God of War's Epic Evolution: Unveiling the Game-Changing 'Half Sequel' Phenomenon!

Highlights

The future of God of War is uncertain, but it is essentially confirmed that the next game will feature a new pantheon of gods in a diverse setting.

Rumors suggest that the upcoming God of War game might follow the concept of "half sequels" similar to Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales or Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, wherein Atreus assumes the role of the protagonist. Despite being shorter in duration, it is crucial to acknowledge that these "half sequels" should not be underestimated or believed to be of inferior quality, as they can still offer meaningful narratives and contribute significantly to the franchise's overarching storyline.

The future of God of War is uncertain at the moment, as it has not yet revealed what lies ahead. However, it is certain that Kratos and Atreus will be separated in the next entry, at least for one game. The details regarding Atreus' whereabouts and Kratos' activities in Midgard remain unclear, leaving a number of possibilities for the franchise's direction open. Despite speculation about the story moving beyond its Norse saga, Kratos' presence in the Norse mythology setting adds uncertainty to even that premise. Nonetheless, recent rumors have shed light on the divisive future of the franchise.

Through environmental storytelling in God of War, it has essentially been confirmed that the next game or saga will introduce a new pantheon of gods in a diverse setting, such as Japan, Egypt, or elsewhere. This has the potential to give God of War a similar atmosphere to Assassin's Creed, with future installments exploring new settings and mythologies. Moreover, there are rumors that God of War could have a "half sequel," similar to Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales or Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, where Atreus takes center stage without Kratos being involved.

‘Half Sequels’ Suggest Some Games Are Lesser Due to Being Decidedly Shorter

Regrettably, while the idea of a God of War game similar to Miles Morales or The Lost Legacy is exciting, it risks devaluing how fans perceive these types of titles. Although Miles Morales and The Lost Legacy are not intended to be full-fledged sequels with the same level of attention and production as the main installments, they are just as impactful, if not more so.

Referring to them as half sequels is acceptable, but it implies that these games are mere expansions or unnecessary DLC, rather than an essential part of the franchise. Some fans had concerns about the relatively short length of Miles Morales in comparison to Marvel's Spider-Man, but despite not matching the scale of its predecessor, it still offers a fantastic story and engaging side content within those few hours.

The titles mentioned here, often referred to as spin-offs, play an important role in the overall narrative of their respective franchises. For instance, if Miles Morales mentions Phin or if the Prowler makes an appearance in Marvel's Spider-Man 2, it will create a gap in understanding for those who haven't played Miles Morales.

Therefore, it is unlikely that a standalone game featuring Atreus would be considered a mere half sequel, given the significant impact it could have on the God of War franchise. It's important not to measure the quality of games solely based on their length. However, if fans continue to view these half sequels and the God of War franchise as non-essential or less significant than feature-length games, they may inadvertently fulfill that fate.