Summary
God of War Ragnarokis noted for having one of the best video game narratives in recent memory, with one of its greatest strengths being its character development. While there is something to love about every one ofGod of WarRagnarok’s characters, there is nothing quite like the bond that continues to grow between Kratos and Atreus during the game’s roughly thirty-hour story. The combination of Kratos, haunted by his past and his responsibility to protect his son, and Atreus, who is now aware of his true identity as Loki, serves to create one massive roller coaster of emotions throughoutRagnarok’s narrative. However, Atreus shares a bond with another beloved character in the game whose untimely death struck an emotional chord with fans duringRagnarok’s opening hours.
Fenrir is Atreus’s beloved wolf companion introduced at the start ofGod of War Ragnarok. While he doesn’t play any significant role duringRagnarok’s introduction, Fenrir’s wanted presence and importance are effortlessly felt as he succumbs to his sickness in Atreus' arms. It is undoubtedly one of the most gut-wrenching moments of the entire game, and it happens before the story even gets off to a rolling start. Even so, Fenrir is revived later in the game thanks to a move unknowingly made by Atreus, and his salvation results in an incredibly adorable moment unlike any other inRagnarok. Thankfully, now that Fenrir has gone to the grave and come back from it, he is most likely safe from death in futureGod of Warinstallments.
Why Fenrir Is Most Likely Safe in Future Installments
Fenrir Dies During God of War Ragnarok’s Introduction
Fenrir is one of the three wolves adopted byKratos and Atreusat some point during Fimbulwinter. When Kratos and Atreus rescued the three wolves, Fenrir was already very old, and it is mentioned that he is sick shortly after Kratos and Atreus evade Freya. As father and son return to their home, Atreus begins to worry because Fenrir has not greeted them. Shortly after that, Atreus holds Fenrir as his beloved companion passes away in his arms, but not before Atreus binds a part of Fenrir’s soul to his dagger. Later on in the game, Kratos and Atreus encounter Garm in Helheim, and Atreus stabs him with the dagger containing Fenrir’s soul, and Garm then takes on Fenrir’s soul. As such, in a way, Fenrir is revived, albeit his soul now lives in Garm’s body.
Surely, God of War Won’t Kill Off Fenrir Again
Although he is only introduced at the start ofGod of War Ragnarok, Atreus' faithful attachment to him is easy to identify with, especially for anyone who has ever owned a pet. This largely speaks to how wellRagnarokis written, as the game’s narrative is able to take full advantage of its emotional appeal right off the bat with very little to work with. The relationship betweenFenrir and Atreushad not been fleshed out by the time of Fenrir’s death, and yet it is still widely considered one ofRagnarok’s most devastating moments. Fortunately, this likely means it won’t happen again, as it may feel both repetitive and unnecessary.
In light of this, Santa Monica is unlikely to kill off Fenrir again in future installments. That privilege may eventually be passed on to another beloved character, just as it was withBrok’s death inRagnarok. This means players are presumably safe from their emotions being tangled with in the future, at least when it comes to Fenrir anyway. Especially now that Fenrir is safely under the care of Angrboda, wherever Atreus' journey might take him, his wolf companion will likely enjoy his days simply resting in Jotunheim.
