2018’s Game of the Year – God of War has a highly anticipated sequel out this November. God of War Ragnarök is the ninth game of the series and will be ending Kratos’ time in the Norse region. If any of you have played the original games, you know that the God of War franchise, as the name suggests, is God-heavy. The Norse pantheon of Gods is mighty, diverse and just a little bit fucked up. If you haven’t brushed up on your Nordic mythology in a while now is a good chance to.
Here are all the Gods, that we’ve seen so far, coming to God of War Ragnarök. Watch out for mild spoilers for God of War.
Kratos
War Daddy himself is the main character and protagonist of the God of War series. Born as a demigod and son of Zeus in Sparta he eventually becomes a full God after defeating Ares. The original Greek God of War. After wiping out the entire Greek Pantheon in God of War 3, Kratos leaves that world behind and marries Faye. Laufey or Faye for short is a Frost Giant from Jötunheim and the mother of their child Atreus.
Kratos as the son of Zeus possesses superhuman physical strength, invulnerability, recovery and immortality. He has lost some of the abilities that he took from the original Olympian Gods after leaving Greece. But he still retains his godlike strength and combat skills.
He also has the ability to employ Spartan Rage, a kind of berserker mode that considerably amps up his already insane superhuman strength, speed and durability.
Atreus
Atreus is the name that Kratos calls his son, but to the people of Jötnar, he is Loki. In the original Norse mythology, Loki is a trickster God born to the Frost Giant Laufey. In God of War after reaching Jotunheim, Atreus discovers that his mother was a Frost Giant and she and her people referred to him as Loki.
Atreus while not to the extent of his father Kratos possess superhuman strength, stamina and agility. However, due to his poor health as an infant, he is weaker than he should be. What we do see in God of War which has turned out very useful, is Artreus’ innate linguistic capabilities. A trait that he shares with the God Loki. He can read and understand all written and spoken language, even if he’s never heard them before. In some cases, he can even understand animals.
Atreus has yet to discover the extent of his abilities, in God of War, but we did see a bit of Spartan Rage flare up in him towards the end. It’s likely in God of War Ragnarök we will uncover more of Atreus’ powers, potentially including that of the Norse God Loki. Such as shape-shifting, astral projection, telekinesis or even conjuring.
Mimir
Mimir, aka Head, is a figure of Norse Mythology known for his knowledge and wisdom. His name means “the rememberer” or “the wise one” in Norse Mythology.
Mimir was Odin’s advisor and the ambassador of the Aesir Gods. It was he that advised Odin to marry the Goddess Freya to put an end to the Aesir-Vanir War. However, this did not last long and in his fury at Mimir, Odin cut off his head and imprisoned him in a tree on Midgard’s highest peak. Odin and his sons then tortured him on a daily basis for 109 years, until Kratos rescues him.
As the God of Knowledge and Wisdom, Mimir knows almost everything in Norse mythology. He has immense intelligence and can recall every event in all Nine Realms. Mimir can also speak and read many languages, even dead tongues like Jörmungandr’s (The World Serpent). Additionally, he also has the gift of Bifröst crystal eyes that allow him to travel within realms.
Freya
Freya looks to be one of the antagonists in God of War Ragnarök. One of the Vanir Gods, she married Odin and had a son, Baldur. She is the former Queen of the Valkyries and the goddess associated with the powers of foreknowledge and wisdom in Norse mythology. Originally an ally of Kratos, after murdering her son Baldur, she’s likely to be seeking revenge.
Prior to the events of God of War Freya married Odin to end the Aesir-Vanir War. However, she hated the Aesir Gods and eventually left Odin in disgust. In his anger, Odin cursed her to prevent her from ever leaving Midgard. Her curse also made it impossible for her to harm any living creature — through either physical or magical means. Additionally, he stripped Freya of her Valkyrie wings and hid them in an unknown location.
Freya is one of the most powerful Gods in the Vanir region and the Nine Realms. A powerful master of Seiðr witchcraft, the branch of magic practised by the Vanir Gods. We’ve seen her use a variety of spells in God of War, including reanimation, cloaking, healing, nature mastery and more. And like all Gods, she has immortality and superhuman durability.
Thor (New)
Thor was teased at the end of God of War and is another confirmed antagonist for Kratos and Atreus. He, like Freya, is after them for killing his sons Magni and Modi. We’re unsure if they’re working together but Freya’s hatred for the Aesir Gods may not allow this to happen.
Thor is the son of Odin and the Aesir God of Thunder and Lightning. He is well known for wielding the hammer Mjölnir which was created by Brok and Sindri. Just like most gods he has immortality and godlike strength and durability. In addition to that, he can also create storms and summon lightning.
Týr (New)
Tyr the Norse God of War, Law and Honor and has only recently been confirmed to be coming to God of War Ragnarök. He is a son of Odin but only half-brother to Thor, Baldur, Hodr and Bragi. During the Aesir-Vanir war, Tyr felt guilty for the massacre that Thor and Odin caused and helped the giants. He hid the gate to Jötunheim and was subsequently imprisoned by his father Odin. Who spread the false rumour that he was dead.
The most peace-loving God of War we’ve seen to date, Tyr has a number of Godly powers similar to that of brother (minus the lightning). He is immortal, has god-like strength, and durability and because he is the God of War has superior combat skills. He also has Bifrost eyes like Mimir. In the trailer video, Kratos rescues him from his prison and it looks like he’ll be a new ally.
Angrboda (New)
In mythology, Angrboða is described as the mother of monsters, with Fenrir, the Midgard Serpent, and Hel all having been birthed from her. She’s also portrayed as the lover of Loki, and a giantess from Jötunheim. The game may be changing what fans know about her though.
While she’s never seen in the game, Jörmungandr’s Jötunn Shrine specifically names her in Elder Futhark. Alongside her two other children Hel and Fenrir. She also has another son Jörmungandr in addition. Right now we know that Jörmungandr and Fenrir are alive.
In the game it appears that her powers and abilities are quite different, being portrayed more as a seer. She may be a love interest for Loki. And it’s likely that she will be an ally to Kratos and Atreus.
Fenrir (New)
Fenrir is the Wolf Giant-God prophesised to kill Odin during Ragnarok. In the mythos the Gods were afraid of Fenrir and imprisoned him on the island of Lyngvi. Fenrir is, traditionally, the child of Loki and Angrboða but because they are kids at the time of the game it’s unlikely that will be his origin story.
Sköll and Hati (New)
Sons of Fenrir, Sköll and Hati are known as Bringers of Day and Night. Like their father they are Wolf Gods and were put in the sky by Odin to chase the Sun and the Moon. This brings on the day and night cycle everyday. However on the day that they catch and devour their prey will mark the beginning of Ragnarök.
Durlin (New)
While not a God, Durlin is on this list as a new dwarf side character in addition to Brok and Sindri.
Odin (New)
All-Father Odin is the King of the Aesir Gods, the King of Asgard and Ruler of Valhalla. He is the father to Thor, Meili, Baldur, Tyr, Hodr, Hermondr, Bragi, Vidar and Skjold. Odin was one of the greatest wizards among the gods and was associated with runes. He is also the God of Poets. His outward appearance was an old man, with a flowing beard and only one eye (the other he gave in exchange for wisdom).
He isn’t present physically in God of War but we do see his ravens sent to spy on Kratos across the realms. While we haven’t seen footage of him in God of War Ragnarök yet he will definitely be making an appearence.
The Goddesses Of Fate (New)
There are a trio of Godesses in Norse mythology that weave fate. Similar to the Greek Sisters of Fate. They are Skuld, Urðr and Verðandi. While we haven’t seen them we do know that the voice actress for Skuld was cast already. So expect to see her at least in God of War Ragnarök.
God of War Ragnarök
“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”. In other words Ragnarök is coming.
Kratos and Atreus attempt to put a stop to Ragnarök by journeying throughout the Nine Realms. All while trying to evade/battle the extremely pissed off Freya and Thor. God of War Ragnarök is a PlayStation exclusive and will be available on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 on November 9th 2022.
If you’re interested in more God mythology check out our article of all the Gods in Hades!
