Summary
It’s not clear when, but a newGod of Wargame is coming.God of War Ragnarok, though not ending on a cliffhanger, doesn’t offer enough closure to justify another franchise hiatus. In other words,God of War’s story must go on, as there are still questions that need to be answered.
There’s a fair chance thatAtreus will lead the nextGod of War, as Kratos endsRagnarok, and especially itsValhallaDLC, with a much more pacifistic disposition. It’s heavily suggested that he will fill the void left by Tyr’s death, effectively becoming the Norse God of War, assuming the role of a leader rather than a maverick warrior. More importantly, Kratos’s primary motivation for fighting has been removed, and while it wouldn’t be unreasonable for the next game to introduce a new antagonist that forces Kratos out of “retirement,” all signs point to the titular god taking a back seat moving forward, letting Atreus carve out the future of the series.
The Next God of War Game Should Be Clear About Kratos’s Role
Kratos: To Retire or Not to Retire
Kratos undergoes a dramatic transformation inGod of War Ragnarok, a metamorphosis that was sparked inGod of War2018. Wracked with guilt, shame, and fear for the fate of his son, Kratos spends much of his time in these games running from his past. By the timeValhallaends, though, he has incorporated his darker side and come to terms with his shadowy history, ultimately becoming a more multifaceted, thoughtful person in the process.
This is great storytelling, but it leaves a lot up to interpretation as far as future narrative potential is concerned. It seems clear thatGod of War’s ‘sad dad’ archas come to an end, and with that storytelling font exhausted, there’s not as much room for Kratos to be a protagonist once more. The antagonistic forces of the Norse realms have all been defeated as well, so it’s hard to imagine how much more potential there is without another major shift in setting. Despite this,Ragnarokand theValhallaDLC aren’t exactly conclusive when it comes to Kratos' future. Right now, he’s straddling the line between his classic action-hero persona and a more wizened leader, prioritizing wisdom and collaboration over combat.
Many have speculated thatGod of Warwill visit Egypt next, so perhaps this would provide new narrative routes for Kratos. However, it’s more likely that Atreus would be the one to tackle foreign lands, as he is on a pilgrimage and Kratos has no obvious reason to leave the Norse realms.
Kratos' Role Informs Atreus'
Assuming Atreus does indeed pivot to the position of primary protagonist in the nextGod of War, he will be fighting an uphill battle to get out of Kratos' shadow. For this to happen, Atreus needs to be further developed: his solo game needs to pit him against significant challenges and force him into tough decisions that will help shape his identity as an independent hero. Atreus has dealt with challenges before, but he’s always had his father for support, both literally and from a metanarrative standpoint. IfAtreus is going to be the main protagonist, the focus of the story needs to be on him, not Kratos.
This will be challenging if Kratos embarks on another high-stakes adventure in the next game. History has shown how challenging it can be to nail the dual-protagonist story structure in a game, and there’s an extra layer of complication introduced when one of the protagonists is a long-time, iconic hero, and the other has only been introduced a few years ago.Atreus could share the spotlight with Kratosin the next game or he could be the star, but not both. Being clear about Kratos' role in the overarchingGod of Warnarrative is crucial to defining this narrative focus.
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.
