On September 9, 2021, God of War Ragnarök. One of the scenes shows Kratos and his son Atreus battling gray humanoids with blue, icy eyes, enemies that may be known more commonly as "Hel-Walkers," and Santa Monica Studios probably intends on using them as an integral part of Ragnarok's main story.
The Hel-Walkers were first introduced back in 2018. God of War's Kratos left Greek mythology to embrace a fresh start in a world engulfed with Norse symbolism and monsters. According to more recent God of War lore, the Walkers are undead warriors from Helheim who are wreaking havoc in Midgard; their specialty is brute force and ice resistance. Krato's Leviathan Axe cannot take them down, only his fists or the Blades of Chaos can.
Throughout Kratos' and Atreus' journey to Jotunheim, they consistently pop up to test their skills — mainly Atreus', since he's just learning how to fight and kill. Exactly why they're showing up is a bit more mysterious because the Hel-Walkers possess little background information, unlike other enemies in the series.
Hela Is Likely Behind The Hel-Walkers In God Of War Ragnarok
Despite there being a lack of knowledge, the Hel-Walkers will have significance in God of War Ragnarok, and may even potentially hint at what's to come. Kaptain Kuba presented an intriguing theory about the role they'll play all the way back in 2018, which seems potentially on the right track as more information about Ragnarok. Kuba argued that the Walkers in Ragnarok's reveal trailer indicated that a portion of the story will take place in Helheim and deal directly with the goddess Hela (or Hel). It's entirely possible that Hel was working behind the scenes in God of War to begin preparations for Ragnarok and used the Hel-Walkers as her minions. This would align well because she must free her brothers before the events of Ragnarok can begin - since Jorgumgandr has been set free, Fenrir is all that remains.
However, it's difficult to say how God of War Ragnarok's Loki and Angrboda will be handled, or their third child, Hel, given how often the franchise likes to put its own spin on existing myth. In any case, God of War seems to have set up the idea that the Hel-Walkers are acting under someone's orders, which makes it probable that Hel is responsible, and that the Hel-Walkers will get an expanded role in Ragnarok. They will likely possess more powers, have greater strength, or even get new class types. The humanoid creatures are already stronger than the average Draugr, but facing them in their home realm, assembled in a massively structured army, may mean an even tougher challenge than before awaits.
Most evidence and theories the prediction that these icy, blue Hel-Walkers are being controlled and manipulated by the goddess Hel. However, because Santa Monica Studious hasn't officially announced or mentioned their purpose to the God of War Ragnarök story, fans can only speculate on their role. What the community does know for sure is that they're back, and Kratos and Atreus will have to defeat them once again for the final finale, ending the God of War Norse story saga.
Source: PlayStation/YouTube, Kaptain Kuba/YouTube
