The God of War franchise, known for its mythological brutality and deep storytelling, took a bold leap from Greek to Norse mythology in its 2018 reboot and continued through God of War: Ragnarök. However, how closely do its depictions of Ragnarök, Odin, Fenrir, and Thor adhere to the ancient Norse myths? Let’s take a deep dive into the real legends that inspired the game and examine where Sony Santa Monica stayed faithful — and where they rewrote the sagas.
THOR: From Thunder God to Brute Enforcer
In Norse Mythology:
Thor is one of the most venerated gods in the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda. He’s a red-bearded protector of Asgard who wields Mjölnir, a hammer that returns to his hand. He is not just a warrior — he’s the defender of humanity and the gods alike, often described as honorable and dependable (Lindow, 2001; Larrington, 2023).
In God of War:
Thor is characterized as an emotionally unstable, angry, and alcoholic enforcer who is devoted to Odin. While his power is undisputed, his morality is skewed compared to the mythic archetype. The game captures his immense strength and mythical hammer but distorts his role as a righteous protector.
🌀 What They Got Right: Mjölnir, his power, and his role in Ragnarök.
❌ What They Changed: His personality — mythic Thor is far more nuanced and noble.
ODIN: The Allfather vs. The Manipulator
In Norse Mythology:
Odin is the Allfather, shrewd, crafty, and frequently ethically dubious. He sacrifices an eye for knowledge and seeks wisdom through seers and the runes. He is deeply philosophical, constantly searching for power through knowledge, even at great personal cost (Page, 1990; Lecouteux, 2016).
In God of War:
Odin is presented as a crafty and distrustful monarch who obsessively hoards information and betrays allies. He is more of a mob boss than a philosopher.
🌀 What They Got Right: His obsession with prophecy and knowledge, and his association with ravens.
❌ What They Changed: His grandeur and nobility — the game’s Odin lacks the poetic wisdom found in Norse texts.
FENRIR: The Beast Destined for Ragnarok
In Norse Mythology:
Fenrir is the monstrous wolf, son of Loki, prophesied to kill Odin during Ragnarök. The gods fear his power, which leads to his binding with magical chains. He’s not inherently evil but rather a force of destiny (Hultgård, 2022; Munch, 1927).
In God of War:
Fenrir is transformed into a sympathetic character — a giant wolf that eventually fuses with Atreus’s pet wolf, marking a symbolic rebirth. He helps rather than hinders the protagonists.
🌀 What They Got Right: His immense size and connection to Loki.
❌ What They Changed: His antagonism — the original Fenrir is fated to destroy Odin, not save the world.
RAGNARÖK: The Twilight of the Gods
In Norse Mythology:
Ragnarök is the apocalyptic battle where the gods meet their doom. Loki and Heimdall slay each other; Odin is defeated by Fenrir; and Thor and Jörmungandr kill each other. The world is consumed by fire, but life is reborn through a new generation of gods (Lindow, 2002; Tobolowsky, 2019).
In God of War:
Ragnarök is more of a military conquest led by Kratos and Atreus against Odin. Though destruction is widespread, the cyclical nature of death and rebirth is hinted at, especially in the game’s conclusion.
🌀 What They Got Right: The prophecy-driven nature, deaths of major figures, and the battle between gods.
❌ What They Changed: The tone — Norse myth treats Ragnarök as inevitable destiny, while the game suggests it’s negotiable and even preventable.
Kratos and Atreus: Interlopers in Myth
Kratos and Atreus are not from Norse myth, but their insertion allows a clever reframing. Atreus being Loki connects with existing mythic frameworks, as Loki is the father of Fenrir and associated with trickery and chaos. The game leverages this identity to foreshadow Atreus’s larger destiny in clever ways (Knutson, 2019).
Conclusion
God of War doesn’t aim to retell Norse mythology—it reinterprets it. While it bends characters for narrative depth, it retains core themes: fate vs. free will, cyclical destruction, and the burdens of power. It educates as it entertains, sparking curiosity about the rich lore behind the epic battles.
If you’re a fan of God of War, exploring the source material can enhance your appreciation. Behind every fight and prophecy lies a centuries-old myth that continues to evolve — just like Kratos himself.
