Summary
- The rumored half-sequel to God of War Ragnarok should learn from Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales and make more significant changes to gameplay to differentiate itself and provide a worthwhile experience.
- Atreus, the speculated protagonist of the half-sequel, should have distinct combat and traversal abilities, such as ranged combat, magic, and shapeshifting, to make him feel different from Kratos and encourage a new playstyle.
- The half-sequel should have a lower-stakes story that challenges Atreus but doesn't require him to team up with Kratos, similar to how Miles Morales had a significant threat for the protagonist to handle independently.
There are a number of different directions Sony Santa Monica can take when it comes to the rumored half-sequel to God of War Ragnarok. While many players are excited by the idea of the God of War Ragnarok half-sequel, and the franchise seems to be doing better than ever, its developers should still treat this hypothetical, smaller-scale game with the care it deserves. Taking some notes from Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales could be a good way to ensure that the game turns out in the best way possible.
Assuming that the rumors and leaks about the God of War Ragnarok half-sequel are true, it's interesting to note the similarities between the current God of War franchise and the Marvel's Spider-Man games. Ragnarok and Spider-Man 2 share many qualities, from the games' use of dual protagonists to their focus on building for the future, and it seems like this half-sequel will be yet another parallel between the two series. Releasing at a slightly lower price in 2020, Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales was a story centered on the titular young hero, with a new cast of characters and only minor changes to gameplay. It sounds like Ragnarok's half-sequel may be serving a similar purpose within the broader plotting of the franchise, so it will hopefully learn from both the successes and shortcomings of Miles Morales.
Lessons From Miles Morales That God of War Ragnarok's Half-Sequel Should Follow
God of War Ragnarok's Half-Sequel Should Make More Significant Changes to Gameplay
While the half-sequel to Ragnarok will likely have new gear, areas to explore, and features to interact with, it should take steps to differentiate its gameplay from the previous game. One of the most commonly criticized elements of Spider-Man: Miles Morales is the fact that the game plays very similarly to its predecessor, with Miles only having a few special abilities to differentiate himself from Peter. This was great for players who wanted more of the same gameplay they got in 2018's Spider-Man, but disappointing for those hoping for a larger leap forward.
Ragnarok's half-sequel should take this criticism of Miles Morales into consideration, serving up more meaningful and substantial gameplay changes to make its half-sequel feel worthwhile. The idea of a half-sequel to Ragnarok is already somewhat contentious, with players lamenting the general concept as underwhelming and not worth the price of admission. Luckily, Ragnarok's half-sequel is in a good position to offer distinct gameplay. If the game follows Atreus, as many have speculated, then Sony Santa Monica can take several steps to make him feel distinct from Kratos, with new combat and traversal abilities.
How Atreus Can Feel Different From Kratos
- Greater focus on ranged combat
- Magic and shapeshifting abilities
- Less durable than Kratos, thus encouraging a different playstyle
- More agile, with more options for vertical movement
The Ragnarok Half-Sequel Should Have a Lower-Stakes Story
Since the half-sequel to Ragnarok will likely follow Atreus, it will be important for it to strike the right balance when it comes to the weight of its narrative. This is an area where the game can learn from the Miles Morales spin-off, as it served as an important step toward making Miles a bigger character in the Spider-Man games. In Miles's half-sequel, he was charged with stopping the Tinkerer from destroying a large part of Harlem. This was a significant threat, and many lives were on the line, but it wasn't so big that it Miles and Peter Parker had to team up. Ragnarok's half-sequel should take a similar route, giving Atreus a challenge that will test him, but that is enough for him to handle on his own, without his mentor figure.
The stage is set for God of War Ragnarok's half-sequel, and the idea seems promising. Based on the available information and speculation, it seems like the game will have a lot in common with the Miles Morales half-sequel, so by following the template that game set back in 2020 while polishing where it's needed, the God of War Ragnarok half-sequel can realize its potential.
God of War Ragnarok
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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
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Franchise
- God of War
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Verified
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.
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Metascore
- 94
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
