Summary
Dramatic character redemption arcs are always appreciated, and the reception of Kratos in the now-legendaryGod of War: Ragnarokis a pristine example of how a persona can completely flip its perception of reality. After years spent living and breathing violence, exacting his vengeance on the pantheon of Olympus and Rome, the God of War donned a softer personality inGod of War: Ragnarokwith his son Atreus in tow across the lands of ancient Scandinavia. On their perilous journey to spread the deceased Faye’s ashes atop the highest peak in theNine Realms, Kratos comes face-to-face with the mythical Nordic Berserkers, and this boss fight represents more than a simple killing spree, as these creatures are a mirror image of the enraged man Kratos used to be.
God of War: Ragnarokhas received many plaudits since its release, sweeping across the gaming landscape like a fever and carting home a truckful of honors atThe Game Awards in 2022, the only real challenger toElden Ringin RPGs. The adventures of Kratos always draw a crowd of gamers, and the latest addition to theGod of Warfranchise shed a different light on the typically bloodthirsty warrior. Redemption is usually beyond the reach of men like Kratos, but the Santa Monica product portrayed his journey beautifully, making him face an encounter with the Berserkers - mythical killing machines - and having teaching moments with Atreus along the way.
RELATED:Every Character’s ‘Happy Ending’ in God of War Ragnarok Explained
Kratos' Battles With the Berserkers Symbolize His Growth
It’s not often that optional boss fights can impact a story so much, but the spectral Berserker spirits – who many players find difficult to overcome – unlock captivating lore and powerful upgrades that boost Kratos' abilities in his journey with Atreus. FollowingGod of War: Ragnarok’s main questline leads players to King Hrolf’s final resting place, where they will claim his legendary sword Skofnung. Claiming the weapon unlocks theBerserker gravestone locationsscattered across the game’s map, and players can set about felling the 11 optional bosses before facing King Hrolf himself after Odin’s defeat.
Berserkers are warriors hailing from Norse mythology that were said to fight in a state of rage, a particularly violent caste of combatants with fearsome brute strength. InGod of War: Ragnarok, they emit a green glow and attack Kratos relentlessly, and it is a challenge for even the most skilled players to get past all 12 Berserkers unscathed. Their rage is reminiscent of Kratos from earlierGod of Wareditions, yelling mindlessly during combat and embodying anger in their movements.Ragnarok’s version of Kratos is much calmer as he reforms his personality for Atreus' sake, and beating the creatures is a symbolic victory of overcoming his past demons.
Atreus starts out not knowing much about his father’s dark past, and he gets snippets into the type of man Kratos used to be during their adventure across Scandinavia. Kratos lectures him between fights, and gamers see more of the warrior’s fatherly side as the developer expanded on theevents ofGod of War(2018). Their Fimbulwinter experience contributes to Atreus' growth, culminating in his departure to explore after killing Odin together with his father. Through the Berserker battles, Atreus learns how rage-fueled creatures think and fight, and Kratos comes to terms with the terrifying killer he used to be.
Boss fights are always intriguing in terms of gameplay, stretching the limits of players' abilities and mastery of combat controls, and the Berserkers do an excellent job of challenging gamers, although there are a fewGod of Warenthusiasts who did a speed run of defeating the creatures. Traditionally, optionalbosses in fighting gamesserve as extra bodies to conquer, but inGod of War: Ragnarok, the dynamic of Kratos confronting his past self through the lens of the Berserkers with his son watching closely and learning from the experience ties neatly into his reformation arc of self-control.
God of War Ragnarokis available on PS4 and PS5.
MORE:The Next God of War Game Can’t Abandon 2018 and Ragnarok’s Best Feature
