Santa Monica Studio has shared a new screenshot fromGod of War Ragnarokfeaturing the frozen realm of Niflheim. The issue, as those who played theGod of Warreboot in 2018 know, is that something happened in Niflheim that should have permanently changed the realm forever. As such, the newGod of War Ragnarokscreenshot is eyebrow-raising, prompting more questions about the sequel than it answers. That’s likely exactly why Santa Monica released it ahead of launch, though.InGod of War,players were able to visit Niflheim as an optional location. Those who did the work to visit Niflheim will recall that a terrible disaster had occurred, leaving the realm of fog, wind, and snow, as a desolate wasteland of poisonous fog. That’s how players leftNiflheim inGod of War. The venture into Niflheim was only to gather resources, learn what had happened, and potentially battle the Valkyrie Hildr. By all accounts, Niflheim should still be covered in poison fog.RELATED:God of War Ragnarok Gets Launch Trailer Ahead of Release Next WeekThenewGod of War Ragnarokscreenshotindicates otherwise, however. The screenshot, shared on Santa Monica’s official Twitter account, shows an ice-covered expanse, with certain ruins peeking out from the edges of where the ice has climbed. Text for the post states clearly that this is Niflheim, the realm of fog, and that asGod of Warplayers remember it had been through a “terrible accident” and had been transformed into a “desolate wasteland.” Lastly, the post adds aGod of War Ragnarokhashtag, if only to confirm this is from the upcoming game.
Obviously, there are many questions stemming from the screenshot. Whether this is a picture of Niflheim before or after it was overtaken by poisonous fog is obviously the big one. It’s possible thatGod of War Ragnarokwill allow players to travel back in timeto see Niflheim before its apocalypse. It’s alternatively possible that something has happened to return Niflheim to its former glory.
Time travel isn’t an unheard-of concept in theGod of Warreboot. There’s a conversation between theWorld Serpent Jormungandrand the disembodied head of Mimir where Jormungandr says that Atreus looks familiar. Mimir mentions to Kratos that this could have something to do with time travel, but the topic is never brought up again in the game.
It won’t be long before the secrets ofGod of War Ragnarokare laid bare. In the meantime,Santa Monica Studiois clearly having some fun hinting at the adventures to come. Niflheim was, in many ways, a lost opportunity for Santa Monica in theGod of Warreboot. It certainly seems like it’s going to make up for that lost opportunity inGod of War Ragnarok.
God of War Ragnarokreleases on November 9 for PS4 and PS5.
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