An Atreus God of War Game Needs One Underutilized Relationship

An Atreus God of War Game Needs One Underutilized Relationship

As a dedicated fan of the God of War series who has spent countless hours swinging that Leviathan Axe and traversing the Norse realms, I wholeheartedly believe that delving deeper into Atreus’ relationship with his mother Laufey is a must for future installments.


As a gamer, it feels like Atreus is primed to take the lead in the next installment of God of War, seeing as he ends Ragnarok on a quest to find the remaining Giants alongside Angrboda. Meanwhile, Kratos seems to be taking a step into leadership within the Norse realms. Although Atreus might not be the main character in future God of War tales, Santa Monica Studios is likely going to keep him front and center in the storyline. If that’s true, then it’s crucial for them to delve deeper into his relationship with a key character.

In an unexpected turn of events towards the climax of the first God of War, it’s unmasked that Atreus is none other than Loki, the trickster deity from Norse mythology. The character often referred to as “The Fey,” Atreus’ mother in the game, is actually “Laufey,” Loki’s giantess mother from the original sources. This narrative move cleverly ties the main characters of God of War into the rich tapestry of Norse mythology, and it plays a crucial role in God of War Ragnarok, where Loki’s prophecies and connection to Asgard are central themes. It’s worth mentioning that while this intricate web of relationships is well-explored, there’s a significant aspect that remains relatively unexplored, suggesting that further exploration of Atreus’ story could be beneficial in future games developed by Santa Monica Studio.

A New God of War Game Should Explore Atreus and Laufey’s Relationship

God of War Never Shows Atreus and Laufey Together

2018’s “God of War” enveloped Laufey in an air of mystery. Although she didn’t physically appear in the game, her influence was palpable: it was her demise that ignited Kratos and Atreus’ odyssey across realms; characters frequently spoke of her with deep respect; and the Leviathan Axe, one of the series’ most recognized weapons, once belonged to her. By making Laufey a character whose presence was felt rather than seen, Santa Monica Studios imbued her with an aura of grand mystique, making her potential appearance in “Ragnarok” even more intriguing.

In the epic saga of Ragnarok, Laufey isn’t resurrected through conventional mythological means; instead, she appears in flashbacks and visions. These glimpses are primarily from Kratos’ perspective as he navigates the game’s storyline. Interestingly, Atreus never encounters his mother, even though she significantly influenced him during his early life, both as a deity and a young man. As Laufey has already made an appearance in a protagonist’s visions, it offers a straightforward opportunity for the next God of War to delve deeper into her bond with Atreus.

How and Why an Atreus-Focused God of War Could Show Atreus and Laufey Interacting

As Atreus grows older, it becomes logical that he might experience visions similar to those of Laufey, his father, as he navigates his personal path. It appears that Laufey has some degree of foresight, hinting at her own demise and the ensuing journey embarked upon by her son and offspring. This opens up possibilities for Laufey to impart wisdom and guidance onto Atreus through dream sequences or brief glimpses into the past.

Through Atreus’s mother, he inherits his magical aptitude, which means she could influence gameplay: as Atreus acquires new talents, he might encounter visions of Laufey, tapping into their common ancestry to enhance his supernatural abilities. This approach offers a dual advantage, as it infuses the storyline with an interactive and development-focused layer by further developing these two characters.

It’s undeniable that Atreus shares a deep bond with his mother. Since she passed away when he was very young, it appears he resembles her more than Kratos in many aspects. Therefore, revealing more about their relationship would be a wasted chance. Given that God of War hints at the possibility of the dead returning, even if just through flashbacks or visions, the upcoming game could provide an ideal moment to portray these characters communicating with each other.

Read More

2024-08-16 15:04