The famous animal rights organization PETA is indignant at the animal violence that can be seen in God of War Ragnarokand more specifically how a particular boss is dealt with.
Pervasive violence
Yes, God of War Ragnarok is a game PEGI 18 (therefore prohibited for children under 18). Yes, Kratos is a huge nag who feeds almost exclusively on rage and violence. And yes, it must be recognized that Kratos beats up many animals throughout God of War Ragnarök.
This is why PETA, an association for the animal cause (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) rebels against the game, and more particularly against the boss fight against the giant wolf. garmwhom Kratos meets at Helheim after he was released by Atreus.
“This dog has been chained outside in the cold for ages,” PETA says in the video embedded in its tweet, the text accompanied by sad little piano music. “Kratos and Atreus found him in deplorable conditions, enduring the ravages of the Fimbulwinter cold without any shelter. He had no food (apart from Kratos) or water.”
“All dogs deserve loving homes and warm couches, even if they’re 60 feet tall. If you’re cold, they’re cold.” conclude the association.
The tweet also refers to sifgiant wolf beloved by the gamer community of Dark Souls, who is also alone, in the cold, abandoned by his adored master. As if we weren’t already sad thinking about him, frankly.
A fashion that censors violence against animals?
PETA therefore asks Santa Monica Studios to create a “PETA mode”, which would allow you to play God of War Ragnarok without the passages of combat against animals.
Players didn’t particularly like the association’s tweet. Indeed, it is a mythical creature in a video game, not an actual abused animal, and the video embedded in PETA’s tweet is a major spoiler for those who haven’t been able to play the game or reach that boss yet.
Moreover, it is important to note that the player cannot attack “normal” animals who live in the world of God of War, and that the only creatures Kratos fights are legendary animals from Norse mythology. The theme of cruelty to animals is even a recurring theme in Ragnarokwhether through the character of Atreus, who turns out to be a friend of animals, or even Mimir, who lives in the guilt of having mistreated animals in the past.
Of course, PETA’s core message, even if it doesn’t quite lend itself to an imaginary creature in a video game, is very important. A pet should not be left abandoned, whether in winter or summer. Let’s be responsible for our animals, and don’t feel too guilty about unleashing Sparta’s Rage on bears, crocodiles, or bloodthirsty giant wolves.