Summary
God of War Ragnarokis now one year old, and there has been a lot of speculation surrounding the future of the franchise. Following recentrumors of a half-sequel in the works forRagnarok, there are many questions about what that would entail. The ending ofRagnaroksaw Kratos and Atreus parting ways in a bittersweet send-off that left the ending completely open for a variety of different paths.
The story ofRagnarokwas just as heart-wrenching as its 2018 predecessor, and one of the most shocking moments was found in the death of Brok, the Dwarf blacksmith who served as some fun comic relief throughout the game. One of Brok’s best character traits was his fondness for riddles, and the most important riddle in the game’s story could carry over into this rumored half-sequel in a major way—“What gets bigger the more you take away from it?”
RELATED:God of War Ragnarok and Spider-Man 2 Are Both Oddly About Passing the Torch
Brok’s Riddle Could Have Major Implications
“What gets bigger the more you take away from it?” - Brok
Althoughthe final riddle Brok tellsthe group before his devastating death first seems insignificant, it eventually gives the story a heartbreaking punch when Mimir finally realizes the answer. At Brok’s funeral, Mimir finally figures out the answer to the puzzling riddle; a hole. This is significant because the character most affected by Brok’s death is his brother Sindri. Without Brok, Sindri now has a hole in his heart due to the grief of losing his brother and best friend. This is clearly shown through his turn towards anger and rage that he aims at Atreus since the boy was ultimately responsible for Brok’s death.
The Half-Sequel’s Story Could Be Devastating
The rumors of aRagnarokhalf-sequel have been suggestingAtreus would be the lead characterin its story. An interesting turn of events would be the half-sequel focusing on where Atreus and Sindri’s relationship stands now after Brok’s death. When players first met Sindri, he was an overly cautious germophobe who began to grow out of his shell, even helping Atreus search for Jormungandr and Freya in the process. The two characters began to build a bond of trust, but Atreus' actions leading to the death of Brok completely shattered that friendship.
Bitter and hardened from loss,Sindri could ultimately be the main villainin the half-sequel. Mirroring Brok’s riddle, the hole in Sindri left by the death of his brother has expanded beyond repair, leading him on a journey to get revenge on Atreus. The riddle could become a central theme in this way, and considering that Sindri and Atreus were once good friends, Sindri seeking revenge against someone he once trusted would play out as a compelling look into grief.
2018’sGod of Warfollowed Kratos on his journey through grief, eventually leading him to acceptance, but a story centered on Sindri’s grief could serve as a powerful contrast to this message.
As of now, it’s being suggested thatthe nextGod of Waris well into its development, and if this is the half-sequel many fans have speculated on, it could possibly be announced at this year’s upcoming Game Awards. Thanks toRagnarok’s open-ended finale, there’s no telling where the next chapter will lead, but diving into Sindri’s psyche after such a horrible loss would set him up as a great villain.
Friends becoming enemies is a long-running trope, and seeing this play out between Atreus and Sindri would be fascinating to watch unfold. The reboot of theGod of Warfranchise has brought to life incredible, thought-provoking stories told by well-crafted characters, and an exploration into the hole left in Sindri would be a perfect way to follow suit.
God of War Ragnarok
WHERE TO PLAY
Embark on an epic and heartfelt journey as Kratos and Atreus struggle with holding on and letting goFrom Santa Monica Studio comes the sequel to the critically acclaimed God of War (2018). Fimbulwinter is well underway. Kratos and Atreus must journey to each of the Nine Realms in search of answers as Asgardian forces prepare for a prophesied battle that will end the world. Along the way they will explore stunning, mythical landscapes, and face fearsome enemies in the form of Norse gods and monsters. The threat of Ragnarök grows ever closer. Kratos and Atreus must choose between their own safety and the safety of the realms.
