Summary
HaloandGod of Warare perhaps the most iconic franchises from the warring clans of Xbox and PlayStation. While their console exclusivity and respective genre staples make them remarkably different from one another in a number of key ways.God of WarandHaloare both facing a very specific narrative problem that has the power to shape their futures.
AlthoughHalohas starred different protagonistsover the years, Master Chief has been a consistent throughline for the series, his shadow looming large over any spin-off games and alternate lead characters. The same can be said about Kratos' role inGod of War: He is the star of the show, driving the overarching narrative forward in a way that makes him inextricable from it. Moreover, both Chief and Kratos are essentially mascots for their respective parent companies, growing to become synonymous with the Xbox and PlayStation brands. In spite of all this, both heroes are facing the possibility of replacement, asHaloandGod of Warboth attempt to remain fresh and creatively exciting with future installments.
Why Kratos and Master Chief May Be in the Same Potentially Awkward Position
The Future of Master Chief and Kratos
Though it hasn’t been confirmed by Sony, many are expectingAtreus to lead the nextGod of Wargame in Kratos' stead. The justification for this theory hinges onGod of War Ragnarok’s ending, which sees Atreus embark on a solo journey while Kratos stays behind and adopts a leadership role in the Norse pantheon. The circumstances of this ending make a protagonist swap seem plausible, but putting Atreus at the helm has the added benefit of keepingGod of Warfrom feeling stale or long in the tooth — something that many players are anticipating after the franchise’s bold creative leap with 2018’sGod of War.
Speculation aboutHalo’s futurehas also run rampant. Although 343 Industries has done a great job in many respects, there is a lingering sentiment that the studio’s narrative direction is a bit rudderless. 343 made a few somewhat controversial story decisions, likeHalo 4’s reveal of the until-then enigmatic Forerunners andHalo 5’s focus on Fireteam Osiris (not to mention the resurrection of Cortana), butHalo 4throughInfinitehave also been praised for offering more insight into Master Chief’s character. Still, Chief’s future is a bit uncertain, especially asHalo Infiniteintroduces new concepts like time travel that threaten to further complicate the story. In light of this, some have argued for putting Master Chief’s story to rest for future entries in favor of a fresh perspective.
God of War Without Kratos and Halo Without Master Chief
There arebenefits to shelving Master Chief for a futureHalogame, as this would allow 343 Industries to move out of the shadow of the Bungie entries that preceded its takeover of the series.Halo: ODSTandHalo Reachare proof that the franchise can offer great stories without the iconic Chief, but these have always been viewed more like spin-offs than full releases. In other words, 343 Industries may want to put Master Chief on ice, but whether they can fill his shoes with an equally engaging or memorable protagonist is another challenge entirely. As such, the future ofHalocould be a balancing act between staying narratively exciting and staying true to the series' roots.
A similar tension could be facingGod of War. It’s hard to imagineanyone but Kratos leading the franchise, as his story has always been synonymous with it. LikeHalo, theGod of Waruniverse has room for other heroes to take the reins, but this would require a fundamental change in the series' identity. Thus, both 343 and Santa Monica Studios may feel tethered to their legacy heroes, even if it might be time for them to take a back seat.
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.
