The 2018 God of War game brought life to Norse mythology in the same way the previous games had for Greek mythology. Central to Norse mythology, and to the game, are the nine realms, although players could only explore six of these in the game. Surviving information about these realms isn't necessarily explicit about their nature and specifics, but from information that does exist, and the lore that God of War developed, it becomes more apparent what role these realms might play in the next game. Santa Monica has confirmed that the final three realms will feature in God of War: Ragnarok, and so they offer some insight into what Kratos and Atreus will be up against in the upcoming game.

As players of God of War will be familiar with, Norse mythology describes how the nine realms connected to Yggdrasil, the world tree. The names of these realms do differ depending on the source material, but the God of War universe has already established which version of the realms exists, with some of its own changes made to them as well. Kratos journey in the last game takes him to four realms, and two others can be explored though are not central to the story. Midgard, the realm of humans, is where Kratos and Atreus live at the beginning of the game, and they must travel to Alfheim, the realm of the Elves, and Helheim, the realm of the dead, and Joutheim, the realm of the giants. Both Musphelheim and Niflheim, the realms of fire and mist respectively, feature optional trials. That leaves Svartalfheim, Vanaheim, and Asgard left to explore in God of War: Ragnarok.

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Svartalfheim

god of war svartalfheim

Early sources of Norse mythology refer to Nidavellir as the realm of the Dwarves and Svartalfheim as the realm of Dark Elves. However, later sources use these names interchangeably, and God of War has already established that the Dark Elves live in Alfheim in the game. The game does offer an explanation for this, which is some of the game's own interjection into mythological stories that have made the God of War franchise so popular. Mimir explains that the Aesir gods can't tell the difference between Dark Elves and Dwarves, which lead to their realm being named Svartalfheim by everyone else while the Dwarves call it Nidavellir. The realm travel door to Svartalfheim in God of War does depict Dark Elves, but it's unlikely that will reflect the Svartalfheim players can explore in God of War: Ragnarok.

The only Dwarves featured in the game so far have been Sindri and Brok, though other Dwarves such as Ivaldi, Andvari, and Motsognir are mentioned. Kratos also encounters some Dwarves that have been transformed into dragons, such as Fafnir. Dwarves freely travel between realms in God of War, while Norse mythology generally describes their realm as a dark forge beneath Yggdrasil. In both the game and mythology, Dwarves forge powerful weapons such as Mjolnir, Thor's hammer. This may mean Svartalfheim is an essential stop for Kratos, and at least one new Dwarf is confirmed to appear in God of War: Ragnarok, called Durlin. There isn't much from mythology about Durlin, except that he forged the sword Tyrfing.

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Vanaheim

god of war vanaheim

Vanaheim is the most mysterious of the realms in God of War, and the home to the Vanir gods. Vanaheim was left in ruins following the war between the Aesir and the Vanir, until peace was declared after Freya and Odin were married. In the game, there is a window in Freya's house that shows her Vanaheim, and it's shown to be full of dense vegetation. It's also mentioned in the game that Sindri studied in Vanaheim. Norse mythology doesn't provide a lot of description of Vanaheim, but the Vanir gods are closely associated with fertility and magic. As such, Vanaheim will likely be a place of nature and magic in the next game. Freya's desire for revenge could complicate Kratos' exploration of Vanaheim, though.

Asgard

god of war asgard

One of the most well-known realms of Norse mythology, Asgard is the home of the Aesir gods. Generally depicted as a city with high towers protected by a great wall, Asgard also contains Valhalla and Folkvangr, ruled by Odin and Freya respectively, and home to those who died in battle. In Norse mythology, the protective wall around Asgard is built by an unnamed giant and his stallion, Svadilfari. The giant offers to build the wall in three winters, which the Aesir believe impossible. In exchange, the giant would marry Freya, despite her objection. When it looks as though the giant will finish his task on time, Loki transforms into a mare to distract his station and Thor kills him.

It's unlikely this story will make it into God of War: Ragnarok, though it's possible Svadilfari, or Odin's stallion and the child Svadilfari, Sleipnir, will appear in some capacity. This story is referenced in the game, though, with the giant being named Himthur, and he hides a weak spot in the wall's defenses that he only discloses to Freya.

Significantly, Asgard is destined to be destroyed by the fire god Surtr (spelled Sutr in God of War) during Ragnarok. This makes Asgard the likely site of some key events in God of War: Ragnarok. Surviving sources do differ on the specific events of Ragnarok in Norse mythology, but in general, Asgard is invaded by fire giants from Musphelheim and many gods die - including Odin, Loki, and Thor. Midgard is submerged in water during this time (Norse mythology's reference to a great flood, which appears in many belief systems). However, some Aesir gods survive and rebuild Asgard, and eventually, a new world emerges.

How exactly Ragnarok will play out in the next game is unknown at this point, though some clues point to the possible death of Kratos. Odin is described in mythology as being devoured by Fenrir during Ragnarok, the great wolf and son of Loki, while Thor dies in battle against Jormungandr, the world serpent. Since the next game will be the last of the Norse saga, Ragnarok will be the last players see of these realms, and the games have a lot of material they could incorporate into the world of the game.

God of War: Ragnarok is set to release in 2022 for PS4 and PS5.

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