As young creators in the entertainment industry age and have children. God of War Ragnarok stories about reluctant but caring fathers often appears in mainstream media. In the world of film and television, movies like “Logan” and shows like “The Mandalorian” and “Obi-Wan” fit this mold.
God of War Ragnarok
Sony has also championed this type of narrative in terms of video games since 2013. “The Last of Us” and 2018’s “God of War” are both stories about complex fathers forced to take care of their children (whether real or surrogate). God of War Ragnarok, on the other hand, is more than just a “dad game. It has a solid message that everyone can learn to improve their relationships.
Rather than glorify parent-child relationships with some abuse or manipulative tendencies, “God of War Ragnarok” emphasizes how important it is to respect your partner, listen, and give them space when they need it. Even if you are not a father, God of War Ragnarok contains a poignant message about communication that everyone can take to heart.
Communicating the Problem
The typical father story follows a set premise. A fierce warrior with a troubled past must learn to love something for himself. At the end of the journey, he decides to share tender moments with his child, blood or no blood, and to do whatever it takes to protect him.
Such stories, while emotional and entertaining, often contain unfavorable overtones. Such stories tend to feature characters who are overprotective of those closest to them. But are justified by showing that this comes from a place of love.
As a result, the worst fathers in games are sometimes overly glorified. For example, Joel in “The Last of Us” ends the game as a selfish man willing to deprive. The world of a cure because he doesn’t want to lose his daughter anymore.
You have no idea what loss is. #TheLastofUs premieres January 15 on @HBO @hbomax #TLOU pic.twitter.com/qzxNH09vvK
— Naughty Dog (@Naughty_Dog) November 2, 2022
Still, he is remembered as a hero by the series and its fans, and one of his most misguided lines was used to promote HBO’s upcoming TV adaptation (“You have no idea what loss is”). These stories as a whole still work; they are just not shining examples of healthy relationships.
Sony’s games are becoming more thoughtful in this regard; in “The Last of Us Part II,” Joel is in serious trouble for his horrific behavior. On the other hand, in “God of War Ragnarok. Kratos grows as a person, critiquing his ignorant behavior and offering a lesson that everyone can learn from as a theme.
Whereas at the end of “God of War,” Kratos seemed to have a better relationship with his son, in “Ragnarok,” we see him revert to being overprotective and restrictive toward Atreus.
He behaves this way even as Atreus is growing up and coming to terms with his own identity. Throughout the opening of the game. Atreus and Mimir are constantly calling out when he is not communicating. Prompting Atreus to go further and end Fimblewinter.
Kratos makes it clear that his only concern is Atreus’ survival and spending. As much time together as possible before his prophesied death. In an early side quest. He shocks Atreus by going out of his way to help his son free the captive creature.
However, in the first half of God of War, Ragnarok emphasizes how Kratos ultimately struggles to communicate with Atreus, making his actions and comments seem harsh and selfish, even when he wants to be helpful.
Kratos consistently pushes Atreus away at multiple points in the game. So he goes on his own journey. Kratos’ failures are no longer due to inexperience; they are a matter of communication.
Through God of War Ragnarok, Kratos must learn to be a guiding light for Atreus. But also to listen to his son and give him space when he needs it. Whether you are a parent or not, this is a good concept to apply to any personal relationship.
Communication in the game
The dangers of poor communication are reflected in other parts of the game as well. In the side quest “The Lost Treasure,” Kratos meets a father who died searching for a treasure himself to prevent his son from getting hurt. Upon further investigation, Kratos learns that his son also died because he tried to do the same thing with another treasure and did not inform him.
In an attempt to protect each other, that father and son did not communicate and suffered for it. This unimportant side quest stands thematically as a warning if the relationship between Kratos and Atreus continues to be dysfunctional and unable to communicate.
Kratos and Atreus hit a rough patch before things get better. Atreus defies Kratos on one adventure and meets someone he soon comes to see as an ideal father figure.
He is kinder and more communicative, but it becomes clear that there is an insidious ulterior motive in his remarks. God of War Ragnarok demonstrates that relationships can only be constructive if everyone is honest and open.
Kratos has learned from his earlier mistakes, and several scenes late in the game are very emotionally poignant. In the scene where Atreus returns from running away from home and Kratos asks him what he should call you, it is clear that Kratos respects his son much more openly than he ever has before.
Later, when Kratos and Atreus have a heart-to-heart is one of the game’s best moments. Kratos admits that he was always distrustful of Atreus because he was not ready to let him go and says that this ultimately drove him away and that he is sorry. In response, Atreus delivers one of the most powerful lines in the game. Don’t be sorry. Be better.
For two people to have a healthy relationship, both need to grow as human beings and improve themselves. Respect and listening are huge in any relationship, but “God of War Ragnarok” is the only game of its kind to truly emphasize it, giving it an even more universal message than its predecessor.
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