Highlights

  • Kratos' journey from God of War to God of Hope concludes in Valhalla, marking a significant transformation in terms of character development.
  • Despite the chance to retire Kratos, Santa Monica Studio seems to have more plans for him, suggesting he may be in it for the long haul.
  • The emotional Valhalla DLC further develops Kratos' arc and sets the stage for a new chapter in the God of War series, indicating that Kratos isn't going anywhere soon.

The God of War reboot series has been two of the most successful video games in recent memory, with the 2018 installment going on to win Game of the Year and the sequel, God of War Ragnarok, arguably barely losing 2023's Game of the Year award to FromSoftware's Elden Ring. However, before 2018's God of War, the primary protagonist, Kratos, began his journey in 2005 with the very first God of War game. What began as a quest for revenge against Ares, who tricked Kratos into murdering his own wife and daughter, has come to a point where he has now overcome the guilt and pain of his past to become a better person, as well as a better father to his son Atreus.

God of War's Kratos has been around for a long time, with the entire series now approaching its twentieth anniversary. The God of War has been through a lot, from fighting for power to, more recently, fighting for his family, but it seems his journey isn't even close to being over yet. God of War Ragnarok's Valhalla DLC had the chance of a lifetime to see the beloved character's tale come to a close, but rather than taking it, it opted to further develop his arc and essentially prepare him for an entirely different life ahead of him. As such, it might be just enough evidence to suggest that the old God of War isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

God Of War Atreus Popular Feature
Related
An Atreus God of War Game Could Include a Popular Feature That a Kratos Game Couldn't

One side activity that keeps popping up in some of modern gaming's biggest hits could make a huge splash in a God of War Atreus spin-off.

God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla's Ending Proves Kratos Isn't Going Anywhere

God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla Could Have Retired Kratos, But It Didn't

God of War Ragnarok's Valhalla DLC is an incredibly emotional addition to the 2023 hit, as it takes Kratos on a personal journey of overcoming his guilt and the shame of his past — something that has haunted him and even come between him and Atreus since God of War (2018). For the most part, the reboot saga's narrative has revolved around the development of Kratos' character, though his relationship with Atreus has been used to accelerate this development and thus has become a major highlight as well.

Kratos has proven to be a tormented man from the beginning of God of War's story, but thankfully, Valhalla wrapped that up by transforming Kratos from a God of War into a God of Hope. He confronts the younger version of himself on the throne, berating every cruel act he had committed but also acknowledging that he has learned from his mistakes and is a better man because of them. At long last, this concludes Kratos' personal story and even gives him a chance to retire, but he doesn't. Instead, he replaces his younger self on the throne and agrees to join Freya in being the god that people need.

If Valhalla Didn't Retire Kratos, He Must Be in It for the Long Haul

The very fact that God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla didn't retire Kratos when it had the chance heavily suggests that Santa Monica is not through with Kratos. Despite Atreus now seemingly taking on a more prominent role, Kratos may continue to fill those shoes until the series is entirely over. This is good news for those who have become attached to this older, wiser version of Kratos, but from a narrative standpoint, retiring him might have been the better move. His story has gone on for ages now, and it is arguably time for someone to take his place. Nevertheless, Kratos is alive and well, and ready for the next journey that Santa Monica may prepare for him. Although nothing is confirmed, it almost feels safe to say Kratos isn't going anywhere.