After the incredible success of the God of War franchise's venture into Norse mythology, the ending of God of War: Ragnarok sets the stage for the game's protagonist to change. The finale of Ragnarok saw father-son-duo Kratos and Atreus part ways as the latter left to go on his own personal journey of self discovery. Although the future of God of War is still a secret, the next game may see Atreus as the main character.
The ending of God of War: Ragnarok left the story wide open for many possibilities, and when it comes to both Kratos and Atreus, the two are now set to be spending a significant amount of time apart from one another. It was a bittersweet departure, but this ending also left many fans with questions about how this could possibly affect the narrative of the next chapter. Ragnarok gave Kratos an ending that was hopeful, but Atreus was left facing a road of uncertainty. With the two succeeding at stopping Ragnarok and no more prophecy as a guide, Atreus's journey could serve as a compelling narrative for a third game.
How the Next God of War Could Focus on Atreus
It hasn't been confirmed that the next God of War game will focus on Atreus, but it would make sense to follow Atreus on his journey. Being able to play as Atreus as he searches for surviving Giants would be a great way to start a new chapter in the series. After the events of Ragnarok, Atreus is far more capable on his own and prepared for the challenges ahead. However, one major gameplay issue that developers would have to tackle is Atreus' combat. Melee is a huge staple in the God of War franchise, so it would feel wrong to play as a protagonist that is mainly known for his long range abilities. Perhaps, on his journey, Atreus gets a knack for melee combat just like his father.
There's also the question of how much time has passed in between God of War: Ragnarok and the next game. Although it's likely that the next game will pick up where Ragnarok left off, there is also the possibility of a significant time jump. The story may introduce players to a version of Atreus that is entering his late teens. If this is the case, and Atreus still hasn't found any Giants, the story could showcase an angry, jaded Atreus that could serve as the antithesis of Kratos's growth. It's highly unlikely that a new God of War would leave out Kratos completely, and a story that sees Atreus falling into darkness while Kratos grows and becomes revered by the people would be a gripping dynamic.
The bulk of Kratos' story appears to have come to a close. Ragnarok could be his path to peace as he becomes a revered protector of Midgard. A narrative focusing mainly on Atreus could see him stumbling upon an all new pantheon of gods that could serve as antagonists that are now Atreus' responsibility as he picks up his father's mantle. Seeing Atreus follow in the anger-fueled footsteps of his father would be a poetic, yet tragic, continuation of Kratos' legacy.
Although this is all just pure speculation, there could be news about God of War's future coming soon. It's already been hinted that Santa Monica Studios is working on a new game, and that could very well be the next installment in the franchise. With Ragnarok's open ending, there are a variety of paths that the next game could go down, and an Atreus-centric story could unlock all new themes and possibilities to explore.
God of War Ragnarok is available now for PS4 and PS5.
