Santa Monica Studio has been developing theGod of Warfranchise for an incredibly long time, and even though Kratos might not necessarily be helming it as a prominent mascot anymore, it has become even more popular in its exploration of Norse mythology. LikeAssassin’s Creed,God of Warcould easily find favor in this formula by hopping to-and-from different mythologies. However, it is difficult to imagineGod of War’s art direction being as masterful and impactful withoutSanta Monica Studio’s Rafael Grassetti.
Grassetti is not the only member of the art team at Santa Monica Studio and each developer has their own crucial role, but Grassetti’s work in particular seems to have had one of the most profound effects onGod of Waras a whole. Between roles as a Lead Character Artist, Principal Artist, Art Director, and Studio Art Director, Grassetti has clearly left a huge imprint onGod of War’s Norse mythology saga. Santa Monica Studio is sure to have exceptional developers fill those shoes now, but maybe that’s what is ultimately best for the studio as it strides ahead.
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What God of War Losing Its Art Director Means for the Franchise
God of War’s Norse mythology saga was a phenomenal reboot of the series that breathed new life into it with staggering gameplay changes. The cinematic over-the-shoulder camera having no cuts plays into cutscenes brilliantly, for example, while thoughtful combat withGod of War’s satisfying Leviathan Axeand Blades of Chaos was a logical move away from the franchise’s hack-’n-slash bread-and-butter.
Santa Monica Studio as a whole is to applaud for this recreation, but as an art lead, a lot of the game’s aesthetic and visual design likely falls upon Grassetti. It is unknown how much will change visually betweenGod of War Ragnarokandthe nextGod of Wargame, but it will be interesting to see how much of Grassetti’s influence as an eventual director carries over into the iconography of the franchise’s next saga.
Rather, Grassetti leaving opens the studio up for a lot more creative freedom if it has more than one game in development.Santa Monica Studio may branch out fromGod of War, for example, with games still releasing from that franchise alongside a new IP. It will be exciting to see other developers potentially putting their mark on Santa Monica Studio’s games going forward, let alone if that will have any huge implications on what future games look like.
Indeed, ifGod of Wartakes Atreus to Egypt or another mythology, this could be a massive opportunity for a new art director to put their stamp on it as Grassetti did with Norse mythology. Having Atreus star in aGod of Wargame without his father in it will be a tough adjustment anyhow, and may not even maintain the franchise’s title if that is the case. But it is also unfortunate, sinceGod of War Ragnarok’s ending teases that more stories will be told in the Norse mythology’s Midgard with Kratos and Freya on new paths.
Santa Monica Studio has a ton of options before it, and Grassetti leaving is a sure sign of that being a reality. Grassetti would have contributed to anotherGod of Warmythology greatly as well, but if it was time to part ways it seems like they chose an ideal moment when the studio is at its most open-ended. Either way, wherever Grassetti ends up next, that studio’s art will certainly benefit from the director’s incredible graphical fidelity and hyperrealism.
God of War Ragnarokis out now for PS4 and PS5.
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