TheGod of Warfranchise has always centered around a deep, personal narrative anchored in Kratos' brutal journey through mythologies. WithGod of War(2018), Santa Monica Studios ushered in a new era rich with new characters, relationships, and lore.God of War: Ragnarokbuilt upon its predecessor, further expanding the world and finally bringing what’s arguably a suitableend to Kratos' character arc in the Valhalla DLC.
TheGod of War: Ragnarokbase game was more interested in Atreus' roots, and it successfully conveyed that by giving him a more prominent role in its overarching plot. By making him a playable character and hinting at a possible spinoff with the game’s ending, Santa Monica has opened up many possibilities for a sequel, one of which is a game with a playable Angrboda. However, that option raises the question of whether or not a main character who isn’t a member of Kratos' family dilutes what makes theGod of Warfranchise special.
Angrboda’s Cornerstone Status in Ragnarok Puts Future God of War Sequels in a Tough Spot
From a lore standpoint, playing as Angrboda holds genuine appeal. Her introduction inGod of War Ragnarokwas more than a regular side character appearance, especially when the narrative’s direction became apparent. She was portrayed as an instrumental piece of Atreus' lore as a friend and a love interest, and also through her key role in the game’s final battle.
She is one of Atreus' few connections to his giant side, and her unique magical abilities can be channeled to offer a gameplay style distinct from Kratos and Atreus. In a potential spinoff that followsAtreus' journey through the realms to find the last of the Giants, having Angrboda temporarily or intermittently playable could be a means to regulate pacing and expand on the Norse mythos.
While this is still relatively new ground for the franchise (theGod of Wargameshave traditionally been centered squarely on Kratos), Santa Monica Studios has already set a precedent for other playable characters through Kratos' previously AI-controlled son inGod of War Ragnarok. Atreus' playable section ofRagnaroknot only had distinct combat mechanics but also emotionally driven missions relevant to the overarching plot.
From a representation standpoint, adding a young woman of color as a playable lead would also be welcome. Angrboda’s presence has already brought more diversity toGod of War, and expanding her role further would be a natural extension of Santa Monica’s commitment to more inclusive storytelling.
God Of War’s Interwoven Identity With Kratos Presents a Challenge for Santa Monica
While exploring Angrboda as a playable character might sound plausible at a surface level, there are some valid arguments for caution. Again, theGod of Waridentity has long been tied to Kratos' past, family, and raging emotions, all of which drive him to go on daunting quests. It is a story of violence, legacy, and redemption told through Kratos' struggle in the original trilogy, and, more recently, Atreus' coming-of-age. WhileAngrboda is a key piece of Atreus' character development,she does not carry the same emotional baggage or connection to the core themes that have defined the franchise.
Giving Angrboda a playable segment runs the risk of diluting that core. If her segments feel detached from the familiar main character arc, it could disrupt the pacing and emotional continuity. While a similar argument could be made for Atreus, who seems more empathetic than his father, it’s doubly true for Angrboda since she isn’t bound toKratos' lineage. Atreus' segments inRagnarokworked because he is Kratos' son, and his growth, which is inherently tied to the conclusion of his father’s story, was set up as one of the game’s main themes.
Her magical abilities also threaten the hack-and-slash type of combatGod of Warfans are used to, which might be a cause for concern in terms of immersion. Any Angrboda gameplay section must also stay closely relevant to the overarching narrative, as they can easily risk coming across as filler rather than meaningful additions. For fans to welcome the change, Santa Monica Studio has to strike a balance in both narrative and gameplay composition, which might be a tall task.
