The God of War series has taken players on an epic journey with Kratos and other characters for almost two decades now. From ancient Greece in the original trilogy and its spinoffs to the realms of Norse mythology in the last two games, Kratos has battled gods, monsters, and his inner demons.
With the release of the Valhalla DLC for God of War Ragnarok, some fans believe that it might be the right time for Santa Monica Studio to conclude Kratos’s story.
God of War’s Valhalla is A Turning Point for Kratos
In a now-deleted Reddit post, a user talked about how the DLC was a great ending point for Kratos’ arc. This idea isn’t without merit, considering the rich narrative and character development seen in the latest expansion, and how it might be a good time to say goodbye to Kratos as a playable protagonist.
In the free Valhalla DLC, the story picks up after the events of Ragnarok. Kratos receives an anonymous invitation to Valhalla and heads to the remnants of Asgard, accompanied by Mimir.
Upon their arrival, Kratos’s powers are stripped away, and he faces defeat in combat. This encounter sets the stage for a deep and introspective journey. Freya and the Valkyrie Sigrun confront Kratos, questioning his motives but eventually allowing him entrance into Valhalla.
Freya had earlier invited Kratos to join her council as the new Norse God of War, but he declined. He is reluctant to wield power again, given his past abuses in Greece, which also highlights his internal struggle. Throughout the DLC, Kratos faces various trials within Valhalla, encountering manifestations of past foes and allies, and showcasing his thoughts and feelings regarding them.
Tyr plays a crucial role in guiding Kratos. Through sparring and conversations, he encourages Kratos to confront his past and accept himself. This journey culminates in Kratos finding peace with his past and agreeing to join Freya’s council as a God of Hope at the end of the DLC.
The DLC was a Satisfying Conclusion for an Epic Journey
The Valhalla DLC provides a fitting conclusion to Kratos’s character arc. Throughout the God of War series, Kratos has evolved from a vengeful and angry Spartan warrior to a more introspective and self-aware figure who is far more careful.
His journey has been marked by tragedy and rage at first, and then redemption. In the earlier games, we saw Kratos wreak havoc on the gods of Olympus, driven by anger and a thirst for revenge due to what happened to him and his family.
However, in the Norse sags, we witnessed a more mature Kratos, one who tries to be a better father and a more responsible individual, and tries his best to hide his anger and avoid violence.
The themes explored in the Valhalla DLC resonate with the overall narrative of Kratos’s life. His willingness to confront his past and accept a new role as a God of Hope shows a massive transformation, and some amazing character development.
This could be seen as a natural endpoint for his story, providing a sense of closure for long-time fans of the series.
Do you think that Kratos’ journey has come to an end? Let us know in the comments.
