Those watching this year’s PlayStation Showcase were treated to a new in-depth trailer to the highly anticipated God of War: Ragnarok. A sequel to 2018’s God of War, Ragnarok’s trailer gave fans a glimpse at the new story to look forward to, as Kratos and his son Atreus search for a way to survive Ragnarok and the wrath of the gods of Asgard.
The trailer also showed a full cast of both new and returning characters to interact with. Most are based on or inspired by legendary figures of Norse mythology, albeit with the game’s own unique take on them.In keeping with the tradition established in the first game, many of these depictions are accurate to the mythological versions of the characters over more popularized, modern takes, resulting in some interesting depictions that fans may not be familiar with.
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Kratos
The main playable protagonist of the entire God of War franchise, Kratos is a spartan and demigod who was fathered by Zeus. In his youth, he made a deal with the god Ares and unknowingly slew his wife and daughter in a fit of blind rage, leading to Kratos killing the entire Greek pantheon for revenge. In the current era of Norse mythology, Kratos wields both his iconic Blades of Chaosandthe Leviathan Axe once wielded by his late wife, the giant Laufey.
While a fictional character, Kratos is based off a member of the Greek pantheon whose name is also Kratos and is the son of Pallas and Styx. He’s described as the divine personification of strength and brutality, which our Kratos has certainly exhibited many times.
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Atreus/Loki
A surprising twist at the end ofGod of War was the reveal that Atreus’ mother wanted to name him Loki, a name which she used to refer to him with her fellow giants. Loki is known as the infamous god of mischief in Norse mythology, often playing tricks at the expense of the other Norse gods. He’s also the father of Jörmungandr the world serpent, Fenrir the wolf-giant, and Hel the goddess of death.
Years after the first game's events, Atreus has clearly grown stronger and is more skilled with his bow. While it's likely he’ll never be as strong as his father, Atreus is extremely wise for his age, allowing him to use his wits to defeat enemies where brute won't get the job done.
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Mimir
A fan favorite of the previous game, Mimir is the quick-witted and sharp-tongued head who advises Kratos and his son on their quest. He was originally an advisor to Odin and the Aesir, often advocating for peace between the realms. Over time he was able to gain the trust of the Giants to the point where they gifted him with Bifrost crystals in his eyes. Eventually, Odin had him imprisoned atop Midgard’s highest peak for over a century before being decapitated by Kratos and later revived by Freya.
As in Norse mythology, Mimir is renowned for his knowledge and wisdom, often providing counsel to various immortal and powerful beings. However, Mimir was already beheaded during the Aesir-Vanir War, rather than getting beheaded by Kratos after being imprisoned by Odin. Afterward, it was Odin who carried his head, to whom Mimir offered knowledge and council.
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Freya
Once the Queen of the Valkyries and wife of Odin, the Vanir goddess Freya (also called Frigg) lives a life of exile in the woods within Midgard. She married Odin and had a son with him to end the Aesir-Vanir war that devastated both sides. When she left him, Odin cast a curse upon her that prevented her from ever leaving Midgard. The spell would also prevent her from harming any living creatures, which, as a Valkyrie warrior, was seen as needless cruelty. She was an ally to Kratos, but the death of her son Baldur has led her to seek vengeance. Based on the trailer, Freya will be amajor opponent for Kratos.
Thor
When hearing the name Thor, chances are most people will think first of Marvel’s Avengers hero. While he’s most certainly a hero in that world, he’s considered anything but in God of War. He’s often been attributed to several atrocities against the Giants, Vanir and mortal humans of Midgard. Like in mythology, Thor’s most notable for wielding Mjolnir, a mighty hammer created by the dwarves Brok and Sindri. While he’s not appeared in person, his sons Magni and Modi both died fighting Kratos and Atreus. There’s little doubt that they’ll have to fight Thor in Ragnarok, who no doubt wants revenge. However, the prophecy of Ragnarok also predicts that he will die fighting the world serpent, so how he meets his fate is uncertain.
Related: God of War Reveals Mythology-Accurate Ragnarok Characters, Including Thor and Kratos
Angrbroda
While not as well mentioned as other Norse figures, Angrbroda played a significant role leading to the events of Ragnarok. She’s a giantess and the mate of Loki, the god of mischief. She’s also known as the mother of monsters for having birthed Jörmungandr the world serpent, Fenrir the wolf-giant, and Hel the goddess of death. Given their relationship in mythology, it’s likely that a friendly or even romantic bond will form between Atreus and Angrbroda.
Tyr
Although never shown in the last game, Tyr was mentioned heavily for playing a part in events leading to the disappearance of the Giants. While considered the Norse god of war, he ironically was one of the least bloodthirsty among the Aesir, instead fighting out of a desire for peace between the realms. His conspiring with the Giants of Jötunheim to save them from Odin’s wrath led his father to capture him and fool everyone, even Mimir, into believing he’d been executed. Now, as the trailer’s shown, he’s still very much alive.
As a god of war, it can be assumed that Tyr is formidable in battle, though most of his combat abilities are currently unknown. His friendship with the Giants allowed him to be gifted with Bifrost crystals in his eyes, allowing for easy travel across the nine realms and beyond. One of his most famous stories in Norse mythology involves losing his hand to the wolf-giant Fenrir.
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