God of War Ragnarok’ promotes great parenting with its ‘Be Better’ emphasis.
God of War Ragnarok' promotes great parenting with its 'Be Better' emphasis.
Be Better: The Parenting Lesson in God of War Ragnarok
Last year, one of the most highly anticipated games, God of War Ragnarok, was released worldwide for the PS5. And let me tell you, it was epic! Critics couldn’t stop raving about it, and for good reason. This game felt like the perfect conclusion to the story that began in the 2018 game. But what made it even more special was the underlying theme that drove the entire narrative.
Now, if you’ve played the early games in the franchise, you know that our protagonist, Kratos, wasn’t exactly a good person. In fact, he was more like the ultimate villain of the God of War games. But here’s the twist: in God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarok, Kratos is trying to be a better person, all for the sake of his son. Talk about a character arc!
Let’s dive deeper into this transformative journey. When we meet Kratos in God of War (2018), it’s evident that he has changed since his raging days in Greece. But hey, he still has some anger issues, especially when it comes to dealing with his son’s impulses and bad behavior. Turns out, single parenting an 11-year-old demigod isn’t easy. But our brooding Spartan keeps his rage in check, striving to be a better role model for Atreus and breaking the cycle of past mistakes.
And this character development continues in the sequel, God of War Ragnarok. Kratos goes above and beyond, actively discouraging a war with Asgard and keeping everyone around him out of the chaos. It’s all part of his mission to be a better father and shield his son from the hardships he once faced. Turns out, Kratos isn’t the only one on this journey of self-improvement.
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Enter Thor, the Norse god of thunder. His story parallels Kratos’, with a similar awakening triggered by the death of a family member. Thor’s sons, Magni and Modi, met an unfortunate fate, partly due to their father’s actions. This event caused Thor’s relationships to crumble and spurred him to become a better father to his surviving daughter, Thrud.
In God of War Ragnarok, Thrud offers us a glimpse into Thor’s growth as a father. She acknowledges his past behavior but also embraces her warrior training and dreams of becoming a Valkyrie. This creates tension between Thor and his wife, Sif, who despises the idea of their daughter serving Odin. However, just like Kratos, Thor strives to be a better parent to his remaining child. This journey leads to a powerful moment of understanding between father and daughter, ultimately empowering Thor to stand up against Odin.
As for where the franchise is headed, we can only speculate. Some suggest that focusing on Atreus would be the natural progression. However, Santa Monica Studio has been tight-lipped about their future plans. We’ll just have to wait and see. But one thing’s for sure: God of War Ragnarok imparts a valuable parenting lesson, reminding us all to “be better.”
So, grab your trusty controller and dive into the epic realms of God of War: Ragnarok, available now for PS4 and PS5.
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