Summary
- Atreus' portrayal in God of War Ragnarok was changed based on player feedback.
- Kratos' new family dynamic with Atreus shapes the storyline in both God of War games.
- Atreus faces mixed reception as a character.
Atreus was a divisive character in 2018’s God of War, so much so that actor Sunny Suljic changed his portrayal due to player feedback for God of War Ragnarok. The latest two God of War games served as a refresh of sorts for the series, bringing Kratos into a new setting based on Norse mythology many years after the events of the original God of War trilogy. The former Ghost of Sparta had changed a great deal in that time, having started a new family and seemingly putting his violent past behind him before being forced back into action in God of War and God of War Ragnarok.
After the death of his second wife Faye, the last remnant of Kratos’s new family is his son Atreus, who accompanies him on his journeys in both Norse-based God of War games and develops a major storyline of his own as they go on. However, while 2018’s God of War was met with high praise for its evolved characterization of Kratos, the younger Atreus left the fanbase divided between those who found him to be an interesting counter to his cold and stoic father and those who were simply annoyed by him. This lessened somewhat in 2022’s God of War Ragnarok, where Atreus is considerably more mature.
Kratos Actor Clarifies God of War Announcement Rumors
Current Kratos actor Christopher Judge clarifies a recent comment he made that fans think is tied to a possible God of War game announcement.
As it turns out, this is partially due to how players reacted to Atreus in the 2018 God of War game, as confirmed by Sunny Suljic himself during a God of War panel at MCM Comic Con Birmingham this weekend (via TheGamer). Suljic revealed that he made a fake Twitch account and asked other users how they felt about “the kid in God of War,” with many comments saying that Atreus was “a brat.” In response, Suljic changed his approach to playing Atreus in God of War Ragnarok.
Sunny Suljic Made Atreus Less of a “Brat” in God of War Ragnarok
While the older Atreus in God of War Ragnarok hasn’t met as much ire as his younger self from the previous game, not everyone is pleased with Kratos’s son. Original God of War creator David Jaffe described Atreus as a "terrible character" during his criticism of the newer God of War games, and even Sunny Suljic has decried his character’s tendency to give out obvious puzzle hints in God of War Ragnarok.
Still, Atreus is a key character in the two Nordic God of War games, with God of War Ragnarok in particular leaving the door open for him to become the main protagonist in a future entry. Many fans would like to see Atreus return, and it would be interesting to see how Sunny Suljic evolves his character further in a new God of War spin-off or mainline entry that picks up the young demigod’s journey where God of War Ragnarok left off.
God of War Ragnarok
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 92 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- November 9, 2022
- ESRB
- M For Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Santa Monica Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
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.
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Franchise
- God of War
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- How Long To Beat
- 26 Hours
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
