2018’sGod of Wartook Kratos out of Greek mythology and into the mystical world of Norse mythology. He ventures to theNine Realmsin an attempt to reach the highest point and scatter the ashes of Faye. He is not alone, however, and his son Atreus remains at his side for better or for worse.God of War: Ragnarokwill conclude Kratos' adventures in Norse mythology, and he will face even greater dangers.
A fewGod of War: Ragnarokcharacters have already been released, and many of them, as one might expect, have been lifted from Norse mythology. This includes Thor, who is the god of thunder, Angrboda, who is a Jotunn and a consort of Loki, and Durlin, who is a dwarf. With Kratos and Atreus on a quest to stop Ragnarok, an apocalyptic event, from occurring, the duo is likely to cross paths with Heimdall, and there are a few ways he could be introduced in a dramatic and impactful way.
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Who is Heimdall?
WithinNorse mythology, Heimdall, also known as the Shining God, is closely associated with Ragnarok. He is described as being bright white with gold teeth, and he carries an instrument known as the Gjallarhorn. Like many other gods, Heimdall is incredibly wise, and he has supernatural sight and hearing, as well as foreknowledge. If anyone is looking for him, they can find him sipping on mead in Himinbjorg, which is where the Bifrost rainbow bridge meets the sky. Heimdall gets around on a golden horse named Gulltoppr, and he is always looking out for the coming of Ragnarok.
According to Norse mythology, Heimdall and Loki the trickster god are foes that often fight. In thePoetic Edda, Loki tells Heimdall that he is fated to live a hateful life, while inProse Edda, Heimdall plays the Gjallarhorn when Ragnarok begins. It is foretold that Heimdall will cross paths withLoki during Ragnarok, and though they are both fierce fighters, neither can overpower the other, and they kill each other in battle.
Ragnarok plays a large role in Heimdall’s mythology, so it is worth unpacking it a bit. In Norse mythology, Ragnarok refers to a series of apocalyptic events that bring about the end of days and the death of many key gods such as Odin, Thor, and Loki. It is a dark time filled with plenty of natural disasters and epic battles between gods. Ragnarok is not all gloom, however, as a period of rebirth follows it where the world is repopulated by humans and life flourishes anew.God of Warends on a snowy note, with Mimir warning the heroes that the Fimbulwinter has begun and Ragnarok will follow it.
Heimdall and Atreus/Loki
Heimdall will likely make an appearance inGod of War Ragnarok, a game that is focused on the mythical Ragnarok. He is mentioned in passing inthe 2018God of Warwhen Kratos and Atreus receive braided mistletoe arrows from Sindri. According to Sindri, the arrows are “straighter than Heimdall and perfectly weighted.” The brief mention does not tell gamers much about him, but if he is anything like his mythological counterpart, he will likely be a terrible foe that players will have to go up against.
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The best way to insert Heimdall intoGod of War: Ragnarokwould be to orchestrate an epic battle between Atreus and Heimdall. While Kratos may seem like the obvious first guess, there are a few reasons why Atreus is a more fitting enemy for Heimdall. Most notably, Atreus shares a strong connection to Loki. This is revealed towards the end of 2018’sGod of Warwhen Atreus and Kratos are about to reach the highest point of the Nine Realms. On a mural,Atreus is referred to as Loki, which he is initially confused by. However, as Kratos explains, Atreus' mother had originally named him Loki, and this was the name she had told the Jotnar giants.
Loki is an interesting name for Atreus, as he and the mythical Loki shares quite a few similarities, including the fact that the mythical Loki has a mother namedLaufey, also known as Faye. Most interestingly, in Norse mythology, Loki kills Baldur by giving Hodr a mistletoe arrow and tricking him into shooting Baldur. Similarly, Atreus breaks Baldur’s invincibility spell by using a mistletoe arrow shard. If Atreus continues to mirror Loki, then he is due for a battle with Heimdall inGod of War: Ragnarok.
The Reward for Defeating Heimdall
According to Santa Monica, Atreus and Kratos are being hunted down byThor and Freya inGod of War: Ragnarok. Freya is seeking revenge after Kratos killed her son Baldur, and Thor, who is Baldur’s brother, also has a score to settle. Many players are looking forward to a showdown with the two enemies, so having Heimdall appear as a third, unexpected foe would be a nice surprise.
Heimdall is presented as a formidable god in Norse mythology, so any battle against him is sure to be a difficult one. Consequently, there should be a grand reward for players who can defeat him. In Norse mythology, Heimdall carries a powerful sword called the Hofud. Players should, upon defeating Heimdall, be able to claim it as their own and use it. Having the Hofud as one ofGod of War: Ragnarok’s new weaponswould make Heimdall’s battle worth it, and it would make him a memorable series villain.
Although the game has suffered from delays, Santa Monica has assured gamers thatGod of War: Ragnarokwill be released in 2022. In just a few months, players will jump back into the winterly Nine Realms where apocalyptic events await them, and the dozens of questions laid down in 2018’sGod of Warwill hopefully be answered. There are surely plenty of surprises awaiting, and Heimdall may be one of them. If he is anything like his mythical counterpart, his appearance is certain to be unforgettable.
God of War: Ragnarokis scheduled to release in 2022 on PS4 and PS5.
