There’s a lot to love about Ragnarok. It somehow manages to refine and balance the intimate character interactions of 2018, with a larger than life plot about fate and prophecy.
But it’s that first part - the characters, that I’d really like to highlight. The Kratos and Atreus dynamic is stellar here and wonderfully complex and well-realised.
From the moment Kratos looks on with pride as Atreus unloads a dead deer from their sled, to the way Atreus understands and responds to Kratos’ grunts, it’s clear time has passed and they’re now a strong unit after the events of the first game.
Atreus is inquisitive, he wants to learn more about his people, his role in the world and what it’s all supposed to mean. Kratos, despite softening somewhat, is struggling with his own desire to let him do that, but keep him safe and out of Odin’s sights. Stripped back, it’s a very human story about a teenager growing up, forging his own path and making mistakes. And at the other end of the scales, it’s about a parent learning to trust their child and let them go.
There’s so many brilliant moments between the pair. They are a wonderfully written duo throughout, but to pick out a few moments…
- When, after being separated for a period of time, Kratos reunites with Atreus and opens up about falling back into his old ways without his son around to guide him. It’s a really vulnerable moment for the main hero and really drives home what we already knew - Kratos may be teaching Atreus how to survive and look after himself, but Atreus is teaching Kratos how to be a better person.
- During the final siege on Asgard, Kratos takes Atreus to the side and tells him not to to close his heart to the suffering of others. Essentially telling Atreus that his ability to empathise with others is what makes him who he is and isn’t a weakness. It works because it was such a strong early lesson for Atreus in the first game and the line itself is used often in Ragnarok. That line may have helped Atreus become the competent warrior he is today, but he shouldn’t abandon who is or ignore the suffering of others. It’s an acknowledgement from Kratos that his son had the right of it and he finally understands him.
- There’s a sequence after Brok’s death where Atreus wants to leave and go hunting to take his mind off it. Kratos indulges him but stops Atreus from shooting a deer, telling Atreus that this is a distraction and that they need to confront their problems head on. It shows that Atreus is still a child, but it also shows the impact he has had on his father.
- In the final scene where Kratos finally tells Atreus he is ready - a line that immediately invokes the 2016 E3 demo and the early parts of 2018. It’s just such a good payoff and puts a cap on their entire journey. Kratos has prepared Atreus for the world and he has his son to thank for becoming a better person himself.
- Right at the end of that final scene the two grab each other’s heads and lean into each other. Atreus tells Kratos not to forget the promise they made. This promise took place in the scene I mention above - the first bullet point. They agree that when they lose their way they’ll hear the other’s voice and take their advice. As Atreus prepares to leave, Kratos says, his arm shaking with emotion and his voice struggling to function, ‘Loki will go. Atreus… Atreus will remain.’ The pair then embrace in what has to be one of the emotional scenes I’ve seen in a game. Just wonderful stuff and an amazing conclusion.
There’s so many more moments too - not just in cutscenes, but in incidental dialogue and side stories. In one side quest Kratos helps save an animal just because he wants to spend more time with his son and doesn’t know how long he has left.
They aren’t all positive scenes either - the pair still clash and for understandable reasons.
Even Kratos only referring to him by his name, rather than boy, tells you so much (and makes it more powerful in the one scene where he does say it).
I actually think the relationship between the two is the game’s biggest accomplishment. The game is gigantic. You visit all nine realms, several of them have massive open expanses filled with side content. There’s more combat options, enemy types and bosses. The plot is more complex, often bouncing between different characters and locations. There’s also more spectacle than in 2018 - with loads of standout moments throughout.
But despite layering all this stuff on top of the 2018 formula. The character work between the main duo is just as accomplished, if not more so, than it was in the last game.
Mimir gets fleshed out a lot more via various side quests and dialogue too. Brok and Sindri are both brilliant and get a lot more to work with than 2018, as does Freya whose actress turns in a really powerful performance.
Tyr is likeable, but just aloof enough than you never feel completely comfortable around him. The friction between Thor and Odin is really effective, etc.
Returning characters are a lot more fleshed out, while I think all the new characters are great additions.
I also can’t tell you how cathartic it was to see that last painting alongside Kratos - as someone whose been with the franchise since 05, it hit me in the feels. I was right there with him.
The fact that the postgame, which has some cool stuff in it, is all framed as Kratos’ journey to becoming a god of peace and restoration, really encouraged me to do it.
As a result, I completed it 100% and bagged the platinum yesterday after 52 hours. What a game.