The 2018 reimagining of God of War put a major focus on the relationship between Kratos and a new character to the franchise - his son. The game's themes are all built around redemption, breaking the cycle, and what the god of war is deciding to pass on to his only child. The format worked incredibly well and it's one of the best-reviewed PS4 games released. Atreus goes through quite an ordeal in the game, but the third act reveals some surprising details that set the character up for an even more interesting story in the inevitable sequel.

Although a follow up to God of War has not been officially announced at this point, many gamers are predicting that a reveal could be on the way once the PS5 holiday 2020 release date draws a bit closer. It would definitely be pretty shocking of the game was announced as a launch title, but fans of the franchise are holding out hope.

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Whenever a God of War sequel does arrive, it seems incredibly likely that the game will once again focus on the relationship between Atreus and Kratos. Throughout the first game Kratos managed to process his self-hatred towards Gods and built a more honest and trusting relationship with his son. Atreus, on the other hand, grappled with his own darkness and learned that being a God is about more than just power. But does the young hero have some more to learn?

Cory Barlog

During the game's final moments, Kratos reveals the Atreus' mother Faye wanted to name the boy Loki. Beyond that, the stories that Kratos and Atreus find once they reach Jötunheim, the land of the Giants. Although comic book and MCU fans likely associate that name with the Marvel villain, it's also one of the Norse Gods. One common thread between Norse mythology and the Marvel interpretation though is that Loki is a trickster and the God of Mischief.

Although tricksters are not necessarily always villains in mythology, they do often cause problems for protagonists and create obstacles that stand in the way of the heroes in many stories. Because of this, some fans have started to speculate that Atreus coming to terms with the maternal side of family could draw him back to the darkness. Although he seems to have processed the rage that he inherited from his father, it's possible that the sequel could explore some other character flaws he gets from his mother's side of the family.

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Much of Faye's history is still a mystery and the game will no doubt explore more about the woman who Kratos fell in love with. There must be some compelling reasons why she hid her true nature from her husband and son and many fans are expecting those secrets to be part of the driving force behind the follow up game. As Faye's mysteries begin to unfold, it seems very likely that Atreus, or Loki, will also start to learn more about himself and have his beliefs and convictions put to the test.

"I do not know the reach of your godhood, but over time, we will learn."

–Kratos to Atreus.

The boy learned a lot from his journey in the first game, much like Kratos, so it would be both heartbreaking and incredibly compelling to see their bond tested as the Loki side of Atreus is uncovered. There's the real potential to create some serious family conflict which is a theme that the God of War franchise loves to explore, so we wouldn't be surprised if things head in that direction.

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god of war ps5

In yet another reference that will sound familiar to Marvel fans, some gamers are theorizing about whether Atreus will end up causing Ragnarok. In some myths Loki kills Thor during Ragnarok, so there is a chance that a follow up game could explore that story, as well. There is even a moment in God of War when Atreus wakes from a dream about Thor coming to their house while Fimbulwinter was ending. Atreus describes the dream as feeling and almost more like the future than a dream.

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All of that said, it's also possible that the sequel to God of War could go in a completely new direction. There is a ton of Norse mythology left to explore and many threads were left unexplored at the end of the first game. Learning more about Faye and what happened in Jötunheim in the years since she left the realm of Giants seems like it will inevitably play a part in the follow up game, but there's no guarantee that Atreus' other name is anything more than a clever surprise and something to keep fans speculating in the years between releases.

At this point, a sequel to God of War has not been officially unveiled yet, so we're still firmly in the realm of speculation when it comes to Atreus/Loki's role in future adventures. He obviously received a lot of screen time in the last game and was left with a lot more story to explore, so either way it seems very likely that the boy will be back when the game does eventually make an appearance.

God of War is available now for PS4. A sequel to God of War has not been officially announced at this point.

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