Summary
The 2018God of Warsoft-reboot is jam-packed with cinematic flair and dramatic moments, echoing other popular Sony games likeThe Last of Us. There are countlessincredible fights inGod of War, alongside tender moments and shocking revelations, but one iconic battle early on in the game, between Kratos and Baldur, stands out as one of the best in the series.
When Kratos returned inGod of War2018, many were surprised to see that he had abandoned his native home of Greece and relocated to an unspecified Scandinavian locale. He started a new life and a new family, but it soon became apparent that the peaceful life he sought was not ready for him. Baldur, son of Freya and Odin, enters the story, and the rest of the game centers on the conflict between these two men and their respective allies. The antagonist’s first appearance is not only entertaining but also helps establishGod of War’s familial themesand its unique cinematic style.
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Why God of War’s Baldur Fight Is Significant
The first encounter with Baldur happens rather early in the game, after a short mission with Atreus that serves as a tutorial and as laying the groundwork for the rest of thenarrative.God of Warwas a major leap for the franchise, pivoting it away from its character-action,Devil May Cry-esque roots and making it much slower, more methodical, and narrative-driven. This early fight helps define this shift in more ways than one.
Baldur Is a New Kind of God of War Boss
While there are certainly notable exceptions, bossesin the olderGod of Wargameserred on the side of the dramatic and legendary, often being colossal and inhuman. In the most recentGod of Wargames, the bosses are just as threatening, but also a bit more understated and grounded. Baldur is the perfect example of this, as his slight build and mild manner make him unassuming as an ultra-powerful god. He ends up subverting the expectations most players will have of him at first glance, launching Kratos into the sky with a single punch and performing subsequent superhuman feats.
By making Baldur the first Norse god Kratos (and by extension, the player) truly interacts with, the game establishes its shift in identity and the formidability of this new mythological pantheon. It is not only the inciting incident of the plot, but also a sign that the days of the colossalGod of Warenemiesare gone, and a new, subtler era has arrived.
The Baldur Fight Has an Extra Layer of Tension
Although Kratos and the player don’t know exactly what Baldur is after at this point in the game, it’s clear that he is bad news and should be kept away from Atreus, who has lived a relatively sheltered life until that point and is still very young. Kratos is certainly thinking along these lines, as he works to keep Baldur away from the house, lest he discover Atreus’s hiding spot.
This greatly enhances the drama of the fight, as players are no longer worried only about Kratos or their own victory, but Atreus as well. Aside from simply adding more drama and tension, this element of the encounter further highlightsGod of War’s new identityand thematic core, as Kratos is no longer fighting for wrath, glory, or revenge, but rather to protect his loved ones and, in a sense, his new way of life.
MostGod of Warplayers will recognize that the early Baldur fight is an impressive achievement and an enjoyable battle, but it certainly goes beyond being just entertaining. Baldur’s fight with Kratos helps establish the franchise’s new identity, Kratos’s maturity, and the love he has for his son, and is thus one of the most memorable and important in the series.
God of War
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From Santa Monica Studio and creative director Cory Barlog comes a new beginning for one of gaming’s most recognizable icons. Living as a man outside the shadow of the gods, Kratos must adapt to unfamiliar lands, unexpected threats, and a second chance at being a father. Together with his son Atreus, the pair will venture into the brutal Norse wilds and fight to fulfill a deeply personal quest.Bold New Beginning — His vengeance against the Gods of Olympus years behind him, Kratos now lives as a man in the realm of Norse Gods and monsters. It is in this harsh, unforgiving world that he must fight to survive…And teach his son to do the same. This startling reimagining of God of War deconstructs the core elements that defined the series—satisfying combat breathtaking scale and a powerful narrative—and fuses them anew.A Second Chance — Kratos is a father again. As mentor and protector to Atreus, a son determined to earn his respect, he is forced to deal with and control the rage that has long defined him while out in a very dangerous world with his son.A Darker, More Elemental World — From the marble and columns of ornate Olympus to the gritty forests, mountains, and caves of Pre-Viking Norse lore, this is a distinctly new realm with its own pantheon of creatures, monsters, and gods. With an added emphasis on discovery and exploration, the world will draw players in to explore God of War’s breathtakingly threatening landscape—by far the largest in the franchise.Vicious, Physical Combat — With an over the shoulder free camera that brings the player closer to the action than ever before, fights in God of War mirror the pantheon of Norse creatures Kratos will face: grand, gritty, and grueling. A new main weapon and new abilities retain the defining spirit of God of War while presenting a vision of violent conflict that forges new ground in the genre.
