Kratos’ Next Odyssey: Predicting the Pantheon After Ragnarok

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The burning question on every God of War fan’s mind: What pantheon is Kratos heading to next? While Santa Monica Studio remains tight-lipped, the evidence, speculation, and narrative breadcrumbs heavily suggest that Egyptian mythology is the most likely destination for the Ghost of Sparta’s next chapter. The thematic parallels, the narrative possibilities, and the existing foreshadowing all point towards a sun-baked adventure amidst pharaohs, gods, and monstrous creatures of the Nile. Let’s explore why.

The Case for Egypt: Why the Land of Pharaohs Makes Sense

Several factors contribute to the strong belief that Kratos will trade his axe for a khopesh and venture into ancient Egypt.

• Thematic Resonance: The God of War series has always explored themes of fatherhood, redemption, and the cyclical nature of violence. Egyptian mythology, with its complex familial relationships between gods like Osiris, Isis, and Horus, offers a rich tapestry for these themes to continue. The concept of resurrection and judgment, core to Egyptian beliefs, could provide compelling narrative arcs for Kratos and potentially a grown-up Atreus.

• Narrative Continuation: The ending of God of War Ragnarok left Atreus embarking on his own journey to find the remaining Giants. This separation opens up the possibility for Kratos to explore new lands and pantheons without the immediate need for a parental narrative. Egypt, geographically distant from Scandinavia, provides a plausible starting point for his next adventure. The article mentions that, After having survived battles against mortals and gods, it stands to reason that Kratos would have easily survived the flood and been able to relocate. After the flood at the end of God of War 3, Kratos left Greece and made his way to the realm of Midgard. This suggests that travel to Egypt is not difficult for him.

• A Natural Progression: Norse mythology was a significant departure from the Greek setting, yet it retained core elements of the God of War formula. Egyptian mythology offers a similar blend of the familiar and the exotic. It features powerful gods, monstrous creatures, and sprawling landscapes, all ripe for adaptation into the God of War universe. As the article mentions, There is a general “Assassin’s Creed” style idea that Kratos will now start hopping around different pantheons of gods, with perhaps ancient Egypt being the next logical choice for him to land.

• Visual Potential: The stunning landscapes and beautiful artwork that characterized both the Greek and Norse installments are crucial to the God of War experience. Egypt provides a visually distinct and captivating setting, with its pyramids, temples, deserts, and the life-giving Nile. Imagine exploring the vast deserts, navigating the sprawling temples of Karnak, and battling colossal creatures against the backdrop of the setting sun.

• Hints and Speculation: While not explicitly confirmed, there have been subtle hints and speculation within the God of War community pointing towards Egypt. Some fans have noticed possible Easter eggs in the games, while others have pointed to comments made by developers that suggest they are interested in exploring Egyptian mythology. As the article notes, The next installment of God of War could explore new pantheons, such as Celtic or Egyptian gods, offering fresh stories, stunning landscapes, and beautiful artwork.

Alternative Pantheon Possibilities

While Egypt seems the most probable, other pantheons remain in contention:

• Celtic Mythology: As mentioned in the provided text, Celtic mythology is a strong contender. Mimir’s canonical Celtic origins provide a natural link. The rich lore of the Tuatha Dé Danann, legendary heroes, and mystical creatures could make for a compelling narrative. God of War’s Mimir is canonically Celtic. With this in mind, it would make sense for Kratos to visit Ancient Ireland.

• Mesoamerican Mythology (Aztec or Mayan): A bolder choice, Mesoamerican mythology offers a unique and visually striking setting. The complex rituals, powerful deities like Quetzalcoatl, and the foreboding architecture of the pyramids could provide a fresh and challenging experience for Kratos.

• Return to Greece: A less likely, but still possible, scenario involves Kratos returning to Greece. As the article notes, Kratos hasn’t been to the Greek world ever since he pretty much killed everyone there in God of War III. Now, with a renewed outlook and a completely different personality, Kratos could return to his homeland to make things right by helping the Greeks. The narrative potential lies in Kratos attempting to rebuild what he destroyed and confronting the consequences of his past actions. The text mentions the possibility of trying to rebuild what he helped destroy in his own, home realm.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the future of God of War and Kratos’s journey:

1. Will Atreus return in the next God of War game? Atreus’s return is highly likely, but his role may be significantly different. The end of Ragnarok set him on his own path, suggesting he might appear as a supporting character or have his own separate storyline that intersects with Kratos’s. After Ragnarok, Atreus tells Kratos that he must strike out on his own journey in order to restore the giants and return to his people.

2. Is Kratos immortal? Kratos is a demigod with enhanced longevity and resilience. While not technically immortal, he has survived events that would kill ordinary beings. His lifespan likely extends far beyond that of a human.

3. Will Kratos’s fighting style change in the next game? It’s possible that Kratos’s fighting style will evolve to incorporate new weapons and abilities suited to the new mythology. However, the core elements of his brutal and visceral combat will likely remain.

4. Could God of War explore multiple mythologies in one game? While not impossible, it’s more likely that each game will focus on a single major mythology to allow for deeper exploration and narrative development.

5. Will there be new playable characters in the future? While Kratos is the central protagonist, the introduction of additional playable characters with unique abilities and perspectives is a possibility. Atreus in God of War: Ragnarok is an example, and the franchise could see more in the future.

6. How old is Kratos? Kratos’s exact age is difficult to determine, but it is likely that Kratos is around 1,055 years old in God of War Ragnarök. He’s something of an old man, but as a demigod, he is still more than young enough to hold his own and then some in battle.

7. Will the next God of War be the last? It is unlikely that the next God of War game will be the last. The franchise has proven to be incredibly successful, and Santa Monica Studio has shown a commitment to continuing Kratos’s story in new and exciting ways.

8. Is it possible for Kratos to die? Yes, even with his demigod status and incredible strength, Kratos can be killed. God of War Ragnarok was expected to kill off Kratos, but the Ghost of Sparta managed to change his fate with the help of his beloved family.

9. How does Games Learning Society relate to God of War? While seemingly unrelated, games like God of War can be analyzed through an educational lens to understand storytelling techniques, character development, and the representation of mythology. Organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org explore the educational potential of video games.

10. Will the new God of War be set in India? Earlier this month, PlayStation revealed that the upcoming God of War Ragnarok would go on pre-orders from July 15. And for the first time in a while, the latest God of War title will also be available for pre-ordering in India the same day as it’s available globally. There is no current information suggesting God of War will be set in India.

11. Will Atreus be stronger than Kratos? Definitely, for unlike Kratos who spent decades honing and acquiring all his godly powers throughout his Greek saga, Atreus has acquired all of them as hereditary inheritance, that too only from his father’s side.

12. Will God of War be in Marvel? Now, as reported by Twinfinite, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special has included a God of War reference which has seemingly made the games canon in the MCU.

13. Who is the current God of War? Kratos eventually finds Pandora’s Box, and after finally killing Ares, he ascends to Mount Olympus to become the new God of War.

14. Could Kratos lift the moon? Cronos was stated by a worker of game to be a close match to Atlas’ strength. Atlas is strong enough to hold the Earth’s crust. The crust represents 0.5-0.4% of Earth’s mass, which is 6×10^21 tons. This means Kratos’ strength should be around 30-24 quintillion tons, that’s around 1/3 the mass of the moon.

15. Who changed Kratos fate? God of War Ragnarok was expected to kill off Kratos, but the Ghost of Sparta managed to change his fate with the help of his beloved family.

The Verdict

While nothing is certain until Santa Monica Studio officially unveils their plans, the evidence strongly suggests that ancient Egypt is the most likely destination for Kratos’s next adventure. The thematic resonance, narrative possibilities, visual potential, and existing hints all point towards a thrilling journey into the land of pharaohs and gods. Regardless of where Kratos ends up, one thing is certain: the next God of War will be an epic experience.