Spoilers ahead for God of War Ragnarok & the Valhalla DLC
Summary
- The Valhalla DLC for God of War Ragnarok provides a satisfying conclusion to the main game's story and offers valuable context about the Realms and character relationships.
- Mimir's relationship with Sigrun in the DLC adds depth to his character, showcasing a more vulnerable side to him.
- The tender and intimate character writing is a standout strength of the franchise, and the DLC further enhances the lovable and memorable character of Mimir.
God of War Ragnarok recently received some hefty new content in the form of the free Valhalla DLC, which packs a surprising amount of narrative heft. One of the most interesting and welcome bits of storytelling in the DLC revolves around Mimir, one of the most beloved characters in God of War Ragnarok and its 2018 predecessor.
Valhalla reintroduces the strengths of Ragnarok's base game, but it's hardly a simple asset flip or barebones expansion. The DLC serves as an epilogue of the main game's story, resolving some of Kratos' internal conflicts and providing interesting context about both the current state of the Realms and the relationships between the series' characters. Kratos doesn't have a combat companion this time around, but as always, he is joined by his favorite severed head, Mimir. Thanks to Valhalla's focus on story, Mimir winds up being fleshed out, mainly by way of his relationship with another NPC.
God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla's Surprise Weapon Should Be a Permanent Part of Kratos' Arsenal
God of War Ragnarok's Valhalla DLC has some big surprises in store, and one weapon should be a permanent addition to Kratos' arsenal going forward.
Mimir and Sigrun's Dynamic Is One of the Best Parts of the God of War Ragnarok Valhalla DLC
The Story of Mimir and Sigrun Is Moving
GoW Ragnarok: Valhalla's surprisingly meaty runtime is filled with the strong character writing that fans of the franchise have come to expect. A lot of the DLC's narrative content centers around Kratos' past, specifically his guilt over his actions as the Ghost of Sparta and how he reconciles this past identity with who he has become. This subject matter naturally tends to get emotionally heavy, which makes the relationship between Mimir and Sigrun, one of Freya's Valkyries, a welcome reprieve.
As Valhalla players quickly learn, Mimir is engaged in a sort of courtship with Sigrun, which began at some point before the start of the DLC. Mimir opens up to Kratos throughout the DLC, telling him about the time he and Sigrun have spent together and how much he cares for her, and Sigrun even saves he and Kratos' life at one crucial point in the story. This lightness is a great addition to the rich tapestry that is God of War's cast of characters, especially since Mimir is such a tragic figure.
Mimir's Relationship with Sigrun Makes Him More Complex
Since his introduction in 2018's God of War, Mimir has enchanted series fans with his quick wit, loyalty, and charm. That said, he hasn't had too much time in the spotlight, serving as either a sentient encyclopedia or comic relief in most instances. Thanks to the inclusion of the Sigrun storyline, players can glimpse another side of him, one that is more vulnerable and human. The DLC also sets up Mimir's future in the God of War series, something that the base game never quite managed to do.
Mimir has always taken the loss of his body in stride, which typifies his cheerful, lighthearted demeanor. However, in Valhalla, he expresses some of his insecurities to Kratos when talking about his relationship with Sigrun. At the start of the DLC, he is reluctant to start a relationship with the Valkyrie because he fears he won't be enough for her. Essentially, he thinks that Sigrun deserves a partner who has a body. This leads to a touching moment between him and Kratos, where the latter reassures him, letting him know that he is worthy of love despite his obvious physical limitations.
Like the rest of God of War Ragnarok, Valhalla features godly rivalries, epic battles, and existential threats, but it also highlights a unique strength of the franchise: its focus on tender, intimate character writing. This focus is present not only in Kratos' story in the DLC, but also Mimir's, which takes the lovable, memorable talking head and makes him even better.
God of War Ragnarok
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 92 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- November 9, 2022
- ESRB
- M For Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Santa Monica Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
WHERE TO PLAY
Embark on an epic and heartfelt journey as Kratos and Atreus struggle with holding on and letting go
From Santa Monica Studio comes the sequel to the critically acclaimed God of War (2018). Fimbulwinter is well underway. Kratos and Atreus must journey to each of the Nine Realms in search of answers as Asgardian forces prepare for a prophesied battle that will end the world. Along the way they will explore stunning, mythical landscapes, and face fearsome enemies in the form of Norse gods and monsters. The threat of Ragnarök grows ever closer. Kratos and Atreus must choose between their own safety and the safety of the realms.
- Franchise
- God of War
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- How Long To Beat
- 26 Hours
- Metascore
- 94
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
