Santa Monica Studios has been hard at work lately, with potential new titles like Legendz and the sequel to 2018's God of War reboot on their way in the undetermined future. Considering the commercial and critical performance of God of War, it wouldn't be out of the question to assume that the majority of the development studio's focus is on the popular franchise.
However, with a God of War sequel still floating around in that uncertain zone where the future of the series is still yet to be confirmed, there is little to satiate fans looking for a look at the next game. Even with little information to go on, the Norse mythology that inspired the current generation of God of War has plenty of possibly myths and legends to explore. The following are some myths and legends that many would love to see explored in God of War 2.
Angrboda
With the reveal at the end of 2018's God of War that Atreus' original name chosen by his mother Laufey was Loki, it's known that Kratos' son is the shape-shifting trickster God of Norse mythology. In the original myths, Loki is known to have had four children, one of which appears in God of War already, three of which share the same mother, Angrboda. She isn't mentioned much in Norse mythology, but she is supposedly the mother of Jormungandr, Fenrir, and Hel, and a giant like Loki and his mother.
The ending of God of War leaves the fate of the giants a little up in the air, although it can be assumed that there aren't any of them left, or at least none left in their home realm. However, Angrboda appearing as a potential love interest for Atreus, likely disguising as a normal sized human, could make for an interesting story arc for the character to follow in becoming one of Atreus and Kratos' strongest allies. This character is also barely mentioned in the original mythology, so there is plenty of room for the developers to expand on Angrboda's origins and personality on their own.
Fenrir
As mentioned before, Fenrir is one of the children of Angrboda and Loki in the original Norse mythology, a giant wolf that is supposedly destined to kill Odin during Ragnarok. Fenrir's origins in the mythology would place him in a similar position as Jormungandr, technically supposed to be a child of Loki, but clearly around and able to have legends made about him. Also similar to Jormungandr, it is possible that Fenrir will be a friendly entity to Kratos and Atreus, as they would both be sided against Odin and his family of Aesir Gods in God of War 2.
Fenrir could even play the part of the MacGuffin and be locked away by Odin thanks to the God's paranoid fear of death that has motivated his actions so far. Perhaps the climax of the game could involve freeing Fenrir and riding him into Asgard, similar to how God of War 2 ended with Kratos riding the Titans into battle against the Greek Gods on Olympus. Fenrir, along with Loki's other children from Norse mythology, would be fascinating to see recreated in the next God of War title.
Sleipnir
Another child of Loki, Sleipnir sits in a strange position, as he is neither a child of Angrboda, nor would he wind up on the side of Kratos or Atreus. Sleipnir is the eight-legged horse that Odin has claimed for himself and rides into battle. However, thanks to Loki's shape-shifting ability, Sleipnir is the only child of Loki that was born from the trickster god himself, rather than by Angrboda, the supposed mother of the other children.
With Sleipnir on the side of Odin and the Aesir, however, this would likely turn the eight-legged horse into a boss fight that Kratos would have to conquer in whatever game he appears in. In a series filled with amazing boss fights, a fight against this mythical creature could be an amazing sight. Although, if Santa Monica Studios is really looking to push the envelope, the developers could include a sequence where Kratos helps Atreus give birth to a giant horse.
Hel
The last of Loki's children in Norse Mythology, Hel is the ruler of Helheim and keeper of the dead. Of the few stories that Hel is directly referred in, the most notable story of the Goddess is of her holding onto the soul of Baldur, after he is killed by Loki. While the story is meant to be a reference to the nature of death, it would flow perfectly into the story already developed in God of War, where Kratos and Atreus are responsible for Baldur's death.
Hel could be another impressive boss fight in a series of fantastic bosses, but it would feel much more satisfying to have her be the goal locked behind the giant eagle, Hraesvelgr, who players have already met in the previous God of War. Considering her role in the story of Baldur, Hel could also interact with Freya in some way as the grieving mother attempts to bring her son back from death. However, with Kratos' history when it comes to pantheons, Hel likely won't survive an encounter, even if she is technically his granddaughter.
Sif
This may be the most exciting possible God to include in the next God of War game thanks to the endless possibilities for how to utilize the character. Since Baldur isn't the only God that Kratos and Atreus killed during 2018's God of War, Sif can be a second grieving mother who could act as a primary antagonist in the next game in the series. As the wife of Thor, Sif is the mother of Modi, who Atreus kills while coming to terms with being a God.
At the moment, this is only speculation, but an interesting way that the next game could explore this character is that Sif could join with Freya in an attempt to avenge their children together. Whether or not their alliance lasts is another thing though, as some contention between the antagonists would be welcome in the narrative of God of War. With how many mythological creatures and Gods exist in Norse mythology, the possibilities for the next God of War are endless, although hopefully Santa Monica Studios will piece God of War's sequel together for the PS5 reveal event.
God of War is available now for PS4.