God of War has introduced a variety of newcomers to Norse mythology, with Kratos and Atreus’ adventure through Midgard and its surrounding realms guiding us through a tour of tales lifted directly from the era of the Viking. With the likes of Thor, Odin, Freya and other gods casting a tremendous shadow over the father and son’s mission to scatter the ashes of their mother on the highest peak of a mountain, those who love Santa Monica Studio’s game will no doubt want to dive into the rich Norse history that it’s based on.
As such, we’ve provided a bunch of films and books that explore Norse mythology in their own way, offering different takes on these wonderful stories that have survived generations. Take a look below.
Neil Gaiman — Norse Mythology
One of the best bits of God of War is hearing various Norse tales during Kratos and Atreus’ boat journeys. As someone who wasn’t exactly well-versed in Norse mythology, Neil Gaiman’s appropriately titled Norse Mythology offers a perfect collection of stories featuring Thor, Odin, Loki & co. that expand upon the stories you’re told during God of War, offering an original spin on them from the pen of the legendary author.
Thor: Ragnarok
Ragnarok is repeatedly referenced in God of War, with it being a cataclysmic event in Norse mythology that effectively wipes out the gods. Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok explores this story in its own unique way, with director Taika Waititi granting the film a more comedic touch while Chris Hemsworth offers his most compelling take on Thor yet.
The 13th Warrior
The 13th Warrior may be unfortunately remembered as one of the biggest box office bombs ever, though this loose retelling of the story of Beowulf has attracted a reasonable number of admirers after its initial flop. With this particular time period rarely explored in films, The 13th Warrior is an interesting watch for those who want to get into their Norse history.
The Art of God of War
God of War is one of the best-looking games of all time, with Santa Monica Studios putting an awful lot of effort into creating its treacherous yet beautiful world. The Art of God of War showcases the artwork behind the game in all its glory, from the concepts behind old man Kratos and the game’s nightmarish enemies, through to a detailed look at its wintery landscapes.
Trollhunter
You’ll come up against a whole bunch of sizable foes in God of War, with trolls being some of the most formidable enemies that you’ll encounter. While the game doesn’t really include a variety of these towering beasts, the unique 2010 found footage film Trollhunter featured a whole bunch of trolls of various shapes and sizes. This is a hugely entertaining watch for those who want to watch a horror-tinged take on these fairytale monsters.
Thor: Tales of Asgard
This recolored collection of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s formative Thor stories is a must-have for fans of Marvel’s God of Thunder, with Tales of Asgard also providing a closer look at the Norse characters that populate the Marvel series. This graphic novel is stuffed with
The Viking Spirit: An Introduction to Norse Mythology and Religion
Daniel McCoy provides an excellent entry into Norse mythology and the Viking religion, providing retellings of Norse myths along with exploring the beliefs of that time period. One of the most comprehensive but easy to digest Norse books around, pick up The Viking Spirit if you want to learn more about the fantastical tales explored in God of War.
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