New God of War Game in Development Without Kratos, Report Claims

According to Dexerto, Sony Santa Monica Studio is developing a new God of War game that will break from tradition by not featuring Kratos as the main character. This would mark a significant departure for the franchise, which has centered on the Ghost of Sparta since its 2005 debut on PlayStation 2.

A Fresh Direction for the Franchise

The report suggests Sony Santa Monica is exploring new narrative territory within the God of War universe. While specific details about the new protagonist remain unknown, this approach could allow the studio to expand the series' mythology beyond Kratos' personal journey through Greek and Norse pantheons.

This wouldn't be the first time the gaming industry has seen a major franchise pivot away from its iconic protagonist. Devil May Cry experimented with Nero and later Dante's absence in DmC, while Metal Gear Solid shifted focus from Solid Snake to Raiden in MGS2 (a move that initially sparked controversy but later gained appreciation). The key difference here is that God of War has been synonymous with Kratos for nearly two decades, making this potential shift even more dramatic.

Kratos has been the face of God of War across eight mainline and spin-off titles, evolving from the rage-fueled anti-hero of the Greek era to the more measured, father-figure version we saw in the Norse games. Most recently in 2022's God of War Ragnarök, which concluded the Norse saga that began with 2018's critically acclaimed soft reboot, the character reached what many considered a natural narrative endpoint. That game introduced Kratos' son Atreus as a playable character in select sequences, with players controlling him during key story moments that explored his identity as Loki. These sections demonstrated Santa Monica's ability to craft compelling gameplay outside of Kratos' perspective, potentially hinting at the studio's willingness to shift focus entirely.

The Norse saga's conclusion left several narrative threads dangling. Atreus departed on his own journey to find the remaining Giants, while Kratos remained in Midgard. Angrboda, Atreus' companion, also represents unexplored potential. Then there's the tantalizing post-credits tease showing Kratos' Greek past isn't entirely behind him. Any of these threads could serve as jumping-off points for a new protagonist.

What This Could Mean

Sony Santa Monica has not officially announced the project or commented on the report. The studio's track record with the franchise has been strong, with God of War (2018) and Ragnarök both receiving widespread acclaim for their storytelling, combat systems, and technical achievements. Both games scored in the high 90s on Metacritic and won numerous Game of the Year awards, proving the team knows how to evolve the formula while respecting what made it special.

If accurate, this new direction raises questions about which mythology the game might explore. The series has exhausted Greek mythology and brought the Norse storyline to a definitive close. Egyptian, Celtic, Mayan, or Japanese mythologies have all been fan-requested settings for years, each offering distinct visual aesthetics, pantheons, and narrative possibilities. Egyptian mythology in particular has gained traction in gaming recently, with Assassin's Creed Origins demonstrating the setting's appeal.

The bigger question is whether a new protagonist can carry the series' signature brutal combat and cinematic presentation. The God of War formula relies heavily on visceral, weighty combat that makes you feel powerful yet vulnerable. The Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos are as much characters as weapons, their movesets refined over two games. Starting fresh with a new character means rebuilding that combat identity from scratch, which could either revitalize the series or alienate longtime fans who've mastered Kratos' toolkit.

There's also the narrative challenge. Kratos works because his rage and guilt create natural dramatic tension. Christopher Judge's performance in the recent games added layers of world-weariness and reluctant wisdom that elevated the character beyond a simple power fantasy. Whoever follows needs comparable depth and a compelling reason to engage with gods and monsters beyond "they're there to fight."

The timing is interesting too. With PlayStation 5 hitting its stride and the studio presumably deep into development on its next project, a bold reinvention could define the console's mid-generation lineup. Sony has shown willingness to let its studios take risks (Horizon, The Last of Us Part II's narrative choices, Spider-Man 2's dual protagonists), so a Kratos-less God of War fits that pattern.

Are you ready for a God of War game without Kratos, or would you prefer the series stick with its iconic protagonist? The community seems split. Some argue Kratos' story reached its natural conclusion and continuing to drag him through new mythologies would feel forced. Others contend that God of War without Kratos is like Halo without Master Chief or Uncharted without Nathan Drake - technically possible, but missing the core appeal. What's your take?