Highlights
- Atreus may star in his own game one day, possibly becoming the face of the God of War franchise, and he could display traits that resemble those of his father Kratos.
- The emotional resonance, memorable moments, and high-stakes conflicts in God of War are anchored by the relationship between Kratos and Atreus, so acknowledging that bond is necessary.
- Atreus could emulate some of Kratos' mannerisms in his own game, showcasing his connection to his father through comedic and dramatic moments.
Although the future of the God of War franchise remains uncertain, many fans believe that Atreus will star in his own game in the future, possibly even taking over as the face of the franchise. If he does receive a stand-alone game at some point in the future, it's likely that he will carve his own path, but there are also opportunities for him to express similar traits as previous God of War protagonist Kratos.
The story of God of War's last two entries has been praised for its emotional resonance, memorable moments, and high-stakes, mythological conflicts. God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarok may concern gods, monsters, and the fate of the nine realms, but they are anchored by the relationship between the central father and son. Kratos bonds with Atreus over the course of the two games, as they traverse dangerous lands, come close to death numerous times, meet new people, and share tender moments. Unsurprisingly, there are similarities between Kratos and his child, but the two most recent games in the franchise have focused more on the distinctions between their two personalities. If a future God of War game does indeed follow Atreus alone, it could highlight some of his connections to his father, to both comedic and dramatic effect.
Atreus Could Copy Some of Kratos' Gruff Mannerisms in His Own God of War Game
There are many benefits to having Atreus star in his own game, one of which being the opportunity to showcase a character that is different from Kratos in many ways. Kratos is tough, impenetrable, stoic, and somewhat unimaginative, with a soldier's mind and heart. Atreus, on the other hand, is more gentle, thoughtful, and sensitive. The differences between the two are evident throughout both games, with Atreus having a tendency towards curiosity, loquaciousness, and mysticism, while Kratos errs more on the side of brute force, violence, and tough love.
Despite these differences, Atreus still wants his father's approval, and this can be seen in how he emulates him. For example, when players are controlling Atreus in God of War Ragnarok, he tries to punch open a wood chest - something that he has seen Kratos do a number of times. He inevitably fails, hurting his hand in the process. In his own game, he could perhaps be shown practicing this move, eventually succeeding and congratulating himself. In the same vein, Atreus could consciously deepen his voice at points, or parrot some of Kratos' most famous phrases, calling a younger character "boy," or something along those lines.
The Next God of War Game Could Connect Atreus to Kratos' Dark Side
There may be many opportunities for Atreus to mirror his father's behavior when it comes to comedy, but the connection between the two could also be utilized for more serious narrative purposes. Although Kratos tries to be a better parent in God of War, it's undeniable that he has a dark side. Players have glimpsed this darkness in Atreus, but it has never gone as far as his father's; Atreus does brutally kill Modi in the 2018 game, but he soon feels remorse and moves on rather quickly. A stand-alone Atreus game shouldn't erase this character development, but it could delve deeper into the character's tendencies toward violence and wrath, drawing parallels between him and Kratos in the process.
Even if Atreus is carving his own path in the next God of War, the connection between him and Kratos can be leveraged to present humorous, nostalgic, and dramatic situations throughout the experience. Whether Atreus is alone on his adventure or with companions, he will surely continue to develop as a character, and his connection to his father should not be forgotten.
