Sony boasts a strong roster of exclusive studios, with Santa Monica Studio, Naughty Dog, and Housemarque being some of the most notable. Over the years, Sony has proven itself as a stage for strong single-player narratives to premiere on, and there are a lot of questions surrounding these three studios’ next projects.
Housemarque is bringing another sci-fi story to life with the compelling Saros, while Naughty Dog is switching up its usual formula by also venturing into the genre with Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Santa Monica Studio may be ready to shake up its approach, too, as rumors have suggested that the God of War developer may be embracing sci-fi, as well. Fellow Sony studios like Naughty Dog and Housemarque bringing their own sci-fi stories to players may present some stiff competition, but at the end of the day, Santa Monica Studio likely won’t need to worry about being overshadowed.
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After 15 years, Santa Monica Studio’s God of War 3 remains an exemplary conclusion to Kratos’ journey of vengeance against the Greek pantheon.
Santa Monica Studio’s Rumored Leap Into the World of Sci-Fi is a Promising Evolution
A Legacy Built by God of War
As of now, Santa Monica Studio has only directly developed one game that isn’t a God of War entry, and that’s Kinetica, the studio’s very first game. Kinetica was a racing title for the PS2 that earned some favorable reviews, but God of War marked a huge turning point for the developer. Since the first game hit the scene in 2005, God of War has quickly become one of the most notable franchises in gaming. Its blend of fantasy and fast-paced, satisfying combat is brought together with a strong story and protagonist in Kratos.
There have been plenty of other fantasy and action adventure titles released alongside God of War, but the franchise has continued to stand on its own, avoiding the shadow of similar projects. Even more importantly, God of War‘s identity is incredibly unique, which is one of its greatest strengths. From its story to its gameplay, there aren’t many other games that feel like God of War. The mechanics are unmistakable, and it’s likely that Santa Monica Studio would apply the same strong individuality to its rumored sci-fi story.
God of War turns 20 this year. The first game launched for the PS2 on March 22, 2005.
Intergalactic and Saros Are Promising Their Own Unique Approaches
- Intergalactic appears to be a melee-focused story with retro-futuristic vibes.
- Saros is evolving Housemarque’s roguelike gameplay.
Intergalactic signals a big change for Naughty Dog, as the first trailer for the game teases an attention to melee this time around. Uncharted and The Last of Us were centered more around long-range weapons, so Intergalactic‘s switch-up is compelling. This might make it one of Santa Monica Studio’s biggest competitors overall, as God of War is heavily entrenched in melee fighting mechanics.
Saros may not be a full-blown roguelike, but the roguelite approach being taken this time around teases that Housemarque is still sticking to its guns with the upcoming project. Its predecessor, Returnal, was a wonderful challenge, and Saros evolving its mechanics to make in-game deaths important is a thrilling prospect. Staying in the same realm as Returnal keeps Saros different enough from God of War that it’s unlikely that Santa Monica Studio’s sci-fi project will feel similar.
God of War Ragnarok‘s free Valhalla DLC takes the roguelike formula and uses it as a strong storytelling device for Kratos.
Santa Monica Studio’s Thrives On Originality
The developer may soon be officially added to the list of studios taking a sci-fi turn right now, but God of War proves that Santa Monica Studio is skilled at crafting a unique and special experience within a popular genre. With the future of God of War up in the air, Santa Monica Studio’s future plans are currently a mystery and claims should be taken with a grain of salt. However, if the rumors of a sci-fi project prove true, the developer is fully capable of setting itself apart.
Santa Monica Studio
- Date Founded
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1999
- Headquarters
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Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Parent Company
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PlayStation Studios