God of War Ragnarok continues Atreus and Kratos’ epic tale across the nine realms of Norse mythology. Their relationship is tested more than ever as the pair have to decide who is a friend or foe, all while discovering how to stop Odin’s ambitions. Although Kratos plays a central role, God of War Ragnarok spends a lot more time focusing on Atreus and his character development, including through his animal transformations.
Throughout the game, Atreus transforms into a few animals, and there is a mythological basis for this given Atreus shares a connection to Loki of Norse mythology. His transformations also play an important narrative role, illustrating Atreus’ growth as well as his morphing relationship with his father.
The Mythological Basis for Atreus’ Transformations
At several points in Ragnarok, Atreus is overcome by powerful emotions, either due to things he discovers or the stressful situations he finds himself in. When he is under too much pressure, he transforms into a vicious animal and struggles to take control of himself. Early in the game players see him turn into a ferocious bear, and later they can regularly initiate transformations into a big wolf.
This aspect of Atreus may seem strange at first coming off the original game, but his connection to animals was hinted at in God of War through the use Runic Summons that have spirit animals assisting him in battle. It is also discovered at the end of the game that Atreus was originally going to be named Loki. In Norse mythology, Loki is a trickster god and a shapeshifter. Stories have him transforming into various animals, including a mare, a fly, and a salmon, so Atreus’ animal transformations are simply a manifestation of the Loki side of his personality.
The Narrative Importance of Atreus’ Animal Transformations
In 2018’s God of War, Atreus was well-meaning but immature, which sometimes caused him to act irrationally or grow drunk with power when he realizes that he is part god. Though Atreus is older and has gained some maturity in Ragnarok, he is also an adolescent who is learning to renegotiate his changing relationships with the people around him. The animal transformations represent this turbulent time of puberty, as Atreus often cannot control when the transformations happen or what they turn him into.
What animal Atreus turns into also gives players a clue about his mindset. Sometimes Kratos and Atreus are referred to as the Bear and the Wolf, respectively, and the Ragnarok DualSense controller features a bear and a wolf on the touchpad. When Atreus turns into a bear, he is usually stuck being what his father wants him to be, for instance when Kratos confronts Atreus about his secret trips. Feeling as though he doesn’t have the freedom to be himself, he transforms into a bear. The moments where Atreus turns into a wolf represent times when Atreus is becoming his own person. For example, when he discovers the mural depicting his father’s death, he turns into a wolf because he fiercely believes he can make the choices necessary to change fate.
By the end of Ragnarok, the wolf is no longer the bear’s sidekick; they are equal partners. Atreus’ ability to transform comes in handy, as he can use it in battle much like Kratos uses his Spartan Rage. As Atreus learns to control his powers in potential future games, players could see him discover how to better hone this skill and really come into his own as a fresh take on Loki.
God of War Ragnarok is available now on PS4 and PS5.
