Spectral Delivery
While Sony Santa Monica’sGod of War Ragnarokcontains its fair share of titans — from the mighty Thor andthe sullen Tyr, tothe howling Fenrirand the broken witch Freya — There is one character who tends to stand out from the might, muscle, and forlorn melodrama of Kratos and Atreus’ adventure. Perhaps the most unique and outlandish of theGod of Waruniverse — Who is the furry ally Ratatoskr?
In Greek mythology, Ratatoskr, (roughly adapted from the Greek “drill tooth” or “traveling tooth”), is the messenger of the fabled World Tree, Yggdrasil. Usually depicted as a rodent, typically resembling a squirrel, Ratatoskr sends communication between the jotunn eagle, Hræsvelgr, and the terrible dragon Níðhöggr, the latter of whom spends their days gnawing bitterly at the roots of the sacred oak. It is sometimes theorized that Ratotoskr actuallyprovokedthe two, carrying rumors and speculation to increase antagonism between the twee-dwellers.
In theGod of Waruniverse, Ratatoskr first appeared, (in some form of fashion), in 2018’sGod of War.Here a stripped, spectral version of the squirrel’s personality — specifically his antagonistic side — worked alongside Atreus and Kratos, albeit with a bad attitude and a string of obscenities. This “Bitter Squirrel” form acted as something of comic relief in the game, and was portrayed by veteran voice actorTroy Baker. Despite his sarcastic and mean demeanor, he proved to be a valuable ally in the protagonists’ journey.
InGod of War Ragnarok,Ratatoskr appears in his “living” form, once again aiding Kratos and Atreus on their odyssey. Having established his ability to strip himself of personality traits, Ratatoskr is a warmer, kinder, and more subservient character, though we do sees his various spectral counterparts. In this sequel, Ratatoskr is voiced by actor and popular YouTube starSungWon Cho, though Baker did return to reprise his role as the squirrel’s foul-mouthed counterpart.
