The Unconventional Path: Why God of War's Next Antagonist Must Shatter Tradition

Highlights

The God of War franchise needs to break away from the tradition of having a tyrannical patriarch figure as the main antagonist in future games to avoid repetition.

Zeus and Odin both play similar roles in the God of War games, imposing their authority on others, yet employing distinct approaches. Initially, Odin portrays himself as benevolent and affectionate, only to unveil his cunning and deceptive nature later on.

To inject some variation, upcoming games could venture into diverse mythologies like Egypt, which feature gods of different kinds, or adopt a more conventional approach by introducing lesser deities or angels as adversaries.

Last year, the highly anticipated release of God of War: Ragnarok captivated gamers worldwide, taking them by surprise as it concluded the Norse mythology story sooner than expected. This unexpected turn of events ignited speculation among fans, hinting at a potential Egyptian theme and pantheon for the next installment of the game. However, irrespective of the direction the franchise may choose to take, there is a pressing need to break away from one recurring tradition.

Despite the distinct storylines within the God of War series, they ultimately adhere to the same narrative pattern. Kratos, driven by a twist of fate often of his own creation, finds himself embroiled in battles with lesser gods before ultimately confronting the entire pantheon in subsequent sequels. While the sequel games successfully embraced this theme of improvement and innovation, it is imperative that future installments push the boundaries even further. Specifically, it is essential to deviate from the formula of featuring yet another tyrannical patriarch figure as the central antagonist.

How Odin and Zeus Fill the Same Role In the God of War Games

Zeus and Odin are distinct characters in the God of War games, yet they share similar roles in terms of their function. Both of them hold the positions of leaders within their respective pantheons and ruthlessly enforce their authority against those who oppose it. However, their methods differ slightly.

The conflict between Kratos and Zeus can be characterized as a feud between a father and son that escalates and tragically decimates an entire family. The ruler of Olympus demands unwavering obedience and loyalty from his subjects. If he perceives any defiance towards his will, he does not hesitate to eliminate the individual and eradicate all that they cherish. In contrast, Odin's approach in the God of War sequel diverges.

How Future God of War Games Could Shake Things Up

The future direction of the franchise remains uncertain at this time. One idea that has been proposed is for Atreus to assume the role of protagonist in a God of War game, although this alone will not address all the necessary changes needed for the franchise. While depicting Zeus and Odin as the domineering patriarchs of their respective pantheons aligns with Greek and Norse mythology, other religious backgrounds may not resonate well with this approach.

The Gods of Egypt, for instance, are not merely literal and plot-driven entities but rather representations of nature and explanations for natural phenomena before science took over. Similarly, Christianity portrays its God as a compassionate and merciful figure, and depicting Kratos going to heaven and attacking angels may challenge some individuals' perception of him as a protagonist. To bring a fresh perspective to the franchise, it may be necessary to adopt a more conventional approach. Other similar games like Darksiders often involve lesser gods or angels attempting to dominate the universe. By exploring this path, God of War could potentially inject new life into its storyline.

At present, it is impossible to determine the direction the developer will take with the franchise in the future. While there have been suggestions that Santa Monica Studio should move on from God of War, the series' popularity makes this scenario unlikely. However, regardless of the studio's choice, it is evident that the oppressive patriarchal figure is an element that needs to be discarded.

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