The gaming community might be in for a surprise with the next chapter of the God of War saga. Contrary to expectations of another epic 3D adventure, recent leaks suggest Santa Monica Studio could be taking the franchise in an entirely new direction.

Since the release of God of War Ragnarok's Valhalla DLC in late 2023, speculation about the series' future has run rampant. While 2022's Ragnarok concluded Kratos and Atreus' Norse journey, it left narrative threads that could lead to either character's return.

Insider reports indicate the next installment may revisit Kratos' Greek origins through a standalone prequel story. This scaled-down adventure would follow in the footsteps of titles like Spider-Man: Miles Morales, offering a more focused experience between major franchise entries.

Journalists Jeff Grubb and Tom Henderson have fueled speculation that the next God of War title might adopt a 2.5D Metroidvania format, drawing comparisons to Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. This would mark a significant departure from the series' traditional gameplay mechanics.

Details remain scarce about whether Santa Monica Studio is developing this project internally or collaborating with an external team. The gaming community is eagerly awaiting potential reveals during upcoming summer events.

2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the God of War franchise, making it an ideal time for Sony to celebrate with a new installment. A 2.5D Metroidvania could serve as both an innovative experiment and a stopgap before the next major 3D sequel.

Meanwhile, rumors persist about potential remasters of classic God of War titles, though no official announcements have been made. The gaming world waits with bated breath to see what direction this legendary franchise will take next.