After the monumental success ofGod of War(2018), anticipation is high for the sequelGod of War: Ragnarok, which Santa Monica plans to release in 2022. Gamers were left with plenty of unanswered questions, and a lot of mystery remains regarding Freya’s plans, Atreus' future, the role of the Jotnar, and the significance of the upcoming apocalyptic events of Ragnarok. One of the most interesting questions concerns Odin and his place inGod of War: Ragnarok.
Odin never makes an appearance in 2018’sGod of War, but he is mentioned often, and players are given the impression that he is more villainous than heroic. However, there is reason to believe thatGod of War: Ragnarok’s Odincould be far more complicated, proving himself to be more virtuous than first impressions suggest - especially when one considers Odin’s mythological roots and his voice actor.
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Richard Schiff Usually Plays a Good Guy
Although most ofGod of War: Ragnarokremains a mystery, Santa Monica Studio has revealed just enough information to whet gamers' appetites. Players have been informed that Kratos and his son, Atreus, will be teaming up to stop the arrival of Ragnarok, which threatens to bring about the end times. Along the way, they will face many dangers, includingFreya and Thorhellbent on seeking revenge against Kratos.
Character actors and actresses have been revealed, and the majority of them will not come as a surprise.Christopher Judgereprises his role as Kratos, and other performers that will be returning to their previous roles include Sunny Suljic as Atreus, Alastair Duncan as Mimir, and Danielle Bisutti as Freya. Several new performers will be joining theGod of Warteam, including Richard Schiff as Odin.
Schiff has a storied career as an actor, having appeared in films such asGhost in the Machine,Speed,Se7en, andThe Lost World: Jurassic Park.Notably, Schiff’s roles in film and television typically have him playing a good guy. For instance, inThe West Winghe plays Toby Ziegler, a complex character who sticks to principles far more than his peers in the White House. Similarly, inThe Good Doctorhe plays Dr. Aaron Glassman, who serves as a mentor to Dr. Shaun.
Should Schiff continue his pattern of playing good characters, it could be the case that Odin is more of a complex character who is not entirely bad. Up to this point, players have only heard second-hand accounts of Odin, and the revelation that Odin’s motivations are not what they initially seem could be a satisfying subversion. However, there is another reason to suspect that Odin may be portrayed sympathetically.
Odin: The Myth and The Man
ThroughoutGod of War’s history, the series has borrowed liberally from Greek mythology. Kratos, for instance, appears in Greek mythology as the personification of strength. This is an appropriate name forGod of War’s Kratos, who is filled with Spartan rage and often uses his superhuman strength to solve his problems. With 2018’sGod of War, the series decided to take a different direction and embrace Norse mythology instead.
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In some ways, descriptions ofOdin in Norse mythologyalign with descriptions of the figure inGod of War. For instance, the mythological Odin is associated with wisdom and knowledge, and he is often depicted as a sage figure. Similarly, in 2018’sGod of War, Mimir mentions that Odin is very clever and attempts to be all-seeing and all-knowing. To assist him with this task, he has ravens that survey the Nine Realms.
Odin in the original mythology is often a heroic figure. Although he is a war god, it is said that he is the protector of heroes, and noble warriors who die in war unite with him in Valhalla - an afterlife reserved for those who specifically die in combat. Odin is also often a companion of thetrickster god Loki, and the two sometimes work together. These descriptions of Odin are noteworthy, as they contradict the character that players have been exposed to inGod of Warthus far.
Odin’s depictions in mythology suggest thatGod of War’s Odin may not be a clear-cut bad guy, if he’s bad at all. Although Odin has been accused of terrible deeds, including torturing Mimir, there may be more to the character than sheer malevolence and a vain pursuit of knowledge. ShouldGod of War: Ragnarokborrow from Norse mythology, it could be possible that players see an Odin who serves a protective role.
It is revealed in 2018’sGod of WarthatAtreus was originally named Lokiby his mother, associating him with the mythological trickster god. This opens up the possibility that Odin and Atreus may have a deeper connection than one would initially expect, should they mimic their mythological counterparts and become companions.
God of War: Ragnarokpromises to bring an epic adventure alongside some answers to burning questions. After being hinted at for so long, it appears gamers will finally get to see Odin and understand his role in the Nine Realms. Although players have been primed to view Odin as one ofGod of War: Ragnarok’s main villains, it may be wise to reserve all judgments of the character until his reveal, as it is likely that he will not be a one-dimensional bad guy.
God of War: Ragnarokis scheduled to release in 2022 on PS4 and PS5.
