God of War is at an interesting crossroads with its franchise and it still appears uneager to flee from the Norse saga that has resuscitated its popularity. Presenting Kratos as a gruff, bearded father wielding an axe in the middle of snow-blanketed woods was the perfect direction to take the character following his stoic progression from God of War’s original Greek saga, and the characters he’s met along the way have helped to define who he is even further. If Kratos is staying behind in the Norse lands while Atreus heads out elsewhere, Santa Monica gets to continue reprising these influential companions to great effect.