Will Kratos die in God of War Ragnarok? Signs say yes

The God of War series itself has hinted that Kratos may die as part of Ragnarok, but what does that mean for the franchise’s future?

Kratos is everything for the God of War franchise. From his iconic red tattoos and his ash-dyed white skin, he is the centerpiece and namesake of the iconic video game series. However, there’s good reason to suspect that Kratos will die as a plot point in God of War Ragnarok. Here’s how the first game hinted at the twist and how it could affect the series going forward.

At the end of the first God of War reboot, Kratos and Atreus scale the highest peak in Jotunheim to spread the late Faye’s ashes. As they climb the spire, the pair uncover murals that seem to depict preemptively carved scenes from their journey. Atreus runs off the scatter the ashes while Kratos uncovers one final mural hidden under a curtain.

This second mural seems to depict Kratos dying in Atreus’ arms by an unknown force. Faint carvings depict a ghostly force connecting the two. Kratos’ arm, leg, and forehead are all destroyed in the stone mural, which could refer to lethal injuries. This is further reinforced by dialogue just before Kratos glimpses his death.

“All these drawings… This is our story,” says Atreus.

“No. This is your story,” Kratos responds.

As for how Kratos would die, the mural doesn’t depict an adversary involved in his death. The most likely culprit will be Thor, who was suspiciously absent for the first game but has been revealed in promotional material. If Kratos does die in God of War Ragnarok, it will almost certainly be at the hands of another god.

If Kratos dies in Ragnarok, it will completely change God of War

Kratos is literally the name of the God of War franchise, and if he does die in Ragnarok, it’s hard to imagine how the series could move forward.

Kratos is one of the most iconic names in gaming, with tons of guest appearances across gaming. Killing him off would be a major shock to fans, but it would also be in line with the series’ new direction. The new God of War series has a more serious, less fantastical setting than the original trilogy. Killing Kratos, or at least transferring the player over to Atreus, would completely transform the original revenge saga into a coming-of-age story.

As for future God of War games, it appears that Atreus is positioned as a new protagonist. Other franchises have found success with a similar formula including fellow gaming blockbuster The Last Of Us. Atreus is already equipped with his own set of combat abilities and he could inherit Kratos’ axe Leviathan after his father’s potential death. For now, God of War fans will have to wait until the game’s official release date of November 9, 2022.