One such question is what will become of God of War’s Kratos. God of War Ragnarok bears the weight of needing to be acts two and three in the Norse saga, since it was previously claimed that this installment would conclude it. That makes God of War 2018 an expository act one, with God of War Ragnarok hurrying it to the finish line. Through that adventure, there are many teases suggesting that the titular god of war’s time in the franchise could also be coming to an end.
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God of War Ragnarok Alludes to Death Around Every Corner
One of the first lessons that Atreus learns in God of War Ragnarok is preparing for a loved one’s death. This is expressed through the imminent passing of their beloved wolf Fenrir at the beginning of the game, and as Kratos says that Atreus must prepare himself, this alludes to something far greater.
It seems that by starting the game this way, God of War Ragnarok suggests that players, too, must prepare themselves for a death later on in the game that they will have difficulty reconciling with. This is reinforced further after players free God of War Ragnarok’s Hafgufa from Alfheim, where Kratos explains that he was happy to do that with Atreus since it meant he could spend more time with him before Ragnarok.
The previous God of War game instills the potential of Kratos’ death into fans already, having depicted a mural with him dying in it. Atreus and Kratos both know of this prophecy though they do not know that the other knows, which makes it even more foreboding for the player. Atreus’ goal in God of War Ragnarok’s narrative then is trying to prevent his father’s death from happening. As it turns out, he is successful, and Odin is the one lying in his arms instead, fulfilling the prophecy in a newly written way. This also reflects how Kratos was able to defy destiny in his past.
God of War Ragnarok Makes the Safe Choice by Sparing Kratos
God of War Ragnarok not killing Kratos was a safe, yet smart choice for the franchise. If he was no longer a part of the franchise in some way, the franchise would be fundamentally different. It appears as though the next God of War entry will be a standalone Atreus installment that takes place in another mythology, but God of War Ragnarok’s ending is also left ambiguously open to the possibility of another Norse entry.
There is a secret mural Kratos sees depicting him as a beloved god, and another sequel could potentially follow that narrative as well. Either way, besides how much death is alluded to, God of War Ragnarok’s main characters are all spared. The game’s most harrowing loss, then, falls to Sindri, who is devastated following the death of Brok. This is an unexpected death to be sure, but many fans are likely relieved that Kratos lives regardless.
God of War Ragnarok is available now for PS4 and PS5.
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