When gamers jump intoGod of War Ragnarok, it is largely for the impactful, sweat-inducing combat. The game also packs a dramatic tale with emotional highs and unexpected lows. One of the ways it weaves its delicate tale is through the careful use of language. Differences in how language is used inGod of War Ragnarokand 2018’sGod of Warillustrate important character development and help to escalate the stakes of the plot.
The impact of precise language used is seen in how Kratos speaks to Atreus.In 2018’sGod of War, Kratos often refers to his son as “boy,”though this habit dies inRagnarok. Language’s power is also present in the increased use of profanity. Although it may feel atemporal at times, it helps to highlight that Kratos and Atreus are in a situation where all pleasantries have been ripped away and war is on the horizon.
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Atreus Is No Longer a Boy in God of War Ragnarok
Players are introduced to Kratos’ son, Atreus, in 2018’sGod of War. SeeingKratos take up a fatherly roleis awkward, but it is obvious that the Spartan warrior is trying his best. Kratos is still hot-headed, but he no longer turns to violence so easily, and he has learned many lessons from his past life of brutality. He tries to impart these lessons to his son. However, Atreus is often resistant to these lessons because he lacks the life experience to understand why Kratos says the things he does. It is obvious that Kratos doesn’t quite trust Atreus or his maturity, so he refers to him as “boy” and he expects nothing but obedience and respect from him.
Things change inGod of War Ragnarok, as Atreus is older, and he isn’t willing to be controlled so easily. Although it is a difficult process, Kratos is forced to accept that his son is older and that their relationship has to be reconfigured. Consequently, Kratos hardly refers to Atreus as a boy anymore. This shift is notable becauseKratos uses the word “boy” so muchin the first game that it became a meme. The reduced frequency of the word being used illustrates that the Spartan warrior recognizes that his son is no longer a boy.
There Is a Lot of Cursing in God of War Ragnarok
Strong language is certainly not a new addition to theGod of Warfranchise, which has never been afraid to feature explicit content. However, there is a notable increase in the strong language used inRagnarok. At first, it may seem a bit anachronistic becausemythological figures like Odin and Thorare speaking like modern contemporary people. By speaking in this manner, the gods become far more relatable, even though they may wield awesome power. The profanity also helps to make dramatic moments feel even more intense, highlighting that the time for pleasantries is well and truly over and that epic battles that will decide the fate of the Nine Realms are about to ensue.
Ragnarokimplements plenty of storytelling devices to keep players entertained. Sometimes it even breaks the fourth wall or experiments with gameplay mechanics that are usually routine. These tricks, together with the delicate use of language, allowRagnarokto masterfully tell a tale that explains the battle of the gods while also illustrating thegrowth of Kratos and Atreus. Their story is not over, however, and there are still many adventures ahead.
God of War Ragnarokis available now on PS4 and PS5.
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