Summary
God of Warbrought the Norse arc to a thrilling crescendo withRagnarok, leaving many players to wonder where the story will be headed now. Following the events ofRagnarok,God of Warhas left the road ahead of Kratos and Atreus wide open with possibility. However, one of last year’s most exciting releases happened in the form of a surprise-free expansion forRagnarok. The Valhalla DLC gave Kratos some long-awaited closure in accepting himself, and this could actually be hinting at where the franchise is heading.
With the battle of Ragnarok over, it feels as thoughGod of War’s Norse sagahas come to an end. With Kratos seemingly ready to move on to something new while Atreus is off searching for more Giants, it now feels clear thatGod of Warwill be changing its setting once again. For a DLC, Valhalla bringing Kratos inner peace was a major piece of character development, and this may be a sign that Atreus is about to take up the mantle in the next mainline game.
God of War Is Setting Up Atreus' Next Chapter
Atreus has come a long way since he was first introduced back in 2018. One of the biggest rumors swirling around theGod of Warfranchise is the potential release of ahalf-sequel starring Atreus. It’s still unsure whether a half-sequel will happen or not, but Kratos' place in the Valhalla DLC shows that Atreus may actually be ready for a full-length game.
Kratos In Valhalla Sets The Stage For Atreus' Journey
Although Valhalla was completely focused on Kratos, it may be putting everything in place for Atreus to star in the next chapter. Kratos now accepts his role as a god, which means the character’s longevity may be dwindling. After all these years, it’s great to see Kratos finally come to terms with himself, but there isn’t much room for the character to grow from here on out.Valhalla teased a bright future for Kratos, but his role as the main character feels like it’s nearing completion.
Ultimately,Ragnarokfelt like a transition. The first chapter of the Norse saga in 2018 had players only playing as Kratos, but that changed inRagnarok. The sequel featured both Kratos and Atreus in playable roles, and although this could have just been a way to further the story, it also feels rather symbolic.Kratos and Atreus parting waysat the end demonstrates that Atreus is now ready to go out on his own to tell his own story. The dual-protagonist approach toRagnarokcould have been a clever way to get players used to playing mainly as Atreus all along.
God of War’s Future Role For Kratos
If Atreus is about to take up the mantle and carry the franchise into the future, Kratos doesn’t need to completely disappear. Instead, Kratos could act as a guide and mentor for Atreus in the same way he always has been, just from the sidelines. Ifthe nextGod of Warfocuses on Atreus' journey, Kratos could eventually join, but as a companion instead.
There’s also the question of how much time will pass between the events ofRagnarokand the next chapter. A fascinating approach would be to showcase a fully grown and mature Atreus in the driver’s seat while Kratos settles into his age and takes on a new role as a wise teacher. Seeing Kratos handing off the torch to his son would be a heavy, emotional moment that could give Kratos a happy ending while continuingthe legacy ofGod of War.
