It's long been assumed that Atreus will helm the next God of War game, given the circumstances of God of War Ragnarok's ending, not to mention the fact that he is playable for large portions of that game. This would have major implications for God of War's identity as much as for its gameplay and narrative, and not every fan of the series is thrilled about the idea of Kratos being usurped. Having said that, Atreus taking center stage is far from guaranteed.
Indeed, Kratos becoming a secondary character after God of War Ragnarok would be rather complicated and uncanny. The franchise is called God of War, after all, not God of Mischief or Son of God of War (though that wouldn't be the worst name for an Atreus-led spin-off). Beyond branding, Kratos' personal journey has been inextricable from the franchise's overarching narrative, and his raw physicality, rage, and animalistic fervor inform the games' hard-hitting combat. Change is typically a good thing, but God of War would have to change all these things if Atreus were to take the wheel, meaning that keeping Kratos as the protagonist could be the easier option, and there's room for this to happen.
God of War Ragnarok Leaves the Door Open for Kratos to Return as the Player-Character
The Valhalla DLC Is God of War Ragnarok's True Ending
God of War Ragnarok's ending certainly suggests that Atreus will be the new main character, but the free Valhalla expansion provides an alternate path for the series' future. While Kratos coming to terms with his past misdeeds and ultimately deciding to take over Tyr's vacant position as the Norse God of War implies his retirement from the world of fighting, it also essentially guarantees that he will be at the center of the conflict for the foreseeable future. Kratos hasn't absconded to a cabin in the woods to live out the rest of his days in peaceful solitude, he has made a decision to be actively involved with the goings-on of the Norse realms.
It can be argued that, unless Kratos definitively kicks the bucket, there will always be room for him to return as protagonist.
So, while Atreus ventures the world in search of the remaining Giants, Kratos could very much still be the main character in future entries, remaining in the Norse realms and "fighting the good fight," as it were. Naturally, this would be easier for marketing, optics, and possibly development (as Santa Monica Studios could reuse assets and character models from the previous two games), but there's also some strong potential when it comes to growing the God of War formula.
The Pros and Cons of Keeping Kratos as God of War's Main Character
Obviously, Kratos is the most important element of the God of War franchise in many ways, so keeping him at the helm has some clear benefits in terms of both storytelling and fan reception. Few players want a rehash of the previous few games, though, so a Ragnarok sequel following him rather than Atreus would need to leverage key aspects of the story, like Kratos' new position as the Norse God of War, to weave an interesting and unique tale. This could certainly happen, as these new circumstances are fertile ground for inventive story beats.
At the same time, it has been widely assumed that Atreus will take over God of War for the time being, and for good reason. Being younger and still coming to terms with his godhood, he has more potential for growth than Kratos in some respects. Plus, his distinct style of fighting, with an emphasis on magic, could support more experimental gameplay. Kratos might still be capable of leading the franchise, but whether he would be a more interesting choice than Atreus remains to be seen.
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
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
