While there has yet to be official confirmation about the next mainlineGod of Wargame, a sequel toGod of War: Ragnarokbased on the initial concept of Egyptian mythology still has potential, especially with its own Valkyrie-like mini-bosses. Though 2018’sGod of Warserved as both a soft reboot for the series and a continuation of the classic series by shifting Kratos from Greek to Norse mythology, the original plan had been to focus on Egyptian mythology. Besides rumors of a potential Greece-based spin-off, other leaks have alleged that the nextGod of Warwill revive plans for an Egyptian-inspired game.
Should these leaks prove to be accurate, then thisprospective setting forGod of Warwould have a wealth of mythology to draw inspiration from, ranging from Ancient Egyptian beliefs around the afterlife to its various deities and mythical creatures. Unlike Norse mythology and its legends of Valhalla and the Valkyries, there doesn’t appear to be a one-to-one Egyptian counterpart that the nextGod of Warcould adapt for its own optional boss fights. However, depending on how an EgyptianGod of Warmight approach its story, characters, and more, it could explore the mythology surrounding the Duat as a potential substitute for the Valkyries.
God of War Could Trade Valhalla for the Duat
As a vital part of Norse mythology, it was arguably unsurprising that Valhalla would feature prominently inGod of War: Ragnarokand its eponymously named DLC, especially given Valhalla’s role as the afterlife for fallen warriors. WhileRagnarok’sValhallaDLC helped to strengthen the links betweenGod of War’s Norse duology and its Greek-based games, the afterlife’s mythology also shares connections with the Valkyries. Additionally, with Freya as a former Valkyrie Queen positioned as a key character in both 2018’sGod of Warand itsRagnaroksequel, it was arguably inevitable that Kratos would encounter and fight the Valkyries throughout the duology.
An Egyptian-inspiredGod of Warwouldn’t be able to take the same approach or introduce similar characters since its mythology has no parallel to the all-female Valkyries. Fortunately, though, the nextGod of Warcould continue its exploration of the afterlife and find a replacement for optional boss fights like the Valkyries, thanks in part to the depth of Egypt’s mythology surrounding the Duat and its associated deities. More specifically, with some creative liberty, an EgyptianGod of Warcould use various gate deities to the underworld as an alternative to its Norse Valkyries.
How God of War Could Adapt Egyptian Gate Deities to the Duat
Much likepastGod of Wargames that tend to favor godsand goddesses as antagonists or bosses, should the next game take inspiration from Egyptian mythology, it might reasonably do the same. While this could mean that the primary Egyptian deities, such as Ra, Osiris, Anubis, and more, would feature throughout the main story, using these gate deities could allowGod of Warto explore lesser-known mythical figures and creatures. Moreover, thanks to the number of gate deities varying between the Valley of the Kings' wall paintings and other funerary texts,God of Warwould have enough inspiration for optional bosses to last multiple games.
Whetheran EgyptianGod of Waruses the seven gods, doorkeepers, and heralds from the Book of the Dead or the Twenty-One Secret Portals of the Mansion of Osiris in the Field of Rushes as a basis for its optional boss fights, these various deities could pick up the Valkyrie mantle. Additionally, this potentialGod of Warcould even unlock these bosses by requiring players to find the gods' secret names as described in Egyptian mythology. For instance, using the Book of the Dead specifically, an Egyptian-inspiredGod of Warhas an ideal Valkyrie-like framework for seven different optional boss fights:
1
“Upside Down of Face - Manifold of Forms”
“Miserable of Voice”
2
“Stretched Out of Forehead”
3
“Eater of the Foulness from his Hindquarters”
“Watchful of Face”
4
“Hostile of Face - Loquacious”
“Great of Face - Crocodile-Repeller”
5
“Existing on Maggots”
“Hippopotamus Face - Furious of Onslaught”
6
“Raging of Voice”
“Sharp of Face”
7
“Sharpest of Them”
“Strident of Voice”
