Heartwarming / God of War Ragnarök

As a Moments subpage, all spoilers are unmarked as per policy. You Have Been Warned.

"Loki will go. Atreus... Atreus remains."

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Main Game

• Brok and Sindri haven't lost their hospitality towards Kratos and Atreus, the former marveling at Atreus' growth spurt and Sindri warmly inviting them into his workshop.
• Sindri and Atreus becoming surprisingly close Vitriolic Best Buds between the games who tease and support each other despite Atreus' treatment of Sindri in the previous game. It makes Sindri's furious response to Brok's death all the more heartbreaking.
• The "Father and Son" trailer carries an uplifting message, backed by Atreus coming to his father's side after they were separated in battle to stare down a massive wolf; one is never alone even in the bleakest times.
  • There's a long tirade from Odin chewing out Kratos for being a sorry excuse for a god who only cares for himself and has never gotten the love of anyone. Immediately afterwards, it cuts to Kratos running through the woods with Freyr slung over his shoulders as the forest crumbles around them. And more blatantly, he pulls Atreus back onto their dog-sleigh whilst travelling at breakneck speeds and when both are submerged underwater, Kratos swims after his son to ensure his safety, holding him tightly when they surface.
• A gameplay trailer shows Kratos being perhaps what is the most tender with his son seen so far, gently holding his cheek as though to calm him down and even putting his arm around his shoulders. For the latter, if you look closely, he even appears to be smiling. Just goes to show how Love Redeems even someone like Kratos.
• In spite of being cautious of Kratos, considering his reputation as a god-killer, Tyr nevertheless appears to join forces with him and Atreus to prevent Ragnarok. Hell, he's later seen grasping Kratos' hand in a very brothers-in-arms manner. A shame they later learn Tyr isn't who they thought...
• Atreus believes that Kratos doesn't believe in what he's trying to do; Kratos doesn't deny it, but instead tells Atreus he does it anyway because all he wants is Atreus to be safe. Atreus turns it around by saying someone needs to protect Kratos as well.
• Kratos sitting at a table and talking with Atreus, Mimir, Brok, Sindri and Tyr. Kratos has spent his whole life, and basically the entire series, alone with everyone around him either betraying him, trying to murder him, being murdered by him or dying tragically so it's incredibly sweet to see him surrounded by actual friends.
• Early as the game start we see something rare, Kratos smiles, twice. First before they leave on the sleigh and then noting that Atreus picked up the deer without being asked. Showing obvious pride at how far Atreus has come both as a hunter and as a man.
• Kratos and Freya slowly repairing their friendship as they journey through Vanaheim to sever the spell binding her to Midgard. By the time they defeat Nidhogg together, Freya admits that while she will likely remain angry over Baldur's death for the rest of her days, she's willing to call off her vendetta against Kratos and work with him more willingly. By the end, their friendship is fully restored, and all of Freya's past rage and resentment towards Kratos has vanished as they pledge to work together to repair Midgard after Ragnarok.
  • Even before they reconcile, Kratos consistently holds back against Freya every time she attacks him. The one time he fights her for real, he doesn't recognize her at first due to her wearing her Valkyrie armor, and he quickly hesitates during a Blade Lock with her upon recognizing her sword, and when Atreus instinctively transforms into a bear to stop her from killing him, Kratos restrains him instead of seizing the chance, urging his son to calm down. As he says, she was once their friend, and he likely doesn't want Atreus to feel guilty about killing a former friend of theirs either. This scene also convinces Freya to spare him for the moment and have him help her free herself of Odin's binding.
  • When Odin offers Kratos peace, he sternly rebuffs him. Why? Well, Kratos already has plenty of reasons to mistrust and dislike the Raven God, but the main reason he turned him down was because he threatened Freya. As far gone as she is at this point, Kratos still considers Freya a valued friend for her saving an incredibly ill Atreus, and would never dare ally against her with her ex-husband.
  • Kratos also never acts like he did nothing wrong by killing Baldur. He knows perfectly well what losing a child can do to a (proper) parent, and this is probably another reason why he rejects Odin's deal. The Raven King repeatedly showing open antipathy to his own children doesn't win him any trust points with Kratos.
  • During their initial journey to Vanaheim, a frustrated and upset Freya shouts at Kratos to "just go kill things". Kratos, in the only moment where he raises his voice at Freya in the whole game, says that he will not be her monster and that he’s not helping Freya because he feels he owes her - he’s helping her because she asked him to. This gets Freya to back off.
  • Freya for her part starts out considering Kratos a vicious monster, but when she asks him what he could possibly know about the agony of losing a child and he answers empathetically, "I know," she whispers, "There was another," in a tone that suggests surprise but belief. Kratos tells her Calliope's name and gives a shortened version of what happened, itself an impressive moment for showing the Ghost of Sparta open up to anyone, let alone someone who sought to kill him. Freya still hates him - or at least remains very angry with him - afterward, but expresses a profound horror about what happened to him and never disparages his past or slanders Calliope's name, showing she's not as vicious as she may act.
    • The fact that Kratos still hasn't forgotten his other child after all these years. He's moved on and proven her right - he's not a bloodthirsty monster anymore; he's a father, like she always wanted.
  • Kratos would later learn more of Baldur from Freya, like how Baldur was always looking to his Father, Odin, for approval, but never got it. While it doesn’t excuse his actions in the last game, Kratos comes to realize that Baldur was merely following Odin's command, and is as much of victim of his treachery as everyone else.
• Alone, Atreus seeks out a vengeful Freya early in the story to tell her about Tyr and the implications his recovery will have for Ragnarok in the hope of recruiting her aid. Still deep in mourning and determined to kill Kratos, Freya conjures vines from the ground to ensnare Atreus, puts her sword to his throat, and demands to know why he thinks she wouldn’t kill the son of the man who killed her son. Atreus simply responds, “You’re better than this!” She is.
• While Kratos is trekking through Vanaheim with Freya and Brok, Brok gives Freya some surprisingly thoughtful encouragement regarding her strained relationship with her brother Freyr whom she has been separated from for years due to Odin's meddling making it seem Freya abandoned Vanaheim and her family while she was actually trapped in Midgard and unable to make things right. Brok compares the situation to how he and Sindri had once parted on bad terms but have since been able to repair their relationship and are now happily living together as family again even while still getting on each other's nerves. While Freya is dismissive of his words due to being focused on her curse and not interested in finding Freyr yet, Brok still tells her that there's always hope for them to mend their relationship and that the siblings' last words to each other don't have to be the worst.
  • A subtle note of heartwarming in Brok opening up about the former rift between himself and Sindri is that he owns up to his part in contributing to their estrangement. In the previous game Brok was always mouthing off about how Sindri was the one who was being difficult and "walked out on his talent" by leaving Brok first, but during his conversations with Freya Brok admits that he was the one who walked away first and acknowledges he'd been too proud to admit his faults back then. Even with how cranky and rude he is to everyone including Sindri, it's touching to hear Brok being willing to own his mistakes because he ultimately wanted to put his family first and patch things up, and hopes Freya can do the same.
• Just Freyr in general. In a franchise absolutely teeming with insecure, paranoid, uncaring and otherwise just straight-up cruel deities, here we have a breath of fresh air in the form of a welcoming, humble, and genuinely KIND god; despite the suckage of Vanaheim’s current situation, Freyr does everything he can to make sure his realm and friends survive, and has managed to gather a surprisingly varied group of allies—who’d likely be trying to kill each other in any other circumstance—with nothing but charm and kindness alone. And more than that, even despite Freya's hesitance to see him again, he still has nothing but love for his sister and truly wishes to mend his relationship with her. Even Kratos can’t help but admit that, while his leadership skills may be lacking, Freyr has a good heart; very few gods in this series can lay claim to that.
• After clearing out the last of the Kol Raider camps in a sidequest, Kratos' companion will point out how Spekki and Svanna are still whining nervously. As Atreus had rescued them from the same type of raiders, it's understandable that they would remember the abuse. The party eventually realizes that with the Kol Raiders eliminated, the wolves are afraid of Kratos, so he reluctantly makes an effort to put them at ease. Even with mistaking them as male instead of female wolves at first and awkwardly going the motions, it's still sweet that Kratos tried to comfort the wolves.
  • Kratos mentions an ordeal that Spartan children had to go through, involving surviving a wolf in the wild or perishing. While its sad that this event instilled in Kratos an aversion for wolves in general, it's heartening that he was able to set it aside for these two.
  • It gets even better when you read the updated journal entry about them, where Kratos basically states the two of them invoke his parental instincts, meaning that they've become as much as family to him as Atreus is.
• When Atreus ask about Kratos' Spartan training and why he never received it, Kratos affirms that it wasn't because he felt that Atreus couldn't handle it, but more than he shouldn't need to. Kratos says it was cruel and unforgiving, and wish to spare his son of that cruelty, and Atreus thanks him for it.
• Kratos has come a long way from the man he once was in the previous game. He always addresses Atreus, Mimir, and Sindri and Brok by their names, is much more tolerant of their respective antics, and all in all has clearly settled well into the role of stern but loving patriarch.
  • Kratos has a not-undeserved reputation, both In-Universe and out, of being a ruthless, mindless, cruel, bloodthirsty monster who butchers anyone who even dares get in his way. But the truth is that Kratos has always had the potential for goodness, with glimmers of humanity showing through even at his very worst. Here, we see that potential fully-realised. Kratos has grown into his own as a protector of the innocent, a devoted ally to his friends and, mostly importantly, a proud father. A perfect person? No. But Kratos is, at long last, a hero.
• Mimir's journal entry, written by Kratos, has Kratos note he considers Mimir a brother and a friend. Later in the game Kratos expresses the sentiment out loud, calling Mimir "Brother" like Mimir usually does. Another indication of this is that Kratos is now far more willing to talk with Mimir and share info. He openly discusses his dreams with him, and they both discuss Atreus' emotional state. Kratos also regularly openly asks Mimir for advice or his opinion, and takes those to heart. We're a far way from Kratos calling Mimir "head" and asking him to stop talking.
  • Kratos also writes fondly of Brok and Sindri. He appreciates the former's bluntness and sees something of a kindred spirit in him, and while he’s upset with Sindri for enabling Atreus's sneaking behind his back, he’s also grateful that Sindri was looking out for his son.
  • In his writings on Atreus, he notes that he’s proud of how compassionate Atreus is in the face of a cruel world.
• When Freya interprets the Giants' prophecy as Kratos being their champion, the latter quickly denies it, saying he’s his son's champion only.
• Atreus and Angrboda's first meeting is straight up adorable. The whole section in Ironwood acts as a level-long "awkward teens' first date" between the two.
  • The way Atreus quickly crushes on her is very cute. At one point, he tries to give her a flower, although she doesn't really understand the gesture and rejects it. Points to Atreus for trying though.
  • In one conversation with Mimir, Atreus will outright ask "If I met someone I liked... how can I tell if they like me back?" only to quickly deny that he actually likes someone and was just asking out of curiosity when Kratos prods him.
  • Of course, their Ship Tease is all the more heartwarming/meaningful when you're familiar with Norse myths and know that Angrboda is Loki's lover and mother of their children Fenrir, Jormungandr and Hel. This also gets played with in a rather clever way: Atreus and Angrboda give life to a soulless snake together that is implied to become Jormungandr, and later Atreus is able to restore Fenrir to life through Garm's body thanks to Angrboda's advice, with following scenes having Angrboda happily look after Fenrir on Atreus's request. Both these examples would make the two of them metaphorical/symbolic parents to the Wolf and Serpent rather than literally, a clever write-around of the myths.
  • Towards the end, the two of them hold hands for a long time while talking about what Atreus plans to do. It's not until Kratos shows up that they let go and Kratos himself comments he "doesn't want to intrude..." Later post-ending conversations have both Kratos and Mimir behave like two dads approving of their son's choice of love interest, commenting how much they like Angrboda themselves.
  • In an interview, Word of God reveals that the final scene between them that we can't hear is Angrboda giving Atreus her marble, so he will have a "compass" to find her just like she could find him with his marble. He goes on to say that Atreus and Angrboda may be apart, but "they're still together", and that "they're gonna be a thing" if any further installments happen, pretty much confirming they're fated for a romantic relationship one day.
• One of Mimir's boat conversations gives a very odd, yet still touching moment of heartwarming - Mimir asks Kratos about one particular contest he took part in long ago. How is PaRappa the Rapper alluded to in this? Through Mimir praising him as "history's greatest musician".
• Some of the interactions Sindri has with Atreus around and during Atreus' gameplay segments really show off how much Sindri (as well as Brok) has become an Honorary Uncle to Atreus.
  • They both engage in a lot of friendly banter while also exchanging advice and supportive comments, Sindri especially as even while abetting in some of Atreus' exploits he sincerely tries to advise him against doing anything dangerous or reckless and looks out for him. It's best seen in their mission to find Freya, which also sees Sindri open up to Atreus about Brok's first death and Atreus comforting him before advising that he tells Brok the truth when the time is right.
  • Sindri giving Atreus a way home after being one of the only ones supportive of him going to Asgard again. Note that this moment happens right after Atreus attacks Sindri in his bear form with the latter being resentful of the kid for it.
  • After a disagreement at the dinner table with Kratos leads to Atreus storming off without eating anything, Sindri casually appears inside Atreus' room with a plate and gently encourages him to eat something and sleep his anger off. Sindri even brings himself to put an arm around Atreus' shoulder to reassure him in spite of his discomfort with the contact, much to Atreus' amusement. Atreus takes it all into stride as even though he's upset he doesn't take his anger out on Sindri and even cheers up a little thanks to Sindri's presence and comfort.
• When Brok learns that he did in fact die at one point while forging the Leviathan Axe and that Sindri revived him and kept the death a secret, the poor guy gets genuinely depressed and upset. This is after the mermaid made Kratos his new spear weapon Draupnir, but Brok couldn’t get her to bless the weapon because she can’t see him. What is Kratos' response? He takes a knee before Brok, saying that the weapon "needs the blessing of a great blacksmith". Brok tries to deny the honor, thinking a soulless being wouldn't count, but Kratos still believes and encourages the blacksmith, enough for Brok to bless the weapon.
  • Kratos, as a man who has refused to allow himself to be bound by fate or believed in the whims of the gods, likely sees the pain Brok feels that his idol cannot see him and his brother lied to him, and humbly kneels before him requesting he fill that role.
  • Brok's blessing itself, spoken in a tone of reverence rarely heard from him.
    Brok: May this weapon strike true. May it be wielded with wisdom. May it be put down when its job is done. (spits on it)
  • Brok's bit of wisdom that he shares before Draupnir is forged: "The nature of a thing's more important than the form of a thing". Simple but brilliant and it just gets more poignant the more you think about it. Beneath that gruff exterior is a very wise man. Even Kratos agrees, repeating it when Brok is hesitant, and requesting him to bless the spear.
  • How you interpret the quote is also pretty comforting as it can be interpreted as "Your intentions are more important than your actions" or "The purpose of something is more important than its appearance".
  • What's more is that when Brok makes note afterwards of Kratos' familiarity with a spear, Kratos replies with pride that it's the first weapon a Spartan learns, which seemingly snaps Brok out of his brief funk for good. The whole trip to Svartelfheim is just one big Friendship Moment for the two of them.
  • The fact that Kratos doesn't merely give Brok the spear for the blessing. He kneels. The God of War kneels to a dwarf, who the Aesir treated as little better as slaves, and quietly and respectfully asks him to bless this weapon.
  • Brok makes one request of Kratos and Mimir: they never tell the story of what happened at the Forge, as it is his "story to tell". Kratos agrees instantly, and when Mimir tries to weedle the chance to tell it later, Kratos firmly tells him no.
  • The first time you go to the workshop Kratos flat out states, "Thank you Brok" for the spear.
• Speaking of Brok, there’s his reaction to Atreus returning to Sindri’s home from Asgard after freeing Garm. Everyone else is either too busy dealing with the surges of Hel-Walkers, suspicious of Atreus, or (in Sindri’s case) furious at seeing him again. Brok? He sees Atreus for only a split second and he reacts with a positively delighted “KID!!” Not even Kratos reacts to Atreus’s return like Brok does; the man genuinely loves that boy.
• Atreus and Thor deal with Teeth-Clenched Teamwork as they travel through Muspelheim, with Thor outright threatening Atreus's life multiple times. In spite of this, Atreus still goes out of his way to claim to Odin that Thor helped a lot on their mission, even though he was mostly a glorified bodyguard. As they return to Asgard, Thor also offhandedly admits that he thinks Atreus is an "okay kid", and this is before the aforementioned complimenting. On one of their missions, he gives off a genuine, amused chuckle when Atreus admits he likes jumping up a mountain with Mjolnir.
• While confronting "Tyr" over his strange behavior, Brok makes two points against the former that double as expressions of affection and support for Atreus: firstly, that the mask "Tyr" is clinging to rightfully belongs to Atreus because he earned it through the trials of reassembling it, and secondly, that "Loki" - what "Tyr" just called Atreus for the first time - isn't Atreus's name, as he goes by his Greek name around his friends. He really does care about the little tyke.
• After "Tyr" is revealed to be Odin in disguise and kills Brok, Kratos took Atreus back to Midgard away from the others and leaving Gjallarhorn with Freya, despite the others' protests. In a funk as he struggles to process how everything's gone wrong, Atreus request they they hunt down a deer once more, the presentation echoing the initial E3 demo reveal of the Norse chapter, even having Atreus using the same aiming reticle that he had when lining up his shot on the unaware beast... only for Kratos to gently put his hand over the arrow and lower it to the ground, letting the animal flee. Aware from the Norns now that he has always had free will in the horrible events to keep occurring, Kratos recognises how he and his son are only repeating their past steps without truly moving forward from them. As the crux of his Character Development throughout the duology, Kratos finally decides to truly 'break the cycle' by doing what he could never have imagined before — facing up to his responsibility in causing such tragedy and doing what he can to mend it, or if not, to 'Be Better' than the man he once was. A lesson he imparts to Atreus as they set off to find Sindri and face up to his justified tirade against them for what he's lost, no matter how painful it is for them. It's a quiet moment, but it marks the point that Kratos stops causing hurt and starts trying to heal, even though the task may be impossible.
  Atreus: Why? Now it's running.
  Kratos: And so are we. … When an animal is wounded, it must stop the bleeding. Or it will die. We have been wounded. And this... this is a distraction.
• After recklessly releasing Garm, Atreus returns to the treehouse and tearfully runs to his father. Kratos immediately embraces him and tells him that whatever it is that he's done, they will fix it together.
  • The last time they had spoken before this had been an argument that ended with Atreus turning into a bear to shove his father away. Despite that, his first instinct was to go to Kratos for help, and the latter even assures him that no matter what, he will always be there for his son.
  • Further, everyone present - even 'Tyr' - is truly furious with Atreus for his mistake, except Kratos. A bit of Fridge Brilliance: Kratos, of all people, knows what it's like to have one's actions have severe consequences.
  • Kratos's lack of scolding and instead consoling Atreus and promising to help him make it right again also stands in contrast of Odin's pretending to be fatherly by scolding him, then basically confiscating all his toys and sending him to his room.
• When Atreus and Kratos finally find Garm in Helheim after Atreus stabbed his knife into the wolf's head, they find him hiding in shadows, and he only responds to Atreus calling him "Fen." Cue a very happy Fenrir-In-Garm licking Atreus and canine dance. As father and son are discussing about how Atreus had learned to implant souls into a dead body, Fenrir is creeping up in the background towards Atreus on his belly, like any dog would wanting headpats (well, nose rubbing due to his size). Furthermore, Kratos orders Fenrir to head home once they have to leave instead of killing him, fully respecting Atreus' initial wishes to deal with Garm without killing him.
  • When Mimir asks how they "killed" Garm, Atreus sheepishly answers they didn't, and that he instead just inserted Fenrir's soul into the wolf - to which Mimir lauds him for his cleverness by giving a mindless husk the soul of a loyal pup.
  • Fenrir even gets involved in the final battle against Odin's forces, managing to tear through a grouping and flinging a handful off into the air. Afterwards? He looked to Kratos with a puppy smile, looking proud and hoping Kratos saw him be a 'good boy' before bounding off further into the fray.
• Ratatoskr starts having a crisis, realizing that for the squirrel who tends the World Tree, he's not very good at keeping things from going wrong. It is Kratos of all people who succinctly reminds the squirrel who he is and, through those three words, the role he still plays in the Nine Realms. Ratatoskr is stunned by the reminder and thanks Kratos for it.
• In one boat conversation, Atreus asks Kratos which of the three weapons he favors the most. Kratos doesn't have a favorite, pointedly saying that they're basically tools for specific tasks, so "a preference would be meaningless." And yet...
  Atreus: I like the Axe.
  (Beat)
  Kratos: I, too, like the Axe.
  • Which makes sense: the Draupnir Spear was a weapon Kratos had forged in desperation, one with which he planned to hunt down and butcher someone, albeit in defence of a loved one; and we all know how Kratos feels about the Blades. The Leviathan Axe, meanwhile, belonged to someone Kratos loved, and was forged to defend the weak and help those across the nine realms. In other words, the blades are who Kratos was, the spear is who he is and the axe is he could become.
  • This makes even more sense because Atreus has already proven quite adept in handling the axe in the previous game. ...In a moment he spent defending himself AND his unwitting father! We DO NOT KNOW exactly the duration, only that it was a long time, and that he handled himself well – especially considering he was alone the entire time. Bonus points for what the axe must mean to him. Sure, it was the axe of Kratos' wife, but that was Atreus' MOTHER, and he already sacrificed the knife she gave him to save his father on a different occasion.
• Crossing with Funny, when Atreus is finally able to convince Kratos to let him go back to Asgard to get the final piece of the mask, Atreus passes by Freyr and Brok who are both seated at the table. The two of them simultaneously lift up their steins in a silent gesture of wishing him luck. Good to see that Atreus has made some friends who will have his back.
• After Sindri came back, albeit more cynical, to join the final war against Odin, he and Atreus are task with destroying the wall that separates the forces. Sindri is pretty callous at Atreus, even refusing his help climbing a ledge, but when Thrud is attacking Atreus, Sindri was preparing to strike her. Even after all the badmouthing, the burned bridges and even blaming him for the death of Brok, Sindri still has enough love for the boy to try to save him. And as the Norse Saga has shown us through Freya's eventual forgiveness of Kratos, there may yet be hope one distant day of Atreus and Sindri's friendship being repaired once more.
  • The fact that Sindri allowed Kratos to help him push Brok's funeral barge post-game, and letting Freya shoot the fire arrow to set it ablaze also hints that hope of one day he'll be able to reconnect with them as well.
  • Also, the very fact that Sindri did not bring any other Dwarves into the war other than himself. He doesn't want any more Dwarves to die, so he does all the work himself.
  • A combination. When Sindri goes to attack Thrud, Atreus stops him. Not only does Atreus fully trust Thrud, Sindri heeds Atreus' word and allows him to talk his way out of Thrud's sword at his neck.
• During their search for Freya, Sindri told Atreus that the other dwarves had shunned the brothers due to Brok's resurrected status (without Brok knowing why until later), and so the two left Svartalfheim. Yet Raeb was willing to hold a small wake with Durlin and Lunda in his tavern prior to Brok's viking funeral, the three of them fondly sharing their memories of Brok over drink (even though it's mostly complaints of what Brok had done); and Lunda was happily hugging Brok after Kratos first reached Freyr's camp. Not all of the dwarves shunned the Huldra brothers.
• When Brok and Lunda reunited at Freyr's camp, Brok mentioned that the World's Tree doors are fixed and invites Lunda to use it if she ever sees fit. Lunda, at first, is offended by the comment, saying Freyr's group is her family, and that it might not mean much to Brok, but it does to her. Brok immediately, and more importantly proudly, proclaims it does means something, bringing up how he his brother, Sindri, patched things up and are back in business together. Just how happy Brok is that he is bragging that he fixed his relationship with his brother to Lunda, who is all the more happy to hear, is quite joyful to see.
• While trying to release the Hafgufa from its enslavement in Alfheim, Atreus questions Kratos on why he’s willing to do this if Atreus is present, as he never really showed interest in helping animals before. Once they release the Hafgufa, Mimir suggests that Kratos saved the Hafgufa with Atreus because he simply wanted to spend more time with him. Kratos confirms this, saying that if Ragnorok does happen, he wants to enjoy the time he has left with his son. Atreus is speechless but says that he is glad that they did this. Kratos says that he is also glad.
  • After releasing the second Hafgufa, Atreus laments that both adults have to die in order for their offspring to spawn, but Kratos calmly points out that any parent would do pretty much anything so as long their children are able to live. If Freya is present, both she and Kratos reminisce about what it meant being parents.
• During a side-quest in Alfheim, Kratos finds a diary in an ancient library which could forever change the conflict between the elves, but is attacked by a light elf librarian before he could leave with the book. When he defeats her, however, the elf says she was trying to protect her people; Kratos explains that he’s still taking the book, but spares her life, which she thanks with a head tilt. When Atreus or Freya comments about the end of the fight, Kratos says that, the last time he killed an elf leader, his people suffered, and he didn't want to cause those consequences again. It really shows how Kratos grew to think about the negative consequences of his acts and to feel empathy for strangers and even for his enemies.
• After a growing conflict throughout their journey, Kratos and Atreus finally sit down and come to terms. Kratos acknowledges that in his desire to keep his son safe, he’s falling back into old habits, and Atreus realizes that without Kratos, he becomes reckless. They make a promise to always keep the other's voice in their mind before they act, and come away from the conversation with Kratos finally treating his son as an equal instead of a subordinate, and Atreus understanding that being an adult does not mean that he shouldn't still rely on his father as a pillar of stability.
  • Kratos assures Atreus that the latter has grown into a good man, worthy of his namesake, Atreus of Sparta.
  • After Kratos apologizes to his son, Atreus gives him the "Don't be sorry, be better" line, to which Kratos gives him a smile that's equal parts So Proud of You and "You stole my line, you cheeky bugger."
• With Mimir learning just how broken and depressed but, most of all, loving Thor really is in regards to his family, he tries to talk him out of fighting Kratos during their second battle. In an earlier boat conversation, after Atreus tells him that Thor and Sif have both given up drinking, Mimir responds with a warm and genuine, "Good for them."
• Although Kratos killing Heimdall is also Nightmare Fuel and Tear Jerker considering that in doing so he briefly succumbed to old habits, much of the aforementioned rage is rooted in Kratos making sure that Heimdall will never get the chance to kill Atreus as the Norns had foretold. Not to mention the fact that he gave the spiteful Aesir several chances to walk away beforehand, despite the taunts and threats concerning his son ensuring that Kratos was in a murderous state of Tranquil Fury from the start of the fight to the bloody finish.
  • Even more poignant is after they have rescued Freyr, Kratos is upfront with Atreus by showing him Gjallarhorn, signifying that he has killed Heimdall, stating he left him no options and that Atreus completely understands why. They won't be hiding secrets from each other anymore.
  • Furthermore, Heimdall's death was surprisingly merciful on Kratos' part, considering he'd threatened to kill Atreus mere moments earlier, and other gods have died much, much worse deaths just for getting in Kratos' way.
• After it was revealed that Odin had been impersonating Tyr the entire time, Mimir expresses anger at how Odin disrespected the memory of Tyr by playing up his pacifism to insufferable extents - showing that Mimir still considers Tyr a friend and that the real Tyr would've never been as wimpy as Odin made him out to be.
• The night before the finale, Kratos tries to tell Atreus one last story as he tries to sleep, one which is clearly deeply emotionally significant and almost certainly a metaphor for himself, as he's visibly on the edge of tears as he tells it (and it extends out of universe; Christopher Judge sounds like he's genuinely struggling to deliver the lines without crying). He trails off without finishing but he later finishes it in the epilogue after Atreus asks to hear the ending and it becomes clear why it was so deeply affecting for Kratos: It's the story of an old man who spent his life working to the bone as a logger, continuing to chop wood and carry it home even as his age and the struggles of life catch up to him, leaving him in constant exhaustion and pain. One day, the pain becomes too much to bear and he cries out for Death to come to him, hoping for it to Mercy Kill him. But the Death actually arrives and asks why the old man called him, the old man simply pauses and thinks for a moment… then asks Death if he will help the old man with the wood so he won't be so lonely and hurting anymore. Atreus thinks the point of the story is that the old man realized he didn't want to die. Kratos gently corrects that the point is that the old man realized he wanted to keep living.
  • The impact of the story above is made much more effective by its delivery, where Atreus unintentionally sets up a red flag by asking his father to "Finish his story tomorrow morning" if he happens to fall asleep during it, which he does just as Kratos mentions death coming for the old man, suggesting Kratos will indeed "finish his story" by perishing during the coming battle as foretold. Kratos gazes sorrowfully and lovingly at his sleeping son as if this is their last day together and goes to rest dreaming of his wife. Fortunately, the sequence instead turns out to be Red Herring; Kratos really does finish the story once Ragnarok ends.
• Mimir and Sigrun can reunite before the final battle. Sigrun decides to "borrow" Mimir for the night, since they might both die tomorrow, because she wants to spend the night listening to his stories, clearly still carrying a flame for him.
• After Kratos and Thor fight, Thor is being relentless in his fight, but Kratos has had enough and ends the fight, not with killing Thor, but talking to him. He proclaims that they must be better, if not for themselves, but for their children, something that got through to Thor and ends the fight. Sadly, Odin kills him for it, but Thor did in fact try to change, and Atreus made sure to let his family know this, so that they knew his end was a noble one.
  Thor: Don't you know... what I've DONE!?
  Kratos: YES! [calls the Axe to his hand] But what will you do now?
  Thor: [calls Mjolnir to his, holding it up] We don't change... We... are destroyers.
  Kratos: No more. [quietly puts away his axe] No more. For the sake of our children. We. Must. Be. Better.
  [Slowly, Thor puts his hammer arm down.]
• Kratos will praise Mimir's storytelling skills. Mimir in turn will say Kratos has greatly improved from the very harsh fables he used to tell Atreus in the first game.
• Post-game, Kratos, Freya and Mimir pay a visit to Angrboda and Fenrir, to give them thanks for saving their lives at the last possible moment before Ragnarok. Mimir makes sure to tell her she made her mother proud too.
  • A cute moment also, when Angrboda, after Freya compliments her artisan skills, says that Atreus has it in him too, but he just needs "Discipline" to get it out, Kratos chuckles and gives his approval to her, as if he too approves her being with Atreus.
    Angrboda: We come from a long line of artisans, so he has it in him. He just needs some discipline to bring it out.
    Kratos: (Chuckles) I like you.
  • Kratos can also go to scratch Fenrir's snout, who moves his head for the attention with a happy pant and whine.
    Kratos: ...Good boy.
• During the raid on Odin's fortress, Sindri using his technology to disable Odin's weapons gets unfortunate victims killed. Sindri rather cynically asks if this is what Atreus wants, and a mortified Atreus acts like a teenaged boy would react and openly mourns their death. Then Atreus remembers what his father taught him the first time he killed a man in self defense, and tells himself to close his heart to their suffering so they can win. Kratos pulls Atreus aside, and points out that Atreus feels pain for the victims of this war because he is a compassionate person — and this is such a valuable trait in any person's heart. Kratos tells Atreus that he was wrong, and that he should never forget the pain he feels in this moment, and to open his heart to that pain so he can maintain perspective on how important justice is. Kratos changes his usual "this is what your mother would have wanted" rhetoric and confirms that this is what he wants for his son as well — he would never want the kindness in his heart to die. Kratos then turns to Freya and confirms they are not ransacking the entire place, because too many victims would result. Kratos and Atreus will break open the gate themselves, so their forces can march in and deal a surgical strike: they are here to fight for justice, not vengeance, and they most certainly did not come here to slaughter the innocent. Kratos finally found his perfect balance to think like a general AND a compassionate father at the same time.
  Kratos: Son, listen closely. You feel their pain because that is who you are. And you must never sacrifice that. Never. Not for anyone. I was wrong, Atreus. I was wrong. Open your heart. Open your heart to their suffering. That is your mother's wish... and mine as well. Today... Today, we will be better.
• In the middle of their final battle with Odin, Atreus sees the Mask is ready to use with Odin yielding and persuading him to put it on. He looks at his father for advice and Kratos only says one thing to Atreus that affirms his choice.
  Kratos: This is your choice, son. I trust you.
• Not only does Kratos leave the choice up to Atreus on what to do with the mask, he also hands over the marble containing Odin's soul to Freya, acknowledging that Odin had caused her the deeper hurt and that the choice needed to be hers.
  Kratos: I swore I would never rob from you the choice between life and death.
• "Loki will go... Atreus remains." Kratos acknowledges that his son has to leave, because he's the only one who can find what's left of the Giants and reunite them. As soon as Kratos says this, Atreus rushes forward, and the father and son embrace each other. Once Atreus is really gone, Kratos has wet eyes, indicating he was crying Tears of Joy.
  • The fact that their separation isn't permanent. After spending the entire game fearing that they could lose one another due to Ragnarök, they now know that while Atreus has to leave for a while, they will eventually reunite once more, be it in Midgard or some other distant land.
• Kratos discovering his own shrine at the end, with it showing his journey throughout the duology and then ending with him becoming a Hope Bringer to Midgard, beloved by man and god alike. After spending the entire duology believing he could never truly atone for what he did in Greece, Kratos is visibly shaking as he sees that he is capable of being something more than the monstrous Ghost of Sparta. For the first time in the franchise, after centuries of being screwed over by Gods, Fate and his own rage, Kratos has finally achieved a happy ending for himself, fulfilling his Redemption Quest.
  Mimir: What did you see in there, brother?
  Kratos: A path. One I had never imagined.
  • Watch and listen a bit closer, after he sees this. His breath is shuddering as he sees and lays his hand on the image, and if you look closely, you can notice light reflecting in the area directly beneath his eyes. He's not just shaking; he's crying.
  • Also note: on the third panel of the triptych, Kratos is painted in golden paint... the same golden paint Faye used on the trees. Faye herself painted the panel, and the image of the wise, noble and compassionate god Kratos becomes, that's how Faye always saw him.
    • More than that, her paint is on top of the metal inlays the Jotnar Triptychs use to depict people, meaning she covered up what was previously shown, which, upon closer examination, depicted that Kratos would die. Faye didn't merely defy fate... she chose to rewrite it. All for this one, lone god, so very far from home.
  • The very fact that the Jotnar made a shrine for Kratos is significant, even with the tragic original ending to his tale. The shrines found throughout the duology were made for Jotnar of great importance and others that they had great respect for. While Kratos has only met less than a handful of Jotunn on his journey, the Jotnar already considered him someone of great importance and probably considered him an honorary Jotunn due to his marriage to Faye. He may be a foreign god a long from home, but they considered him as part of their people all the same.
  • There is also the detail that it is actually just one shrine with two sides, one for Faye and the other for Kratos. It is the only shrine that has such a feature, which seems to indicate that the Jotnar considered their bond with each other important enough to make such a shrine so that in a way they will never be apart.
• Post game has Kratos, Mimir and Freya finding Thrud and Thor's hammer. She proclaims that she will make him proud and flies away with it. Lunda says she has faith that Thrud would be a better person than Thor and everyone else, and claims Brok and Sindri would be glad knowing that Mjolnir is finally being used for a noble cause.
• Artreus finds Chaurli near death and is scared for his life. He takes it upon himself to save him, not for shelter, but because he deeply cares for his safety, even Chaurli thanks him for his efforts. Ever one to care for animals.
• Post-game, Kratos and Freya can visit Chaurli in the Sanctuary Grove, whom Freya apologizes for neglecting him. Within her house underneath Chaurli, Birgir is staying there, which makes Freya happy because Chaurli won't be alone.
  • How did Birgir know about Chaurli? After finding Birgir (either with Atreus or Freya) after his near Heroic Sacrifice, he comments that his role is done and would like to get away from all the violence and live a quiet life, which will make either of Kratos’ companions at the time tell he that they know a place he can go and a friend that could use the company. Kratos himself comments saying that Birgir has earned his retirement and makes no move in asking more of him.
• Heading back to the Treehouse post-game, Freya and Mimir comments how it doesn't feel the same without Sindri and Brok bickering, wondering if Sindri would ever come back. Kratos affirms that they'll take care of the Treehouse until Sindri returns.
• Despite Mimir's hatred for the Aesir, he expresses some pride over the fact that Sif and Thor were able to overcome their addiction to alcohol after Modi's death after Atreus returns from Asgard and their discussion about Thor and Sif's parenting skills. Atreus saying that Sif and Thor have stopped drinking leaves Mimir a bit flabbergasted, suspecting there was an ultimatum from Sif, possibly the beatdown on Modi being the final straw. With all that said Mimir is genuinely glad Thor and Sif are trying to be more responsible for Thrud's sake.
• There's one moment where Kratos is conducting a demolition of Odin's war assets, and while he's doing it he praises Atreus for becoming far faster and stronger than he was before. Atreus in a moment of pride boasts that maybe some day he will be stronger than his father. Kratos does not take this as an insult, but actually encourages it. Kratos specifically states that if Atreus is not stronger than him when he’s an adult, then Kratos has failed as a teacher. This is a far cry from the vicious cycle of fear and hatred that plagued Zeus's family line. Uranus feared Cronos, Cronos feared Zeus (and his siblings), and Zeus feared Kratos. Kratos told Baulder that the cycle ends here and that they must be better than this, and he actually meant it.
  • What happens between Kratos and Mimir after this demolition is complete is no less heart warming. Mimir feels like tipping Kratos off to the location and purpose of this one war asset doesn't undo the years of servitude to Odin Mimir is guilty of. Kratos calls Mimir brother, and then says that he was faced with an impossible task and that aiding Odin was his only real choice back then. Even though hurting Odin's war machine is only a small step in doing the right thing, it's still a step. Doing something to improve your behavior is better than nothing. Kratos knows this feeling of redemption needing to come in small steps all too well, so it's touching to see him speak to Mimir from a place of experience.
• During post-game, Kratos may tell Mimir that he can tell a story if he wishes. This in itself is an example, because Kratos clearly misses Atreus, who was usually the one to prompt Mimir for a story while Kratos just listened in dour silence. Mimir relates a humorous tale from his homeland about two brothers, at the end of which Kratos actually chuckles. The guy whose primary emotion for most of the series has been blind seething rage actually laughs, a testament to how far he's come even since the start of God of War (PS4).
  • The story's message also applies to Kratos in a charming way. One of the two brothers broke away from his meditation to go save a woman who was in distress. The brother who did nothing criticizes the heroic brother for breaking his vow, but was he not ultimately more enlightened? The brother when faced with focusing on his needs and improving only himself, or saving someone else who needed help, the brother chose the latter; he was able to put someone else's needs above his own. Kratos has gone through the same journey of enlightenment during his time spent in the Norse saga, and it's fun to think that Kratos is amused by the comparison.
• After Brok's death, Kratos believes that his decision to go to war with Asgard is solely about vengeance, seemingly resigning himself to only ever being the Ghost of Sparta. It's only through his relationship with Atreus that he realizes that not only is he capable of change, he's already done it, a realization that allows him to empathize with Thor and talk him down at the end of their battle.
• In Freyr's camp, there are some pleasant surprises. First there is Birgir, a Traveler, one of the giant spooky knights that look like they came from Dark Souls, talking about how discontent he was with the path. He decided Odin's way was no good and has joined Freyr's resistence. Even more surprising are two Elves, one light and one dark being in love and married. The Light Elf, Byggvir, realized that the light wasn't everything and the Dark Elf, Beyla, wanted an identity away from the hive. These little chats help flesh out the world and show that, like Kratos, even enemies are capable of changing and even supposed mortal foes can find love amongst each other.
• During his conversation with Mimir in the aftermath of Ragnarok, Atreus admits that the Smartest Man Alive wasn't just a mentor to him, but another father as well. Mimir is clearly touched by the gesture.
• After the bar fight and Thrud has left, Atreus asks Thor if he needs some water. After everything that’s happened, Thor pauses to just stare in disbelief at Atreus, almost in shock from that level of empathy.
• In one of the sidequest for artifacts involving "Skofnung", a weapon that is basically written with terrible history. After attaining it, Mimir ask what Kratos plans to do with it, he replies his intent to use it. At first, Mimir says it is a bad idea, given the bad history it has, we get this exchange from the two.
  Kratos: I will use it for good.
  Mimir: That won't erase its history.
  Kratos: No. But the story of this sword is still being written. Future generations will weigh its good deeds against the bad, and decide for themselves.
  Mimir: You've come a long way from when I first met ya, brother.
  Kratos: I have had good counsel since then, brother.
• One of the Midgard sidequests, "Sigrun's Curse," involves Kratos, Mimir, and either Freya or Atreus finding Sigrun's old home and discovering much about her past before she became a Valkyrie. While her life wasn't a very happy one (and Mimir is upset to discover that she was his first love, but he wasn't hers), it does lead to this uplifting closing dialogue:
  Mimir: Funny. Learning all this only makes me love her more. She chose me, despite my flaws, my regrets. Knowing she had some of her own makes me feel closer to her.
  Kratos: I am glad to hear it.
• One of the Favors is titled "Across the Realms," where Kratos can discover the Eternal Campfire in Midgard with the flames burning in the colors of the rainbow. The objective is to collect ingredients from four of the realms to cook a special meal, and as each are picked up, Mimir tells "The Ballad of Jari and Somr," that of two men who traveled around the realms while sharing meals in search for something special. After collecting all four ingredients to cook at the Eternal Campfire, Mimir reveals what the men had found - home in each other.
• Returning to the Well of Urd, Kratos finds the entrance has magically disappeared. He appears disappointed - not because he wanted to see the Norns again, but because he thought Atreus would want to see the Kelpie.
• In the post game, you get to free the real Tyr from Odin's prison. Odin tried to pass Tyr off as a broken man after all this time, but instead Tyr is more than delighted to see Freya and Mimir, and while he does take time to reconnect with the realms to soak in the news of Ragnarok, it's clear that imprisonment hasn't made him worse for wear. He compliments Freya on how her connection to Vanaheim helped in the Vanir's victory and calms Mimir's guilt over the Lyngbakr, comparing unchaining it to Kratos severing his head to free him from the tree and that the creature can at least be content with no longer being shackled.
• At the final battle, when everyone enters Asgard, who is the first group out of the gate behind Kratos and friends? The Elves, flying together in formation, Light and Dark side by side, for the first time since their division millennia ago, as Freyr cheers them on. Even in the post-game, while there are still pockets of volatile dissenters out in The Barrens, everything seems to indicate that the Elves are, at least for the time being, finally ready to give peace a chance in honor of their beloved deity and his Heroic Sacrifice.
• When Kratos recovers the Blades of Chaos in God of War (PS4), he’s terrified at the thought of wielding them, and it takes him several minutes to work up the strength to do so. After his first fight with Thor, he’s clearly hesitant to use the blades again, but he still grabs them without much difficulty. On the day of Ragnarok, he almost immediately reaches for them after waking up Atreus. It seems that after all those years of being haunted by his old weapons, Kratos has finally made peace with them.
  • The Blades themselves; they still work for Kratos, despite Freya saying that all of the powers and weapons of Greece died and lost their power when it was destroyed. Either the blades themselves are that powerful... or they have some form of consciousness and actively decide to keep working for Kratos to show he- and they - can be better than what they were originally made for.
• If you unlock the skin for younger Kratos from the Valhalla DLC, you'll be able to use it in the base game and storyline. Unlike present Kratos, the younger version of him is more explicitly expressive, and you're able to see him smile better without the beard getting in the way. There's something oddly sweet seeing the young Kratos, who was very vicious, angry, and bitter, being more patient, calm, and loving amongst his friends and loved ones.

Valhalla DLC

• In Valhalla, Mimir is nothing but supportive to the idea of Kratos taking on the role of God of War for Freya's new council, making it clear that he's still behind his "brother".
  • Freya asking Kratos to join her council in the first place shows how much she's come to trust and respect the man she once blamed for her son's death. When she realizes that the reason why Kratos decided to enter Valhalla to begin with was because he is taking Freya's offer seriously, whatever negative feeling she had of him entering fades away, and begins to trust his actions.
• During their journey in Valhalla, Kratos shows much more openess about his past to Mimir, more than he's ever been, even without hesitation about his past actions and deeds. Just goes to show that the two have long since became partners.
• The first time Kratos revisits the scene where he sacrifices a man to be incinerated, he has no qualms stuffing Helios' head into the cage and activating the flames as he's just a projection of Kratos' mind created by Valhalla... but when Helios is suddenly replaced with Mimir, he immediately tries to tear the bars apart before his friend gets roasted.
• When Kratos breaks the sacrifical cage to rescue Mimir from being burned on their first visit to "Greece," again breaking one of Valhalla's rules, Sigrun risks being burned alive to save both of them, much to Mimir's horror ("Love, you're burning!"). After all three make it back to the Shore, Mimir and Sigrun share a brief moment.
  Sigrun: Mimir! (picks him up)
  Mimir: Oh, no... you poor thing, look at you. You shouldn't have done that!
  Sigrun: I'll heal, dummy. You and Kratos would not. But you're safe now.
  Mimir: Sigrun, I'm sorry. I've been so foolish, I—
  Sigrun: (covers his lips) Later, love. I need a moment.
  Kratos: (helps Sigrun stand up) We are forever in your debt.
  Sigrun: As I will be forever in yours.
• The entire lesson of the DLC; Kratos for the most part believes what he did in Greece was unjustifiably wrong and is the reason of his self-loathing. But with some much needed introspection and Týr's own input on his past life, he has a better viewpoint on it. He's come to an understanding that while his actions were indeed destructive and selfish, it's not as black and white as Kratos thinks it is. There was legitimate reasons for his revenge and there were glimmers of his humanity behind the monster that destroyed the Gods of Olympus. It's what he learns from his past that truly matters in order for him to move forward and become a better person.
  • In particular, Týr goes on to highlight that, while Kratos's initial bargain with Ares may have resulted in terrible tragedy, he could not have known that at the time. Futhermore, if he had not taken the deal, Kratos's army would have been destroyed by the Barbarian Horde they were fighting against, and Sparta and her people would have been left defenseless. So some good did come of that horrible bargain, at least at first.
    Kratos: You would excuse my actions?
    Týr: Excusing them is not the exercise, Kratos, only accepting them. Accepting that you acted based on what you knew then, not on what was to come. Your motivation and their consequences are far more complicated than you let yourself believe.
    Kratos: ...Mmm.
• When Kratos reveals he doesn't regret killing Hercules, Týr ask why. Kratos reveals that Hercules was always jealous of Kratos, believing he was Zeus' favorite son, and in turned, revealed his own goal in killing him and take the God of War title for himself. Kratos tells Týr that he killed him because he wanted the title of God of War for every reason but the right one. Týr congratulates Kratos, for knowing the difference and also showing how much he understood what being a God of War meant.
• Týr reveals himself to be the one who invited Kratos to Valhalla. Why? Because he knows Kratos is conflicted about the offer Freya's given him, and he wants to help his fellow God of War make peace with himself. Throughout the game, Týr goes on to ask Kratos poignant questions about his past decisions, gently picking through his self-loathing to point out redeeming qualities. Even when seeing Kratos at his worst, Týr doesn't judge or condemn him once.
  • On the flipside, Kratos consistently shows respect to Týr, taking his lessons into consideration and trusting his motives. Not to mention every time their battles end with Týr doing the Punch Catch, not only does Kratos accept his yielding but helps him stand, and the two Gods of War shake hands. Kratos' journal entry on him sums it up:
    Týr has been revealed as having sent me the invitation to Valhalla. Despite my initial doubts, I do not question his intentions. He feels a kinship with me, and only wishes to help me find my path. He is among the most formidable opponents I have faced, and I feel my skills grow. But his insight into my struggle is just as valuable. I now understand, firsthand, why he was so beloved in his time...
  • And Týr's reason for helping Kratos in the first place, when asked directly by Kratos himself? "Because I can." Týr is truly such an All-Loving Hero that he decided to help a person he hardly knows and who has a complicated reputation that would easily make most wary, simply because he saw Kratos struggling and knew there was a way that he could help him. And all this without an ounce of expectation for thanks or repayment.
  • Moreover, this is the real Týr, not the spineless contrarian cowering from danger or questioning everyone's decisions that Odin presented him to be. Kratos, and by extension the audience, finally get to see the Aesir God of War loved and respected by so many: A powerful and versatile warrior, a wise counsellor, and a kind, helpful person.
• At the end of the DLC, Kratos is confronted with his younger self sitting on the War Throne and begins a tirade which mixes both "The Reason You Suck" Speech and "The Reason I Suck" Speech together. But it's seeing the statue of Pandora that makes him realize he can be more than what he was and finishes with accepting his past and present that he finally gets the solace he'd spent lifetimes seeking.
  • In the end, Kratos takes a seat atop a modest throne of stone, with light shining on him such that the ashes on his skin disappear. Even if it only lasts a moment, the point is clear: Pandora was right, there is something better in him. At long last, Kratos has been redeemed as the God of Hope.
  • Even better is that Kratos sitting on the throne serves as a perfect Book Ends to the saga of Kratos's life; as in the end of the very first game, Kratos deeply resented being made the new God of War after being denied death or atonement for his crimes and his whole demeanor carried his hatred with him as he sat upon that extravagant throne he cared nothing about — but now, after finally coming to terms with himself and everything he's been through thanks to Atreus, Mimir, Freya, etc... Kratos is able to genuinely forgive himself in earnest and now take his seat on a now more modest throne, and feel so comfortable resting on it that when Mimir asks "what's next", Kratos sincerely wishes to sit a moment longer. After everything he's been through, Kratos has finally allowed himself to become "more" than just the weapon.
  • Soon after the DLC was released, someone made a heartwarming comment
    "You know, Kratos... When I look at you in just the right light, on that humble throne... I could hardly see the ashes."
• Between the end of the main game and the start of the DLC, Mimir got the idea in his head that since he's, well, a head, that he can't give Sigrun the romantic fulfillment she deserves. He and Kratos discuss this at length over the course of their journeys through Valhalla, with Kratos being simultaneously understanding of Mimir's self doubt and furious that Mimir would sell himself so short.
  Kratos: If anyone else disparaged you as you disparage yourself, I would wish to strike them with an axe.
• Atreus does not feature at all in Valhalla, and almost every single lore entry by Kratos reflects that he misses his son. It's especially true of the fight with the Dreki, where he talks about how he misses how they would finish it together. Crosses over with Tearjerker.
• In one conversation, Sigrun discusses the recent effort to recruit new Shield Maidens in the aftermath of Ragnarök. Mimir notes one particular young woman who's been clamoring for the spot, and Sigrun admits (with a certain amusement) that Thrud's already been quite vocal about it. Kratos offers a wholehearted endorsement of her, which Sigrun accepts quite readily.
• Mimir and Sigrun's sub-plot unfolding over the course of the DLC sees them going through a truly touching relationship development. Following Mimir's insecurities about not being able to make Sigrun happy, Kratos and Mimir come to learn that Sigrun too has some insecurities of her own regarding her questioning her dedication to her duty as a Valkyrie and her own complicated history with romance that Kratos and Mimir found out about during the main game. However it's clear they are both still deeply in love with each other and truly want the best for one another in spite what they've both been through, and the strain their relationship is undergoing has nothing to do with them thinking badly of each other but rather doubting themselves.
  • Mimir's retelling of his romance with Sigrun has him admit that in a way Sigrun was part of why he began to change his ways from a scoundrel and trickster who enabled Odin's tyranny, because he realised he wanted to be the kind of good person she saw in him.
  • Mimir mentions that at one point that when he and Sigrun were still in the early stages of knowing each other, she once called him "a good friend" while he was beginning to develop feelings for her. When Kratos asks if Mimir was upset by this, Mimir simply responds: "Show me someone to whom friendship means lack of love, and I'll show you someone who wonders why their lovers never end up being worth their time."
  • Eventually Mimir and Sigrun realise they need some time to work through their respective issues given they have both been through and changed so much since they were separated by their respective imprisonments at Odin's hands, culminating in Sigrun choosing to give up her mantle as a Shield Maiden and leave to travel the world and find herself. Mimir eagerly offers to join her, but Sigrun tells him it's a journey she needs to go on alone. Mimir is wholly understanding and supportive even if saddened that they will have to part ways, being prepared to let her go if that is what will bring her happiness and fulfilment. They then have a touching goodbye on the shores of Valhalla in front of everyone with Sigrun promising to return to Mimir one day.
• During one of your runs in Valhalla, Týr will talk about Kratos' actions in Greece. In one scene he mentions what happened after Kratos ripped off Helios' head (and Helios himself hijacking Týr's speech to lambast Kratos for the destruction he caused in killing him). In said scene, Týr very briefly mentions that Greece was in fact rebuilt, meaning Kratos' homeland did in fact survive the fall of Olympus and its gods. And that it very may well have been through Kratos' Heroic Sacrifice of spreading Hope to those Grecians still alive.
• The mental projection of Helios' head is deeply sarcastic and bitter about what Kratos did to him and Greece, but he keeps coming back after Kratos has entered the door and accepted his past and present. When Kratos asks him why, Helios gives him a typically bitter response... and also indicates that there is something helpful to the mental projection.
  Helios: You WANT me here. Because I'll never let you forget what you did. And sometimes an ugly memory is the only thing keeping history from repeating itself.

Promotional Material

• The Santa Monica official cosplay guide contains some heartwarming stories and explanations on Kratos and Atreus' costumes among Lúnda, Brok and Sindri's quirky annotations.
  • Atreus' section features a lot of the Huldra Brothers expressing their pride in Atreus, showing their undeniable fondness for the kid they befriended all grown up now.
  • According to Sindri's notes, Kratos used to cut Atreus' hair for him as a child into the shorn mohawk-like style he sports. Now he's older he mostly does it himself but Kratos still helps him out.
    • Brok also adds that he offered to cut Atreus' hair for him several times. He was rejected on account of Atreus fearing for both his hair and his ears, but it was nice of Brok to offer in the first place.
  • Brok and Sindri note that Atreus' shirt design represents his connection to his mother and Giant heritage (primarily yellow cloth, showing he felt closer to Faye) and his father (the red stitching, which Lúnda notes mimics the shape of Kratos' tattoos).
  • Atreus wears a piece of yellow and red fabric in his belt which, as noted above, seems to represent both of his parents; but most of all, it's a piece of Greek fabric from Kratos.
  • Sindri recounts the heartwarming story between Kratos and Atreus' matching knives from the first game, in which Kratos made two knives when Atreus was born which mixed metal from Greece and Midgard to represent his heritage.
    • Sindri has also added little love hearts under the explanation.
  • Atreus is revealed to have drawn a stick figure picture of his family on his quiver.
  • Brok and Sindri's commentary, while humorous as they complain about being hurt that they're not included on the quiver, shows just how close they have become to Kratos and Atreus.
    • Brok adds that he wants to add both himself and Sindri to the picture next time he upgrades Atreus' bow.
    • Also note that Sindri and Brok both say "we/us" in their annotations - Sindri saying he's hurt that "we" as in both him and Brok aren't on the picture, and Brok saying he'll add "us" on later. Even though earlier in the guide their commentary has them sniping at and trying to one-up each other for credit on the various designs and armor pieces, in the end they show they both consider themselves and each other as part of the family.
  • Thrúd's entry has Lúnda take note that unlike other Aesir who are fond of wearing hide and pelt, Thrúd's outfit is primarily made of shaved cattle hair so she can wear fur without killing any innocent animals. Sindri even remarks that it speaks well of her character to avoid cruelty.
  • The double goat head motif on Mjolnir's pommel was apparently a request from Thor himself as he wanted to commemorate his beloved pet goats who long since passed away.
  • The golden bracelet that Brok wears in Ragnarök is stated to be a family heirloom from his and Sindri's mother. Brok elaborates that it was given to Sindri first, who gave it to Brok, who threw it away after the brothers had their falling out but he later looked for it again after they made up.