Fans are less than a month away from God of War Ragnarok’s release. There are many eyes on the game, as it marks the final chapter of Kratos and Atreus’ Norse mythology saga. Some fans are worried that it also marks the end of Kratos story.
God of War (2020) left a big hint that God of War Ragnarok may be Kratos’ last rodeo, though the Spartan warrior has proven that he can defy fate when it suits him. Should Kratos perish, it would likely be up to Atreus to fill his role. Though capable, it would be a tough job for the young man to walk in his father's big shoes.
Will God of War Ragnarok Mark the End of Kratos’ Story?
The upcoming sequel will surely bring several bombshell moments. There are numerous questions surrounding God of War Ragnarok, but perhaps the most burning question concerns Kratos’ fate. Over the years, Kratos has face plenty of big challenges, and he has been to hell and back literally. However, there are hints that things may be different this time around, and that the Spartan warrior may meet his match.
At the end of 2018’s God of War, players encounter a mural which depicts Kratos dead and lying in Atreus’ arms. There are also some runes with the following words: Death, Father, Mourned, and Betrayal. Many gamers have taken this to be a hint that Kratos may be about to meet his end. Some have taken things a step further and have speculated that Atreus may have something to do with his father’s death.
Kratos dying wouldn’t be out of place within Norse mythology, especially with Ragnarok on the horizon. According to mythology, Ragnarok is a series of apocalyptic events which leads to the death of many gods, including Odin who is eaten by the giant wolf Fenrir. If the upcoming game is anything like mythology, gamers should expect plenty of death. Furthermore, patricide has been a recurring theme in the God of War series. Kratos kills his father, Zeus, and it would only be poetic justice for the Spartan warrior to meet his demise at the hands of his own son.
Can Atreus Lead God of War?
So far, Atreus has shown himself to be a competent warrior who is exceptionally skilled with a bow. With enough experience and training, he should be just as capable as his father when it comes to defeating enemies and taking down ferocious monsters. Kratos’ rage has come to characterize the series, and although it gets him into trouble, it can be quite fun to unleash it and rip apart enemies. Atreus has demonstrated that he is also prone to angry outbursts and rage, though this may be a product of adolescence rather than a deeply ingrained character flaw, as is the case with Kratos. Even when Atreus does get angry, he appears to do it in a far more controlled manner. Consequently, a future God of War series spearheaded by Atreus may see Spartan Rage fall away in favor of other gameplay mechanics that better complement his personality.
Perhaps the biggest hurdle Atreus will have to overcome is his personality. Kratos is a silent but effective leader who expresses himself through his actions. In contrast, Atreus can be whiny and overly talkative at times, which does get annoying. Once again, this could be a product of Atreus' age, and it may be something that he eventually outgrows. However, Atreus will have to rely on some other character trait to make himself likable to fans, as he lacks the cool factor Kratos gains from being a silent strongman.
God of War Ragnarok will likely be one of the biggest releases of the year, and regardless of what happens, gamers have an epic adventure awaiting them. Both Thor and Freya are pursuing Atreus and Kratos, and the mysterious figure Odin also wants them dead. Only time will tell whether Kratos will make it out of this one alive, and whether Atreus will have to pick up where his father left off.
God of War Ragnarok is scheduled to release on November 9, 2022, on PS4 and PS5.