Santa Monica has given gamers a vague idea of what to expect in God of War Ragnarok through blog posts and trailers. Consequently, it has been revealed that Kratos and Atreus will have Freya and Thor on their tails and the god Tyr will make an appearance. However, there are still countless burning questions that remain regarding key characters and the game’s connection to Norse mythology. Hopefully, fans will get answers to these mysteries soon.
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What Is Loki’s Relevance?
This is likely a question that has crossed the mind of most gamers who played 2018’s God of War. Toward the end of the game, it is revealed that Atreus’ mother Faye had originally named him Loki, and it was Kratos who later gave him the name he is familiar with. Not much more is revealed regarding this fact, although it would not have been brought up if it was not important. In Norse mythology, Loki is a trickster god who is the son of Laufey (also known as Faye). It is said that Loki is a shapeshifter, and he plays a big role in Ragnarok where he forms an army of Jotnar (giants), and fights against the gods. He faces Heimdall, and the battle is so fierce that they kill each other.
Atreus’ connection to Loki suggests that he will play an important role in Ragnarok, though it is not clear yet what that role will be. According to mythology, it may spell the end for Atreus. However, Santa Monica has never strictly stuck to its mythological inspirations, and there is a possibility that Atreus could survive Ragnarok, or alter fate by preventing it from occurring altogether.
Who Is Angrboda?
Slowly but surely, Santa Monica has been introducing players to the characters they can expect to see in God of War Ragnarok. This includes returning God of War characters such as Mimir, Brok, and Sindri, as well as new villains such as Thor. There have also been characters revealed whose affiliations have yet to be established, including a mysterious character named Angrboda.
In Norse mythology, Angrboda is a jotunn and a consort of Loki. They have a child named Fenrir, who is a terrible wolf that grows to a preposterous size and has to be chained by the gods. This suggests that Angrboda may be a friend of Atreus, which is believable, as she was shown smiling in her trailer appearance, which does not make her seem like a foe. However, her full identity, abilities, and importance have yet to be uncovered.
Is Fenrir a Friend or Foe?
The latest God of War Ragnarok trailer revealed the game’s release date and also showed Atreus and Kratos facing a colossal wolf. Although it has yet to be confirmed, given the setting, the wolf is almost certainly Fenrir. In mythology, the giant wolf bites off Tyr’s hand, and it also kills Odin during Ragnarok. However, Odin’s son, Vidar, retaliates and kills the wolf.
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Typically, encountering a large monster in God of War means players are about to have an epic battle. However, Jormungandr proved that this is not always the case. While Fenrir could be one of the beasts that Kratos and Atreus must battle, there is also the possibility that Santa Monica could draw from Norse mythology and have Atreus, Angrboda, and Fenrir have some sort of relationship. Fenrir could even help the heroes against some of the more formidable foes they will encounter, including Odin.
Will Kratos Gain a New Weapon?
For most of the God of War series, Kratos has wielded his iconic Blades of Chaos. They are handy tools that help him unleash his rage and easily mow down hordes of enemies stylishly. With 2018’s God of War, a new weapon was introduced which traded fire for ice but still provided an exhilarating combat experience. The Leviathan Ax can be used to chop enemies like a butcher, or it can be thrown and called back. It takes a while to get used to, but it is deadly once one gains proficiency.
Santa Monica has yet to reveal whether it will be giving Kratos new weapons in God of War Ragnarok, although there are plenty of options within Norse mythology. Judging from the Jotnar Edition which contains Thor’s Mjolnir hammer, this could be the new weapon, if Kratos does get one. It would not be a bad choice, as it is said to be a mighty hammer.
Will Kratos Die (Really Die)?
Throughout the series, Kratos has ventured into the underworld, but he manages to crawl his way back to the mortal realm. However, one has to wonder whether God of War Ragnarok will be his final adventure. Things seem to be in place, with Atreus there to take his position. However, it is also hard to imagine such an iconic character being killed off. Kratos’ death would certainly be a jaw-dropping moment, and easily the most important point in the series thus far, though it remains to be seen whether the unthinkable will occur.
Plenty more questions remain, including whether Ragnarok can truly be avoided, whether Odin will be defeated, and if Kratos and Atreus’ relationship will endure. Fortunately, gamers will not have to wait much longer for answers, as the game’s release is just around the corner. With so much at stake, it could be Kratos’ most epic adventure yet.
God of War Ragnarok is scheduled to release on 9 November 2022 on PS4 and PS5.
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