The next entry in the God of War series, God of War Ragnarok, promises to raise the stakes higher than ever. Kratos and Atreus are being pursued by Thor and Freya who are both seeking revenge. As they deal with their foes, they must also find a way to prevent Ragnarok, the end of times, from happening. Fortunately, past friends like Mimir, Brok, and Sindri are making a return to help the heroes along the way.

God of War Ragnarok is highly anticipated, as it will answer many questions that gamers have. The last God of War game ended with many loose threads, as Atreus' other name was revealed, gamers got a glimpse of Thor's hammer, Fimbulwinter began, and Kratos' death was foretold. The idea of a character as iconic as Kratos dying is almost unthinkable, and there are many pros and cons to Santa Monica potentially going through with this daring move.

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The Benefits of Killing Off Kratos

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The idea of Kratos dying in God of War Ragnarok is not too farfetched, and it was already hinted at in 2018's God of War. Towards the end of the game, Kratos and Atreus encounter a room that features walls that are covered with prophetic murals. One segment illustrates Atreus holding Kratos' perished body as runic letters escape from Atreus' mouth. Fans have translated the runes, and they contain the following words: "death," "father," "mourned," and "betrayal." This seems to heavily hint that death is around the corner for Kratos, and it may come as a consequence of betrayal.

It would not be much of a deviation from the norm for Kratos and Atreus' story to feature some betrayal between them. Although they are a father and son duo who love each other very much, Kratos is aware of how often familial conflicts arise among gods, and how things usually end in some kind of patricide. Kratos kills his father, Zeus, after Zeus betrays him after all. For this pattern to repeat itself with Kratos and Atreus would simply be the normal course of fate among the gods. However, even with a prophetic mural at hand, Kratos' death is not certain, as it has been illustrated that fate can be averted.

Kratos' death would also satisfyingly fit in with the Norse Ragnarok myth, which involves the gods warring against each other. During Ragnarok, plenty of gods perish, including Thor, Tyr, Odin, who is killed by Fenrir the gigantic wolf, and Loki and Heimdall, who kill each other in battle. Kratos does not appear in the Norse myth, of course, due to his Grecian origins, but his death would be but one of many in an era of dying gods, stressing that the stakes are high, and the end times are near. A well-orchestrated death could also be quite redemptive for Kratos. Although the Kratos of 2018's God of War is relatively controlled and mature, he has a past filled with lust, violence, and vengeance. A sacrificial death could be a moment of atonement for Kratos, helping him to make right all the wrongs of his past.

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The death of Kratos would set the stage for the next saga of God of War, perhaps one led by Atreus. Kratos' son is certainly up for the task, especially after Santa Monica spent an entire game introducing gamers to Atreus, allowing players to see the boy grow. He'll likely continue to do so in the new title. After investing so much effort into Atreus, it is unlikely that he will be left as a mere side character, and it is far more likely that Santa Monica has big plans for him. Although Kratos has served the God of War franchise well for over a decade, a new protagonist in the next saga could ensure that the series continues to feel fresh, and Atreus could be the hero to fill Kratos' enormous shoes.

The Downsides of Killing Kratos

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There are a few characters that have become an integral part of PlayStation's identity. This includes characters like Nathan Drake, Ratchet, Aloy, Astrobot, and Sackboy, to name a few. Among these characters, only a handful have managed to become as iconic as Kratos. His powdery skin, red tattoos, and gruff voice are instantly recognizable, and his insatiable rage has drawn in millions of gamers. It is almost unthinkable that a character as enduring as Kratos would be killed off, and it could ultimately harm PlayStation and Santa Monica's brand if the studio does do away with the Spartan warrior.

Although gamers have spent a lot of time with Atreus, it is not clear that he has the same superstar power as Kratos. Quite contrarily, at times, Atreus can be annoying and stubborn. This may be a product of his age, and with maturity, his personality may round out nicely, but it is doubtful that he would ever be able to step out of Kratos' large shadow. Armed with a bow and arrow, Atreus' combat style is quite different, and players may be left wishing they had Kratos' explosive rage back.

It is also worth questioning whether God of War can retain its identity without Kratos. His Spartan rage characterizes the series, and though he is not a perfect man, it is these imperfections that give God of War so much complexity. Should the series continue without Kratos, it is not clear that it could still exist in the same form. Even if Atreus took his father's position and became the next protagonist, the series would have to undergo a significant tonal shift to accommodate him. It is difficult to predict how long-time God of War fans would react to this, making it an incredibly risky move for Santa Monica.

Soon, gamers will receive answers to all the questions surrounding God of War Ragnarok. Kratos' fate is perhaps the most pressing question, as it will determine the future of the series. Whether Kratos makes it to the end of the game remains to be seen, but an epic adventure certainly awaits.

God of War Ragnarok is scheduled to release on 9 November 2022 on PS4 and PS5.

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