The world of God Of War Ragnarok left many questions unanswered as the Norse mythology chapter came to a close. With Asgard in ruins, the future relations between Aesir and Vanir gods in Vanaheim are uncertain. Without the guidance of prophecies, the Norse realms are left to navigate their own destinies. However, the fate of Kratos and Atreus remains the most pressing concern.
Kratos, for the first time, has a hopeful future as he remains to assist in the rebuilding of the Norse realms post-Ragnarok. Meanwhile, Atreus's path is left open-ended as he sets out to search for the remaining Giants in other lands. By leaving his father's protection, Atreus must forge his own destiny to survive the challenges ahead. Merely relying on his bow and Jotun magic will not be enough for him to overcome the obstacles that lie ahead in the newer God Of War titles.
Atreus Lacks a Melee Weapon Without Ingrid
While Atreus excels in deadly and long-range combat, he lacks proficiency in close-range encounters. Although he can use his bow to defend himself in a pinch, overusing the weapon can significantly reduce its effectiveness, something his father taught him to avoid. Furthermore, the knife given to him by Kratos is too short and not designed for combat. To augment his expertise in archery and magic, Atreus must acquire and master the use of a melee weapon such as his father's Leviathan Axe or Blades of Chaos.
In God of War Ragnarok, the magical sword Ingrid serves as Atreus's close-range ally. Even though Atreus never wields it like a conventional sword, Ingrid can be summoned in a crisis to fight on his behalf. It can levitate and direct itself to attack foes, both specified and unspecified by its wielder. Once the battle concludes, Ingrid sheathes itself as a signal that no enemies remain. Most significantly, Ingrid becomes a trusted companion of Atreus and remains by his side until summoned back by its rightful owner, Freyr.
Unfortunately, the future looks bleak for Ingrid in God Of War Ragnarok. During a battle to protect Freya and their allies, Freyr sacrificed his own life by using Ingrid as a shield against an attack from the monstrous Ragnarok. This heroic action not only resulted in Freyr's demise, but it also put his trusted sword at risk of being lost or destroyed.
As a solution, it would be beneficial for God of War to give Atreus his own melee weapon.
If Atreus is to take on the mantle of the God of War franchise's main protagonist, it's essential that he is equipped with a close-range weapon. Close-quarters combat has been a defining aspect of the series since its inception in 2005. To exclude hack-and-slash gameplay from the new God of War game would be to rob it of its identity.
While it's important for Atreus to have his own unique combat style, there's no reason why he can't have a close-range weapon to complement his abilities. This weapon could be more than just a tool, serving as an extension of Atreus's identity and perhaps even infused with Jotnar magic or the souls of the Giants he and Angrboda are seeking. By neglecting to give Atreus a close-range armament, the developers would be missing out on a significant opportunity to further develop his character in God of War Ragnarok.
