Mimir's Fatal Flaw: Unveiling the True Enemy in God of War Ragnarok

Highlights

The depth and development of characters in God of War: Ragnarok continue the tradition of intriguing individual stories within RPGs.

Mimir's overconfidence and lack of attention allow Odin to secretly observe the group and almost ruin their plans in the game. These imperfections can be frustrating at times and Mimir's previous behaviors may disappoint players. However, they also contribute to his character's complexity and make him a captivating member of the cast.

Character diversity is crucial in RPG gaming, and developers creatively and humorously populate a game's cast to appeal to a wide audience. Franchises often present stories of confident characters falling from grace and unassuming ones rising to the top, as the underdog narrative remains popular. The God of War series exemplifies this dynamic, as players have followed Kratos' journey to overthrow entire pantheons over the years. In God of War: Ragnarok, players join Kratos and Atreus as they travel through the Nine Realms to thwart Odin, and this adventure shines a spotlight on Mimir, revealing that he impedes their progress and can be seen as his own worst enemy.

The individual stories of characters in the God of War saga have fascinated fans since the first game, and God of War: Ragnarok continues this tradition with its rich lineup of participants. Fans were delighted to see the development of characters like Sindhi and Angrboda in this latest installment, especially Angrboda's expanded role following her lesser appearance in God of War 2018. However, the harsh Nordic end-of-the-world tale isn't kind to many characters, and Mimir, despite his claim to wisdom, would have been better off paying closer attention to details, as his oversight nearly resulted in great consequences for Kratos and Atreus.

Overconfidence is Mimir's Downfall in Ragnarok

In God of War 2018, Kratos and Atreus meet Mimir, Odin's former advisor, at the peak of Midgard. Mimir had been imprisoned there by Odin for 109 winters. Kratos frees Mimir by cutting off his head, and in return, Mimir offers to guide them to the tallest peak in Jotunheim. Mimir joins Kratos and Atreus on their journey, sharing his vast knowledge of the realms. Despite a few shortcomings, such as initially failing to understand Baldur's motives, Mimir proves to be invaluable in Kratos' battle against Baldur.

In Ragnarok, Mimir continues to assist Kratos and Atreus as they search for Tyr, the God of Justice. Initially, Mimir believes Tyr to be dead, but evidence they find proves otherwise. Finding Tyr becomes their main objective, and with the help of Durlin, they locate him in one of Svartalfheim's mines. However, the group is surprised to discover that Odin has been posing as Tyr, deceiving them and learning their plans. This revelation comes only after Odin brutally kills Brok in a fit of rage.

Mimir's reputation for near-omniscience baffled many gamers when he failed to see through Odin's deception, leaving them wondering about the reason behind his oversight. This was not an isolated incident, as he also overlooked Baldur's intentions at the beginning of God of War: Ragnarok. Mimir openly expressed his disappointment for not recognizing the All-Father and regret for not investigating Odin's raven companion, which would have exposed the imposter.

Due to his excessive self-assurance, the advisor to the Norse Gods unknowingly allowed Odin to spy on their group for the majority of the game, posing a threat to their plans. Mimir's troubled past involving the enslavement of the dwarves and the pollution-infested Nidavellir might have weighed heavily on him, leading to his disregard for warning signs and hastily aligning himself with Tyr. This resulted in the dampening of his once-sharp deduction skills and ultimately leading to his own downfall in God of War: Ragnarok.

God of War Ragnarok is available for PS4 and PS5.