While God of War Ragnarok features a wide range of Norse gods and monsters, some notable mythological figures were sadly left out of the story. The recently released sequel has a much larger cast than the previous game did, with the game introducing new villains like Thor and Odin alongside new allies like Freyr and Ratatoskr. Many of the most iconic Norse myth figures show up in God of War Ragnarok, but some legends were sadly left on the backburner.
[Warning: the following article contains spoilers for God of War Ragnarok.]
2018's God of War introduced mythic Norse icons like Baldur, Mimir and Freya, but God of War Ragnarok introduces Odin's family and many other mythological figures. Aesir gods like Odin, Thor and Heimdall serve as the game's chief antagonists, while Thor's wife Sif and daughter Thrud are fascinating ing characters. New Vanir gods Freyr and Hildisvíni are also properly introduced in Ragnarok, further bolstering the cast. Many of Norse mythology's most iconic monsters also show up lto serve as boss fights like the undead dog Garm, the massive wolf Fenrir, the World Tree serpent Nidhogg and Heimdall's steed Gulltoppr. However, some Norse icons were left out of God of War Ragnarok.
Sleipnir
While Odin the All-Father plays a prominent role as GoW Ragnarok's scheming video game villain, the king of Asgard is never seen riding his iconic steed Sleipnir. Norse myth explains that the eight-legged horse is actually a child of Loki, which the shapeshifting god conceived with the stallion Svaðilfari. The God of War version of Sleipnir would likely receive an alternate origin, however, just as Loki's mythic children Fenrir and Jormundgandr were changed into captured souls given exotic new bodies by Atreus. While Odin is seen riding Sleipnir on multiple murals in 2018's God of War, the All-Father is never seen riding the trusty steed during the events of Ragnarok.
Hodur
2018's God of War prominently features Baldur and directly retells the legend of his cataclysmic death, but the franchise totally ignores the important figure Hodur. The blind god is actually a brother to Baldur, both being sons of God of War Ragnarok characters Odin and Freya, but he unwittingly plays a role in the beloved god's death. In Norse myth Loki tricks the blind Hodur into firing a mistletoe arrow at Baldur, unaware that this would exploit Baldur's one weakness and actually kill the god. God of War puts an entirely different spin on Baldur's demise, but seeing another son of Odin and Freya could've helped explore their past relationship further.
Njord
God of War Ragnarok focuses heavily on the relationship between Freya and her brother Freyr, but the mythic sequel essentially ignores the duo's equally influential father Njord. The legendary Vanir deity is the Norse god of the sea, making him Norse mythology's equivalent to the renowned Greek god Poseidon. Njord is briefly mentioned in God of War Ragnarok by Freya and Freyr, but an actual appearance by the old man of the sea could've made Freya's return to Vanaheim and family reunion even more interesting. Considering the alliance between Freya and Kratos in God of War Ragnarok, Njord is a particularly likely figure to appear in a future franchise installment.
Borr, Villi and Ve
Odin the All-Father is the central antagonist of God of War Ragnarok, but the game actually reveals very little about the cunning villain's origins. Norse myth reveals Odin's father to be Borr, an ancient figure who is himself the son of a primordial being named Buri. In legends Borr and the Jotnar Bestla are said to have three sons: Odin the All-Father and his lesser-known brothers Vili and Ve. While Odin and his own descendants play a huge role in God of War's Norse saga, the scheming villain's own father and brothers are barely even acknowledged. Featuring or mentioning Borr, Vili and Ve could've added even more depth to the All-Father's villainy.
Vedrfolnir
With Sindri building a house in the branches of Yggrasil the World Tree, God of War Ragnarok introduces Ratatoskr the Squirrel and the dragon Nidhogg as the location's inhabitants. In Norse myth Ratatoskr delivers messages between Nidhogg the serpent and a massive hawk named Vedrfolnir, though this legendary bird doesn't actually appear in the game. Ratatoskr is instead adapted as the caretaker of Yggrasil, with the adorable character picking up the slack after Kratos slays Nidhogg. The addition of Vedrfolnir to the Realm Between Realms wouldn't add much to the narrative of God of War Ragnarok, but a huge hawk with an eagle perched on its head could've been an interesting visual.
Sinmara
While mentioned extensively by Surtr towards the end of the game, the giantess Sinmara never physically appears in God of War Ragnarok. Players can hear her mourning Surtr's death if they visit Niflheim during the post-game, but God of War Ragnarok's cut secret ending apparently would've featured the mythic figure in the flesh. Kratos and Atreus' would've gone to find Sinmara in order to finish bringing about Ragnarok, with Atreus manipulating Surtr's bereaved lover for his own selfish benefit. While this extended subplot might've harmed the pacing of the game's final act, God of War Ragnarok still could've given Sinmara a small role to expand upon her relationship with Surtr.
God of War Ragnarok is packed to the brim with mythic Norse figures, making it inevitable that some characters would be left out of the sequel's events. However, prominent gods and creatures like Njord, Sleipnir and Hodur could've made small yet meaningful appearances to further flesh out God of War Ragnarok and its interpretation of Norse mythology. It has been confirmed that God of War Ragnarok ends the Norse story of the franchise, making it unlikely that many of these characters will appear in the future. However, perhaps future God of War Ragnarok sequels could implement certain Norse figures as part of Kratos and Atreus' ongoing adventures.
Source: PlayStation/YouTube