One recovered line from the deleted Fate subplot has become legendary among fans: “You think you choose your path, Ghost? I weave the thread you call rage. And I am tired.” Part VII: Legacy – Why the Script Deserves a Second Look Upon release, God of War: Ascension was criticized for a lackluster story. Many claimed it was the worst narrative in the series. But a decade later, a reassessment is warranted.
Furthermore, the MacGuffin—the "Eyes of Truth"—is poorly explained. The script rushes through its mythology, assuming the player knows who the Furies are and why Kratos needs a magical artifact to see them. For newcomers, the script must have been baffling. A controversial aspect of the Ascension script is its prologue sequence—the "Prison of the Damned," where Kratos has been tortured for weeks. The script opens on a close-up of Kratos’s eye, then pulls back to reveal he is bound by the Furies’ chains. god of war ascension script
Compare this to God of War (2018) , where Kratos and Atreus are constantly interacting. In Ascension , Kratos is alone. The script tries to compensate with flashback visions, but they feel repetitive. How many times can the player watch Lysandra die before it loses its impact? One recovered line from the deleted Fate subplot
Do you think the script of Ascension deserves more credit, or was it rightfully criticized? Share your thoughts on the Furies and the fate of Orkos. Many claimed it was the worst narrative in the series
The Ascension script is flawed, but it is also brave. It attempted to deconstruct Kratos before "deconstructing Kratos" became the entire premise of the Norse reboot. It asked: What happens when a man driven by revenge tries to stop? What happens when the gods won’t let him?
Additionally, a subplot involving the "Sisters of Fate" (from God of War II ) was deleted. In early drafts, Lahkesis appeared as a shadowy benefactor, helping Kratos break his oath to Ares so that the fate of Olympus would unravel. This would have tied Ascension directly to the later games, making it feel less like a standalone side story. Unfortunately, budget and time constraints left this on the cutting room floor.