Following Sony's announcement of a new "God of War" at E3 2016, "GOW" 4 director "GOW" Cory Barlog explained an extraordinary link between Kratos and "Star Wars." Specifically, a cancelled "Star Wars" TV show served as an inspiration for "God of War" 4.
Cory Barlog On Kratos In 'God Of War' 4
Destructoid cites a VentureBeat interview where Cory Barlog spoke of how his previous work at Lucasfilm influenced the direction of "God of War" 4. Historically, Cory Barlog also directed the second entry in the main series "God of War" 2.
The "Star Wars" TV show was announced by Lucasfilm almost 15 years ago but has since been canceled. According to Cory Barlog, reading the "Star Wars" tv scripts had such an affect on him that the "GOW" director brought some of those ideas into his work with the "God of War" 4.
Kratos Development In 'God Of War' 4
"God of War" protagonist Kratos cannot be called a hero. At best cited as an anti-hero, Kratos for the vast majority of the "God of War" games is a raging sociopath.
Kratos only really redeems himself in the final act of the final game of the main trilogy "God of War" 3. Granted Kratos' tragic motivations (the death of his family by his own hands) are framed early on in the "God Of War" series.
However, his behavior with most characters throughout the rest of the "God Of War" series arguably puts him on the same level of the antagonists whom Kratos fights. A surprise then when the E3 "God Of War" 4 demo showed Kratos as a more human, patient and altogether more reflective protagonist. By comparison the previous iteration of Kratos in the "God Of War" series are almost unrecognizable.
'Star Wars' Influence On Kratos In 'God Of War' 4
This change in Kratos for "God Of War" 4, Barlog explains, was influenced by what he read from the "Star Wars" TV show scripts. Specifically, the fall of Emperor Palpatine in the "Star Wars" tale figures in Kratos' development.
Barlog explains that what the "God Of War" director read over at the Skywalker ranch was about the "Star Wars" Emperor who fell because of a manipulative Jezebel. This the "GOW" director says, allowed him to sympathize more with Emperor Palpatine.
What Cory Barlog saw in Emperor Palpatine is essentially something that he wanted to see for Kratos in "God Of War" 4. Sony is expected to release "GOW" 4, or simply "God Of War," at the earliest by the holiday season 2016.
