Heavy spoilers from God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarok ahead.
Summary
God of Waris a frighteningly violent franchise where not even the gods of mythology are safe. Throughout Kratos’s adventures, he becomes a god killer, and his rage turns him into an unstoppable force of power. He tones down once he has his son Atreus (otherwise known as Loki), but he is still a dangerous man.
Atreus is much more level-headed than Kratos, but he is just as stubborn and has a lot to learn. During his journey, he crosses paths with many gods who are defeated. This leaves a problem for the nextGod of Wargame if it is set in Norse mythology and stars Atreus. It’s not clear just what kind of villain he’ll face.
The Defeated Enemies of God of War
In Norse mythology, one of Loki’s main enemies is Thor, the hammer weilding god of lighting, and the feud between the two is captured in the poemLokasenna. InGod of War Ragnarok, Thor dies at the hands of his own father, Odin.Heimdall is also Atreus' foein Norse mythology, where they are destined to kill each other. In the game, Heimdall instead meets his demise at the hands of a rage-filled Kratos.
Perhaps the most important death is that of Baldr’s, who is violently murdered by Kratos. All these deaths leave Atreus with very few enemies left in anewGod of Wargame. Consequently, Santa Monica has some tough decisions to make regarding Atreus' future adversaries.
How Santa Monica Can Deal With Atreus’s Enemies
One of the best options is to move on from Norse mythology and explore different mythologies from around the world. This would give Atreus more enemies to battle and new characters to mingle with. The most obvious choice would beEgyptian mythology,which has been rumored to be the next location for the franchise.
The other option would be to follow the theme of the game and introduce patricide. Atreus could have children that turn against him due to fate. This is possible because in Norse mythology, Loki has a few children, including Sleipnir, who is an eight-legged horse that becomes Odin’s steed in Norse mythology. There is also Narfi, who is deemed Loki’s son in some versions of Norse mythology. Narfi feuds with his brother Vali, who transforms into a wolf and murders him.
The Problem With Introducing New God of War Characters
Part of why the villains of theNorse saga ofGod of Warwork so well is because players become very familiar with the characters. Even if the characters aren’t seen, they remain ever-present. This is the case with Odin, who isn’t seen inGod of War(2018) but is constantly mentioned. The same is true for Thor, as players get a sneak preview of his hammer right at the end of 2018’sGod of War. Introducing new characters may be exciting, but it will be a tough job for Santa Monica to ensure players feel a connection to the villains.
This could be done by making the villains complex with motivations that aren’t so easy to understand.God of Wardid so beautifully with Freya,who is out for Kratos' blood at first, but soon grows to see things from his perspective. She blurs the line between hero and villain, making her an intriguing character. The same could be done with a new villain who keeps players guessing whether they should be trusted or not.
God of War Ragnarokset the bar high for the franchise, and it’ll take a lot to top it. Fans may have to wait longer than expected for the next entry in the series, as rumors suggest thatSanta Monica is working on a new IP. Nevertheless, it appears the tale of Kratos and Atreus is far from over, and players will be seeing more of the duo taking on the gods of mythology.
God of War Ragnarok
WHERE TO PLAY
Embark on an epic and heartfelt journey as Kratos and Atreus struggle with holding on and letting goFrom 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.
