PLEASE NOTE: This article contains MINOR Spoilers for God of War Ragnarok. Proceed at your own risk.Before launch, every single aspect of God of War Ragnarok was hotly debated among fans. From the game's overall plot and its ending to its gameplay changes, every single component of God of War Ragnarok was up for speculation. One of the biggest mysteries in the game revolved around the characters teased throughout 2018's God of War, in particular, Thor and his father Odin. And thankfully, God of War Ragnarok's Odin definitely doesn't disappoint.
Introduced surprisingly early on in God of War Rangarok's main story, Odin steals the show in every single scene he's in. Subverting expectations, and delivering a character that fans may not have been expecting, God of War Ragnarok's Odin is enthralling to watch, delivering one of the most subtly scary performances in all of gaming.
God of War Ragnarok's Odin Is a Scene-Stealer
An hour or two into God of War Ragnarok's main story, Thor comes to visit Kratos and Atreus in their home, a sequence that echoes the post-credits teaser at the end of God of War 2018. However, this scene doesn't quite go down as some fans were expecting. Rather than take swift revenge on Kratos for killing his sons, Thor instead sits down with Kratos at his table and offers him a drink. As the two awkwardly stare at each other, a knock at the door can be heard, and Atreus opens it, revealing a shadowed figure.
A fairly thin, small balding man appears in the doorway, and invites himself in with the line, "You know who I am." From the get-go, it's clear that Odin is an ominous threat, but not quite in the same way that some fans were expecting. Rather than a hardened warrior, with muscles to match the monumental reputation, God of War Ragnarok's Odin is somewhat unassuming and surprisingly calm. And this subtlety is exactly why Odin steals every scene he's in.
Played beautifully by The West Wing's Richard Schiff, Odin remains calm throughout God of War Ragnarok and even cracks a few jokes at some point. However, it's this calm in the face of danger that makes Odin such an ominous presence. In every scene he's in, there's the understanding between all the characters that Odin is the most dangerous one in the room. While he may not look it, Odin is capable of some truly horrific things, and his unassuming appearance just makes him more dangerous.
Rather than use brute force, Odin manipulates others into doing it for him. Whether it's using his loyal followers like Heimdall to enact his sinister plans or insulting Thor so that he remains weak-willed, Odin is a master of words, and that's his most powerful attribute. Through manipulation, Odin has taken over most of the Nine Realms, and while he may not be revered by its people, he's feared and respected. With some of the best writing in a video game, Odin gets to truly shine in God of War Ragnarok, and throughout the game, players are eagerly anticipating his next appearance. Odin is a deep villain with complex motivations, and even more complex relationships. Even when Odin is saying the most threatening thing imaginable, he still delivers it in such a calm, light way that it could even be construed as a dark joke. And this subtlety is what makes Odin such a compelling character.
God of War Ragnarok is available now on PS4 and PS5.