One other Recreation Awards have come and gone, and with it, brand-new winners which have been cemented in online game historical past. This 12 months, one sport specifically took The Recreation Awards by storm, and that was Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. There have been a number of Game Awards 2025 winners, however Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 took house nearly each award it was nominated for, leaving many video games with out wins. With such a robust lineup of video games this 12 months, there was loads of stiff competitors, and it is made me assume again to certainly one of The Recreation Awards’ best years: 2018.
The large competitors in 2018 was between God of Warfare and Crimson Lifeless Redemption 2. These two juggernauts went head-to-head in quite a lot of main classes, with God of War taking house the Recreation of the 12 months trophy and RDR2 taking house Greatest Narrative. Each video games have been phenomenal experiences, however on the subject of Greatest Narrative, God of Warfare truly could also be extra deserving of the title.
Spoilers forward for God of Warfare and Crimson Lifeless Redemption 2.
2018’s God of Warfare Launched a Daring New Route for Kratos, Making Him Really feel Extra Human Than Godlike
When gamers first see Kratos in God of Warfare, the tonal shift from earlier entries is instantly clear. As the sport’s somber opening observe begins to play, Kratos kneels at a tree earlier than he begins chopping it down. Ache fills his eyes, and because the opening sequence continues, it is finally revealed that he and his son Atreus are burying his just lately deceased spouse Faye. It is a far cry from the vengeful and extra brutal model of Kratos showcased prior to now, and it is a good method to reveal proper out the gate that this journey goes to be greater than one other Kratos revenge story.
The Introduction of Atreus and Kratos’ Wrestle With Fatherhood
In God of Warfare, Kratos is calmer and wiser, however he is nonetheless impatient with his son Atreus. The 2 are continually butting heads, and Kratos typically loses his mood along with his son over the latter’s reckless conduct and typically cocky angle. Kratos needs to go away his previous behind and turn out to be a greater man, however Atreus causes his outdated temperament to seep out, additional complicating his inside wrestle with eager to be a greater father and individual.
Crimson Lifeless Redemption 2’s Arthur is a Good Protagonist, However He is Additionally Much less Layered
Arthur Morgan is among the most beloved sport protagonists ever, and whereas he is positively worthy of such reward, Kratos nonetheless edges previous with slightly bit extra depth. Whereas Arthur’s principal wrestle is discovered within the shortly altering American frontier and reexamining his loyalty to the Van der Linde gang, Kratos is making an attempt to not solely come to phrases with himself, however settle for that the components he fears are additionally current in his personal son.
The whole lot God of Warfare and Crimson Lifeless Redemption 2 Gained at The Recreation Awards 2018
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God of Warfare |
Crimson Lifeless Redemption 2 |
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Kratos’ Story is as A lot Concerning the Wrestle of Self-Acceptance as it’s About Fatherhood
The demigod retains his godly ancestry a secret, wishing to push down his rage, however Kratos finally realizes that it is unimaginable to cover from the previous. As Atreus begins to grow, his god-like talents turn out to be extra obvious. Kratos has to simply accept that he cannot escape his lineage, and as a substitute of making an attempt to run away and conceal from it, he should embrace all components of himself, not simply the elements he favors. So, he tells his son about his true nature. Nevertheless, this complicates issues even additional, as Atreus begins to indicate indicators of vanity about his godhood, as soon as once more inflicting Kratos to worry seeing himself in his son.
Arthur’s Journey in RDR2 is Additionally Crammed With Private Wrestle, However God of Warfare Takes This a Step Additional
As Dutch begins dropping his grip and descends additional into insanity and recklessness, Arthur meets a crossroads. Between Dutch’s more and more questionable selections and Arthur being recognized with tuberculosis, the outlaw has to rethink his life selections. It makes for an interesting character examine, as Arthur in the end needs to be a superb man, however the world he is embroiled in is not permitting for that to be a chance. Red Dead Redemption 2‘s story is certainly the most effective in gaming, however the motive God of Warfare‘s narrative pushes previous it’s as a result of Kratos’ wrestle is proven by way of two completely different strategies: himself and his son, as a substitute of simply Arthur.
Kratos has to simply accept that he cannot escape his lineage, and as a substitute of making an attempt to run away and conceal from it, he should embrace all components of himself, not simply the elements he favors.
Kratos and Arthur Morgan Share the Title of Being A number of the Greatest Gaming Protagonists of the twenty first Century
No matter which narrative is best, Kratos and Arthur Morgan are blueprints for what makes an unbelievable protagonist. The 2 have their variations, however in addition they have so much in widespread, so it is actually exhausting to pin down which story is in the end higher. Nevertheless, with the additional depth and emotional complexity that God of Warfare boasts, it merely has only a bit extra to supply.
What Kratos and Arthur Morgan Share in Widespread
- Their journeys are framed round themes of redemption.
- Loyal protectors
- Conscious of their flaws and dealing to repair them
- Stoic personalities that masks deep, hidden feelings
In some ways, Kratos and Arthur are two sides of the identical coin, however the addition of Atreus actually makes God of War‘s story an much more significant and emotional narrative. Whereas it is comprehensible why RDR2 received Greatest Narrative, it is exhausting to argue that God of Warfare wasn’t additionally simply as worthy of the title. The 2 video games stay masterclasses in how video video games have turn out to be a medium to dive deep into considerate and emotionally layered tales. Kratos and Arthur are two superbly complicated males, however Kratos’ grueling and revealing journey along with his son is the narrative that has probably the most general affect.
- Launched
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April 20, 2018
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sturdy Language
