God of War Has Forever Left Its Leading Men Between a Rock and a Hard Place

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As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia and anticipation when it comes to the God of War franchise. I remember the days of Kratos wreaking havoc through the pantheons of Greece, his blood-soaked Spartan shield leading the charge. But now, standing on the precipice of a new era in the Norse realms, I find myself eagerly looking forward to seeing how the narrative unfolds for Kratos and Atreus.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but ponder about the potential transformations ahead for the God of War franchise following the events in God of War Ragnarok. With the Norse realms now seemingly at peace, Kratos presumably stepping into Tyr’s shoes as the new God of War, and Atreus embarking on a quest to encounter the remaining Giants, the series will undoubtedly need to reinvent itself, grow, and dare to tread uncharted narrative paths.

In simpler terms, it’s widely believed that Kratos might step back as the main character in future games, making way for Atreus to take center stage. Given Kratos’ long-standing narrative arc of trying to escape conflict and become more constructive, it would be fitting for him to “settle down.” On the other hand, Atreus is still discovering his powers and embarking on a solo journey, possibly accompanied by Angrboda. Essentially, there’s plenty of room for Atreus’ story to unfold, while Kratos may assume a supporting role in upcoming games. As we look beyond the sequel to God of War Ragnarok, it will be intriguing to see how Santa Monica Studio continues to evolve the franchise with this father-son duo at its core.

In Some Ways, Atreus and Kratos Will Always Be Inextricably Linked

What To Do With Kratos In Future God of War Games

It’s quite logical that just one game featuring Atreus as the protagonist, or even a series focusing on him alone, could be plausible. The introduction of Atreus-focused gameplay in God of War Ragnarok has opened up this possibility. As Atreus grows and his character deepens, there remains untapped potential for captivating stories centered around the young god.

However, even if this new character can fill Kratos’ shoes, it remains uncertain if he will ever match the legendary status of Kratos. As long as Kratos is alive, there’s always a chance that he might re-enter the battlefield. Crucially, if the circumstances are critical enough, it could be challenging to leave Kratos out of the picture – he’d have every reason to support Atreus in his journeys. Consequently, should Santa Monica Studio aim for Atreus to become the new embodiment of “God of War,” and the franchise’s leading figure, there might only be one course of action: Kratos must meet his end.

In a nutshell, this predicament resembles the recurring situation in long-lasting superhero sagas. For example, it seems illogical for characters such as Daredevil or Spider-Man to be burdened with dealing with existential perils when they are associated with deities and other supremely powerful entities.

It Feels Like God of War Missed the Boat for Killing Kratos

In simpler terms, “God of War Ragnarok” doesn’t stick to the usual narrative where Kratos dies in the story. Instead, he survives, which might diminish the impact of his potential death later on. This could be a problem if Kratos starts to step away from combat, as suggested by the direction of the story. However, having him die of old age might feel anticlimactic, particularly compared to the grandeur and scale of Ragnarok. It’s possible that Santa Monica Studio could still choose this route, but it might not be as impactful as a more epic demise.

Instead, if Atreus meets his end, there’s a strong chance Kratos might revert back to his old, angry persona, possibly undoing his past development and revisiting familiar themes. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean Santa Monica Studio won’t be able to craft a compelling narrative that keeps the father-son duo intact or ends their journey in a satisfying manner for one or both characters. It may, however, necessitate innovative solutions and creative thinking.

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2024-12-09 02:24