Controversial Story Choice Raises Concerns

Prime Video has an exciting PS4 video game adaptation lined up, but it is hard not to be concerned about its story choices. All video game adaptations are often met with skepticism because of the long line of failed video game movies and TV shows that have come out in the past.

However, in recent years, there has been a slight shift in this trend as shows like Arcane and The Last of Us have proven that if the creators of a show have enough respect for the source material and the right creative vision, a game adaptation can work incredibly well on the small screen.

As many recent developments surrounding Prime Video’s upcoming video game adaptation suggest, it will likely tread the same path as some of the recent success stories. However, one thing already seems to be holding it back: its controversial story choice. The show might still work, but its approach to its source could spell trouble.

Directly Adapting The 2018 God Of War Game Could Spell Trouble For Prime Video’s Upcoming Adaptation

Recent developments surrounding Prime Video’s God of War adaptation have revealed that its makers will focus more on the 2018 PS4 game. Given how the 2018 video game is highly acclaimed and has an impressive Metacritic score of 94%, it makes sense that it has been chosen for the show for adaptation.

Showrunner and executive producer Ronald D. Moore also confirmed (via IGN) that the Prime Video adaptation will focus on Kratos’ time in Norse mythology, walking through his emotional journey with his son, Atreus. The problem with this narrative choice is that by jumping ahead to the Norse mythology arc, the Prime Video show would be largely glossing over Kratos’ rampage in the Greek pantheon.

It is hard not to agree that the Norse era has a stronger and more emotionally impactful narrative that would translate better to the small screen. However, in the games, Kratos’ redemption in the Norse era becomes all the more moving when one is familiar with his dark past from the Greek saga.

Viewers who will watch the show without being too familiar with Kratos’ past will likely find it hard to understand the dark place he is coming from. The show can still find creative ways to still familiarize audiences with his Greek past. For instance, it can feature detailed flashbacks to give a glimpse of his history.

However, with its primary focus on the Norse era, it is hard not to be skeptical about the show’s story approach.

Amazon’s Success With Fallout Raises Hope For God Of War

Image via Amazon Prime Video

TV and movie adaptations of highly acclaimed games always raise many a doubt in audiences, and rightfully so. Fortunately, Amazon Prime Video has already proven its ability to bring large-scale video games, like Fallout, to the small screen. Fallout‘s success established that the streamer has the resources to recreate expansive, game-inspired worlds.

Showrunner Ronald D. Moore also seems to really admire the games and is only making the decision to jump to the Norse era because of how deeply it moved him. While the Prime Video game adaptation’s story choice is still slightly controversial, it would be interesting to see how the God of War TV show will capture Kratos and Atreus’ journey to Jötunheim.