It has been a long road, but gamers have finally gotten a release date forGod of War Ragnarok. On November 9, fans will finally get to experience Kratos and Atreus' final adventure inthe Nine Realms. However, this time around, things are chillier, as Fimbulwinter has rolled around as the prelude to Ragnarok which will bring about apocalyptic events. The father and son duo will face many dangers, including Freya and Thor who seek revenge.
After a period of silence, Santa Monica shared more information about the upcoming game. In addition to revealing the release date, the developers also showed off what gamers can expect from the different editions ofGod of War Ragnarok, with some editions featuring Thor’s Mjolnir hammer. Gamers also got a very brief cinematic trailer showing Atreus and Kratos in battle. Although the trailer only runs for half a minute, it does raise a few questions, and it does make one wonder who will be friend or foe in the upcoming game.
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Will Fenrir Be a Good Boy or a Vicious Hound?
The trailer features Kratos on a frosty battlefield, surrounded by hordes of enemies that he is fighting off. He is armed with his shield and hisLeviathan Axe, and though he may appear overpowered at times, he manages to hold his ground. At his side is Atreus who looks a bit older than he was in 2018’sGod of War, but still carries his bow and arrows. With Kratos and Atreus standing side by side, the trailer suggests that the two will still be a tight team, even if they are dealing with bigger challenges than ever before.
Toward the end of the trailer, Kratos and Atreus face a humongous black dog that towers over them. Not much more is revealed about the canine because the trailer ends there. Norse mythology suggests that the dog shown is Fenrir, a terrible, bloodthirsty wolf. According to myth, the dog is the child of the giantess Angrboda and the trickster god Loki. Witnessing how large Fenrir grows and how powerful he is, the gods decide to chain the wolf, but Fenrir bites off the hand of the god Tyr. During Ragnarok, Fenrir kills theGod Odin, but this earns the wolf the ire of Odin’s son, Vidar, who seeks revenge and kills Fenrir. The enigmatic wolf features prominently in Norse mythology due to its mystique and its power.
Fenrir’s appearance poses many questions, and it meansGod of War’s story could go several ways. The most obvious direction is that Fenrir could be one of the enemies thatKratos and Atreusface. This would not be unexpected as, throughout theGod of Warfranchise, Kratos has gone up against foes of epic scale, including some that would dwarf Fenrir. However, if Santa Monica follows Norse mythology closely, Fenrir could also turn out to be a companion. This is because Atreus shares very close connections to Norse mythology’s Loki, as is revealed in 2018’sGod of War. Atreus discovers that his mother had originally named him Loki, although Kratos ultimately gave him the name he now uses. Atreus' connection to Loki could see him taming Fenrir and ultimately having the wolf fight on his side during Ragnarok.
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Evidence that Fenrir may be on Atreus' side also comes from the fact thatAngrboda appears inGod of War: Ragnarok. Although not much is known about her yet, she was shown in a positive light, smiling, which suggests that she will be a friendly figure in the game. If, as is the case in Norse mythology, Angrboda has some connection to Fenrir, she could help bring the wolf over to their side. However, it should be noted thatGod of Warhas been quite liberal with its mythological inspirations in the past, and it could decide to veer far away from the Norse mythology it draws from.
Other Questions Raised by the God of War Ragnarok Trailer
Interestingly, on YouTube, the description attached to the trailer tells gamers thatGod of Warwill continue Kratos and Atreus' mythic journey and that the “eyes of Asgard” will watch their every move. Asgard, in Norse mythology, refers to the dwelling place of the gods, including great figures such as Odin. The eyes of Asgard mostly likely refers to Heimdall, who serves as the watcher who stays on the lookout for Ragnarok. He lives in Himinbjorg, which is on the border of Asgard, where the rainbow bridge hits the heavens. Heimdall is a lover of mead, and he is armed with a sword. When Ragnarok comes,Heimdall will blow his horn, the Gjallarhorn, to signal its arrival.
If Heimdall makes an appearance, it raises a lot of questions. As is the case with thewolf Fenrir, one has to wonder whether Heimdall will be a friend or a foe. If Heimdall is a friend, he could prove to be a great asset for Kratos and Atreus because he is a wise god who is said to possess foresight and very good hearing and sight. However, if Heimdall is a foe, he could prove to be a dangerous obstacle for the heroes, especially if he is assisting the gods who conspire against Kratos and Atreus. Either way, he is likely to be a significant influence in the game.
During the trailer, Kratos and Atreus do a slight bit of narration, ending with the declaration that “you are not alone.” There have been some theories about howKratos and Atreus' relationshipwill play out inGod of War Ragnarok, but the trailer suggests that they will be fighting alongside each other and that their relationship will be stronger than ever. However, it is worth noting that it could also be some clever misdirection meant to lead gamers off the trail of the game’s true plot.
WithGod of War Ragnarok’s release datefinally revealed, gamers should feel a lot more excited about the upcoming game. Hopefully, it will answer several burning questions while providing a satisfying closing to Kratos and Atreus' Norse mythology adventures. In just a few months, gamers will finally unravel Fenrir’s secrets and discover whether the wolf will be petted or pulverized.
God of War Ragnarokwill release on 20 July 2025 on PS4 and PS5.
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