God of war remakes: kratos's risqué past—will it return?

The internet is ablaze with speculation—and a dash of awkward backtracking—regarding the potential return of Kratos’s… shall we say, unconventional downtime activities in the upcoming God of War remakes. Santa Monica Studio’s announcement of the trilogy’s reimagining has ignited a fervent debate among fans, and a recent comment by the original Kratos voice actor has only poured gasoline on the fire.

The curious case of kratos's interludes

For those unfamiliar, the original God of War games featured mini-games involving, let’s be blunt, sexual encounters with various mythological figures. These sequences, while controversial, were presented as a reflection of Kratos’s character—a brutal, rage-fueled Spartan given fleeting moments of respite (albeit of a peculiar nature). The question now is: will these elements resurface in the remakes?

T.C. Carson, who voiced Kratos in the original trilogy and is returning for the remakes, offered a surprising response during a panel at MegaCon Orlando. When directly asked about the potential return of these “romantic scenes,” Carson reportedly smiled and said, “You know what, guys, all you men, I think so.” The statement immediately went viral, sparking a frenzy of online discussion. Carson, seemingly realizing the implications of his words, quickly clarified, “I said ‘I think so.’ I said ‘I think so.’”

The actor’s clumsy caveat underscores the sensitivity surrounding the topic. While Carson’s comments aren’t a guarantee, they have undeniably fueled the speculation. However, it’s crucial to remember that development is still in its early stages, and Santa Monica Studio has already hinted at a revamped combat system. The real question isn’t just about preserving these controversial mini-games; it’s about how they might be recontextualized for a modern audience.

A female touch to the lewd

Adding another layer to this discussion, former Sony Santa Monica writer Alanah Pearce has publicly defended the inclusion of these activities in the remakes. What’s often overlooked is that these sequences weren’t conceived in a vacuum of testosterone. Pearce revealed that they were primarily designed by women, including herself, who worked on the infamous Aphrodite’s chamber in God of War III. She forcefully argued that these scenes weren't intended to be disrespectful to women, but rather functioned as a narrative commentary on Kratos’s unbridled rage and the perverse pleasures it sometimes manifested.

The debate boils down to whether these sequences are an integral part of the original experience worth preserving, or relics of a bygone era that should be left behind. Given the studio’s commitment to reimagining the games, a simple port isn't expected. Instead, expect a careful balancing act between honoring the source material and updating it for contemporary sensibilities. The answer, it seems, remains elusive—and likely to generate plenty more online chatter in the weeks to come.