Summary
- Moana's success has made Polynesian mythology more accessible, paving the way for God of War to explore new mythologies.
- A Polynesian God of War could introduce intriguing gameplay mechanics such as wayfinding and darker narrative elements.
- Implementing Polynesian mythology in God of War can complement the success of Moana and bring new cultural elements to the gaming world.
Santa Monica's God of War series has already proven its ability to transcend mythologies, going from Greek mythology in the original series to Norse mythology in the rebooted saga. However, now that the rebooted God of War series' Norse saga is over, the opportunity for it to explore unprecedented mythologies presents itself, with one rather unlikely candidate now being more viable than ever: Polynesian mythology.
It might seem strange at first to suggest that God of War could venture into Polynesian mythology, especially after its extensive journey through Greek and Norse mythology. But another franchise from an entirely different medium has almost effortlessly brought Polynesian mythology to the mainstream, and God of War now has a chance to ride the wave of its success.
God of War Ragnarok's Sequel Resisting a Big Time Jump Would Be for the Best
Some have speculated that the next God of War could benefit from a time skip, but there are reasons this wouldn't be for the best.
Moana Has Paved the Way for a Polynesian God of War
Moana's Success Has Made Polynesian Mythology More Accessible
Moana is undoubtedly one of the most successful franchises to enter the mainstream over the last decade, but it has done much more than simply introduce a catchy new soundtrack for kids and their parents to memorize. Beyond its compelling narrative of a young girl destined for greatness and its unforgettable soundtrack, Moana digs its roots deep into Polynesian mythology — a collection of myths mainstream audiences may have been unaware of before Moana's success, especially as Greek and Norse mythology have largely taken over the scene as of late.
The character of Maui in Moana, for example, is inspired by the Polynesian demigod Maui, who is known for his legendary exploits across various Pacific cultures. Affectionately brought to life by Dwayne Johnson in both Moana and Moana 2, Maui is a fan-favorite character that many viewers might not have even known has already been around for thousands of years. Moana also highlights the ancient Polynesian practice of wayfinding, which involves navigating the ocean using the stars and currents. Throughout the first film, Moana herself becomes more familiar with this navigational method, gradually pulling viewers into the ancient practice it is based on.
Beyond its compelling narrative of a young girl destined for greatness and its unforgettable soundtrack, Moana digs its roots deep into Polynesian mythology — a collection of myths mainstream audiences may have been unaware of before Moana's success, especially as Greek and Norse mythology have largely taken over the scene as of late.
Given the success of Moana and its sequel, it has effectively introduced modern audiences to Polynesian mythology and culture, even though they might not have even realized it. Now, as Moana continues to broaden its reach, perhaps it could even infiltrate the gaming space, with its mythology serving as a unique backdrop for Santa Monica's rebooted God of War series.
A Polynesian God of War Would Potentially Introduce Intriguing Gameplay Mechanics
It's currently unclear where Santa Monica plans to take God of War next, now that the series' Norse saga has concluded. However, there is a strong case for it to explore Polynesian mythology, now that Moana has made its stories, characters, and cultural elements more accessible to the public. Firstly, Polynesian mythology is known to be notably dark, which would complement the God of War series well. It does have some more lighthearted tales, but its darker narratives revolve around the underworld, deities like Hine-nui-te-po who are associated with death, and violent mythical creatures.
A Polynesian God of War would also be an opportunity for it to incorporate new gameplay mechanics like wayfinding into the mix. The God of War series has always been known for its combat and narrative, but implementing wayfinding as a core gameplay mechanic would imply a stronger emphasis on exploration, especially exploration that takes place on the seas. If it helps, it also wouldn't be the first game of its kind to be based on Polynesian mythology, with games like The Mark of Kri and Rise of the Kasai being two of its more noteworthy titles. As such, a Polynesian God of War would be the perfect complement to Moana's success, bringing its growing popularity into one of gaming's most beloved franchises.
God of War Ragnarok
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 92 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- November 9, 2022
- ESRB
- M For Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Santa Monica Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Franchise
- God of War
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- How Long To Beat
- 26 Hours
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
