Since the God of War series began in 2005, it has introduced several characters, gods, and iconic weapons like the Blades of Chaos. The transition into Norse mythology in the newer installments has followed the blueprint from the foundational games, with God of War Ragnarok reprising the Leviathan Axe and Kratos’ signature blades after a long absence, while also innovating a versatile wonder in the Draupnir Spear. Summoning weapons from a mystical ring has a trendy vibe around it that fans could get used to, and Santa Monica’s strategy with the tool could be handy for future God of War games.
Unlike most modern-day action games where the inventory systems have an assortment of weapons and gear, the Draupnir Spear lends God of War Ragnarok some authentic personality. Beyond aesthetic benefits, Santa Monica going down this route opens up the possibility of advancements in weapon management in future games to reduce the famed clutter that comes with such titles and their immersion.
Santa Monica Should Tap Into the Draupnir Spear’s Transformation Potential
The inspiration behind the Draupnir Spear’s unique mechanism, like much of Ragnarok, has its roots in Norse mythology. According to folklore, Draupnir is a golden ring forged alongside Mjolnir and Gullinbursti by the dwarven brothers as a gift to Odin. The ring multiplies itself every ninth night, spawning eight new rings of the same weight, dimensions, and quality. However, the copies cannot make duplicates of their own.
Santa Monica applied this concept to the Draupnir Spear in God of War Ragnarok, showcasing the weapon’s ability to duplicate itself and explode on command when thrown. The range of uses gives Kratos a versatile option for both ranged and close-quarters combat, along with the added advantage of an infinite number of throws—meaning the ring can manifest a new spear immediately after a throw—as an ability that shone through in beating Heimdall’s future sight.
Such innovative applications of lore have been right up Santa Monica’s alley since the franchise began, and it’s one of the reasons God of War Ragnarok is considered among the best games of the decade so far. Given the gameplay implications, future weapons in the series could follow suit and draw from a rich well of mythological artifacts and ornaments to create tools that are not only powerful but also deeply tied to the lore that the game explores.
Kratos’ Armory Should Feature Weapons That Follow The Draupnir Spear’s Lead
Balancing a host of diverse weapons with proper gameplay integration is a task for even the most talented developers, and in Kratos’ case, it may be imperative to tackle this problem sooner rather than later with the Draupnir Spear blueprint.
While the God of War protagonist is famed for his otherworldly physical strength, it’s become customary to see him traversing through mythological lands with the Blades of Chaos strapped to his back, and he still carries other adornments like his shields. With the Leviathan Axe growing on the fan base, and potential new additions to Kratos’ arsenal still on the horizon, it would be out of place for the character to bear so many burdens on his back.
The Draupnir ring neatly eliminates this visualization issue and it’s not a new concept for Santa Monica to explore. Kratos always had the Blades of Chaos in the earlier games, but a few weapons he temporarily employed disappeared when not in use, despite not having any form of storage. He had shown the ability to summon the Blade of Olympus with magic, which could be another avenue for exploration. When the Norse saga kickstarted in 2018, only two accessible weapons remained physically visible even when unequipped.
With the possibility of the franchise dabbling in other mythologies not out of the question yet, it would be wise to seek out similar relics and employ them when creating the next signature mystical weapon. Each new armament could complement Kratos’ existing abilities while introducing new playstyles, ensuring that combat remains fresh and engaging to the series’ enduring fanbase in the future.
