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God of War’s Biggest Plot Twist Should Amount to Much More in Ragnarok’s Sequel

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Spoilers ahead for 2018’s
God of War
.



Highlights

  • God of War reveals Atreus is Loki, sparking new narrative possibilities & tying into Norse mythology lore that Ragnarok didn’t fully capitalize on.
  • A Ragnarok sequel may further explore Atreus’ transformation into Loki, involving Angrboda & his shapeshifting abilities.
  • Atreus’ development may lead him down a darker path, aligning more with the mischievous nature of the mythical Loki.

2018’s God of War ends with a definitive bang, leaving players desperate for more. In many ways, God of War Ragnarok delivers on this narrative promise, providing players with a tale that is as satisfying as it is unexpected. That said, God of War‘s twist ending may have more fruit to bear.

After Kratos and Atreus’ long journey at the end of God of War 2018, it’s revealed via a prophecy that Atreus is, in fact, Loki of Norse myth. What exactly this means is not clear to the game’s characters at first, as they are living in the world of Norse mythology, but players with even a passing knowledge of the Norse sagas (or even the Marvel Cinematic Universe), immediately understand how significant this is. This revelation proves to be incredibly relevant in Ragnarok‘s story, as Loki’s identity not only causes him to be sought out and charmed by Odin, ultimately bringing about Ragnarok, but also informs his relationship with Angrboda, a fellow Giant who refers to him as Loki rather than Atreus.


In the world of Norse mythology, Giants are not necessarily physically large, though they sometimes can be. They are akin to a humanoid fantasy race, like Elves or Dwarves.


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Atreus Probably Isn’t Done Being ‘Loki’

It should be obvious that God of War Ragnarok diverges from original Norse myth in its depiction of Loki. Even without playing the game, audiences can understand that the Loki of Norse myth is not the son of the minor Greek god Kratos, nor does he go by the alias of Atreus. Ragnarok uses this to its advantage, cleverly subverting what players may already know about Norse mythology and tying it into its broader narrative of rejecting fate and carving a bold path for oneself. This is exemplified by moments like Kratos’ killing of Heimdall, who is foretold to kill Loki in the source material.


But Loki’s story doesn’t end when he is a child. As a man, he goes on to become the so-called ‘Trickster God,’ while spawning children that go on to play their own important roles in the mystical sagas. With God of War being intimately tied to Norse mythology now that one of its primary protagonists is a Norse god himself, the series will need to contend with Loki’s established backstory, either adhering to it or further subverting it.

How Atreus Could Continue Down the Loki Path

Perhaps the clearest step in Atreus’ ongoing transformation into the Loki of Norse myth is his relationship with Angrboda. Again, Angrboda recognizes Atreus as Loki, which suggests that she will be a major link to his mythological roots and prophecy. Furthermore, Loki and Angrboda have three children in Norse mythology, including Hela, the ruler of Helheim. Since it’s likely that Angrboda will follow Atreus on his solo journey, the door is open for a future game that involves their children, which would naturally see Atreus step into a more ‘Loki-like’ role, helping to establish or redefine their place in the Norse pantheon.


A more immediate narrative decision could involve Atreus displaying more traits commonly associated with the God of Mischief. Without Kratos to guide him, he may stumble down a darker, more selfish path, falling victim to fate once more and making him more complex and multifaceted. At the very least, it’s probable that Atreus’ shapeshifting abilities will continue to expand, possibly reaching the levels of the mythical Loki, who can transform into virtually any animal or person at will. This could lead to a number of appropriately mischievous story beats, making Atreus more like his alter ego in the process.

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