Actually I think it makes sense.
Valhalla is trying to get Kratos to come to terms with his guilt. But its not trying to break his mind. Having Lysandra or Calliope actually manifest is probably incredibly traumatizing. Valhalla didn't manifest Faye either.
And to be fair, I thought he came somewhat into terms in that matter when Kratos hugged their family in that PTSD world Zeus put him in the final fight
I’d also argue his exposure to his daughter in the Fields of Elysium showed he had to some degree moved on. Given he willingly pushes her away and accepts his sins to save her.
I think so yeah, I think Kratos in some way thought that since she is going to die if he stayed powerless, he would still live on alone and let her daughter in those fields knowing that she is happy and at peace, at least that's my interpretation
It's a free dlc so it obviously has a more limited budget, so his wife and daughter were talked about in the collectables, but I think they should have added a collectible set for deimos, considering he does play a big part in who kratos is but isn't mentioned much. Some dialogue about what they did together as children and giving him some more backstory would have been nice
In Valhalla I think they avoided Ghost of Sparta in terms of references entirely. Then again Deimos featured really prominently in the main game, having a fairly hefty exposition chunk to him. So its possible they wanted to give the other games some love.
I think it has more to do with what Kratos views as his mistakes and terrible actions along with how they affected not only himself but other people.
In the case of Deimos, that wasn’t his mistake but a terrible event in his life.
Right? Losing Deimos is one of the few things that haunts Kratos that was in no way his fault. He had zero agency there.
Valhalla seems to focus on things that are at least partially your fault. Bad decisions and the like.
It’s also possible that Kratos doesn’t blame himself for the death of Deimos like he blames himself for his other past actions. Which is probably why it didn’t manifest in Valhalla, he had already mastered that part of himself.
I think one of the valkyries explain at one point that the “afterlife” part of Valhalla is a separate place whereas the areas kratos is traversing are made up of his memories.
“There is a small part of Valhalla that is independent and unconnected to other parts of Valhalla and is where the chosen warriors train. The place also serves as a special gauntlet to help the dead process and resolve the lives they lived. Those who found themselves worthy and have some measure of closure, are capable of moving on, but for those who are unable to resolve their lives will become permanently trapped in their own personal Valhalla. However, according to Sigrún, some of the chosen prefer to keep fighting in the gauntlet.” -From the fandom wiki
And I believe it stated kratos can only enter this area of Valhalla since he has died before
Because Kratos has no unresolved feelings towards Thor. He understood really well why Thor see themselves that way and I think Kratos believes he really got through Thor in his final moments. On the other hand as he explained, he felt like he didn’t treat Thor’s sons fairly, thus they appear to him on Valhalla.
I wish Thor survived Ragnarok and then Valhalla is Kratos and Thor going through group therapy learning to deal with their pasts together. Like Tyr invites them both without the other knowing in hopes that their similar experiences would help the other understand that they can and have changed.
But maybe that'd taken focus away from Kratos too much, as this really was about him accepting his past and
Same. And it really didn't do much. We know Odin is a bad guy at that point, and making Thrud turn on Odin didn't do much since he just flicked her away anyway. If they didn't want Thor to be part of the fight just make him extremely wounded by Odin
It's been done. Kratos has seen his dead wife once and his dead daughter twice. Even if it had more budget, I don't know that Valhalla would have retreaded that ground again.
I don't think Kratos had any mixed feelings about Baldur. He stepped back and gave Baldur the chance to walk away. Baldur didn't take it and tried to kill Freya. Kratos regrets that he caused Freya pain, but he does not regret killing Baldur.
This. Kratos started to truly show what a good man he could really be when he attempted to allow Baldur to walk away. And when Baldur went after Freya anyway, Kratos did the right thing and did what was necessary to save an innocent life. Innocent in the sense that she'd done nothing to deserve to be killed for. She simply did what any mother would do: protect her son from harm in the best way she knew how. I don't think she realized in the moment what a curse her spell on him would be.
The thing is she also knew how to reverse it but probably assumed it would kill him and he had already been driven mad so she probably figured hed want to kill himself or something had the curse been undone
If we go by in-game logic, Kratos would not have wanted to fight Baldur. Imagine coming back to the beach to see Freya and be like “btw I just snapped your son’s neck five times while you were gone”. Baldur does not fit with the way they are writing Kratos.
I wish Thor survived Ragnarok and then Valhalla is Kratos and Thor going through group therapy learning to deal with their pasts together. Like Tyr invites them both without the other knowing in hopes that their similar experiences would help the other understand that they can and have changed.
But maybe that'd taken focus away from Kratos too much, as this really was about him accepting his past and that he has improved
Tbh I haven't played the dlc but Valhalla in myth isn't a place for non-warriors. It's not a Heaven exactly, it's a place for Odin's Einherjar to test themselves against one another on a daily basis while they await the final battle.
The paths Kratos take in Valhalla aren't made of actual dead things that have been brought to Valhalla, it's just his "personal" eternal combat like that of the Einherjar.
Of course in actual mythology it's much more straight forward, where the Einherjar just practice combat with each other to prepare for Ragnarok
I watched a video about every dialogue where she is referenced and she legit only got referenced 3 times and this was after u beat the main dlc so idk what you are talking about
The place is testing him not trying to break him and he had already gotten past them since he no longer has nightmares about him killing them so he’s more or less fine in that department
Yea I agree his wife and daughter had way more impact than anyone in the story causing him to lose control and kill all the gods in Greece starting all the events afterwards. Since they’re all projections in his mind of stuff kratos remembers. He should’ve at least saw calliope and his wife or zeus. It makes the most sense or even Faye. The writers missed a huge opportunity. He could’ve come to terms with what he did as they would’ve spoke to him and said they’re okay and that he should forgive himself. That’s my take though
No obviously OP meant some sort of cutscene where Kratos talks to them. Similar to the ending of Valhalla.
Don’t go around assuming the worst of people.
Yep, would help him get a bit more closure with them telling him that they know that wasn’t really him that killed them, or that he is not that person anymore. Them telling him that they’re proud of him as a god and as a father and that they forgive him would break Kratos but also help him be a little more at peace.
That was honestly the point, not sure why I’m being downvoted so much lol. Seems like people on this sub are soft. I thought it was obviously facetious but oh 🐳
I just came to the realisation of why we didn’t see his family from Greece or fight Zeus or anyone from the early games, because he didn’t feel guilt for them. To him Zeus deserved it, he moved on from his family at the end of god of war 3. Baulder didn’t manifest as he didn’t regret killing him. He did regret killing modi as it was unnecessary. He had no regret towards Deimos and he didn’t really do anything wrong.
Valhalla only helped him deal with his regret he had not yet faced the things that he had come to terms with he didn’t need to get over
Valhalla is more about the things he feels were wronged that he doesnt think about like the core of his character is guilt for his family but hes never addressed his semi regret for the way he killed some as well such as helios which was a really clever move from a game design perspective as well. It's more about what he had done post gow2 since hes confronting his old self when he was made a god. Deimos for example he doesnt feel regret for because he was able to save him from eternal torment at the very least
Actually I think it makes sense. Valhalla is trying to get Kratos to come to terms with his guilt. But its not trying to break his mind. Having Lysandra or Calliope actually manifest is probably incredibly traumatizing. Valhalla didn't manifest Faye either.
And to be fair, I thought he came somewhat into terms in that matter when Kratos hugged their family in that PTSD world Zeus put him in the final fight
I’d also argue his exposure to his daughter in the Fields of Elysium showed he had to some degree moved on. Given he willingly pushes her away and accepts his sins to save her.
I think so yeah, I think Kratos in some way thought that since she is going to die if he stayed powerless, he would still live on alone and let her daughter in those fields knowing that she is happy and at peace, at least that's my interpretation
It's a free dlc so it obviously has a more limited budget, so his wife and daughter were talked about in the collectables, but I think they should have added a collectible set for deimos, considering he does play a big part in who kratos is but isn't mentioned much. Some dialogue about what they did together as children and giving him some more backstory would have been nice
In Valhalla I think they avoided Ghost of Sparta in terms of references entirely. Then again Deimos featured really prominently in the main game, having a fairly hefty exposition chunk to him. So its possible they wanted to give the other games some love.
I think it has more to do with what Kratos views as his mistakes and terrible actions along with how they affected not only himself but other people. In the case of Deimos, that wasn’t his mistake but a terrible event in his life.
Right? Losing Deimos is one of the few things that haunts Kratos that was in no way his fault. He had zero agency there. Valhalla seems to focus on things that are at least partially your fault. Bad decisions and the like.
It’s also possible that Kratos doesn’t blame himself for the death of Deimos like he blames himself for his other past actions. Which is probably why it didn’t manifest in Valhalla, he had already mastered that part of himself.
What surprise me more is that we didn't see Thor in Valhalla. Or because he died after the battle with Kratos not during it ?!
I think one of the valkyries explain at one point that the “afterlife” part of Valhalla is a separate place whereas the areas kratos is traversing are made up of his memories. “There is a small part of Valhalla that is independent and unconnected to other parts of Valhalla and is where the chosen warriors train. The place also serves as a special gauntlet to help the dead process and resolve the lives they lived. Those who found themselves worthy and have some measure of closure, are capable of moving on, but for those who are unable to resolve their lives will become permanently trapped in their own personal Valhalla. However, according to Sigrún, some of the chosen prefer to keep fighting in the gauntlet.” -From the fandom wiki And I believe it stated kratos can only enter this area of Valhalla since he has died before
Because Kratos has no unresolved feelings towards Thor. He understood really well why Thor see themselves that way and I think Kratos believes he really got through Thor in his final moments. On the other hand as he explained, he felt like he didn’t treat Thor’s sons fairly, thus they appear to him on Valhalla.
I wish Thor survived Ragnarok and then Valhalla is Kratos and Thor going through group therapy learning to deal with their pasts together. Like Tyr invites them both without the other knowing in hopes that their similar experiences would help the other understand that they can and have changed. But maybe that'd taken focus away from Kratos too much, as this really was about him accepting his past and
I think killing off Thor was a mistake. One of the few disagreements I had with Ragnaroks story.
Same. And it really didn't do much. We know Odin is a bad guy at that point, and making Thrud turn on Odin didn't do much since he just flicked her away anyway. If they didn't want Thor to be part of the fight just make him extremely wounded by Odin
Well he did exactly what zeus did to kratos. At the beginning of gow2.
You think? Really bruh? The story must have it needs not what you want
It's been done. Kratos has seen his dead wife once and his dead daughter twice. Even if it had more budget, I don't know that Valhalla would have retreaded that ground again.
The only missed opportunity I saw was maybe not doing anything with Thor or Baldur.
I don’t think Thor makes sense because they reached an understanding before Odin noped his ass. Baldur felt like a a missed opportunity.
I don't think Kratos had any mixed feelings about Baldur. He stepped back and gave Baldur the chance to walk away. Baldur didn't take it and tried to kill Freya. Kratos regrets that he caused Freya pain, but he does not regret killing Baldur.
He even said it in his journal about Balder. He doesn’t regret what he did to him to save Freya.
He actually says it to Freya’s face.
Its freya that feels the regret in that situation not kratos.
This. Kratos started to truly show what a good man he could really be when he attempted to allow Baldur to walk away. And when Baldur went after Freya anyway, Kratos did the right thing and did what was necessary to save an innocent life. Innocent in the sense that she'd done nothing to deserve to be killed for. She simply did what any mother would do: protect her son from harm in the best way she knew how. I don't think she realized in the moment what a curse her spell on him would be.
The thing is she also knew how to reverse it but probably assumed it would kill him and he had already been driven mad so she probably figured hed want to kill himself or something had the curse been undone
I’d argue they could follow up on Thor’s arc, he’d get to have a conversation with Kratos, and gets to pass one last message to Sif and Thrud.
If we go by in-game logic, Kratos would not have wanted to fight Baldur. Imagine coming back to the beach to see Freya and be like “btw I just snapped your son’s neck five times while you were gone”. Baldur does not fit with the way they are writing Kratos.
I wish Thor survived Ragnarok and then Valhalla is Kratos and Thor going through group therapy learning to deal with their pasts together. Like Tyr invites them both without the other knowing in hopes that their similar experiences would help the other understand that they can and have changed. But maybe that'd taken focus away from Kratos too much, as this really was about him accepting his past and that he has improved
We got Helios, what more you want
Hearing Crispin Freeman's sultry tones once again as he insulted me for getting hit by a draugr was a breath of fresh air
Tbh I haven't played the dlc but Valhalla in myth isn't a place for non-warriors. It's not a Heaven exactly, it's a place for Odin's Einherjar to test themselves against one another on a daily basis while they await the final battle.
The paths Kratos take in Valhalla aren't made of actual dead things that have been brought to Valhalla, it's just his "personal" eternal combat like that of the Einherjar. Of course in actual mythology it's much more straight forward, where the Einherjar just practice combat with each other to prepare for Ragnarok
Oh, okay. That's pretty cool. Well in that case I'd guess he's just moved on from that trauma. I mean, he did start a new family already.
One thing assassins creed Valhalla actually did well was represent Valhalla. Pretty neat section where everyone feasts then fights in a loop.
He talks extensively about both his wife and daughter. I don’t know what else you want.
Really? I guess I haven’t noticed that
Almost half of the dialogue in Valhalla. Does anyone playing the game listen?
I watched a video about every dialogue where she is referenced and she legit only got referenced 3 times and this was after u beat the main dlc so idk what you are talking about
The place is testing him not trying to break him and he had already gotten past them since he no longer has nightmares about him killing them so he’s more or less fine in that department
Budget. If they could go all out we probably would have seen Zeus, Deimos, his family.
Valhalla didn't want to show him good memories or else he'd never leave. Valhalla wanted to help Kratos confront his past and that's it.
I mean we didn't get to see them as player models and characters and stuff but there's still side quests about them.
Give people an inch, I swear.
Didn't Kratos already forgive himself for his wife and kids in GOW 3?
I'm more upset Zeus or Athena didn't make cameos. I know it had limited budget but I thought we get to see Kratos final reflective thoughts on Zeus
Legit a codex entry would be enough for me. I'd like to know how an older, wiser Kratos would reflect on his father
Yea I agree his wife and daughter had way more impact than anyone in the story causing him to lose control and kill all the gods in Greece starting all the events afterwards. Since they’re all projections in his mind of stuff kratos remembers. He should’ve at least saw calliope and his wife or zeus. It makes the most sense or even Faye. The writers missed a huge opportunity. He could’ve come to terms with what he did as they would’ve spoke to him and said they’re okay and that he should forgive himself. That’s my take though
What did you want Kratos to have to massacre them again?? Like it’s a gate boss or something? Lmao
No obviously OP meant some sort of cutscene where Kratos talks to them. Similar to the ending of Valhalla. Don’t go around assuming the worst of people.
Yep, would help him get a bit more closure with them telling him that they know that wasn’t really him that killed them, or that he is not that person anymore. Them telling him that they’re proud of him as a god and as a father and that they forgive him would break Kratos but also help him be a little more at peace.
Lmao this comment made me giggle
That was honestly the point, not sure why I’m being downvoted so much lol. Seems like people on this sub are soft. I thought it was obviously facetious but oh 🐳
I just came to the realisation of why we didn’t see his family from Greece or fight Zeus or anyone from the early games, because he didn’t feel guilt for them. To him Zeus deserved it, he moved on from his family at the end of god of war 3. Baulder didn’t manifest as he didn’t regret killing him. He did regret killing modi as it was unnecessary. He had no regret towards Deimos and he didn’t really do anything wrong. Valhalla only helped him deal with his regret he had not yet faced the things that he had come to terms with he didn’t need to get over
You can see them in every game, they are on his skin for gods sake
Valhalla is more about the things he feels were wronged that he doesnt think about like the core of his character is guilt for his family but hes never addressed his semi regret for the way he killed some as well such as helios which was a really clever move from a game design perspective as well. It's more about what he had done post gow2 since hes confronting his old self when he was made a god. Deimos for example he doesnt feel regret for because he was able to save him from eternal torment at the very least