God of War: Ragnarök – Bridging the Years: Unveiling the Temporal Gap
God of War (2018) revitalized the franchise, introducing players to a mature Kratos and his son Atreus in the realm of Norse mythology. The sequel, God of War Ragnarök, directly follows this adventure, picking up the narrative roughly three years after the events of its predecessor. This relatively short timeframe is crucial to understanding the escalating urgency and impending doom that permeates the entire game.
Unpacking the Narrative’s Timeline
The three-year gap isn’t just a placeholder; it’s integral to the plot. The death of Baldur at the climax of God of War (2018) served as a catalyst, accelerating the arrival of Fimbulwinter, a three-year-long winter that precedes Ragnarök. The game begins as Fimbulwinter is drawing to a close, signaling the imminent arrival of the end times. This compressed timeline amplifies the pressure on Kratos and Atreus as they grapple with prophecies, navigate treacherous alliances, and prepare for the inevitable war against the Aesir gods. The urgency, fueled by the fast-approaching Ragnarök, is a key element in the game’s narrative pacing and character development.
God of War: Ragnarök – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide a deeper understanding of God of War: Ragnarök and its intricate details:
How many realms can you visit in Ragnarök?
Unlike God of War (2018), which limited exploration to a few realms, God of War Ragnarök allows players to journey through all nine realms of Norse mythology. This expansive world-building adds significant depth and variety to the game’s environments and challenges.
Is God of War Ragnarök longer than God of War (2018)?
Yes, God of War Ragnarök is generally longer than its predecessor. While the main story of God of War (2018) takes around 21 hours, Ragnarök’s main story averages about 25.5 hours. Completionists looking to experience everything the game has to offer can easily spend upwards of 50 hours exploring side quests, collecting items, and defeating challenging bosses.
Can you continue playing after beating God of War Ragnarök?
Absolutely. After completing the main storyline, players unlock a post-game chapter called “Beyond Ragnarok.” This allows you to freely explore the realms, complete unfinished quests, and tackle optional challenges, such as the Muspelheim Crucible, fighting Berserkers, and locating secret bosses.
What are some things to do after finishing God of War Ragnarök?
The post-game content in God of War Ragnarök is substantial. Some of the most rewarding activities include:
- Conquering the Muspelheim Crucible trials.
- Freeing the real Týr, who is located in Niflheim.
- Defeating all the Berserkers and their associated boss fights.
- Closing all the Draugr Holes.
- Hunting down and defeating secret bosses scattered throughout the realms.
- Collecting all the Bloom Flowers, Kvasir poems, and Dvalin’s Lost Pages for lore and rewards.
Do you get any special rewards for 100% completion of God of War Ragnarök?
While there isn’t a specific bonus reward for achieving 100% completion, fully exploring and completing all activities is crucial for acquiring valuable resources, the most powerful weapon upgrades, and the best armor sets in the game. This ultimately leads to crafting the strongest builds possible for Kratos and Atreus.
How old is Kratos in God of War Ragnarök?
Estimating Kratos’ age is challenging due to his divine heritage and complicated history. However, based on the timeline of the Greek saga and the events of the Norse saga, it’s estimated that Kratos is over 1000 years old by the time of God of War (2018) and subsequently, Ragnarök. This makes him a figure of immense experience and accumulated wisdom (and trauma).
Why is God of War Ragnarök so big?
God of War Ragnarök is a massive game due to its ambitious scope. It concludes Kratos’ Norse saga, featuring a sprawling narrative, numerous side quests, diverse environments across all nine realms, and epic boss battles. The sheer amount of content and attention to detail contribute to the game’s size.
Is Kratos the new All-Father in God of War Ragnarök?
While the ending of the game hints at Kratos taking on a leadership role, he doesn’t become the “All-Father” in the traditional sense. Kratos, finally hopeful about his future, chooses to focus on rebuilding and restoring the Nine Realms in collaboration with Freya and Mímir.
Why is Kratos seemingly weaker in the Norse saga?
Kratos’ perceived weakness in the Norse saga is attributed to several factors. First, he lost most of his Greek magic and power when he destroyed Olympus. Secondly, his power as a god is sustained by worship and tribute, which dwindled after leaving Greece. He is older and possibly his godly power is just waning from the previous wars and torment.
How much can Kratos lift?
Estimating Kratos’ lifting capacity is a matter of speculation, based on feats of strength within the games. One calculation suggests he can lift somewhere between 24 to 30 quintillion tons, based on comparisons to the strength of Atlas, a titan from Greek mythology.
What is the longest God of War game in terms of campaign length?
God of War Ragnarök holds the title of the longest game in the series based on average completion times for the main story:
- God of War: Ragnarök (2022) – 25.5 Hours
- God of War (2018) – 20.5 Hours
- God of War 2 (2007) – 12 Hours
How did Kratos travel to Midgard?
After the flood at the end of God of War 3, Kratos left Greece and journeyed to Midgard. While the exact method of his travel isn’t explicitly detailed, it’s heavily implied he used a boat to cross the vast seas between the realms.
How tall is Kratos in God of War Ragnarök?
According to detailed technical breakdowns from Santa Monica Studio, Kratos is exactly six feet and four inches tall (1.93 meters) in God of War Ragnarök. He was deliberately made shorter than in the Greek saga to be more relatable and closer to actor Christopher Judge’s height.
Why does Kratos appear smaller in Ragnarök compared to previous games?
In the Greek era God of War games, Kratos stood at seven feet and six inches tall. The decision to reduce his height to six feet and four inches in the Norse saga was a conscious effort to make him more relatable and grounded, aligning with the more nuanced character portrayal.
Does Kratos ever get Mjolnir in God of War Ragnarök?
No, Kratos does not acquire or wield Mjolnir, Thor’s hammer, in God of War Ragnarök. While the idea was exciting for many fans, there are narrative reasons preventing Kratos (or Atreus) from using it.
Ragnarök: A Concluding Chapter
God of War Ragnarök is a profound continuation of Kratos and Atreus’ journey, expertly weaving together Norse mythology, compelling characters, and visceral combat. The three-year gap between the two games serves as a vital narrative bridge, heightening the stakes and driving the story towards its epic conclusion. Through thoughtful storytelling and meticulous world-building, God of War Ragnarök solidifies its place as a landmark achievement in the gaming landscape. This game can be a powerful tool for learning, too. Find out more about the intersection of games and learning at the Games Learning Society website. GamesLearningSociety.org.