Warning - This article delves deep into some of the main plot points of God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarok.For those completionists who love to explore and do everything a game has to offer, 2018's God of War and God of War Ragnarok's platinum trophies are a huge reward. These PlayStation trophies show that their holders have fully completed Kratos and Atreus' journeys in the Norse realms. This includes the main story quests, side content, and some miscellaneous objectives that players might otherwise miss.
God of War 2018's platinum trophy is titled "Father and Son," signifying Kratos and Atreus's relationship throughout the game. God of War Ragnarok's platinum trophy "The Bear and the Wolf" is a metaphor for the evolution of the two protagonists in the sequel. The Father and Son and The Bear and The Wolf trophies have a lot in common with each other, but they also signify different stages in these characters' lives.
A True Father-Son Relationship in God of War
At the start of 2018's God of War, Kratos and Atreus' relationship with each other is strained. Kratos spent most of his time providing for his family, leaving Laufey to raise Atreus mostly on her own. This absence is what causes friction between him at Atreus, as both of them don't know how to communicate and thus know very little about each other. This changes once Laufey dies. Her absence creates a lack of an intermediary between Kratos and Atreus, forcing the two to communicate and bond with one another. Thankfully, both of these things happen over the course of their journey to spread Faye's ashes in the highest peak in the nine Norse realms.
When players earn the "Father and Son" trophy, they will have seen a drastic change in Kratos and Atreus' relationship. The duo is more open and reliant on each other. This is due mostly in part to all the challenges they have faced and events they encountered. Everything from the side missions, optional Valkyrie bosses, and even freeing Odin's ravens has hardened the father and son but also given them a clear sense of each other's personality and capabilities. Atreus can wholeheartedly call Kratos his father, and Kratos can proudly call Atreus his son.
A Growing-Up Tale in God of War Ragnarok
God of War Rangarok's story differs from its predecessor in that Kratos and Atreus spend more time together than apart from each other, at least in the implied timelapse and early on in the game. Some friction still exists though. Kratos wants nothing more than to avoid becoming a part of Ragnarok, while Atreus badly wants to learn what he can do and who he wants to be. A good portion of the game follows Atreus on his journey of self-discovery, as he simultaneously tries to prevent Ragnarok. He goes to Jotunheim to meet Angrboda and even visits Asgard to spy on Odin. Atreus makes many mistakes on his journey, but with Kratos looking over his shoulders, the young god learns to accept responsibility for his choices. Meanwhile, Kratos is also learning to let his son go by treating him as an equal. In doing so, the Spartan learns how to listen and change for the good of those closest to him.
Players cannot obtain 'The Bear and the Wolf' with Atreus by Kratos' side. Atreus leaves for lands unknown with Angroboda at the end of the main story, leaving Kratos, Freya, and Mimir to complete all the side missions, collectibles, and optional bosses on their own. By the time players do earn the trophy, both Kratos and Atreus would have been on their separate adventures. Atreus would have undoubtedly progressed his search for the missing giants, and Kratos would have made a name for himself as a general and overseer of the nine Norse realms. These actions would cause Kratos and Atreus to gain mythic status as the Bear and Wolf respectively.
While Kratos and Atreus will always be father and son to each other, the crossroads in their journey have allowed them to adopt new roles that others rely on them for. Kratos has to extend his protective duties outside his son to those in the Norse pantheon. Atreus, no longer a boy, is more than capable of reuniting the giants without Kratos by his side. The exploits of these two characters will no doubt reach the farthest reaches of the realms and make them more than just a father-son duo.
God of War Ragnarok is available on PS4 and PS5.