God of War Did Thor Dirty but an Origin Game Can Fix That

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Thor is a major character in the God of War series, appearing prominently in both God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök with several intense confrontations with Kratos. While he’s certainly memorable within the Norse saga, I believe Santa Monica Studio could have done more with him. His history and potential for emotional complexity felt largely untapped in the main games, leaving a lot of his story unexplored.

What truly makes Thor a captivating character isn’t just his incredible strength – which puts him on par with someone like Kratos – but also the difficult past that shaped him. A game that tells Thor’s origin story, showing a similar journey of struggle and transformation as Kratos, would be a great way to highlight this depth. With Ryan Hurst, who voices Thor, now playing Kratos in the new Amazon series, now is the perfect time to create that game.

Thor’s Role in God of War and God of War Ragnarok

The introduction of Thor in God of War Ragnarok resonated with players immediately. Unlike the popular portrayal in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and differing from many gamers’ expectations, Santa Monica Studio drew from Norse mythology to create a Thor who was powerfully built, scarred, and incredibly imposing. Actor Ryan Hurst delivered a performance that went beyond a simple depiction of lightning and charisma, portraying a deeply damaged warrior fueled by grief and anger. Hurst’s performance made Thor a terrifying yet sympathetic character, and arguably one of the strongest in the game, even if the surrounding storyline wasn’t fully realized.

In Ragnarok, Thor mainly responded to the actions of Kratos and Atreus. He felt more like a challenge or a final boss than a fully developed character with his own story. While players caught hints of his internal struggles, like his anger towards Odin and the possibility of a deeper narrative, we never truly explored it. Though his life was marked by violence, control, and obligation, these factors weren’t central to his character arc.

This portrayal of Thor had the potential to be amazing, but it ultimately served to enhance Kratos’s story instead of getting its own dedicated development. Considering the depth of Norse mythology and how interesting Thor can be as a character, this feels like a wasted chance. A third game in the series might have allowed for a more complete exploration of Thor’s personality and motivations.

What a Thor Origin Game Could Include

It would be amazing to play a game that tells the story of what happened before the events of God of War, but from Thor’s perspective. The game could start with Thor trying to impress Odin or live up to his father’s expectations. Early on, he might encounter and even fight the Giants, including Faye Laufey – a powerful warrior who some believe fought him in the past. We could also learn more about his relationship with his wife, Sif. A game like this would not only reveal Thor’s backstory but also add more context to the existing God of War story and show just how dangerous Odin is.

A new game could really explore Thor’s inner life during his epic battles against the giants. Instead of just hearing about these wars, players could experience them as Thor – fighting huge enemies, journeying through the icy landscapes of Jotunheim, and grappling with the difficult choices he made. This would let the game show us how Thor became the god we know, and what that journey cost him personally.

The game could draw on classic Norse myths, featuring Thor’s legendary battles, like the one against the giant Hrungnir, and exploring his complex connection with Odin. Given the series’ strong combat, Thor would be ideal for intense boss encounters. With the right creative direction, we could see a Thor who’s more than just a powerful enemy – a fully realized god with motivations, feelings, and something to lose. Just as we learned the story of how Kratos became a god, players deserve to understand Thor’s journey as well.

The Future of God of War and Expanding the World

Sony and Santa Monica Studio have hinted that the world of God of War is expansive enough for multiple stories, including spin-offs and prequels focusing on different characters. A game exploring the origins of Thor could be the first of these, expanding the God of War universe beyond Kratos and Atreus while maintaining the series’ focus on emotional storytelling. Given the high level of anticipation for the next installment, a surprising project like this would be a good way to keep fans engaged while they wait for Ragnarok and a potential God of War 6.

A Thor prequel is valuable for the Marvel Cinematic Universe because it expands on the rich mythology of Norse gods, just as this world is becoming more popular through new shows. This allows for deeper stories about characters like Freya and Odin, and even introduces new ones. Future stories could explore how all the different realms connect, how fate impacts everyone, and the challenges gods and humans face with their histories and losses.

Creating a game focused on Thor’s origins isn’t just a treat for fans – it’s a clever way to expand the game’s universe and promote the franchise. It shows that the world of God of War is vast and full of unexplored stories, offering players a new perspective on a well-loved character and era. Given the franchise’s reputation for strong storytelling, it’s time to deliver that same quality in a dedicated Thor game.

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2026-01-17 22:16