The 94 Metacritic Action-Adventure Game with the Best Narrative Since 2018 (& It’s Not Red Dead Redemption 2)
Another Game Awards have come and gone, and with it, brand-new winners that have been cemented in video game history. This year, one game in particular took The Game Awards by storm, and that was Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. There were several Game Awards 2025 winners, but Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 took home almost every award it was nominated for, leaving many games without wins. With such a strong lineup of games this year, there was plenty of stiff competition, and it’s made me think back to one of The Game Awards’ most competitive years: 2018.
The big competition in 2018 was between God of War and Red Dead Redemption 2. These two juggernauts went head-to-head in a variety of major categories, with God of War taking home the Game of the Year trophy and RDR2 taking home Best Narrative. Both games were phenomenal experiences, but when it comes to Best Narrative, God of War actually may be more deserving of the title.
Spoilers ahead for God of War and Red Dead Redemption 2.
2018’s God of War Introduced a Bold New Direction for Kratos, Making Him Feel More Human Than Godlike
When players first see Kratos in God of War, the tonal shift from previous entries is immediately clear. As the game’s somber opening track begins to play, Kratos kneels at a tree before he begins chopping it down. Pain fills his eyes, and as the opening sequence continues, it’s eventually revealed that he and his son Atreus are burying his recently deceased wife Faye. It’s a far cry from the vengeful and more brutal version of Kratos showcased in the past, and it’s a brilliant way to demonstrate right out the gate that this journey is going to be more than another Kratos revenge story.
The Introduction of Atreus and Kratos’ Struggle With Fatherhood
In God of War, Kratos is calmer and wiser, but he’s still impatient with his son Atreus. The two are constantly butting heads, and Kratos often loses his temper with his son over the latter’s reckless behavior and sometimes cocky attitude. Kratos wants to leave his past behind and become a better man, but Atreus causes his old temperament to seep out, further complicating his internal struggle with wanting to be a better father and person.
Red Dead Redemption 2’s Arthur is a Brilliant Protagonist, But He’s Also Less Layered
Arthur Morgan is one of the most beloved game protagonists ever, and while he’s definitely worthy of such praise, Kratos still edges past with a little bit more depth. While Arthur’s main struggle is found in the quickly changing American frontier and reexamining his loyalty to the Van der Linde gang, Kratos is trying to not only come to terms with himself, but accept that the parts he fears are also present in his own son.
Everything God of War and Red Dead Redemption 2 Won at The Game Awards 2018
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God of War |
Red Dead Redemption 2 |
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Kratos’ Story is as Much About the Struggle of Self-Acceptance as it is About Fatherhood
The demigod keeps his godly ancestry a secret, wishing to push down his rage, but Kratos eventually realizes that it’s impossible to hide from the past. As Atreus begins to grow, his god-like abilities become more apparent. Kratos has to accept that he can’t escape his lineage, and instead of trying to run away and hide from it, he must embrace all parts of himself, not just the aspects he favors. So, he tells his son about his true nature. However, this complicates things even further, as Atreus begins to show signs of arrogance about his godhood, once again causing Kratos to fear seeing himself in his son.
Arthur’s Journey in RDR2 is Also Filled With Personal Struggle, But God of War Takes This a Step Further
As Dutch begins losing his grip and descends further into madness and recklessness, Arthur meets a crossroads. Between Dutch’s increasingly questionable decisions and Arthur being diagnosed with tuberculosis, the outlaw has to rethink his life decisions. It makes for a fascinating character study, as Arthur ultimately wants to be a good man, but the world he’s embroiled in isn’t allowing for that to be a possibility. Red Dead Redemption 2‘s story is definitely one of the best in gaming, but the reason God of War‘s narrative pushes past it is because Kratos’ struggle is shown through two different methods: himself and his son, instead of just Arthur.
Kratos has to accept that he can’t escape his lineage, and instead of trying to run away and hide from it, he must embrace all parts of himself, not just the aspects he favors.
Kratos and Arthur Morgan Share the Title of Being Some of the Best Gaming Protagonists of the 21st Century
Regardless of which narrative is better, Kratos and Arthur Morgan are blueprints for what makes an incredible protagonist. The two have their differences, but they also have a lot in common, so it’s really hard to pin down which story is ultimately better. However, with the extra depth and emotional complexity that God of War boasts, it simply has just a bit more to offer.
What Kratos and Arthur Morgan Share in Common
- Their journeys are framed around themes of redemption.
- Loyal protectors
- Aware of their flaws and working to fix them
- Stoic personalities that mask deep, hidden emotions
In many ways, Kratos and Arthur are two sides of the same coin, but the addition of Atreus really makes God of War‘s story an even more meaningful and emotional narrative. While it’s understandable why RDR2 won Best Narrative, it’s hard to argue that God of War wasn’t also just as worthy of the title. The two games remain masterclasses in how video games have become a medium to dive deep into thoughtful and emotionally layered stories. Kratos and Arthur are two beautifully complex men, but Kratos’ grueling and revealing journey with his son is the narrative that has the most overall impact.
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April 20, 2018
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language