Summary
Now thatGod of War Ragnarokvirtually eclipsesGod of Warin every wayconcerning gameplay, what’s looked back at most fondly inGod of Warmay be its intimate story and connection between Kratos and Atreus. The father and son dynamic remains complicated and interesting inRagnarok, too, and yet a point is thoroughly made about them not needing one another to grow individually anymore.Kratos is now working to quell his inner demons in Valhalla, for example, while Atreus may receive his own standalone game depicting the lone journey he’s embarked on.
Because of how muchRagnaroksucceeds beyond what its predecessor achieved it seems like there’d be nothing left to learn from the original NorseGod of Warentry, at least regarding gameplay. Atreus’ game—if one such game is indeed in development—might be starkly opposite toGod of War, especially with how much more mobility and utility the character expressed in his own gameplay during the sequel. However, the NorseGod of Warmade its biggest stamp on the IP and the industry at the time by making Kratos’ main weapon gimmick phenomenally fun, and Atreus needs something similar.
God of War’s Leviathan Axe is Still the Modern Franchise’s Biggest Moment
For allRagnarokdelivered in gameplay, even its surprising new Draupnir Spear couldn’t have attained the popularity and impact of the Leviathan Axe. In fact, becauseRagnarokdoes add so much it’s easier for its stronger moments and gimmicks to fall by the wayside or into obscurity.
God of Waris incredibly simple whether it’s compared toRagnarokor notand therefore the mechanic of summoning the Leviathan Axe back to Kratos’ clutches was an obvious standout. It helped that the Leviathan Axe is Kratos’ only weapon until the third act ofGod of War—besides his equally capable fists and shield—as well as the sound design and weighty impact on controller contributing to how gratifying it is to toss the axe around and have it come hurtling back from any distance.
Then, by the time players have finally mastered the axe,God of Warreprises Kratos’ iconic Blades of Chaos. The Blades have narrative significance for anyone whose adoration of the series extends toKratos’ bloodthirsty rampage through the Greek mythologyand make for a lovely reinvention of otherwise one-tone combat, but the Leviathan Axe arguably never goes stale or becomes secondary to the Blades.
Atreus’ Gameplay Can’t Live in Kratos’ Shadow
Atreus’ gameplay inGod of War Ragnarokdemonstrated how much he has at his disposal by being magically inclined, and while that gives him a distinction Kratos never had it’ll be interesting to see if Santa Monica can make any of his future weapons anywhere remotely as satisfying to wield in an upcoming sequel, half-sequel, or spin-off.
Recreating the moment when players first press the triangle button to recall the Leviathan Axe may not be high on Santa Monica’s priority list, of course, but something of that ilk would certainly help carve out a distinguished path for Atreus. It would be hard enough for Santa Monica to tie a new Atreus adventure into the overarching lore if Kratos is nowhere to be seen and the game takes place in a completely separate and unexplored area, yetKratos receiving a Mjolnir-like axewas also definitely unprecedented and turned out exceptionally well.
So unless Atreus has a physical weapon with its own game-changing gimmick, his magical summons need to be refined in a way that makes them all paramount and satisfying. If not, Santa Monica will hopefully have something else up its sleeve to punctuate Atreus’ pilgrimage with as much excitement and novel gameplay.
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.
