Ragnarok's Sequel: The Inevitable Arrival of a God of War Cosmetic

Article Key Points

The God of War franchise has never focused heavily on gear pieces or clothing choices for Kratos, even though recent games have introduced gear options in Norse mythology.

The introduction of the Cloak of the Black Bear in Santa Monica's post-launch update elicited a mix of excitement and disappointment among fans who had anticipated a more substantial role for it in the game's initial release. However, Santa Monica's decision to include this unique cosmetic gear set reflects their understanding of player preferences and suggests the possibility of future additions to fulfill the demand for similar gear pieces.

The God of War franchise has always prioritized gameplay over the aesthetics of Kratos' attire. This was evident in the Greek mythology games, where Kratos often fought shirtless without much concern for his clothing. The same can be said for the recent Norse mythology games, even though the introduction of gear pieces added a new aspect to the action-adventure experience. Kratos' selection of armor has never been particularly captivating or memorable, whether it be a leather pauldron, a golden cuirass, or a gleaming crimson set.

However, there is a wide range of gear sets available to cater to different preferences. Kratos' catalog is quite diverse, especially when it comes to the unconventional colors they feature. Nevertheless, these choices are not what fans tend to remember most about the game, as gear plays a minimal role in the overall experience. However, with the release of Ragnarok, Santa Monica Studios made a subtle fashion decision that unexpectedly resonated with fans and garnered their adoration.

God of War’s Cloak of the Black Bear Caused Quite an Uproar

Prior to its inclusion as an official cosmetic gear set in Ragnarok, Kratos was only able to sport the cloak of black bear fur during the game's introductory cutscene, where it eventually gets left behind as he and Atreus make their escape from Freya. Adding to the curiosity and letdown, however, is the revelation that Kratos dons this very fur not only in the main menu, seamlessly transitioning into the game's opening moments, but also in the key art for Ragnarok.

Key art may not always accurately represent the in-game iconography, but it is typically used for marketing purposes. As a result, fans can be forgiven for expecting the cloak to have a larger role, even if they didn't necessarily want to wear it throughout the entire game. Additionally, Ragnarok's transmog system would have allowed players to enjoy the stats of another gear piece while wearing the cloak. One potential concern raised by the key art was that Mimir was partially obscured by the fur, but Santa Monica Studios was able to easily resolve this issue by moving it aside.

God of War Ragnarok’s Cloak Update Showed Santa Monica Knows What Players Want

The absence of this concern regarding Kratos' Cloak of the Black Bear set is apparent now, considering it was added after the initial release of the game. However, it was still a peculiar omission when the game first launched. The cloak stands out as a distinctive cosmetic due to its unique length of fur, which cannot be found in any other gear piece. Santa Monica Studios, recognizing its popularity, might consider introducing similar gear pieces in the sequel of Ragnarok to meet the demand.

Indeed, the New Game Plus update introduced a nostalgic skin for Kratos, leaving him completely shirtless. Additionally, with the update, Kratos now starts his Ragnarok playthroughs already equipped with the cloak. These two cosmetic options alone reflect the strong desires of fans for a specific appearance for Kratos. If Kratos reprises his role as the protagonist in a future God of War game, it would be fantastic to see more of these inspired and simplistic looks.

God of War: Ragnarok

God of War Ragnarok is an action-adventure game created by Santa Monica Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It is the sequel to God of War (2018) and serves as the conclusion to the journey of Kratos and Atreus through Scandinavia. Taking inspiration from Norse mythology, players will engage in battles with mythological creatures while experiencing the events of Ragnarok.

Franchise: God of War

Platform(s): PS4, PS5

Release Date: November 9, 2022

Developer(s): Santa Monica Studio

Publisher(s): Sony

Genre(s): Action, Adventure

Metascore: 94

PS Plus Availability: N/A

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am excited about the possibility of a God of War Ragnarok sequel and the potential for new cosmetic options for Kratos. The introduction of the Cloak of the Black Bear in the post-launch update for Ragnarok showed that Santa Monica Studio understands what players want and is willing to add popular cosmetic items to the game. This suggests that the sequel could include even more gear pieces and clothing choices for Kratos, allowing players to customize their character's appearance to their liking.

I appreciate that the God of War franchise has always prioritized gameplay over the aesthetics of Kratos' attire. The focus on action-adventure combat and exploration has always been the main draw of the series, and I don't want that to change. However, I also believe that adding more cosmetic options can enhance the player's experience and allow them to connect with Kratos on a more personal level. By giving players the ability to choose from a variety of gear sets and clothing options, they can create a Kratos that reflects their own style and preferences.