One Year On, God of War Ragnarok's Half-Sequel: A Compelling Must-Have

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Santa Monica successfully expanded the gameplay and story depth in God of War Ragnarok, adding new realms, weapons, and playable segments, creating an incredible game.

There are recent rumors that indicate the development of a half-sequel resembling Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Uncharted: Lost Legacy. This sequel could serve as a means to provide further conclusion to the Norse arc. With a half-sequel, Santa Monica would have the opportunity to address lingering questions and delve into plot points, such as uncovering the identity of the horn blower. Additionally, this would allow for the expansion of Atreus' moveset and provide hints about his intentions following the discovery of the giants, thereby facilitating a seamless transition to the next mythology.

Santa Monica successfully rose to the occasion on November 9, 2022, surpassing the difficulty of matching the success of God of War 2018. They achieved this by introducing new realms to explore, the addition of the Draupnir spear as a weapon for Kratos, and including playable Atreus segments in the gameplay. The game also included optional areas like The Crater, which contributed to the depth of God of War: Ragnarok's story with intriguing lore. The exceptional performances from actors like Christopher Judge enhanced significant moments such as Kratos' Death and the Logger story, making them even more impactful. Even a year later, the game continues to be incredible, although Ragnarok doesn't entirely feel like the "end of all things."

Recent rumors and leaks speculate on a God of War Ragnarok half-sequel, which diverges from the heavily requested DLC for the acclaimed PlayStation-exclusive. Santa Monica, following the footsteps of games like Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Uncharted: Lost Legacy, reportedly intends to create another game that utilizes assets from God of War Ragnarok and is likely to be shorter in length. This half-sequel is said to be nearing the end of development and may be revealed during The Game Awards. While fans may yearn for a new mythology with a fresh cast and distinct gameplay mechanics, the unresolved elements in God of War Ragnarok make a half-sequel like this an ideal scenario.

God of War’s Norse Era Still Has Plenty to Give

God of War Ragnarok Leaves Some Big Plot Threads Dangling

Atreus - Kratos' son and the character expected to lead the semi-sequel in the God of War series - was last seen embarking on a mission to locate and aid other Giants. While this seemingly straightforward objective could potentially provide enough material for a standalone God of War game, it would be more fitting for the Giants to be discovered within the realms of Norse mythology. Therefore, a smaller game serving as an epilogue to Santa Monica's Norse saga would be a wise approach. With many fans still eager to delve deeper into the mythology, despite Ragnarok being perceived as the conclusion of the Norse arc, this semi-sequel presents an ideal opportunity to further explore Norse stories. Given the overwhelming success of Ragnarok, creating another game closely resembling it would undoubtedly be a triumph for Sony and Santa Monica, both critically and commercially.

Atreus’ mission aligns perfectly with a smaller spin-off game set in the remaining eight realms. Moreover, there are numerous plot points that Santa Monica can explore and expand upon within this mythology, rather than leaving them unanswered. One pressing question among fans revolves around the identity of the individual who blew the horn to summon the world serpent in the original game. Unfortunately, God of War Ragnarok fails to address this mystery, and if the series were to adopt a different mythology, it would lose the opportunity to do so. By staying within the Norse era for this smaller in-between game, Santa Monica has another chance to provide an answer. Whether it was Baldur, Kratos’ use of Gjallarhorn resonating through time, or a time-traveling Loki ensuring that events unfold as they should, the identity of the hornblower demands an overdue explanation.

Furthermore, there are several significant characters who could be further explored in another Norse game. While it would make sense for Angrboda to follow her partner Atreus to a new world, Thrud appears content in her homeland. Consequently, allowing her to join forces with Atreus once again and showcasing how she has grown from her father's experiences could create a memorable sequence. Additionally, Sindri's story deserves a resolution before transitioning to a new setting, as his current ending is disheartening. Whether Sindri engages in a deathly battle against Atreus or manages to forgive him, closure for the once affectionate dwarf would undoubtedly be appreciated.

A God of War Ragnarok Spin-Off Can Set The Stage For What’s Next

In addition to addressing the query regarding the Horn of God of War and wrapping up the storylines of Thrud and Sindri, there is potential for the inclusion of other prominent characters from Norse mythology. Sinmara holds a grudge against Kratos and Atreus for Surtr's demise, making her a formidable boss. Furthermore, the introduction of previously unmentioned entities such as Vidar, the God of Revenge, and Hel, the Goddess of the Dead, would undoubtedly add an intriguing element to the narrative.

Instead of simply jumping in time and placing Kratos, Atreus, or both in a new Egyptian God of War or other mythological setting, Santa Monica Studios can execute a smoother transition. While moving ahead to an older Kratos worked well in the Norse saga due to the uncertainty of his fate at the end of God of War 3, employing another time skip could feel repetitive and undeserved. To address this, the conclusion of God of War Ragnarok's half-sequel could explicitly reveal the heroes' next destination. Kratos could embark on another peacekeeping mission to further redeem himself, while Atreus could make a discovery that necessitates leaving the Norse realms behind.

Additionally, introducing one more game before Atreus reaches adulthood would benefit gameplay. If the heavily rumored God of War project grants Atreus his own game, it would provide an opportunity for him to further develop his Loki powers. Players could unlock several additional transformations for Atreus before the next major God of War installment, along with a few other abilities befitting a God of Mischief. Moreover, Atreus requires a proper melee weapon now that Ingrid is absent, and her non-traditional sword usage did not suffice. It could be interesting for Faye, even in her death, to offer Atreus valuable lessons, making him an even more formidable deity. While we should celebrate God of War: Ragnarok on its first anniversary, it's challenging not to ponder what might lie ahead.

God of War: Ragnarok is an action-adventure game that continues the epic journey of Kratos and Atreus through Scandinavia. Developed by Santa Monica Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, this highly anticipated sequel to God of War (2018) takes players into a world inspired by Norse mythology. Brace yourself for intense battles against mythological creatures as you witness the events of Ragnarok unfold.

Editor's P/S

God of War Ragnarok was an incredible game, but it left some loose ends untied. A half-sequel could provide further conclusion to the Norse arc and explore the untapped potential of the mythology. It could also set the stage for the franchise's promising future.

I would love to see a half-sequel to God of War Ragnarok. It would be a great way to tie up loose ends and explore the untapped potential of the Norse era. I would also be excited to see what Santa Monica has in store for the franchise's future.