Atreus: The Future Leader of the God of War Franchise Reveals a Surprising Weakness

God of War Ragnarok, released last year, made a surprising move by allowing gamers to take control of Kratos' son, Atreus, for significant portions of the game. This has sparked speculation about Atreus potentially becoming the new face of the God of War franchise. However, compared to Kratos, Atreus has one notable disadvantage in terms of his character development. In the 2018 game, God of War, Atreus was introduced as Kratos' new son, with a significant time gap since the events of the previous installment. Kratos had undergone significant changes, battling his inner rage while Atreus lacks this compelling aspect, making him less interesting as a lead character.

Kratos’ Violent Nature in the God of War Games

Kratos, the main character of the God of War franchise, can be argued as the true antagonist. Fueled by pure rage, he seeks vengeance against those who have wronged him, regardless of the consequences. His actions throughout the first six games include killing his own family, obliterating cities, and causing a Greek apocalypse. These factors make Kratos a unique and intriguing character in the realm of video games.

In the 2018 game, it becomes evident that Kratos has learned to control his anger to some extent. However, his underlying nature remains volatile. For instance, he readily engages in a memorable boss battle against Baldur, unable to resist the urge to fight. Despite this, Kratos makes an effort to suppress his fury in order to set a better example for his son.

God of War Ragnarok, on the other hand, delves deeper into the character development of Kratos by highlighting his internal struggle with conflict and his desire to avoid it. He no longer desires to be a mere instrument of war, yet ironically, he continuously finds himself being the most capable leader in the battle against Odin's schemes. Sadly, Atreus lacks a similar backstory and internal conflict, putting him at a disadvantage as the lead character.

Atreus' Good Nature in the God of War Games

Kratos' son, Atreus, showcased his key qualities in God of War Ragnarok. His empathy and genuine desire to make friends were prominent. However, his naivety often led to significant complications and conflicts throughout the game. Nevertheless, it was evident that Atreus fundamentally possessed a morally upright nature and a strong inclination to do what is right, even if he lacked clarity on what exactly the right course of action entailed.

The impact of Atreus' character was reinforced when players assumed control of him, showcasing his standout moments in God of War Ragnarok. In these segments, Atreus forged alliances with the Aesir and worked towards a peaceful resolution, contrasting with the more intense and captivating moments of his father throughout the series. Although this doesn't detract from his overall excellence, it does make him less complex and captivating compared to Kratos.

Currently, the future direction of the God of War franchise remains uncertain. Santa Monica Studio has recently begun recruiting for a mysterious project, leaving us unsure if it will be another sequel or an entirely new intellectual property. However, if the forthcoming game happens to be a new God of War sequel centered around Atreus, it will face a significant challenge.

God of War: Ragnarok is available now for PS4 and PS5.