Summary
- Atreus leading the next God of War game has sparked speculation - a potential new chapter in the franchise.
- Unique weapons play a crucial role in God of War games, tying player action to the game's identity.
- Atreus' arsenal must be earned over time to mirror Kratos' journey, enhancing player attachment to each weapon.
While rumors surrounding the next God of War game have been frequent over the last few years, none have stuck quite as hard as the rumor that Atreus will be leading the next installment. Not confirmed in the slightest, a God of War half-sequel with Atreus as the main playable lead has been something the industry has speculated on for the best part of a year now, and it's easy to see why, with God of War Ragnarok's ending perfectly teeing up an Atreus-led spinoff. And if this rumor ends up coming true, then Atreus is going to need an impressive arsenal of his own.
The God of War franchise has been home to some of the most iconic weapons in all of gaming, from the Blades of Chaos, to the Leviathan Axe, and a good handful in between. These weapons have become a major part of each game's identity, being the vessel that links the player directly to the action. If Atreus is going to take center stage in the next God of War, he's going to need his own set of unique weapons, but it's important that these aren't just given to the player straight away.
An Atreus God of War Game Needs to Pace its Weapons Carefully
Kratos Had to Earn Each of His Weapons
Weapons in the God of War franchise often hold a great deal of thematic weight, not just being the tools that Kratos uses to slaughter his foes, but pieces of himself that reflect his past traumas and sins, and his current quest for redemption. Kratos' Blades of Chaos are the perfect example of this. Not only are these weapons the most recognizable in the series, being present from the very beginning, but they're also a powerful narrative device throughout the franchise, being the connection to Kratos' dark past that he's been forced to bring back to the surface.
Many of the weapons in the God of War series are also given to the player at a key moment in the game's story, and Kratos' character arc. In the original God of War Greek saga, weapons are often given to the player following the defeat of a godly boss, rewarding players with a new gameplay feature for overcoming a tough challenge, just as Kratos is rewarded in the narrative. With so many of Kratos' weapons coming as rewards for defeating these titans and gods, it reinforces the notion that Kratos - and by extension the player - has earned each part of his ever-growing arsenal.
If an Atreus-led God of War spin-off is happening, then it needs to follow a similar structure when it comes to its own array of weapons. It would be all too easy for an Atreus God of War game to just start players off with a complete arsenal, with Atreus already having a bow and a dagger in Ragnarok, but it should take time to make Atreus earn each of his weapons, just like his father did, allowing the player to also gradually gain an attachment to each weapon in turn.
Atreus' New Weapons Need to Come at the Right Time
Weapons in the God of War franchise also, obviously, play an integral role in each entry's gameplay, often being used as important pacing devices. Just as combat is starting to get a bit too repetitive, most God of War games give the player a new weapon to experiment with. Of course, God of War is far from the only action game franchise to do this, but it's an important feature that needs to be carried into any future God of War game.
God of War Ragnarok
- Released
- November 9, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Embark on an epic and heartfelt journey as Kratos and Atreus struggle with holding on and letting go
From 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.
- ESRB
- M For Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Santa Monica Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
- Franchise
- God of War
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- How Long To Beat
- 26 Hours
- Metascore
- 94
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
