Spoilers for God of War: Ragnarok AheadGod of War Ragnarok is not simply a sequel to 2018's God of War but a continuation of the character's progression and development. One of the most notable characters to change is Atreus - no longer a child, he has grown into a full-fledged young man full of responsibility. However, while some habits when he was younger seem to have been phased out with Atreus' best moments coming from God of War Ragnarok, his curiosity about his place in Midgard and the world at large and his heritage has gotten more significant and more difficult to ignore for the young god in the sequel.
After the events of God of War Ragnarok, Atreus is notably much more grown mentally and physically. He's given more responsibility by his sometimes overly protective father, Kratos. He is also very disciplined in combat, having been trained by his father in survival and controlling his anger. However, given his age, and the Norse mythology in God of War Ragnarok, Atreus has become much more independent and wants to pave his path. As a result, he comes into conflict with his father, who sees him not only as his son but as a remnant of his beloved wife, Faye. Atreus is on a journey of self-discovery from the start and, to some extent, the end. While he may mean well and gets some answers, the outcome is sometimes catastrophic.
How God of War Ragnarok Leads Atreus to Greece
After the events of God of War Ragnarok and defeating Odin, Atreus finds new meaning and direction in finding the surviving Jotnar in other lands, with one possible destination that could be Greece. God of War (2018) alluded to Kratos's past, with Kratos avoiding the subject altogether, but God of War Ragnarok leaves it all out on display. From talking about his family in Greece and his history as a Spartan general to even giving moments between Kratos and Thor's story in God of War Ragnarok to share their mirrored circumstances, the game draws out Kratos' past leaving Greece as a possible future location. One direct example and connection to Greece and Atreus is his namesake's origins.
During the credits of God of War (2018), Kratos tells Atreus how his name was from a revered Spartan warrior who, much like Atreus, was warm and inspired hope during dire moments. It's a touching and informative moment that not only alludes to Kratos' past but connects Atreus to another land other than his own. Moreover, Atreus' future in God of War Ragnarok and his character evolution runs at times parallel to a young Kratos', with both characters finding ways to overcome their destinies and the results being bloody and violent. Given Atreus's curiosity and knowledge, he could journey to Greece not only to understand his ancestry and his father's land but to find himself.
What Atreus Could Encounter in Greece After God of War Ragnarok
After the events of the original God of War games on the PlayStation 2, Greece was decimated as Kratos rampaged through the Greek pantheon triggering cascading events. However, considering that a reasonable amount of time has passed since those events and there are examples of tragic characters in God of War Ragnarok surviving against all odds, it could be possible that a new civilization has arisen from the ashes of the old. Unlike their Norse counterparts, the Greek gods seem to get their power, or at least a fraction of it, through worship by humans. After a cataclysmic event, the survivors could look to their gods for guidance and inadvertently resurrect them in some form.
Also, considering Atreus is constantly looking for answers about his past and, in the case of God of War Ragnarok, his future, traveling to Greece would not only allow Atreus to uncover his father's bloody past on his terms but also act as a mirror on what could have happened if he didn't have his father guiding him. From God of War Ragnarok's sound effects to the combat, the game evolves significantly from the first, with Atreus's growth being one of the most significant changes. While only time will tell when and where Atreus will show up, it will surely bring renewed growth and understanding to the character.
God of War Ragnarok is out now for PS4 and PS5.
