Odin is the Zeus in Norse Mythology, regarded highly and feared even more so as the king of the Aesir gods. Santa Monica Studios takes Odin on a different path, one more knowledgeable and careful. The studio does something unique with Odin, whilst also keeping in tradition with the character from Norse Mythology.
Odin has many differences from both his Marvel Comics counterpart, and the source material of the Norse Mythology in God of War: Ragnarok. As one of the most prominent characters in Mythology, and the ultimate bad guy in God of War: Ragnarok, there's a lot of explaining to do about Odin.
Spoilers Ahead
8 Odin’s Death
One of the biggest mysteries, but well-known fates of Odin, is that he was destined to die in Ragnarok. God of War: Ragnarok, has Odin caught in a battle with Kratos, Atreus, and Freya. Despite their ultimate power, it is Loki that defeats Odin, by taking his soul out of his body and placing it into a rule, only for Sindri to destroy it once and for all.
When it came to this Mythology, Odin was going to die in Ragnarok, and as such, he was defeated and killed by Loki’s son, Fenrir, the wolf child. Odin’s death here is symbolic of Ragnarok, and his doing, as he took the battle to the Jotnar and Loki.
7 Shapeshifting
In Norse Mythology, Odin can shapeshift into animals and people. However, in doing so, he leaves behind his body. This ecstatic trance keeps his body laid in trance, whilst his soul takes the form of another animal or being, and as such, he has gone to many different places, with many different experiences.
Players don’t see much of Odin’s transformations and shapeshifting in God of War: Ragnarok until it is too late. Odin reveals himself as Tyr, the Norse god of war that he has been disguised as throughout the entire game. However, his appearance as Tyr is an illusion, rather than the possession of his entire body.
6 Relationship With Freya
Odin and Freya’s marriage arose after the war between Aesir and Vanir. The two remained married throughout Norse Mythology, with little issues coming between them as depicted in God of War: Ragnarok. The main issue with their marriage is the heavy rumors surrounding Freya and her infidelity. However, she does love Odin and weeps for him when he leaves for many long journeys.
Throughout Kratos and Atreus’ journey through God of War: Ragnarok, they further discover the utter hatred that Freya has for Odin. She is entirely deserving of her vengeance against Odin, who was an abusive and evil husband, who practically banished his wife to Midgard, trapping her helplessly here. Freya and Odin have an abusive former marriage, arranged to stop the war between the Aesir and Vanir.
5 Physical Appearance
Most depictions of Odin in Norse Mythology are of a tall old man with one eye. These depictions in drawings are usually shown as muscular, despite his age. It gives Odin a powerful appearance, and certainly one to fear for the physical side of his character, over what he can mentally do to characters with his selfishness.
When audiences first meet God of War: Ragnarok, they may be surprised to see that he does not have the muscular physique of Zeus or the body they would expect from the Aesir God Ruler. Odin is depicted as tall, wearing heavy cloaks, but is rather skinny, and even older than most depictions prior. It just shows how desperate and frail Odin is becoming in his quest to stop Ragnarok.
4 Odin’s Ravens
When it comes to the ravens that assist Odin, there are only Hugin and Munin. These two ravens in Norse Mythology are the helping spirits of Odin, and they share with him all the news that they have learned when they are sent out to spy and explore the entire realms. This is how he knows so much.
There’s a more logical approach to the ravens in God of War: Ragnarok. Although Hugin and Munin are the two main ravens that remain on Odin’s side, he also has spectral ravens that Kratos can destroy. These ravens are a creation of an acolyte of Odin and are originally human children that were sacrificed to Odin to be his spies.
3 Treatment Of Mimir
As an extremely wise being, and a counselor of the Aesir gods, Mimir was greatly useful to Odin. However, after being sent as a hostage to the Vanir during the Aesir-Vanir War, his head was severed. Odin embalmed the head with herbs and magic to preserve it and sought Mimir’s council in times of need. A far different relationship than what was seen in God of War: Ragnarok.
One of the most beloved characters in God of War: Ragnarok is Mimir the Smartest Man Alive. From his voice to his humor, and to the bountiful knowledge he holds, he is one of the few that Kratos would happily call “brother”. However, Mimir was imprisoned by Odin and declared a traitor. Now as a decapitated head, Mimir seeks Odin’s demise as the rest of the realms do.
2 Sleipnir, The Eight-Legged Horse
When Loki and Odin formed a bond together, Loki bore Odin’s magical horse as a way to prove his friendship. Odin rode the eight-legged horse, Sleipnir into many battles, and it was a trusted stead of Odin and showed what Loki was truly capable of.
In many of the murals in God of War (2018) fans saw Odin depicted on the eight-legged horse known as Sleipnir. However, in God of War: Ragnarok, the eight-legged horse does not make a single appearance, nor is it referenced. Odin just relies on other gods and his ravens rather than his horse.
1 Killed His Son
Thor’s fate lay in his great battle with the World Serpent, Jormungandr. Before his death at the hands of this great foe, Thor and Odin were just like any other father and son deity. They kept to their adventures, but Odin had plenty of tasks for Thor, and the two never seemed to want to kill each other.
Sadly, the fate is not the same for God of War: Ragnarok. The fated patricide that seems to follow the path of these games is reversed, with Odin killing Thor by stabbing him and disintegrating him with his spear. Thor’s death at the hands of his father just shows how desperate Odin is in God of War: Ragnarok.
God of War: Ragnarok is available now for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5