Learn why Odin’s Mask glows in Helheim in God of War: Ragnarok!
God of War Ragnarok is an engaging game, but it also offers a gripping narrative across all the nine realms of Norse mythology and sends players into a headlock with the All-Father of Asgard, Odin.
One of the key McGuffins in the film is that of Odin’s mask (dubbed the Mask of Creation). He bequeaths to Atreus to find the missing pieces. However, even by the end of the game, the item still holds a lot of questions for lore-obsessed players.
Odin’s Mask of Creation
The mask is introduced to players halfway through the game when Atreus is whisked away to Asgard to be Odin’s ward. Odin reveals the cover and a tear in reality, which is said to be a portal to the creation realm. Odin had tried to look into it but was so overwhelmed that he lost his right eye. He loses his eye in pursuing wisdom and knowledge in Norse lore.
The mask allegedly could allow the wearer to look into the tear without hurting themselves. They could then glimpse the heart of all creation.
When Odin reveals the mask, he only has a part of it. However, Atreus goes on a mission to complete all the pieces. Atreus completes the mask, but after the whole conflict involving the destruction of Asgard, the mask is destroyed. Additionally, the rift in Odin’s study is sealed off forever.
The Mystery
When Atreus is on the mission to complete the mask, the mask is revealed to have a specific quirk. It glows when it’s in the presence of its other pieces. Players then use this to find the other pieces across the realms and complete the mask.
Oddly, when Atreus is in Helheim, the mask glows and points the player in the diretowardant wolf, who can open tears in reality and swallow entire metaphysical concepts. It’s suspected that a mask could be behind Garm, but even after Atreus checks, there’s no other piece to be found, and once the wolf is freed, the mask stops reacting to anything in that direction.
So what gives?
What Does The Glowing Odin Mask Mean in God of War: Ragnarok?
While there is no definitive answer as to why the mask glowed, fans online have decided to formulate theories around it and have deduced that it could have something to do with the next game.
Read: Where to Obtain Zeus’ Armor Set in God of War Ragnarok
Though it’s natural for the mask to react to its other parts across the realm, it also reacted when placed near the tear in Odin’s study, meaning it doesn’t react exclusively to other parts of itself.
With that in mind, some guess the mask was glowing because it was reacting to Garm (now Fenrir) and not anything behind it. The theory is that Fenrir will have something to do with opening more tears into the realm of creation, and the glowing mask was a signal that the giant wolf with portal powers would be key to this.
Taking a closer look at the mask itself, the artifact has symbols across all kinds of cultures, from Japanese to Egyptian. This could build on the hint that Kratos and Atreus could tackle these pantheons.
Looking at the clip above, we see that the figure of Tyr is holding what appears to be a mask. He uses it to travel to the different realms, which could be the same mask that Atreus puts together.
Beyond Ragnarok
For now, it seems the game has closed the book on Kratos’ journey. Many speculate that the next game will now have Atreus take the spotlight with his new companion, Angrboda.
We don’t know exactly where the other mythologies will find their entry, but since Atreus is best friends with a wolf that can open portals across reality, I’m sure the writers will find a way to make it happen.
Who knows, maybe Kratos can be the square button character this time.
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