God of War Ragnarök ending explained: Does Kratos die?

What happens to Kratos by the end of God of War Ragnarok and is the prophecy fulfilled?

Kratos alongside his son, Atreus.

God of War Ragnarök was released last November, a sequel to the groundbreaking video game God Of War 2018. Players instantly fell in love with the game as soon as it was out. Moreover, the success of the sequel, as per the announcement by Santa Monica Studios, was record-breaking.

God of War Ragnarök has sold 11 million copies, and the numbers continue to rise. After the cliffhanger in the previous title left gamers wanting more, God of War Ragnarök proved to be a huge success. Be careful, as this article contains massive mid and end-game spoilers.

YouTube video — God of War Ragnarök Trailer

2018’s God of War

The video game God of War Ragnarök is the ninth installation in the God of War series. It’s the sequel to 2018’s God of War. Set in Norse mythology, entirely a different setting than the usual Greek Mythology. At the end of the 7th instalment, Kratos, the main character of the God of War series, destroys the pantheon of Greek Mythody and kills his father, Zeus, the supreme being of the Olympus Gods society and the creator god of Greece. Furthermore, Kratos is seen taking a leap off a cliff after all’s done. To gamers, this seemed like the end, but Santa Monica Studios proved us all wrong.

After a time skip, Kratos is seen chopping down trees marked by his late wife Lysandra Laufey. His son, Atreus, accompanies him. The woods are used to burn her corpse, and the whole set of 2018’s God of War is scattering her ashes on the highest peak in the realms, which is later revealed to be Jotunheim, the land of Giants. After accomplishing the mission at hand and completing an adventurous journey filled with exploring realms, fighting Norse Gods, and much more, the father and son duo finally rest.

Kratos and Atreus meeting Jörmungandr for the first time! (source: God of War Series Official Website)

Still, the game events, which led to the end, left gamers in anticipation of what’s more in store for them. And, seemingly enough, God of War Ragnarök proved to the gamers in anticipation that all was indeed not over. Tighten your seatbelts because now you’ll be stepping into massive spoiler territory.

God of War Ragnarök ending: Kratos’ death?

Not a few hours after we get into the game, we get bombed by a prophecy of Kratos’ death following Ragnarök. Yes, the same prophecy we see a glimpse of in the previous instalment. People with little interest in Norse Mythology would know that Ragnarök is Norse Mythology’s apocalyptic event, like other mythologies. Not even Gods, considered to be almighty and omniscient, are afraid of these apocalyptic events.

Though gamers can rest assured that Kratos is alive and well and does not die in God of War Ragnarök. Furthermore, Kratos’ dialogue of ‘We will make our own destiny’ is greatly applicable to the whole game.

God of War Ragnarök ending explained

One of the heartwarming and funny scenes from the game. (source: God of War Series)

Kratos teams up with other armies from the Nine Realms to bring the battle to Odin. Thor shows up there and gets into a heated argument with Kratos, but Odin kills Thor. This occurs after Thor and Kratos decide to put an end to their conflict, which appears to disprove the prophecy that stated Kratos would perish.

Odin is then killed by all the main characters present, and Atreus decides to imprison Odin’s soul in one of his magical marbles. Sindri uses the chance to crush the marble and finally put an end to Odin. As the destruction of Asgard is now imminent, Kratos and Atreus are sent out of harm’s way by Angrboda just in time.

We pick up with Atreus in Midgard after the game’s major action has finished. Since this game is filled with Jouten Shrines, we come across a few here. One of these shrines depicts Faye, Kratos’ spouse and Atreus’ mother, demolishing the shrine in Jotunheim that players previously visited by visiting its ruins. In this scenario, Faye’s death, which occurred immediately before the 2018 game, is further explained. The shrine depicts her battling the giants to try to create a new life for her husband and son, one unbound by prophecy. This explains Kratos and Atreus stopping or avoiding a number of foretold occurrences in the game.

Atreus reveals that he intends to revisit the world with the express purpose of locating his fellow giants. The father and son have a heartfelt farewell.

Kratos Stumbling upon the other side of the same shrine

Kratos learns that the shrine has a second face. As he looks, he sees a summary of his own recent past in which he sees himself abandoning the Greek pantheon in favour of rearing a kid in the land of the Norse. The shrine, however, also offers a glimpse into Kratos’ future, suggesting that he could end up being respected and beloved by the populace rather than a warlord who incites dread.

Kratos had spent the whole game resisting his violent history and examining his actual nature. Hence this prophecy makes him emotional. After the game’s the halfway point, Odin poked fun at Kratos for the fact that no one worships him in this regard. But it appears like they just could at some time in the future.

Now with that realization out of the way, the player regains control of Kratos and is free to go about with Freya to complete any unfinished objectives.

Overall, God of War Ragnarök is an amazing game that did not disappoint the expectations of gamers all around. Santa Monica Studios put their blood, sweat and tears into bringing this masterpiece to us.