Major spoilers ahead for God of War Ragnarok.
Summary
God of War Ragnarok, despite being extremely similar to its predecessor in terms of presentation and gameplay, paved the way for a number of key changes to the overarching narrative of the franchise. These changes followed the more foundational shifts that came alongside the series' reboot in 2018, which thrustKratos into the world of Norse mythology, allowingGod of Warto experiment with new mythical characters, settings, and concepts.
Many expect the series to move on from its current Nordic setting, adopting a sort of anthology format and visiting other mythological backdrops. This could very well be the case, as Atreus is setting off on his own journey, which could take him to any number of strange lands. Moreover, the ending ofGod of War Ragnarokwas devastating for the Norse pantheon, as players saw the deaths of key figures like Odin, Heimdall, and Thor. That said, the legacy of at least one of these characters may live on, as there are characters that can memorialize him and grant players an alternate perspective, even in death.
As Thor’s daughter, Thrud is in an interesting position to provide a unique perspective, perhaps likening or contrasting her own experience as the child of a god with Atreus'.
Why God of War Ragnarok’s Thor May Still Appear in a Future Game
Thor May Live On Through Thrud in the Next God of War
Although Thor seems to be out of the picture, his daughter most certainly isn’t. At the end ofGod of War Ragnarok, Thrud can be seen searching for Mjolnir, Thor’s mythical hammer that was cast into the abyss by Odin during their final battle. While exploring the open-world during the endgame, players can come across Thrud in Alfheim, where she appears to have found the magical weapon. She lifts it without difficulty and soars into the sky, an image that suggests her ascent into a powerful warrior, possibly a Valkyrie, wielding her late father’s hammer.
With Thrud’s newfound power, she may choose tojoin Atreus on his journeyto seek out the remaining Giants. This would be fitting as, along with Angrboda, the three youngsters could form their own collective legacy, seeking adventure, glory, and purpose outside the confines of their ancestry. As Thor’s daughter, Thrud is in an interesting position to provide a unique perspective, perhaps likening or contrasting her own experience as the child of a god with Atreus'.
Through this examination of godhood, players could very well see Thor again, whether it be through flashbacks, visions, or spiritual encounters. Although the Norse games have seemingly pivoted away from this trope,death is not always permanent inGod of War, with Kratos himself dying multiple times over the course of the series, only to claw his way back to life in some way or other. While a full resurrection of Thor seems unlikely, and would be potentially underwhelming to boot, it wouldn’t be totally implausible for Thrud to visit her father through some sort of magical means.
According to Norse mythology, Thor should currently be in Valhalla, as he died during battle. There are numerous benefits to visiting Valhalla in a futureGod of Wartitle, one of which being the possibility of seeing Thor again. Thrud could get closure, and players could perhaps see a different, more sensitive side of the god, which was glimpsed only briefly before he was slain by his father.
Thor’s death is a bit of a gray area and may not technically be considered Valhalla-worthy, as he was caught off guard and wasn’t technically in the midst of a fight. In this case, Thor would be in Helheim.
It seems likeGod of Warwon’t be leaving the Norse era behind completely, as Kratos and other key characters are seemingly inextricable from it. Thrud is being teased as an important character for future releases, and with her being defined by her relationship with her father, she could be the vessel through which Thor reappears.
God of War Ragnarok
WHERE TO PLAY
Embark on an epic and heartfelt journey as Kratos and Atreus struggle with holding on and letting goFrom Santa Monica Studio comes the sequel to the critically acclaimed God of War (2018). Fimbulwinter is well underway. Kratos and Atreus must journey to each of the Nine Realms in search of answers as Asgardian forces prepare for a prophesied battle that will end the world. Along the way they will explore stunning, mythical landscapes, and face fearsome enemies in the form of Norse gods and monsters. The threat of Ragnarök grows ever closer. Kratos and Atreus must choose between their own safety and the safety of the realms.
