Unleashing Atreus: Why God of War's Standalone Game Should Kickstart with an Epic Journey

Highlights

God of War Ragnarok concludes Kratos' story arc and sets up Atreus for his own spin-off, as he embarks on a quest to find his remaining kin.

The gameplay experience of playing as Atreus can be enhanced by expanding his offensive options in a spin-off. Gradually showcasing his growing powers and allowing players to witness his development and explore his full capabilities should be the focus of his own game.

God of War Ragnarok concluded Kratos' journey in Norse Mythology, tying up his story arc and leaving his future uncertain. Now, his son Atreus embarks on his own quest after the events of Ragnarok, determined to find any remaining giants, his kin. This sets the perfect stage for a potential spin-off game focused on Atreus, allowing him to step out from his father's shadow and embark on his own adventure. However, for this spin-off to succeed, developer Santa Monica Studio must ensure that the pacing is just right by gradually introducing players to Atreus' offensive abilities.

While Kratos' character development led him on a path of self-discovery, transforming him into a caring and devoted father, Atreus had his own journey of self-discovery in God of War and its sequel, Ragnarok. Players became more familiar with the mischievous young god throughout Ragnarok, even getting the chance to play as him during segments when Kratos was absent. Playing as Atreus in a combat-oriented game provided a distinct and contrasting experience compared to his brutal and merciless father. However, in a spin-off where Atreus takes center stage as the protagonist, this transition would feel much more seamless and natural.

An Atreus-centered God of War Spinoff Can Showcase Atreus' Growing Powers

Despite its immense critical and commercial success, there were certain individuals who felt that Ragnarok's pacing was somewhat awkward. This was mainly due to the frequent switching between segments featuring Kratos and Atreus. Kratos, who was at the pinnacle of his power, had a wide range of brutal attack options to swiftly defeat his enemies. As a result, his combat scenes were both thrilling and diverse for players. On the other hand, Atreus solely relied on a bow for both close-quarters and long-range attacks. Although he gained additional moves as the game progressed, his combat segments were not as enjoyable due to the limited options compared to his father.

Undoubtedly, Atreus showcased exceptional skill with his bow, demonstrating precision and relentless accuracy. However, his melee abilities are in need of improvement. While using a bow as a makeshift melee weapon sufficed in Ragnarok, it would not be sufficient if Atreus were to have his own game. He must become well-acquainted with more conventional weapons. This does not necessarily mean that he should use the same weapons as Kratos, but his arsenal should significantly expand alongside his godlike powers.

Santa Monica Studios may be tempted to grant Atreus a full range of abilities early on in his own journey, in order to ensure that players experience the expected variety in combat from the franchise. While this approach has its merits, it would be much less satisfying than witnessing Atreus' powers develop naturally throughout the game. Players have already caught a glimpse of Atreus' potential in God of War Ragnarok, where it is revealed that he can shape-shift, and his true limits are still unknown.

The possibility of Atreus receiving his own standalone game is uncertain. Kratos will definitely make a return, but Santa Monica Studios has invested enough in Atreus' character that a God of War spin-off feels like the logical step. If it does come to fruition, allowing players to witness Atreus' powers evolve as the game progresses will undoubtedly showcase his complete capabilities like never before.

God of War Ragnarok is available for PS4 and PS5.