Why a God of War Prequel Makes Perfect Sense

A potential direction for Santa Monica Studio's next God of War installment could be a prequel exploring Kratos' past. The release of God of War Ragnarok marked the end of Kratos' journey through the Nine Realms of Norse mythology, leaving fans speculating about what lies ahead for the franchise. A prequel story would not only provide a deeper understanding of the Ghost of Sparta's past, but also potentially appeal to fans of the earlier, more over-the-top entries in the series. The shift in Kratos' portrayal from the original games to the 2018 release was significant, with the latter showcasing a more world-weary yet still lethal version of the character. A prequel set between God of War 3 and the 2018 title could fill in the gaps of Kratos' story, pay homage to the franchise's roots, and explore his transformation from a rage-fueled force to a more subdued presence.

A God of War Prequel Should Take a Page from Assassin’s Creed Mirage’s Playbook

A prequel set in ancient Egypt offers an opportunity for Santa Monica Studio to return to the series' roots while also providing a fresh setting after the Norse mythology detour. The God of War: Fallen God comic series, which explores Kratos' adventures in ancient Egypt between God of War 3 and the 2018 game, could serve as a perfect setup for a prequel game. With an emphasis on action and epic set pieces, a prequel would allow players to bid farewell to the more primal version of Kratos while also delving deeper into his character development. At the same time, the emotionally resonant storytelling that has become a hallmark of the series could still be incorporated into the game.

A Prequel Could Flesh Out Kratos’ Character Arc Before the Next God of War

A prequel game of God of War: Fallen God could delve deeper into Kratos' adventures as he traverses the desert, encountering and battling Egyptian gods that were absent in the comic. This would allow players to witness Kratos' transformation from a vengeful man to someone who reluctantly accepts his part in the grand scheme of things, providing a compelling narrative that would appeal to fans of the recent God of War games. Additionally, being set closer to the original trilogy in the timeline, a prequel could serve as a brutal and action-packed farewell to Kratos' earlier, more enraged persona, drawing in fans of those games as well.

With the conclusion of Kratos' Norse saga, Santa Monica Studio has a chance to reinvent their successful franchise once again. Although it may seem inevitable to progress to Kratos' next adventure, revisiting the past before doing so could prove to be a smart move for God of War's future. God of War Ragnarok is currently available on both PS4 and PS5.