God of War (2018) is one of gaming's masterpieces, telling a tale of fatherhood and family. The rage that fueled Kratos in past iterations is supplanted by a more mature sense of responsibility, not only for his own actions but toward his son. The dynamic between Atreus and Kratos conveys a believable strain between two people who are duty-bound to the other but initially struggle to form a relationship, tapping into real fears and experiences of parenthood. While the game may bear Kratos' namesake, Atreus is as much the main character in God of War as Kratos is. Atreus' growing affection and respect for his father develops alongside his own adolescent attempts to understand the world and his place in it.
It's no wonder why Ragnarök received a nomination for The Game Awards as one of the most anticipated games of 2022. Ragnarök not only continues the story of Kratos and Atreus but is set to bring the saga to PlayStation 5 consoles. The updated hardware offers an opportunity for more than just graphical upgrades. The DualSense controllers introduced haptic feedback, which has been used to great effect in many games already and should be of particular note during combat.
Three years is not a long time to wait for a video game sequel, but it would have helped if God of War hadn't felt like it was just beginning when Kratos and Atreus finally made it to the top of the mountain. Ragnarök has been expected since God of War was released in 2018, although it wasn't formally announced until the PlayStation Showcase in September 2020. Somewhat surprisingly, the game was given a 2021 release window at that time. Eventually, that window got pushed back until 2022, and only time will tell if the game needs another delay.
Regardless, Sony Santa Monica has kept from giving away too much of the game, including the decision not to provide a specific release date. Fans have clamored for new details, but it has come slowly. Ragnarök is said to conclude Kratos' adventures in the realm of Norse mythology and was actually initiated by the deaths of key characters he faced in God of War. Kratos and Atreus were hunted on their journey by Baldur and the two sons of Thor, all three of whom were killed.
By killing Baldur, Magni and Modi, Kratos and Atreus made enemies of both Freya and Thor. As a result, players unwittingly triggered the beginning of Ragnarök. The premise of the sequel sends Kratos and Atreus on another journey, this time to gather allies for the impending apocalyptic battle. Combat was redesigned for God of War, and Ragnarök promises to add new additions to the system as well as new enemies to fight.
While God of War has always had a reputation for its brutal combat, the 2018 reboot established Kratos' story as a more serious and mature adventure. Arguably the biggest draw for Ragnarök is to see how Kratos embraces fatherhood and what kind of person Atreus chooses to become. For PlayStation 5 owners especially, God of War Ragnarök is easily one of the most anticipated titles of 2022.