Atreus, the son of Kratos, plays a crucial role in the God of War series, particularly in the 2018 reboot and God of War: Ragnarok.
Of course, his fans are familiar with him as an adventurous and curious boy, who helps his father in combat, but there is much more to him than the audience can see in the series.
From his origin related to mythology to the abilities and the role he is going to play as the main hero, Atreus is much deeper than most players tend to see. These are ten things you never knew about Atreus.
1. There Is an Atreus in Greek Mythology
It is shocking when it’s realized what means Atreus because the name came from Greek mythology but the character itself, as far as it is possible to judge seems to be unique.
In the myths, Atreus was the son of another king Pelops, and was himself the father to two famous characters of the Trojan War, Agamemnon and Menelaus.
These are connections to Greek history which links Atreus into Kratos’ world with his Spartans background too.
2. Atreus Was Almost Named Loki from Birth
The inclusion of Loki in God of War brings depth to the son’s real name obtained through later mythological identification. But Kratos and Faye didn’t call him Loki at first.
His Greek Myth name came from the request that Kratos wanted to name him after one of his favorite Spartan fighters the name Atreus. Knowing the future Faye lets Kratos decide for himself but the name Loki is still part of him.
3. Atreus Is Half-God and Half-Giant
Atreus is a direct descendant of two parents Kratos, a god, and Faye, a large woman also known as a giant. This makes him both god and giant.
His ancestry plays firmly into his character development, as well as his giantism tying him to Jotunheim, his godly abilities stemming from his father’s divinity.
4. He Has Powers He’s Yet to Unlock
The God of War series also shows powers which include speaking to animals and summoning phantom animals in Atreus.
However, he is not fully developed powers yet and there is a hint that he has not yet fully developed his potential and this will be in line with his future as Loki.
5. He Was Born Under the Protection of the Giants
Faye, who is Atreus’ mother is a giant who went to great lengths to hide her family. She laid down a breadcrumb trail for Atreus and Kratos traveling to follow her to Jotunheim.
She was doing it on purpose, for Atreus still had his destined role in events leading to Ragnarok in her knowledge.
6. Atreus’ Real Identity as Loki Was a Major Plot Twist
Some unexpected cases are scenes, which were revealed in God of War (2018): Atreus is Loki—the Norse deity, the deity of mischief.
This completely changes everything, as in the Norse myths, Loki is supposed to bring about Ragnarok, he is also the shapeshifting god as well as theiphery god.
7. He’s More Powerful Than He Realizes
Atreus is a kid throughout the majority of the series, however, is an awesome one at that. He displays powers to which he cannot reckon such as conducting electricity through arrows and communicating with the World Serpent.
These powers make a shadowy reference to what he will turn out to be namely as a god who in later moments will influence the existence or non-existence of other gods and giants.
8. Atreus’ Bow Is More Than Just a Weapon
With a bow in his hands, Atreus follows a tradition of many mythologies as hunters and mischief makers such as Loki. But this bow from the film is not only one of such means but also a symbol of his development and becoming a true adult. Atreus also learns to stand on his own and only uses the bow to help his father in fights during the game.
9. His Relationship with Kratos Is Central to His Development
The loyal interdependency between Kratos and Atreus remains to be the story’s passionate driving force behind the game. Kratos is a vicious man who, at the start of the game is unsure if he is protecting Atreus or preparing him for the world.
In Ragnarok, Kjot Oak continues this dynamic, As Atreus grows up and becomes more assertive, and starts pushing against Kratos.
10. Atreus’ Prophetic Future
The prophecy attached to Atreus is Ragnarok, an event ending the cosmos according to the Norsegod’s mythology. As per the prophecies out in the picture, Atreus (Loki) is destined to be an active part in the circumstances leading to the fall of the Nordic deities.
Whether this prophecy is true or not is yet to be seen however I believe that this places it nicely for an epic fight at the climax of his journey.
