Warning: God of War Ragnarok story spoilers ahead.God of War Ragnarok, instead of focusing entirely on the conflict that its title highlights, is ultimately about relationships. Though the dynamic between Kratos and Atreus is obvious, every other character has their most important bonds highlighted. Thor’s family issues are touched on, including his problems with Odin.Freya and Freyrshowcase a powerful sibling dynamic, while Brok and Sindri do the same. A romance sparks between Loki and Angrboda, while one is rekindled between Sigrun and Mimir. Even Surtr’s love life is documented. Intriguingly, though, Odin’s most inregral relationship is with something material.
What makes the Odin that is featured inGod of War Ragnarokso intriguing is that he is not a one-dimensional, mustache-twirling villain, but someone with a very understandable goal. Like many in the real world, Odin simply wants to know the answer to life’s biggest question: what happens to someone after they die? WithRagnaroklooming, Odin is determined to find a way to live on after death sooner rather than later, and a mysterious mask seems to be the key. However, he never gets the answers he is looking for.
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Odin May Not Get Answers on The Mask, But Players Still Can
Odin lacks all the pieces to the puzzle that is the mask, and he needs Atreus to help translate the part he does have and to help him find the others. Initially, Atreus helps Odin, as he is hoping to find a way to save his father and believes that the mask could lead to that solution. However, as time goes on his bond withKratosbecomes even greater, and he quickly starts to wise up to Odin’s deception.
Despite some masterful lying on Odin’s part (and astellar performance from Richard Schiffthat makes every bit of dialogue believable), Atreus rejects the mask at the end of the story. After ripping it in half, it returns to the tear in reality, with the green line sucking in the mask and closing forever. Unsurprisingly, this leaves Odin devastated, with the All-Father screaming at Atreus and asking what it was all for.
While seeing Odin robbed of answers is satisfying, and Atreus making the right call shows how far he has come as a character, some players may be asking the same question that Odin was after the credits have rolled. Players spend a fair bit of time searching for mask segments duringGod of War Ragnarok, teaming up with Thrud andThor himselfto collect them. While it feels like the game is building to a big reveal with the mask, said twist ultimately never comes.
Perhaps the lack of answers about the mask comes down to the same logic behindnot letting Kratos wield Mjolnir, as a big mask-related surprise would have also been “too easy.” Players were likely expecting a big reveal like the first game’s mural and Loki namedrop, so Santa Monica likely wanted to subvert expectations and deliver some more interesting storytelling. As mentioned above, the focus ofGod of War Ragnarokis character development, not a random mask that came out of nowhere.
Still, with many players likely wanting answers and the mask potentially having roots in another mythology, it could easily come back into play down the road. Atreus clearly would have been able to use it, and perhaps he will need to at some point in time. With anAtreus-ledGod of Warspin-offbeing very likely based on the way the game ended, perhaps the mask will show up again sooner rather than later.
To be clear, there is no guarantee that the mask will return. After all, Atreus rejected its knowledge, choosing to defeatOdinand stand by his father in the game’s final battle. There is no telling where the mask went, and it ultimately could have just been a McGuffin that was solely used to tempt Atreus. However, if the mask has not yet served its entire purpose, it will surely make a comeback down the road.
God of War Ragnarokis available now on PS4 and PS5.
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