Summary
Spoilers ahead forGod of War: Ragnarok
God of War’s exploration of the Norse gods brought a fresh new realm to the long-running franchise, as Kratos and his son Atreus fought to stop the prophesied battle of Ragnarok. The soft reboot started with 2018’sGod of Warbrought a more complex version of Kratos to life, but this also extended to the diverse characters he met along the way on his journey. Each characterGod of War’s Norse era introduced had their own personality, which breathed even more life into the story.
However, it seems as thoughthe Norse saga is coming to an end. After the events ofRagnarok, Kratos and Atreus part ways, with both of their futures uncertain. Despite the uncertainty of the franchise’s next steps, it doesn’t exactly make sense for Kratos or Atreus to stay in the Norse realm. The battle of Ragnarok has come to pass, and it’s hard to imagine who else could present themselves as a threat in the pantheon. IfGod of Warventures to new lands, it will be exciting, but the short-lived Norse saga ultimately has a major downside: no more Odin.
God of War Only Featuring Odin in One Game is Disappointing
A Larger-Than-Life Character That Deserved More Screen Time
Although 2018’sGod of Warwas a fantastic introduction to the new realm, the tease of heavy hitters Thor and Odin playing major roles inRagnarokmade the sequel that much better.The Norse saga made some great additionsto the franchise, and one of the best upgrades was with the characters. Much of the Norse saga’s cast felt three-dimensional, and the long-awaited introduction of Odin was certainly no disappointment.
Acting veteran Richard Schiff played the role of Odin, offering players a unique take on the All-Father. In pop culture, Odin is often portrayed in a more stereotypical god-like manner, but Schiff’s interpretation almost turns the Norse god into a mob boss. A lot happened inRagnarok, butOdin was one of the biggest highlights by far, thanks to Schiff’s performance and Santa Monica Studio’s scriptwriters.
His portrayal of Odin was disarming and nuanced, which could easily make players forget that he was the enemy. Odin was incredibly charismatic, but he was also intimidating and harsh. AlthoughGod of Warseems ready for a new path, only featuring Odin in one chapter is slightly disappointing. When playing as Atreus, players spend a lot of time with Odin, but it sometimes feels likeRagnarokjust merely scratches the surface of the character’s potential.
Odin Being a One-Off Villain Leaves the Franchise Room to Explore
Leaving Odin Behind is Tough, But Necessary
Although it’s disappointing to say goodbye to such a great character so soon, Odin’s death at the end ofRagnarokallows the franchise to explore further. There are plenty of rumors aboutGod of War’snext destination, and killing off Odin opens a treasure trove of possibilities.God of War’s time with the Norse realm has been thrilling, and although it may not be completely abandoned, a new saga feels imminent. The Norse saga may have ultimately been short-lived, but Kratos and Atreus' allies feel primed to follow the two wherever their journeys take them.
It would have been great to see Odin in the first Norse-based game, but the build-up to Odin’s introduction inRagnaroklikely paid off more than revealing him in the middle of 2018’sGod of War. The first Norse chapter was merely an introduction, and Odin got to be right in the middle of the spotlight inRagnarok.God of Warnow faces a challengewith who its next boss will be. As of now, that remains a mystery, but they have big shoes to fill.
