As th sequel to one of the PS4’s defining exclusives, expectations surrounding God of War: Ragnarok were always going to be high. Thanks to alleged insider leaks and teases though, the tense atmosphere surrounding the game has been ramped up even more. While Santa Monica Studio has remained coy, seemingly in an attempt to shield its employees from hype, others have continued to allude to its expected 2022 release date. So far, despite ever-increasing pressure, official news hasn’t been shared.
One of the reasons why fans are so eager on that front though, has a lot to do with God of War: Ragnarok’s epic narrative, and the fights that Kratos is expected to engage in as a result of it. Even though Santa Monica Studio’s marketing campaign has focused on Thor in this department, there are reasons to believe that the iconic Norse god of thunder won’t be Ragnaok’s big-bad. With an ever-increasing list of characters out to make Kratos suffer, there are three others he should be even more cautious around.
Thor’s Threat Status
Considering how Thor has already taken up a prominent role in God of War: Ragnarok’s marketing, and was even featured at the end of 2018’s adventure, plenty of fans are expecting the god to be one of Kratos’ biggest adversaries in the sequel. There’s arguably good reasons for this, based on how Santa Monica Studio has already established his genocidal past and hedonistic personality. While he could still feature prominently, there’s a growing list of reasons why he likely won’t be the ultimate main villain.
Based on the scenes that Thor has been featured within, chiefly outside Kratos and Atreus’ house, it looks as though he arrives to confront the pair fairly early on in Ragnarok. This suggests that the god of thunder might take up a role in proceedings, similar to Poseidon at the start of God of War 3. While there’s every chance that he could pop up at multiple stages, like Baldur in 2018, having a decisive boss fight at the start of the game would be the perfect way to set get things going right.
It’s worth keeping in mind that it seems unlikely that Santa Monica Studio will introduce Mjolnir into God of War canon, without letting Kratos play around with it. This could suggest that Thor will eventually make way for a bigger threat, so that the Greek god of war can cut loose with a shiny new toy. Even though Marvel has played around with the idea that characters need to be worthy to lift the hammer, this wasn't always the case in Norse mythology. After all, Thor was virtually irredeemable as a person, which leaves the door wide open for Kratos to claim it for himself.
Odin is the Real Threat
Taking a look at the laundry list of characters that will be out to kill Kratos in God of War: Ragnarok suggests that Santa Monica Studio has employed some clever misdirection tactics in its marketing. Throughout 2018’s game for example, the studio made it clear that it was actually Odin who was pulling the strings behind the scenes. Having dispatched Baldur to hunt down Atreus, out of paranoia for the role he believes the boy will play in the apocalypse, it stands to reason that on some level he will remain the overarching threat to Kratos in the sequel.
Even though Odin has a reputation for being a tactical genius, capable of manipulating every situation in his favor, that doesn’t mean he was a hands-off ruler in Norse mythology. Underneath his elderly appearance and moniker as the god of wisdom, Odin was also said to have been victorious in countless battles. With lighting, magic, and cunning all on his side, there’s reason to believe that the god will prove to be a physical match for Kratos. It's worth keeping in mind that the fact he’s kept a pantheon in order that includes the likes of Thor, suggests he must be equally powerful and dangerous.
Atreus' Potential Threat
Thanks to God of War 2018’s closing moments, it looks as though Atreus could prove to be his father’s undoing in some shape or form in the upcoming sequel. After all, the mural painted across Jotunheim’s walls in Santa Monica Studio’s last game, suggests that Atreus will one day stand ominously over Kratos’ lifeless body. Factors like the pair’s already fractured relationship, and the former’s status as Loki amongst the giants, could both lead the duo into direct conflict with each other as Ragnarok approaches.
Throwing in the God of War franchise’s well-established tradition of patricide, and things look even bleaker for the father and son team. Even if Atreus ends standing by Kratos during God of War: Ragnarok’s closing moments, this act itself could still put the incumbent Greek god of war in danger. Having to protect his son at all costs, at the expense of his own wellbeing, could be an unavoidable threat to Kratos' life as an apocalyptic war breaks out.
Freya's Quest For Revenge
Theoretically, even with the likes of Odin vying for Kratos’ blood, it would make a world of sense if Freya proved to be the biggest threat to his life in God of War: Ragnarok. Thanks to the last game’s exploration of Norse mythology, and the fact that Asgard fears her, it’s already been established that the goddess associated with war and death is a force to be reckoned with. Thanks to her mastery of magic and cunning, it wouldn’t be all that surprising if she eventually proves herself to be more than a match for Kratos’ in a fight.
When it comes to narrative themes, there’s arguably an even bigger reason why fans should look out for Freya during God of War: Ragnarok’s closing chapters. Thanks to the grief that she is currently experiencing due to Baldur’s death, thematically speaking Freya’s personal journey has started to mirror Kratos’ own early life. With the Greek god of war having cut through an entire pantheon during his quest for revenge on the PS2 and PS3, it stands to reason that Freya will be prepared to go to the same dark place to destroy Kratos’ life.
God of War: Ragnarok is scheduled to release on PS4 and PS5 in 2022.