Summary
Pretty much since its debut all the way back in 2005, theGod of Warfranchise has been a flagship property for PlayStation. For years,God of Warenjoyed a close relationship with Sony, with both mainline and spinoff titles continuing to release on the PS2, PS3, and PSP. Though the series went on a short hiatus after the release of2013’sGod of War Ascension, it’s now back in full-force, once again rising to the very top of Sony’s flagship first-party line-up.
Selling over 11 million units in just its first 10 weeks, and over 15 million by the end of 2023,God of War Ragnarokmight not have topped the sales of its 2018 predecessor just yet, but it’s definitely getting there. It’s clear thatGod of Waris still a major money-maker for the PlayStation, and where there’s success in the gaming world, some more sequels aren’t usually too far behind it. But theGod of Warfranchise is currently at a bit of a narrative crossroads, and the next saga has the opportunity to flip what’s come before it on its head.
God of War’s Next Saga Can Cut Against the Grain
God of War Valhalla’s Ending Suggests a New Future Is in Store for Kratos
For those who haven’t played it,God of War Ragnarok’s Valhalla DLCis paramount to Kratos' overall character arc.God of War Valhallais essentially one big therapy session for Kratos, where he’s forced to combat visions and echoes of his past, mostly the events that transpired during the Greek saga. From beheading Helios to sacrificing a slave just to get through a puzzle, Valhalla puts Kratos through the wringer, but it’s all for his own good.
After six successive rounds through Valhalla, Kratos is finally deemed worthy to face his ultimate enemy, his younger self. In a beautifully-delivered monologue,Christopher Judge’s Kratosstates that he still can’t forgive himself for his past actions. However, he has come to accept them, having realized that he can learn from those mistakes and take them with him as he attempts to be a better god.
Though Kratos comes to Valhalla for himself, one of the inciting incidents that led to him seeking such drastic self-reflection was an offer from Freya to come and work with her as one ofthe Nine Realms' new gods. During Kratos' speech to his younger self, he briefly mutters that he no longer needs to be a God of War, but could instead be a God of Hope, and upon returning to the land of the living, he accepts Freya’s proposal.
God of War’s Next Saga Could Revolve Around Peace
So much of the violence in Kratos' life has been due to circumstance. While the Greek saga saw Kratos go much too far in his quest for revenge, the Norse saga shows that Kratos is trying his best to avoid his past life of violence, using every opportunity he can not to kill and instead find a peaceful solution. Afterthe events ofGod of War Valhalla, it would make a lot of sense for Kratos' role in the next saga to be completely different, no longer a God of War in the Nine Realms, but maybe a God of Hope, trying to unite the Realms against a common threat and only rising to violence when absolutely necessary.
God of War Ragnarok
WHERE TO PLAY
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.
