Short answer
Ragnarok matters because it deepens prophecy, Atreus' Giant identity, and the choices Kratos must make as a father.
Why this matters for Laufey
God of War Laufey is built around the idea that her plans for Kratos and Atreus are under threat. Ragnarok makes those plans feel bigger because it raises the stakes around prophecy, war, and who Atreus becomes.
What Ragnarok adds
- More pressure from Odin
- More weight on Atreus as Loki
- More evidence that Laufey's foresight shaped the family long before the new game begins
Safe takeaway
If God of War (2018) is the funeral turning point, Ragnarok is the game that makes the family consequences heavier.
What players should remember
Ragnarok shows that prophecy does not remove choice. Kratos and Atreus repeatedly decide what kind of family they want to become, even when gods and Giants expect a different outcome. That makes Laufey's earlier plans more interesting: they may guide the family, but they do not automatically control every decision.
The game also leaves Atreus with a path of his own. Any threat to the future Laufey planned therefore affects more than one character or one realm. It can reach Kratos' new purpose, Atreus' search for the Giants, and the meaning of Laufey's sacrifices.
Do you need a full replay?
A full Ragnarok replay is helpful but not required. Players should at least remember Atreus' Jotnar identity, Odin's defeat, and the family choosing a future beyond the prophecy that once trapped them.
Related pages
Sources
- PlayStation: God of War Ragnarok
- PlayStation Blog: First look at God of War Ragnarok