Why Atreus as Lead Could Be God of War’s Biggest Gamble Yet

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With the prolonged anticipation for the upcoming God of War game, there’s been a lot of talk about Atreus potentially becoming the main character. This idea arises from the ending of God of War Ragnarok, where Atreus embarks on a journey to discover the remaining Giants, leaving Kratos in the Norse realms, apparently assuming Tyr’s role as the God of War.

Making Atreus the main character in the next God of War game offers several advantages. For one, it opens up new, intriguing storylines since he’s just starting out in life. Although Atreus has faced trauma and had some adventures, he still has a lot to discover and learn. He’ll have opportunities to fall in love, live independently, and make difficult decisions without his father’s help. These experiences will allow him to grow as a character more than Kratos, since Kratos is already well-established.

Additionally, the gameplay could be significantly different with Atreus as the protagonist. This change could bring a fresh, innovative approach to the series. However, there’s still some risk involved in making Atreus the new face of the God of War franchise.

Atreus Might Not Be Cut Out for the Role of God of War’s Protagonist

Atreus Helming the Series Means Leaving Kratos Out of Key Moments

A widely held belief among fans of God of War is that Kratos and Atreus may visit other pantheons in future installments. Given Kratos’ successful transition to the Norse realm, and hints towards other mythologies such as Ancient Egypt and Ireland, it appears that a journey to these new worlds could become a reality.

A significant factor contributing to the success of the shift towards “Norse mythology” in God of War 2018 was keeping Kratos as a consistent character. Although his personality underwent slight softening since his previous appearances, his core traits remained unchanged, which is why the series still feels like “God of War.” If Kratos were to be absent from future adventures into various mythological realms, the franchise could potentially lose its essence and resemble an anthology series or spin-off instead of the epic tale fans have come to expect.

The title of the franchise, though seemingly minor, carries significant weight, as it subtly references Kratos, emphasizing his pivotal role in the series’ genetic makeup.

God of War Could Have Its Cake and Eat It Too

It appears plausible to assume that Atreus might become playable in future God of War games, and he could potentially take the spotlight, so to speak. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean he should entirely replace his father as the main character. Instead, Atreus could headline a spin-off series, one that may offer unexpected variations from the typical God of War formula.

A strategy like this would enable the “God of War” series to delve into new mythologies and narrative themes without permanently altering Kratos, such as by having him die or retire. These games centered around Atreus could resemble how “Persona” complements “Shin Megami Tensei,” or how “Dirge of Cerberus” complements “Final Fantasy 7.” In essence, this approach would let “God of War” preserve its identity as Kratos’ franchise while also introducing fresh concepts and tales focused on Atreus.

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2025-02-13 21:59