In the world of gaming, sequels have always been about larger-than-life narratives, bigger worlds, and, more often than not, longer playtimes. But what if the future of AAA gaming is not about making things more enormous, but rather, a more focused kind of game? Enter the era of the “half-sequel.”
Take a moment to look back at the PlayStation’s recent gaming milestones, with games like Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy – and, to some extent, Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut and Death Stranding Director’s Cut – though not as sprawling as their predecessors, have captured the hearts of many gamers. These weren’t mere additions nor re-releases for the sake of making more money from the same game; they felt complete, offering a welcome mix of rich narratives and unique experiences all squeezed into a few hours. By all standards, they were highly successful, praised not just for their content but for their digestible length and focus. Such titles exemplify how a short, compelling gaming experience can leave as lasting an impression as any 40-hour epic.
Now, whispers in the gaming grapevine hint that another fan-favorite, the renowned God of War series, might be next in line for a similar treatment.
https://twitter.com/ViewerAnon/status/1710078772811362612
Multiple sources, including ViewerAnon, a credible industry insider, suggest that Santa Monica Studio is concocting the next entry in the God of War universe. Whether it’s a DLC for the latest entry, God of War Ragnarok, or a half-sequel, is still unclear. However, if the trend serves right, a half-sequel seems more plausible and, frankly, more exciting.
Why? Well, let’s delve a bit deeper.
Half-sequels, or as some affectionately refer to them, “standalone expansions,” provide a playground for storytelling; a chance for developers to explore side narratives without the burden of fitting into a primary, overarching story. Case in point, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales; which allowed a deeper dive into the character, giving him the spotlight and development he deserved, all while delivering an experience distinct from the original Spider-Man game. The result? An enraptured audience and a best-seller title.
Given the teases and plot development from God of War: Ragnarok, there’s ample opportunity for Santa Monica Studio to craft a tale around Atreus, Kratos’s son. His evolution in the narrative, especially the shifts towards his destiny as Loki, begs for exploration. Theories are already amassing. A spin-off featuring Atreus’s journey into a new mythology, such as the likes of Egypt, leading to a perilous situation that sets the stage for Kratos’s subsequent adventure makes for an excellent premise for the still-unconfirmed half-sequel.
An Atreus-focused spin-off could not only delve deeper into the complexities of his character but also serve as a bridge to the next massive installment in the God of War saga. A storyline showing Atreus grappling with his identity as one of the last few giants, venturing on his own, and inadvertently stepping into realms of danger? It’s the perfect concoction for an epic tale.
The appeal of these “shorter” games isn’t just narrative. The tastes of gamers are evolving. Not everyone can, or wants to, invest dozens of hours into a single title. While Baldur’s Gate 3 and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom lead the race for GOTY, there’s an increased demand shorter romps, and so far, studios have delivered. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is a good example of a potential GOTY frontrunner that won’t suck up days of your life. Assassins’ Creed: Mirage, while not a critical slam dunk for Ubisoft, is another example of an ongoing trend.
The short experiences that you can savor in a day or two, at most, make them enticing to a broader audience, catering to everyone from hardcore gamers to casual enthusiasts.
Furthermore, these compact adventures could solve the mounting development pressures in the AAA industry. Longer development times, extensive narratives, and the pressures of continually elevating game mechanics are real challenges. Half-sequels can serve as a cushion, maintaining player engagement while studios take the time to develop their more extensive projects.
Considering Playstation’s history and the current gaming landscape, a move towards embracing these “half-sequels” is both smart and necessary. After all, in an age of information overflowing if endless entertainment options, maybe less is, indeed, more.
