Release of God of War (2005)

Released on March 22, 2005, for the PlayStation 2, the original God of War was a defining moment in action gaming and the debut of one of Sony’s most iconic franchises. Developed by Santa Monica Studio and directed by David Jaffe, the game introduced players to Kratos, a brutal and vengeful Spartan warrior entangled in the violent world of Greek mythology. Blending cinematic storytelling, intense hack-and-slash combat, and epic boss battles, God of War delivered a visceral experience fueled by anger, loss, and ambition. Its fixed camera angles, quick-time events, and combo-based combat became trademarks of the series. Praised for its groundbreaking visuals, orchestral score, and mature themes, God of War set a new standard for action-adventure games. It pushed the PlayStation 2’s hardware to its limits and showed how mythological storytelling could be interwoven with modern game design. The game’s success spawned a major franchise, including sequels, spin-offs, and a full narrative reboot in 2018. But it all began with this 2005 entry—an ambitious, violent, and emotionally charged game that proved video games could rival epic literature and cinema in scope and storytelling.