News from a gaming industry insider has raised hopes for a potential remastered edition of the original God of War trilogy that was initially launched on the PlayStation 2 and 3, tailor-made for contemporary gaming systems. Players familiar with the 2018 God of War reboot and its sequel Ragnarok may not be aware of the significant role played by the original God of War trilogy in laying the foundation for these modern releases. Even after nearly two decades, the original trilogy continues to be celebrated by gaming enthusiasts.
The original God of War trilogy captures Kratos' relentless pursuit of vengeance against the original Greek God of War, Ares, which sets off a chain of events leading to epic confrontations with various other gods in the Greek Pantheon. The first two games of the trilogy were released on the PS2, while the third installment made its debut on the PS3. Despite re-releases of the first two games on the PS3, the original God of War trilogy has never received a comprehensive remastered version, with the exception of the third game remaster on PS4 in 2015. Fans longing for remastered editions of the first two games may soon have their wishes fulfilled.
The speculation surfaced on The Xbox Era podcast courtesy of Nick Baker, a credible leaker and insider associated with the podcast. During Episode 191, Baker expressed his disapproval of the direction taken by the new God of War games in comparison to the original titles. Consequently, he expressed a strong desire to revisit the series' original hack-and-slash gameplay, hinting that credible sources had indicated that such a remaster might be in the works. He specifically mentioned the possibility of a remastered release of the original God of War trilogy for PlayStation fans.
Baker, however, clarified that the release date for the remastered God of War trilogy remains uncertain, suggesting a potential launch in 2024 or even 2025. Additionally, Baker expressed uncertainty regarding the extent of the remaster, pondering whether it would be a mere port of the PS3 remasters for the original game or a more elaborate remaster akin to games like Metroid Prime Remastered, which involved new controls, graphical enhancements, and other modifications. Baker conveyed his preference for the latter option and alluded to insider information suggesting that a remaster was indeed on the horizon.
When probed about potential remasters of the three mainline games, Baker confirmed that he had unequivocally been informed about a trilogy remaster, likely excluding the spin-off games from the Greek-era like God of War Ascension. If Baker's revelations hold true, new God of War enthusiasts would have the opportunity to delve into the games that set the stage for this franchise, enabling them to compare the two distinct eras of Kratos' journey. Nevertheless, it is important to note that this is purely speculation, and past claims from insiders like Baker have not always materialized. Thus, it is advisable to exercise caution and await official confirmations before fully embracing this news.