Summary
- Atreus-led game may showcase growth separate from Kratos, exploring new dimensions of character development and challenges.
- Potential for Kratos to take on a new role, leading to further mature and wise character development without Atreus by his side.
- Atreus with Angrboda could present a unique dynamic, but different from the iconic father-son relationship in the series.
With God of War: Ragnarok leaving a lot of loose story threads hanging, and with how successful the modern God of War games have been for Sony, it seems inevitable that the series will continue with at least one more big entry. What the next God of War will be like is hard to say, but many have speculated that it will once again feature Atreus as a playable character, possibly against a new mythological backdrop.
The biggest reason for this speculation is Ragnarok's ending, which sees Atreus venture out into the world on his own, likely alongside Angrboda, in search of the remaining Giants. Kratos, on the other hand, seems to be hanging back in the Norse realms, with the Valhalla DLC suggesting that he will take over for Tyr as the Norse God of War. These circumstances could set the stage for an Atreus-only adventure, but a game that is more equally split between the father-son duo also seems likely. Either way, it's reasonable to assume that God of War will not jump back into its Kratos-Atreus team-up structure, at least not right away.
Kratos and Atreus Splitting Up Could Be Good, but it Comes with Some Challenges
Atreus and Kratos Can Continue to Develop Independently
There's a lot of potential in an Atreus-led God of War story, particularly when it comes to character development. Atreus grows up quite a bit over the course of the previous two God of War games, coming to terms with his godhood, grieving his mother's death, and forming a closer connection with his father. However, he is still defined in relation to Kratos, and while Ragnarok sees him growing more independent—something that is reinforced through his playable solo missions—he is still more of a secondary antagonist, with Kratos remaining at the forefront. If Atreus had his own adventure, far away from Kratos, he could see monumental, interesting growth, overcoming challenges and making tough decisions without his father's oversight.
Similarly, Kratos' life without Atreus could be interesting to observe. Kratos may play a very different role in God of War moving forward, especially if he assumes Tyr's vacated position and serves as a leader once again. In this new seat of authority, and taking into consideration everything that he has learned from his previous mistakes, Kratos could develop much further, growing into an even more mature and wise god. Without Atreus by his side, the next God of War would be able to focus on this aspect of Kratos' development, which could be interesting.
Kratos and Atreus Both Leave Some Big Shoes to Fill
Realistically, Atreus probably won't be alone on his journey; Angrboda is likely to take up Kratos' spot as his companion. This has a lot of potential, as Atreus and Angrboda spend a lot of time bonding in Ragnarok, but it's undeniably a radically different sort of dynamic, and one that might be a bit harder to get right. The parent-child relationship is unique in that it can be exceptionally deep and complex while also remaining durable: there's not much that could happen to split them up. Having a friend or romantic interest as a partner could be just as interesting, but tougher to get right. Moreover, the Atreus-Kratos dynamic has proven to be endearing and relatable, so it might be tough not to compare it to a potential Atreus-Angrboda pairing.
Then again, Kratos and Freya have an interesting relationship in Ragnarok, so it's not like the series is incapable of splitting the father and son for extended periods of time. Ultimately, how well such a separation works will depend on a number of factors, including how well Atreus stands on his own as a character, without the much more iconic, well-established Kratos by his side.
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
