returning audience, it’s best to stay patient for more official news.
