Summary
Although the future looks a little hazy, it’s clear thatGod of Warwon’t be put to rest anytime soon. There are still plenty of major loose ends to tie up, andAtreus and Kratos endGod of War Ragnarokon a note that essentially demands a sequel. How exactly this sequel will play out is anyone’s guess, though.
That said, there’s good reason to believe that Atreus will be the star of the next game, not Kratos. Both theRagnarokbase game and the Valhalla DLC seem to suggest that Kratos will be moving away from the battlefield, choosing a life of productivity and peace over warfare, unless necessary. Besides, with Odin gone and the war with the Norse gods over, there’s not much more significant fighting for Kratos to participate in. Atreus, on the other hand, endsRagnarokby venturing into the unknown in search of the remaining giants, his kinfolk. With Atreus starting on this independent, likely dangerous adventure, he is primed to be at the center of the action moving forward, replacing Kratos as the protagonist. This would be a first forGod of War, and has significant ramifications.
An Atreus God of War Would Be a Huge Leap for the Series
Atreus Fights, Moves, and Acts Different From Kratos
Over the course ofGod of War’s nearly two-decade existence, the series has been defined by Kratos. His internal and external struggles have been at the center of the narrative, but so has his fighting style and approach to conflict: Kratos, though his superhuman strength, is mostly limited by his corporeal form. In other words, he is a warrior through-and-through, using swords, bows, and his legendary Blades of Chaos to act as a bloody whirlwind on the battlefield. He gets up close, personal, and physical, never removing himself from the brutality of each fight.
This description can’t be applied to Atreus, whose personality and abilities will no doubt lead to thenextGod of Warhaving vastly different gameplaythan those that came before it. Atreus is a magic user, first and foremost, summoning spirits to fight alongside him and relying on augmented bow-and-arrow combat to fight from a distance. He has proven himself to be a capable fighter, but his prowess comes through finesse and an innate mastery of mystical arts. In short, an Atreus-led game would almost certainly lack the visceral, brutal quality of those led by his father, making for gameplay that is fundamentally different.
Atreus' combat style inRagnarokis distinct from Kratos', but it feels more like an offshoot than something that can carry its own game, so it will probably be reworked and expanded in future entries.
Atreus' God of War Will Be Different, But That’s Not Necessarily Bad
IfAtreus fills the role ofGod of War’s protagonist, it will be a massive shift for the series—that much should be clear. However, this isn’t inherently bad, and shouldn’t be thought of as such. It’s easy to forget, given the success of the past two games, but there was once a time whenGod of Warwas an old-school, hack-and-slash alaDevil May Cry. During this time, it would have been hard to believe thatGod of Warwould become the thoughtful, cinematic,The Last of Usinspired franchise it is today. ModernGod of Warmight not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it has definitely connected with a lot of players.
Perhaps new, Atreus-led games will mark another boldchange in direction forGod of War. If there’s anything that one could criticizeRagnarokfor, it’s that it doesn’t deviate enough from the game that preceded it; a theoretical Atreus game would likely not have that issue.
God of War Ragnarok
WHERE TO PLAY
Embark on an epic and heartfelt journey as Kratos and Atreus struggle with holding on and letting goFrom Santa Monica Studio comes the sequel to the critically acclaimed God of War (2018). Fimbulwinter is well underway. Kratos and Atreus must journey to each of the Nine Realms in search of answers as Asgardian forces prepare for a prophesied battle that will end the world. Along the way they will explore stunning, mythical landscapes, and face fearsome enemies in the form of Norse gods and monsters. The threat of Ragnarök grows ever closer. Kratos and Atreus must choose between their own safety and the safety of the realms.
