The God of War series has been a PlayStation mainstay for four generations. Kratos' vengeful journey, starting in 2005, has defied expectations, thriving where other long-running franchises faltered. This longevity stems from a willingness to adapt. The pivotal 2018 reboot, transplanting Kratos from Ancient Greece to Norse mythology, dramatically altered presentation and gameplay, yet preserved the series' essence. Even before this acclaimed shift, Sony Santa Monica subtly evolved the series, ensuring its continued success.

Reinvention remains crucial. Director Cory Barlog hinted at future settings like Egypt and Mayan civilizations. While speculation, the appeal of an Egyptian setting is clear: a distinct culture and rich mythology. But a new setting is merely the beginning. Future God of War installments must reinvent themselves, much like the transition from the Greek trilogy to the acclaimed Norse games—building upon what worked while innovating.

The Greek trilogy, spanning a decade, refined its hack-and-slash combat. God of War 3, built for the PlayStation 3, showcased enhanced visuals and a revamped magic system complementing melee combat. New camera angles provided stunning views of the graphically advanced game.

The reboot, however, shed some elements. The Greek trilogy's platforming and puzzle elements were largely removed in the Norse games due to the shift to a third-person, over-the-shoulder perspective. Puzzles remained, but adapted to the new adventure-focused design.

Valhalla, the God of War Ragnarök DLC, interestingly brought back battle arenas, a feature from the original series, adapted for the Norse setting. This mirrored the narrative, seeing Kratos confront his past in Valhalla. This return to Greek roots, both mechanically and narratively, created a satisfying narrative arc.

The Norse games weren't mere reinterpretations; they introduced innovations: the Leviathan Axe's throwing mechanics, a parry system enhanced by shields, and Ragnarök's magical spear, enabling faster combat. These tools facilitated exploration of the Nine Realms, each with unique enemies and aesthetics.

Beyond mechanics, the Norse duology redefined storytelling. Kratos' grief, his strained relationship with Atreus, and the unfolding truths about themselves, created a far more emotionally resonant narrative than the original trilogy's brutal approach. This emotive storytelling contributed significantly to the Norse era's success.

God of War's transformation reflects a unique approach to franchising. The Norse games aren't sequels but extensions of Kratos' journey. This philosophy should guide future installments.

However, radical reinvention isn't a guaranteed formula. Assassin's Creed, despite frequent changes, hasn't maintained consistent fan engagement across generations. Its shift to open-world RPGs, while profitable, alienated some fans due to narrative dilution and content bloat. Recent attempts at course correction with Mirage and Shadows suggest a return to the series’ core strengths.

Assassin's Creed's experience highlights the risk of abandoning a series' core strengths. God of War skillfully avoided this. The Norse games, while a radical departure, retained Kratos' compelling nature and the series' combat foundation. Each new game built upon this, adding features like enhanced Rage options, new weapons, and expanded combat, deepening the lore without sacrificing identity.

Future installments, regardless of setting (Egyptian or otherwise), must build on this success. While the Norse games prioritized combat, future iterations will likely be judged by their narrative. Kratos' evolution from a rage-filled monster to a complex father showcases the importance of strong writing. Future entries must maintain this while embracing bold, memorable changes.