Thomas Luckmann maintains that the sociology of religion should cease preoccupations with the traditional and institutionalized forms of religion. Religion is often the first step toward understanding God. If successful, the cosmological argument only provides evidence for a transcendent first cause of the universe, nothing more; at best, the teleological argument provides evidence for a purposive, rational designer of the universe, nothing more; and so on. The character Atreus provides super assistance through artificial intelligence (AI), helping in combat, traversal, find treasures, exploration, and puzzle-solving. They are often accompanied by the head of Mímir (Alastair Duncan), who claims to be the smartest man alive and is a loyal companion who provides knowledge and counsel. In fact, the major details of the game are so closely patterned on Bunyan’s great novel, that the famous preacher should be a candidate for the Founders’ Hall of Fame. Maimonides (1135-1204) was a great proponent of the via negativa, favoring the view that we know God principally through what God is not (God is not material, not evil, not ignorant, and so on). If Jesus were to walk on water today or feed 5000 people then we would all know about it. Andrew introduced many of the others to Jesus.

Jesus brings Lazarus back to life, showing that he has the ability to perform miracles and that he is the son of God. Another antagonist is the Aesir god Heimdall (Scott Porter), another son of Odin and half-brother to Thor who has a superiority complex and believes himself untouchable due to his foresight ability. The game’s primary antagonist is the Aesir god Odin (Richard Schiff), the king of Asgard and Allfather of the Nine Realms. Unlike that prior entry, all nine realms of Norse mythology are visited as part of the story. Other allies include Ratatoskr (SungWon Cho), the squirrel guardian of the World Tree; Lúnda (Milana Vayntrub), a dwarven blacksmith who is part of Freyr’s resistance army; and Skjöldr (A.J. The three new realms for Ragnarök include Svartalfheim, the industrial abode of the Dwarves; Vanaheim, the lush home of the Vanir gods as well as the giant wolves Sköll and Hati; and Asgard, the humble home of the Aesir gods that is only visited as part of the story and cannot be accessed after its conclusion. Ragnarök is set in the world of Norse mythology, taking place three years after the previous game.

Kratos’s Spartan Rage ability was also updated to three variants: Fury, Valor, and Wrath. Kratos and Atreus argue regarding the latter’s deceitful behavior, causing Atreus to flee to Asgard to attempt to prevent Kratos’s death. Within Valhalla are small recreations of the previous realms based on Kratos’s memories, as well as areas from his homeland of Greece. The DLC expansion Valhalla sees the return of the Greek Sun god Helios (Crispin Freeman), who appears as an illusory head during Kratos and Mímir’s journey in Valhalla, briefly taking Mímir’s place; Helios mocks and taunts Kratos about his past and his desire for redemption. The Valkyries Sigrun (Misty Lee), Gunnr (Anna Campbell), and Eir (Sarah Sokolovic), who had minor roles in Ragnarök, act as guides for Kratos and Mímir in Valhalla. The developers also revamped the shield for versatility beyond a minor parry; different shields can be obtained and used offensively or defensively depending on which is equipped. Additionally, he has special magical arrows, can create a shield from magic, and can summon magical spectral animals to assist in combat. Additionally, Atreus’s combat was updated to reflect his character’s growth. Atreus’s grief transforms him into a bear and he battles Kratos before returning to his senses.

Atreus also has his own rage ability in which he transforms into a wolf (and later, a bear) to deal greater damage. Kratos and Atreus argue over the latter’s supposed destiny. Reunited with Kratos, Atreus resurrects Fenrir by transferring his soul into Garm, and Kratos and Atreus reconcile. In Helheim, Atreus releases the soulless giant wolf Garm, who tears holes between realms. Kratos is the former Greek God of War, while Atreus is half Giant, one-quarter god, and one-quarter mortal and is also referred to by his Giant name, Loki. Players play solely as Kratos through a series of trials in random procedurally generated levels, selecting what relic, shield, and rage ability to use throughout a trial run. You can also use mobile-style touch controls if your device supports them. The Lake of the Nine, previously navigable by means of a boat, is now frozen over, with Kratos making use of a sleigh and two pet wolves to navigate around the area. Kratos and Brok consequently forge the Draupnir ring into a spear capable of harming Heimdall. Meanwhile, Kratos, Freya, and Mímir visit the Norns who say Heimdall is destined to kill Atreus. While there’s nothing wrong with being a conservative, when you publicly say that there should be guns in all schools to prevent mass shootings, that is something that studios might want to distance from.