The September 9 PlayStation Showcase made major waves with the world premiere of God of War Ragnarök's gameplay trailer. The story follows Kratos and Atreus' adventures as they battle their way through the Nine Realms in search for answers about Loki's true nature and attempting to stop the apocalyptic Ragnarok. God of War Ragnarok is set to have a cast of characters as vast as the Nine Realms, many of whom will be familiar to fans of the franchise, others who are critical to the Ragnarok story in Norse mythology.
There are several key figures in Norse mythology who make an appearance in 2018's God of War, many of whom have been confirmed to return as characters in God of War Ragnarok. Kratos, now living in the Norse realms after destroying the Greek pantheon, returns along with Atreus, who is revealed to be Loki, Norse god of mischief and perpetrator of Ragnarok. Familiar Norse figures appeared in the latest trailer, such as Freya, Baldur, Mimir and, briefly, Thor. Most of these characters wish to prevent Ragnarok, yet find themselves at odds with one another, which will possibly factor into God of War Ragnarok's inevitable destruction.
God of War Ragnarok's gameplay trailer showed many characters and beasts that will factor into the story, from Kratos and Atreus to the Norse god of war Týr. Santa Monica Studios' Twitter account then posted multiple pieces of character art, further confirming some characters who weren't featured in the trailer. While there are still some questions about the cast, such as Jörmungandr, the giant snake who is a key figure in Ragnarok mythology and a character in God of War, here is every character that has been confirmed to be part of God of War Ragnarok.
God of War Ragnarok: Kratos And Atreus
As in God of War, the central figures in God of War Ragnarok are Kratos and Atreus. Kratos is perhaps the most mellow franchise fans have seen him yet - he still uses his chains and axe with unbridled ferocity, but he's also shown fondly cradling an item of clothing, likely Faye's, and arguing that war isn't the only path to peace. It's very likely Kratos' newfound control over his rage will be tested over the course of God of War Ragnarok, especially given that Atreus seems to be following in his father's violent footsteps.
In God of War Ragnarok, Atreus seems to spout the philosophy that engaging in war with Asgard is a worthwhile endeavor if it means preventing Ragnarok and protecting people. He even goes so far as to suggest was with Asgard is what his mother wanted, a notion which Kratos immediately rejects. Atreus' desire for peace through violence may be the very thing that causes Ragnarok, as in Norse mythology the event happens as a result of Loki and the Jotunheim giants going to war with Asgard. This is especially true given Atreus' half-giant, half-god status.
God of War Ragnarok: Norse Pantheon
Thor, first seen in Atreus' vision at the end of God of War, is teased once again in the God of War Ragnarok trailer. He will serve as an antagonistic force, pushing against Kratos being a "calm and reasonable man." In Norse mythology, Thor's fight with Jörmungandr is one of the key points during Ragnarok. Thor ultimately slays the snake, but not before being poisoned and dying shortly thereafter. Additionally, he is father to Magni and Modi, who in God of War are killed by Kratos and Atreus, respectively. In addition to wanting to stop Ragnarok, Thor likely has a personal vendetta against the father-son duo.
Odin, also known as the Allfather, was an ominous and villainous presence in God of War, something carried into the God of War Ragnarok trailer. During the PlayStation Showcase aftershow, director Eric Williams confirmed that Odin will show up in the game when Ragnarok occurs. According to Williams, Odin in God of War Ragnarok will be a different character than fans expect, an "old man who's just kinda busy with his own things and doing whatever he wants."
Freya was a major character in God of War, an ally to Kratos and Atreus in their journey. However, after Kratos kills her son Baldur she becomes vicious, making Kratos come clean to Atreus about his godhood. Though the moment is ultimately helpful for the father-son relationship, the damage with Freya is done, evidenced by her attacking Kratos in the God of War Ragnarok trailer. It's unclear at this time if Baldur will make a reappearance, but it's worth noting he is one of the few Norse gods to survive Ragnarok in mythology.
Tyr was a huge presence in God of War with a temple on the Lake of Nine that allowed Kratos and Atreus to travel between realms. From God of War Ragnarok's trailer, he will play a significant role in the upcoming game as well in helping Kratos and Atreus stop Ragnarok. Though Tyr holds the god of war moniker in the nine realms, in the God of War games he believes in peace. In Norse mythology, Tyr fights against Loki and the giants in Ragnarok.
God of War Ragnarok: Key Characters
Angrboða (also spelled Angrboda) is a central figure in the Ragnarok myth as Loki's parter and subsequent mother of Fenrir, Jörmungandr and goddess of death Hel. The God of War Ragnarok trailer introduces Angrboda at the very end. Like Atreus, she is much younger than her Norse counterpart, so it's possible her role in the event may change. Regardless, she will undoubtedly have significant influence on Atreus in God of War Ragnarok.
A number of characters in God of War Ragnarok have been confirmed not by the trailer, but by actors posting on Twitter. This group includes Skjöldr, one of the first Danish kings who also makes an appearance in Beowulf, Skuld, who in Norse mythology represents the fates, Beyla, who is known for having a tete-a-tete with Loki, Hrist, who seems to be one of the Valkyries, and Durlin, who appears to be a dwarf with an octopus friend. Durlin looks like some sort of merchant or scholar, but at this time it's unclear how the rest of the characters will factor into the God of War Ragnarok story.
God of War Ragnarok: Returning Characters
Mimir is an iconic part of God of War, most easily recognized as the sentient head hanging off Kratos' belt, praying the Ghost of Sparta doesn't break wind. In Norse mythology, Mimir is the god of wisdom, and while he doesn't carry that title into the games, he does serve as an advisor and guide for Kratos and Atreus throughout the game. In the God of War Ragnarok trailer, Mimir calls Kratos out for his gruff expression at one point; the rest of the time, he is hanging on Kratos' belt, as always.
Brok and Sindri are dwarven merchants in God of War, there to upgrade Kratos and Atreus' weapons and armor. Both were briefly shown in the God of War Ragnarok trailer, indicating they will likely play a similar role in the new game. Brok is even shown commenting on how much Atreus has grown, a testament to years passed in-game and in real-time.
The final returning character in God of War Ragnarok is Ratatoskr, a ghostly squirrel that Atreus can summon during gameplay to give Kratos useful stones. In Norse mythology, Ratatoskr is a messenger that runs between the eagles at the top of Yggdrasil, the world tree, and the snake that lives at the bottom. Though it's likely the squirrel will perform the same function as the first game, it will be interesting to see how his role expands in God of War Ragnarök.
Source: PlayStation, AJ LoCascio, Shelby Young, Morla Gorrondona, Erica Lindbeck, Usman Ally, SungWon Cho