Not too long ago, Norse mythology mostly lived on the pages of old sagas or in the occasional Hollywood film. Odin showed up in blockbusters, Thor got a hammer with personality, and Loki became pop culture’s favorite trickster. Nowadays, nobody is surprised to see the Norse gods in video games, and we’re happy to live the Nordic myths through the game’s plot.
Why does Norse mythology fascinate many players? Let’s see by learning some of the most popular titles: God of War, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and Hellblade.
Why Norse myths work so well in games
There’s something about Norse mythology that just fits in modern games like a sword in a rune-marked sheath.
First, these stories are messy. Odin isn’t a role model. He lies, sacrifices, manipulates, and gambles lives for knowledge. That kind of complexity gives writers room to breathe — no need to tidy it up for mass appeal. Players don’t just pick a side; they live in the grey areas.
Then there’s the tone. Norse myths are dark, sometimes brutal, and often poetic. Fate, bloodlines, curses, and prophecies are all great fuel for dramatic, emotional gameplay.
The cast doesn’t hurt either. You’ve got gods, giants, undead warriors, talking heads (hi, Mimir), and creatures that blur the line between enemy and guide. Sure, you can’t find direct references to Norse mythology in popular esports like Greek gods have in Dota 2. But when it comes to story-heavy games, Norse myths are in trend.
God of War (2018–Ragnarok): From rage to reflection
Santa Monica Studio knew what they were doing with their 2018 reboot of God of War. Instead of Greek chaos, we got snow, silence, and a father-son story that hit hard. And even five years later, the game was still on top. God of War: Ragnarok pulled in almost 14 million views on Twitch and other streaming platforms during its launch week. Moreover, the game turned into one of the most awarded games of 2022 and 2023.
So, what happens in God of War?
Kratos, once the personification of rage, tries to raise Atreus, a half-giant with a mysterious destiny. The Norse gods are central to the plot, and not in a friendly way. Odin is manipulative, Thor is terrifying, and Fimbulwinter shapes the whole world. The 2022 sequel, God of War: Ragnarok, continues their story as they face the fallout of their choices and the beginning of the end times.
The magic here is in how the story unfolds. You don’t get spoon-fed emotion. You feel it while rowing through misty lakes, solving puzzles, or accidentally unleashing the apocalypse. It’s a must-play for anyone who likes action with some emotional weight behind it.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: You are the saga
Ubisoft took a more sandbox approach with Valhalla. You don’t just learn about Vikings — you become one. The game mixes Norse history with myth, giving players a taste of both raiding villages and visiting Asgard on a vision quest. It goes further than cosplay. The story’s twist has Eivor merging with Odin in a series of overlapping realities.
The game also pulls in the Isu, a fictional precursor race in the Assassin’s Creed universe that links science with mythology. Sounds strange, but it works. Instead of asking “Was Odin real?”, the game asks “What if the gods were ancient aliens manipulating human history?” It’s bold, but it adds layers to the old sagas.
Hellblade: Senua’s sacrifice and the underworld within
This one plays differently than the rest. Hellblade isn’t about high action or epic boss fights—it’s about internal battles.
The story follows Senua, a Pict warrior on a journey to Helheim to rescue her lover’s soul. But the real journey is through her mind. She suffers from psychosis, and the game doesn’t shy away from that. Voices whisper constantly. The world distorts. What’s real? That’s up to you to figure out.
Norse mythology is here, but it’s woven into her trauma. Hela’s domain is a symbol of grief, guilt, and fear.
Mental health professionals praised the game for how it handled auditory hallucinations and delusions. It didn’t flatten the experience or treat it like a gimmick. Ninja Theory even worked with neuroscientists and people with lived experience to get the details right.
Hellblade II was one of the most anticipated Xbox titles of 2024. Although it hasn’t reached the top in popularity, it definitely has a fun club of players who enjoy good visuals and deeper storytelling based on Nordic mythology.
Final thoughts
Norse mythology isn’t just a setting, but a lens in video games: a way to talk about grief, power, identity, and fate. Games like God of War, Valhalla, and Hellblade use ancient stories to ask modern questions and give players room to answer them.
And doesn’t matter what gameplay sets you to do — wield an axe, sneak through ancient tombs, or facе down your inner demons — these games prove one thing: the old gods still have new things to say.
Fatured Photo by Aleksandra Sapozhnikova on Unsplash
