God of War Ragnarok gives players a look at how extended Odin’s Aesir family is and the dysfunction that underlies it. The All-Father has had many marriages and children born from each, but not all featured in actual Norse mythology find their way into God of War Ragnarok’s story. Those who do serve a specific purpose for Odin, and the degree to which they fulfill their purpose is the degree to which Odin values them. Odin’s manipulation of his family causes a great deal of strain and some even dream of escaping from his oppressive rule.
[Warning: This article contains spoilers for God Of War Ragnarok.]
2018's God of War introduced a few members of Odin’s family, but the game only barely scratched the surface of the reality of living under the scheming villainy of Ragnarok's Odin, with the rest of the All-Father’s family appearing in God of War Ragnarok. The most famous of Odin’s children, Thor, is a prominent supporting character in the game but has a role that may be slightly unexpected given the teases in God of War. Thor embodies the struggle of being Odin’s son, a terrible burden that stresses his own family, who want to be away from Odin’s brutality.
Not Every Aesir God In Ragnarök Loves The All-Father
Thor had several children from different marriages. Magni and Modi were featured in God of War on a mission from Odin to hunt down the Last Guardian of the giants, but Kratos and Atreus killed the brothers. Thor eventually married Sif and had a daughter, Thrud. Thrud is an essential character in God of War Ragnarok, becoming a friend to Atreus during his playable sections in Ragnarok and later wielding her father’s hammer, Mjolnir, in her quest to become a Valkyrie. Unlike Thor, Sif understands that Odin is using Thor only to advance his selfish plans. She encourages Thor to stand up to Odin and become independent. However, Thor tragically waits too long to act.
Ragnarök's Odin Barely Cares For His Most Loyal Family
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Baldur, the main antagonist of God of War, is Thor’s half-brother and the son of Odin and Freya. Baldur is the father of Forseti, the god of justice in Norse mythology, but he is only mentioned in passing in God of War Ragnarok. Thor bitterly implies that Baldur might have been Odin’s favorite son before Kratos killed him in God of War’s final boss fight. However, "favorite" is an odd term for Odin, as he doesn’t actually love his family. Instead, Odin’s children each serve a particular purpose in his grand plans, and no matter how well they perform their duty, Odin often still gives them the cold shoulder.
Heimdall is a notable example in this case, as he is often called the Watchman of the Aesir due to his extreme loyalty to Odin. Despite being the most loyal of Odin’s sons, Odin still treats Heimdall as a tool to be employed rather than a respected son, as Kratos treats Atreus. Odin barely even cares that Heimdall died in Ragnarok’s best boss fight. The last of the Aesir important to God of War Ragnarok’s story is Tyr, the Norse god of war, though it’s rarely mentioned that he is a son of Odin. After he shifted his efforts away from war to peace, Odin imprisoned Tyr and assumed his identity whenever it suited him. This cruel reality of being related to Odin is on full display in God of War Ragnarok.
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