Halo and God of War Should Take a Page from Destiny: Rising's Alternate Universe Playbook
Discover the revolutionary multiverse potential in Destiny: Rising and Halo's Fractures, exploring alternate timelines and epic new gameplay frontiers for legacy franchises.
The gaming world just got a peek into a wild new reality with the conclusion of Destiny: Rising's Closed Alpha. Thousands of players got their hands dirty in an alternate solar system, completely unshackled from the established timelines of Destiny 1 and 2. This bold move isn't just a fresh coat of paint on an old spaceship; it's a whole new frontier, offering a brand-spanking-new perspective on the Guardians' origin story. While the core Destiny fanbase is still figuring out if they're ready for this jelly, the success of Rising could be a game-changer, a real 'lightbulb moment' for other legacy franchises. It begs the question: if Destiny can pull off a multiverse, why can't the heavy hitters like Halo and God of War take a similar leap of faith? Talk about low-hanging fruit!
Halo's Multiverse is Already Here, Baby!
Let's talk about the big green guy in the room. For some old-school Halo fans, the idea of alternate universes might sound as out of place as a Grunt at a tea party. But hold your horses, because 343 Industries has been quietly building a multiverse right under our noses! Introduced through the Fractures events in Halo Infinite, these are divergent timelines that have, so far, only been teased through awesome-looking Spartan armor cores. It's like getting the coolest action figures but never getting to play in their home worlds. The lore is tantalizingly vague, focusing mostly on humanity's struggles while leaving the fate of the Covenant, Flood, and Forerunners as one big, juicy mystery.
Here’s a quick rundown of the Fractures universes we know about:
| Fracture Universe | Core Concept & Vibe |
|---|---|
| Belos | Greco-Roman empire never fell, creating 'Chosen' warriors instead of Spartans. Think togas and titanium. :statue_of_liberty: |
| Entrenched | A dieselpunk nightmare (like Fallout meets Killzone) where super troopers battle the Covenant's weird arcanotech. :factory: |
| Tenrai | Samurai-inspired realm where 343 clans unite against Covenant 'barbarians' and their freaking glass dragons. :japan: |
| Silver Timeline | The setting for the Paramount+ TV show. The only one with any substantial story... for now. :tv: |
Let's be real, the potential here is off the charts. We're not just talking about new armor skins; we're talking about full-blown spin-off games. Imagine a Ghost of Tsushima-style open-world epic set in the Tenrai universe. You're a lone warrior, katana in hand, the iconic Hayabusa armor on your back, slicing through Grunts and Jackals who now look like they stepped out of a feudal Japanese painting. How cool would that be? Or dive into the Belos universe for a campaign that leans into myth and magic, a far cry from the usual sci-fi military shooter. 343 could even go the anthology route—a 'Fractures' game with a series of short, punchy campaigns set in each universe. It's a no-brainer way to expand the Halo saga without messing with the Master Chief's main timeline. The pieces are already on the board; someone just needs to start playing the game!
God of War: A God-Sized Opportunity for 'What If?'
Now, over in the realm of gods and monsters, God of War has played it pretty straight—no official alternate universes... yet. But don't you dare think Kratos is a stranger to messing with time! This guy has a worse relationship with the space-time continuum than a time-traveling sitcom character. 😂
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God of War 2: Kratos literally murders the Sisters of Fate, steals the Loom of Fate, and rewinds time to get a second shot at Zeus. Talk about holding a grudge!
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God of War Ragnarok: The World Serpent, Jormungandr, gets punched so hard by Thor that he's sent back in time to before he was even born. Mind. Blown.
With time travel already baked into the lore, exploring alternate timelines is the next logical step—a real 'why didn't I think of that?' moment. Imagine a future game where Atreus, on his journey of self-discovery, stumbles into fractured timelines and comes face-to-face with different versions of his dear old dad. The dramatic potential is chef's kiss. :kissing_heart:
Possible 'What If?' Scenarios for Kratos:
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The Grim Reaper Kratos: What if the original concept for God of War 3's ending happened, and Kratos became Death itself? Spooky!
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The Unfallen God: A timeline where Kratos never lost his position as the God of War in Greece. He'd be a proud, tyrannical ruler—the ultimate foil to the weary father we know.
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The Happy Family Man: The most heart-wrenching scenario. Atreus discovers a reality where Kratos's first wife, Lysandra, and daughter, Calliope, never died. He sees the peaceful, loving life his father could have had... a life that means Atreus himself would never exist. Oof, right in the feels!
Following Destiny: Rising's lead by setting a game in an alternate past could be a genius move. It would allow fans who joined during the Norse saga to experience and understand the gravity of Kratos's Greek-era sins in a fresh, interactive way. It's storytelling gold!
The Bottom Line: Why Alternate Universes are a Win-Win
In 2025, gaming audiences are hungry for innovation within their favorite worlds. Sticking to a single, rigid timeline can start to feel... stale. Alternate universes offer a brilliant solution:
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Creative Freedom: Developers can go bananas with new art styles, gameplay mechanics, and stories without breaking established canon. It's a creative playground.
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Accessibility: New players get a fresh starting point without 100+ hours of backlog homework. It's the perfect 'jumping-on' point.
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Fan Service: Longtime fans get to see their beloved worlds reimagined in thrilling new ways. It's like getting a surprise present for being a loyal fan.
Destiny: Rising is showing that it's possible to honor a franchise's legacy while boldly charting a new course. For giants like Halo and God of War, with their rich lore and established fanbases, the infrastructure for amazing 'what if' stories is already there. They just need to take the plunge. The success of Rising could very well be the catalyst that opens the floodgates to a multiverse of possibilities. After all, in a medium built on imagination, why should our favorite heroes be confined to just one story? The future is multiversal, folks, and it's looking pretty darn exciting. :rocket: