Santa Monica Studio's 2018 God of War represented a whole new direction for the franchise, not only focusing on a new pantheon of gods or Kratos' role as a father, but also as an exploration of a different side to the terse war god's character. The game was a critical and commercial success, with fans praising its compelling story, challenging combat, and stunning environments. Its follow-up, God of War: Ragnarok, is set to release at some time this year, and players couldn't be more excited about the continuation and culmination of Kratos' Norse saga.
God of War: Ragnarok will be introducing a few new faces and deities that were only mentioned in the previous God of War, or at least might be recognized from Norse mythology, to help round out the cast of characters. One of these integral figures is Tyr, the Norse god of war, who players are looking forward to seeing and whose gigantic stature has already made an impression in the trailer for God of War: Ragnarok. What will be interesting, however, is how the game will compare Kratos and Tyr, two gods of war with very different outlooks, behaviors, and values.
Kratos' Characterization
Kratos is a complex character who has undergone many changes across the God of War franchise. Initially a brusque, violent man with a legendary temper, the Spartan general eventually ascends to the title of god of war by killing Ares and enacts his revenge on the extended pantheon of Olympians as well. The earlier God of War games are a good deal less nuanced than the most recent installment, with Kratos' portrayal in particular painting him as cruel, bloodthirsty, and largely two-dimensional. Although the fearsome warrior is much more chatty in earlier games, 2018's God of War explores his character to a greater extent, mostly through his relationship with his young son Atreus.
Not only does Kratos' personality shift and change throughout the course of the series, but his role as a god of war morphs and develops as well. Born as a Spartan in Greece, Kratos was once a respected soldier. The loss of his wife led to his murderous rampage and his denouncement of the gods, and also shaped his character and directed his later deeds. Kratos hardly focuses on his adopted role of the god of war, even if he is militaristic in his outlook and does help Sparta with the conquest of Greece. He spends most of his time on his own personal quest of revenge, taking on the gods for their role in the death and suffering of his multiple family members, as well as their intrusive actions in the lives of others.
God Of War: Ragnarok's Tyr
If Kratos could be characterized in his role as god of war, it would be for his violence and rage. While there are more shades to his character than this and more complicated factors in his overall portrayal, his early depictions in particular are dominated by these characteristics. While players will need to wait to see just quite how God of War: Ragnarok will present the Norse deity, Tyr will undoubtedly be a very different type of god of war to Kratos. The previous game featured plenty of mentions and stories of Tyr, as well as mementos from his travels. However, players were led to believe that he was dead, or even imprisoned by Odin.
God of War: Ragnarok will be bringing Tyr to the fore, and players are intrigued to see what part he will play in the upcoming title and how he will help or hinder the growing tensions between the Norse gods, Kratos, and Atreus. In Norse mythology, Tyr is a rather unusual god of war, more focused on the formalities of conflict rather than actual combat. He is the patron of warriors, but for the most part he is peaceful and more associated with justice, law, and agreements of honor. He is considered to be one of the oldest and most trustworthy gods in the Norse pantheon, even if he doesn't feature too prominently in the cultural mythology.
Comparing Tyr To Kratos
In addition to potentially setting up a prickly relationship between Tyr and Atreus (Loki) in God of War: Ragnarok due to the latter's relation to the giant wolf Fenrir and Tyr's loss of limb in the jaws of said wolf, Kratos is automatically set up in opposition to the Norse god. Not only does Kratos have a famously negative view of deities, but his violent approach to conflict is in direct opposition to how Tyr operates in Norse mythology. Tyr is characterized by his commitment to honor, fair play, and general avoidance of conflict if it can be helped. In contrast, Kratos is very much a kill first, ask questions later character.
It makes sense for God of War: Ragnarok to play on this oppositional relationship, particularly given Kratos' antagonism towards Ares in the Greek-focused games. Kratos isn't usually someone that gets on well with others, and although he's changed a good deal since his Ares-killing days, it doesn't seem like Tyr will be on board with Kratos' ethos when it comes to killing and combat. While the two do have a great deal of differences, both are also depicted as brave and in some cases heroic, and Tyr's role in Fenrir's capture and binding show that he is capable of a little underhand behavior if he thinks it's for the greater good. Kratos, too, has had to make some tough decisions and sacrifices in order to achieve his ends.
There are a few unresolved plot threads that God of War: Ragnarok will need to address, with plenty of new narrative elements to explore as well. Things are definitely coming to a head between Kratos and the Norse deities, and Tyr's appearance will certainly shake things up too. Some players think that Tyr will have a significant role to play, especially if he could take Kratos' role in the mural depiction of the latter dying in Atreus' lap. God of War has already played fast and loose with Norse mythology, so it's difficult to predict where God of War: Ragnarok's story will go, but hopefully players will have answer before too long.
God of War: Ragnarok is set to release in 2022 for PS4 and PS5.
