TheGod of Warfranchise is currently stuck at a crossroads with where it wants to take the series after the events ofRagnarok. BetweenRagnarokand the ending of itsValhallaDLC, Kratos seems to have finally made peace with himself, potentially marking an end to his journey or at least preparing him to take a step back from the story.God of Warmay be in a tricky spot, but speculation and theories have suggested a new pantheon of gods could be on the horizon, just not with Kratos leading the way.
At the end ofRagnarok, Kratos and Atreus parted ways in a bittersweet send-off, as the latter ventured out on his own. This has left many fans predicting that Atreus will play a larger role in the nextGod of Warand possibly introduce a new realm. Since 2018,God of Warhas explored the Norse realm, and while fascinating, Kratos and Atreus' time with the pantheon seems complete. However, with Kratos' newfound self-acceptance, he could make his official home in the Norse realm. While this would be good for Kratos as a character, it could also make the next game’s story less exciting.
Keeping Kratos in the Norse Realm Risks a Less Compelling Story
Now thatthe fight against Odinis over and Kratos has grown into a more accepting and peaceful version of himself, it’s unclear where he can go from here. It seems likely that Kratos' will stay with the Norse gods. Although it will be great to see him at peace, any portion of the nextGod of Wargame that returns to the Norse realm might pale in comparison to Atreus' destination.
Theorized New Realms Atreus May Discover
These proposed cultures come from theValhallaboss fights with Tyr. As players return to fight Tyr each round, he continues to add weapons to his arsenal, and the majority are from non-Norse cultures. Theories have suggested that these diverse weapon choices could be a hint from Santa Monica as to where Atreus may be headed. While the Egyptian pantheon is the most likely (and geographically convenient), Mesoamerican and Japanese myths and folklore could also deliver players a treasure trove of fresh gods to be introduced to.
InValhalla, Tyr fights with a Norse spear and shield, a Mesoamerican macuahuitl, an Egyptian khopesh, and a Japanese katana.
There is also the possibility that Atreus may stumble upon multiple realms, but that would be challenging to balance properly, so that’s a less likely route. Either way, a brand-new realm will likely overshadowKratos' time with the Norse realmsimply because it’s a fresh world and characters to explore.
Experiencing the Excitement of God of War’s Pantheon Change in a New Light
Before the 2018 reboot,God of Warfocused on the Greek pantheon before making the switch to a Norse-focused story. Now that the franchise seems ready to move on to another world, the prospect of once again having that same level of excitement for a new pantheon iswhat makes anotherGod of Wartitle so compelling. The Norse world is fascinating, but it feels like Santa Monica has taken the story as far as it can go.
Theories have suggested that Atreus could get a full-blown spin-off game, but this has yet to be confirmed.
However, there is still the possibility that the studio could surprise audiences. The Norse story may appear wrapped up, but there could be an unexpected threat on the horizon that Kratos and his companions must take on whileGod of War’s Atreus is on his own journey. This remains to be seen, but whatever the nextGod of Warhas in store, Kratos and Atreus setting the stage to potentially showcase two different worlds is intriguing.
God of War Ragnarok
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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.
