Summary
The future is uncertain following the events ofGod of War Ragnarok, but it’s safe to say that the series will continue to expand and develop from here on out. Whether this meanspivotingGod of Wartoward yet another mythological pantheonor simply continuing the narrative established by the previous two entries remains to be seen, but Santa Monica Studios might need to work a bit harder to keep the franchise at the top of its game moving forward.
2018’sGod of Warreboot was exciting not only because of its inherently good design and narrative, but also because of how much it shook up the series' formula up to that point. Previously,God of Warwas a hack-and-slash action game in the same vein asDevil May Cry, employing a zoomed-out perspective, pitting the player against hordes of enemies, and leveraging spectacle to the fullest possible extent. Thus, whenGod of War2018 took a more measured approach, adopting staples of the action-RPG genre and narrative-first games likeThe Last of Us, it was a breath of fresh air, inflating the franchise with new life.God of War Ragnarokonly makes minor iterations to this new formula, though, and there are ways that the next game can feel more distinct.
The Next God of War Game Should Double-Down On Traversal Mechanics
God of War Ragnarok Doesn’t Go Far Enough with Traversal Changes
God of War Ragnarokmakes some good additionsto the new series' formula, but perhaps the greatest criticism one can make against it is that it doesn’t evolve enough. Indeed,Ragnarokis more of a polished iteration of 2018’sGod of Warthan a meaningful evolution of what it brought to the table, at least from a mechanical standpoint. It’s a solid framework, but after the boldness displayed by its predecessor, it’s hard not to be a little disappointed.
One minor change toGod of War Ragnarokis how players can engage with movement. It expands onGod of War2018’s boat traversal, adding two different dog-sled vehicles that allow for quicker locomotion around the game’s hub worlds, which injects the game with a much-needed sense of mobility and speed. On top of this, Kratos can now bound over medium-sized walls thanks to a grapple feature by way of the Blades of Chaos, making both combat and traversal more dynamic and efficient, maintaining the flow of gameplay.
But that’s about all thatRagnarokbrings to the table on the traversal front. Movement is still appropriately slow but often monotonous and static. This isn’t too big a deal, as the environments are mostly small and segmented, butgameplay in the nextGod of Warmay demand a more versatile movement toolbox.
An Atreus-Led God of War Game Is Rich with Movement Potential
It’s long been suspected that the younger, craftier, more agile Atreus will lead the next chapter in theGod of Warstory. If this is the case, it would befit the game to grant him more dynamic movement options, perhaps leaning into his more limber and acrobatic approach to combat, implementing some light parkour elements. This doesn’t mean thatGod of Warhas to becomeAssassin’s Creed, but more fluid movement would make sense for this less bulky character.
An AtreusGod of Wargame could also leverage the character’s magical abilities for better-feeling traversal.Atreus can shapeshift into animals, so it’s possible that something like a wolf or cat form could be available to players, adding a new dimension to gameplay.God of War’s combat is deep and expressive, so it would be great to see a similar level of depth afforded to the moments between fights and puzzles.
God of War Ragnarok
WHERE TO PLAY
Embark on an epic and heartfelt journey as Kratos and Atreus struggle with holding on and letting goFrom Santa Monica Studio comes the sequel to the critically acclaimed God of War (2018). Fimbulwinter is well underway. Kratos and Atreus must journey to each of the Nine Realms in search of answers as Asgardian forces prepare for a prophesied battle that will end the world. Along the way they will explore stunning, mythical landscapes, and face fearsome enemies in the form of Norse gods and monsters. The threat of Ragnarök grows ever closer. Kratos and Atreus must choose between their own safety and the safety of the realms.
