As modern and breathtaking as it is, God of War is a throwback to the previous generation of games, where such games were not so uncommon. Not just because it’s a single player experience, but also because it incorporated none of the practices that have come to define high-end gaming no multiplayer, no DLC, no microtransactions, no rushed development and no major problems at launch. Yet, God of War is an anomaly in the modern AAA space. Its combination of solid gameplay, semi-open structure, impressive acting, compelling story and drop-dead gorgeous presentation all came together to remind gamers of what a modern AAA game can be.

First, God of War launched to massive sales and near-universal praise from both critics and fans.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen two major developments regarding the fate of the AAA single player game. Not to mention that you first need to download the day 1 patch/update in order to play the game when you bought a physical copy, before you can fuck yourself in the ass buying credits for your favorite gimmicky gun. They are so used to half finished, buggy, multiplayer-online only, microtransaction filled games wherein you can run around with a glittery, golden dildo gun that you bought for 50,000 in game credits and that you in return bought for $49,99 via the built in online store. The new generation gamers does not even know anymore what a good game is or should be. Why spend energy building worlds wherein players can walk around, be amazed by the level design and scenery, wherein they can fight bosses or solve puzzles? Why should you built in a co-op option for players to be able to play with a brother, sister or a friend? It is simply not needed. It simply does not bring enough money in. Nowadays the big developers make so much money selling shitty loot boxes to status sensitive kids, single player campaigns are often skipped entirely. In the ‘good old days’ it was standard to buy into a great single player experience with a multiplayer experience on top of that. AAA single player games are under threat in the last several years.

Fuck call of duty