God of War Ragnarok is a sizable epic, not only increasing the number of hours required to complete over the previous title but also the number of main characters included in the game. Gone are the days of the more intimate cast of God of War (2018). Instead, the number of important characters exploded to match the vastness of the game’s narrative scope.
You’ll definitely recognize some returning characters, along with some new faces you'll come to love. Be warned: this list does contain some slight spoilers. Events will not be discussed, but some of the characters mentioned haven’t been revealed in the marketing leading up to release, so proceed with caution.
**Mild character spoilers are included in this list.**
10 Brok
One of our returning characters, this colorful (literally and figuratively) dwarf ally, might seem low on the list, but with several other characters not making the cut at all, it’s important to emphasize Brok’s worthiness.
Yes, he’s just as crass and vulgar as in the previous title, often bringing with him a level of levity that’s needed during or after some tense scenes. He does, however, manage to show some surprising depth and thoughtfulness at several times in the narrative, adding a much-needed dimension to an often one-note ally.
9 Mimir
Even though he’s near the top of this list, don’t think for a second that Mimir lacks any of the charisma and charm showcased in God of War (2018). In Ragnarok, Mimir has matured quite a bit -- not necessarily in his disposition, but specifically in his relationships with Kratos and Atreus.
He behaves much more like a beloved uncle or even a second father figure for Atreus, and Kratos shows a deep respect for Mimir’s counsel, often asking for and taking his advice. He is still just a head, after all, but that does little to stop the smartest man alive from earning a place on this list.
8 Sindri
Another returning character, the beloved brother to Brok, rounds out the list at number 8. He is often somehow even more eccentric than his blue counterpart, but he manages to get himself directly involved with the narrative throughout. Sindri, like his brother, moved beyond simple comedic relief, showcasing a fantastic depth of character.
We saw glimpses of it in God of War (2018), but Sindri feels much more like a fully fleshed-out person in Ragnarok, complete with his own arc and poignant character moments.
7 Angrboda
One of the new additions to the franchise, Angrboda, is instantly charming. One of the last surviving Giants like Atreus, Angrboda becomes a significant character very quickly after her introduction. She shares Atreus’ love for animals, and she offers some new insights into Jotunheim and the fate of the Giants, answering many questions that the previous title only just touched on by the end of the game.
Angrboda deserves a place so high on this list with how she fits so neatly into the world, answering lingering questions and further complicating our understanding of past (and future) events.
6 Thrud
Another new addition, Thrud, became an easy favorite shortly after her introduction. The daughter of Thor, she shares some of her father’s bruskness, but that is only enhanced by her genuine nature and enthusiastic warrior spirit. She offers deeper insight into Asgard, Thor’s general disposition, and even touches some on her brothers Magdi and Modi, two antagonists from the previous title.
Without delving much into spoilers, Thrud was surprising at several points in the narrative, solidifying her as a fantastic and memorable character.
5 Odin
The Allfather himself. First impressions of Odin can be fairly muted. If you go into the game expecting someone like Zeus from the original God of War trilogy -- an imposing, hulking figure with the weight of Olympus on his shoulders -- you'll be disappointed. But, as the game winds on, Odin's quality really begins to shine through.
He is a thoughtful, conniving, and, yes, charming character -- shifting players' expectations quite a bit throughout. Ultimately, Odin delivers a fresh take on the ‘king of the gods’ role, commanding respect from those around him in quite a unique way.
4 Thor
The much-anticipated antagonist of Ragnarok, Kratos and Atreus, heard many horrifying stories of this bloodthirsty warrior during the previous game, and fans were teased with a dream of Thor visiting their house at the end of God of War (2018). Now that he’s finally here, he does not disappoint. Thor feels like a threat in every scene, hulking over those around him, always giving the impression of barely contained violence.
Throughout the game, our understanding of Thor deepens, and that menace is layered upon a fully formed character with a complicated past and complicated relationships with those around him. What could easily have been a one-note character turned out to be a phenomenal and worthy antagonist.
3 Atreus
Kratos’ son and co-lead to this game, Atreus, has come a long way since his early adventuring days in God of War (2018). Where once he was a young boy coming to terms with his godhood, he is now a young man bristling with purpose. With age comes a bit more rebellion, but in a much more mature way than his childish outbursts from the previous title.
Atreus has his own fleshed-out character arc coursing through the narrative of this game, and he's often challenging Kratos in more ways than one as he searches for meaning in the prophecies discovered in Jotunheim.
2 Freya
A fantastic character introduced in the previous title, Freya, is even more compelling in the sequel. Casting off her peaceful ways forced upon her by Odin’s now-broken spell, Freya has sworn vengeance against Kratos for killing her son, Baldur.
It would have been easy for this to be the extent of her role in the narrative -- a bloodthirsty goddess out for revenge -- but Freya’s powerful presence leaves an indelible mark on the story with her grief and anguish so beautifully portrayed in every scene. She is a complex, layered character, and her VA’s performance is second only to one.
1 Kratos
The titular God of War, Kratos, was fairly one-note in early titles, which led to God of War's (2018) major surprise with his nuanced performance and characterization. There was a bit of fear about whether that spark could be recaptured after already pulling off such a character rework, but those fears are quickly laid to rest at every point in Ragnarok. Kratos has continued to grow and evolve as a character, showing a depth of emotion that is both surprising at times and fully in character.
The subtleties of his performance, paired with the evolution of his relationships with Atreus, Mimir, and others, earn him the highest honors. Kratos is a phenomenal protagonist, earning him a top place among the very best in video games.