In defence of God of War's Thor

Eurogamer : Last night, during Sony's PlayStation Showcase event, we got the debut trailer for the new God of War game - and super cool it looks too.
But after God of War Ragnarok was fully unveiled, we got what was for me an even more interesting reveal: our first look at the game's version of Thor, the Norse god of Thunder.

[darkrider]

Well marvel movie are very far from the Nordic myth. It's a Hollywood version.

[chrisx]

Kratos will probably bash his head in, with mjolnir. And yes I think there's nothing to defend here, this is how Thor should look. MCU endgame Thor is more accurate

[darkrider]

And people got so angry with that.

[S2Killinit]

@Forester
You mean the pathetic length you go to try and find anything wrong with Sony’s stellar gaming pedigree? Since nothing else is left to complain about, you resort to bitching about design choices. As if your opinion is more important than the artist.

[qalpha]

This is what we call "manufactured outrage". Nobody is really complaining about what Thor looks like, except maybe a few youngsters that are thinking "That's not Chris Hemsworth!".

[qalpha]

@Foreskinner

Oh,NO! Not Twitter?! And it's the ENTIRETY of twitter??? Whatever will people do? Meh, go back to your twatter if that's important to you. Nobody else cares

[Elda]

Pretty much that.

[Sayai jin]

People need to go out and touch some grass.

[Drakul]

Oppps!!! Nordic Myth expert has spoken......

[TheExecutioner]

Which is coming from comics books

[-Foxtrot]

It’s literally Thor from the actual mythology

I don’t get why people would be annoyed

[Nitrowolf2]

Because blame Hollywood and Marvel for setting this bars.

I think he looks great

[Inverno]

I don't think anyone's actually upset though. People loved fat Thor I'm the marvel movies and people on Twitter were poking fun at it by comparing it. Not only is it lots accurate but it was hinted by Mimir's comments on him. Honestly I think it's all just mostly fabricated outrage for the clicks

[Yppupdam]

I agree, anyone who expected a marvel-esque super hero Thor would have to be a low IQ moron.

[Godmars290]

Its got to be a mix of SJW types and anti-SJ types. The dogmatic reactionaries.

[McToasty2077]

Not really, Roman travellers visiting the region in pre Viking times found that the Norse Gods paralleled theirs decently closely, and Thor was alwalys compared to Hercules (So unless your suggesting that dude wasn't jacked?). Thor was very much meant to be the peoples favourite god, representing strength and vitality (and of course storms), the kind of guy whose never met a challenge he couldn't handle, be it combat or a drinking challenge.

What I don't get is people being upset at changes to aspects of Gods, given God of Wars Loki and Baldur were clrealy a distinct characters and their going in different directions from the mythology

[bestofyou]

Doesn't matter its a video game. But the writer bringing up "Fat shaming", really? Are we supposed to embrace worship fat and unhealthy people? Granted I'd rather a more athletic Thor to match Kratos, but this is fine or maybe more like the mountain from Game of Thrones. This thor looks like a large dwarf from LotR.

[NoLifeLoser]

Real men have curves.

[Saaleh]

If i'm fat i wouldn't be ashamed of it but some day i would take it seriously and fix it if possible.

I'm so thin i can see my skeleton, i don't feel proud of being thin or ashamed of it, it feels wrong i'm in this state and i always prefer to see normal healthy shape. I always thought fat people feel the same way, but it doesn't seem that way. If something is unhealthy it is no longer a preference. Fat people are usually awesome and sometimes even fun people, just imagine if they take care of themselves.

[MadLad]

Real men can't outrun "lesser men" and typically drop when trying to.

They also tend to live far shorter lives. I'll stick with hitting the gym almost every day.

[1nsomniac]

I sense some homoerotic tendencies going on here…

[Elda]

Things that make one go...hmmmm.

[il-JumperMT]

have you ever seen strong men competitions?

[CorndogBurglar]

"But the writer bringing up "Fat shaming", really? Are we supposed to embrace worship fat and unhealthy people?"

You realize there's more than two options, right? Not fat shaming people doesn't mean you have to worship them lol.

[bestofyou]

That's the thing, Unless you're 100% fine with obesity you are labeled fat shaming.

[SCW1982]

I freaking love this design, and if you listen to how Mimir describes him this is exactly how I view him. A booze drinking head smashing god who will kill you if you look at him the wrong way.

[DarXyde]

Very much agreed. Sure, Modi and Magni were in better shape, but that actually makes sense when you consider that they're more active and doing a lot of the bidding. Thor's appearance makes sense for two main reasons in my view:

1. He's gluttonous and lazy, but clearly extremely powerful. If anything, having others do everything for him is a testament to his power. There hasn't been any reason for him to get involved until the conclusion of the events of God of War; and

2. Thor as a heavyset Viking is indicative of abundance: an abundance of power, an abundance of virility, etc.

[AspiringProGenji]

There’s nothing to be defended here. Give people time to actually settle with the truth. Most of them think Thor is the one from Marvel.

They are going throught the same process as Americans when they realize what a Bald Eagle really sounds like and not the one the western movies made them believe🤣

[Alex_vance21]

The Norse Myth never explicitly says that Thor is fat. It just says he enjoyed feasting. Feasting is a Norse custom. Hence the Norse made the Norse myth. Even so the other gods including Odin enjoyed feasting, are you going to say all the Norse gods are fat because they enjoy food and drink It's absurd if anything Thor would be more fit and muscular considering he is a warrior and has fought many battles. Enjoying food and drink as well as having a big appetite is not synonymous with being fat. Fit people enjoy food and drink as much as fat people. They are still fit because they are active. Look at UFC fighters for instance, none of them are fat. Maybe they do not have big muscles, but they are limber and lean. Since being fat would be burdensome on the body in a combat situation. Serious, is Matt sophos going to have Thor fight with sluggish and exaggerated movement, because that is what being fat does to you in combat situations. Viking warriors for instance are never portrayed as fat because if you think about being in combat all the time being fat would be a detriment. Vikings were the ultimate feaster's and made the Norse myth. You are prepared to tell me Viking warriors had bellies, come on. They were constantly in battle and probably worked off all the food and drink they consume. Therefore it is reasonable to assume Thor could eat as much as he did and be fit because he is in combat a lot of the time against the giant or other enemies.

[Elda]

It all depends on one's body makeup. If one has a high metabolism including being active they can eat as much as they want & won't gain weight. Then there are folks that eat a lot & do gain weight & it just happens to be the character Thor that is in God Of War. I think it's a great design choice & interpretation that goes against the commercial norm that usually thinks how Thor is supposed to look like.

[Alex_vance21]

Actually that is not true, sure a high metabolism help, but if you are active and eat a lot it will keep the weight off and you may not be muscular, but you would not be fat either. I think it is a horrible design choice. It is so silly to have Thor be as fat as he is. Having Thor fat and a black Norse god supports the agenda that Sony has been pushing. First the inclusion in the last of us part 2 with lev and the too swole body type of Abby, then the blm reference in miles morales and now an overweight Thor, when Norse lore never says he is fat and a black god, when the Norse gods are based on people from Norway, Norway's has virtually no black people, so a black god seems out of place. That is particularly why in the god of war trilogy all the characters and gods were white since there are no black people in Greece. Norway and Greece are very homogenous places with mainly a white population. So a black Norse god based on a myth that is based on a place mainly made up of white people seems like a virtue signal. Also having Thor be fat seems like a huge virtual signal since being fat is celebrated now or days without considering the health implications.

[McToasty2077]

It's completely absurd to assume that rules like eating lots means they'd be fat, did we forget the Gods are magic? Like Thors Hammer flys back to him, Lady Sil's hair is made of gold, and Freya had a ship you could fold and put in your pocket. Thor once almost drunk the entire ocean in a challenge with Utgard-Loki, like it's clear that his stomach is like a black hole, it's never filled.

Our rules do not apply to them!

PS I am fine with Fat Thor though, just don't get the logic of these arguments

[AspiringProGenji]

The design of Thor has nothing to do with politics. That is how the source material describes him. You right wingers just like to blame everyone on politics it is ridiculous

[Alex_vance21]

@Aspiringprogenji the source material does not explicitly say Thor is fat. I read the article where Matt sophos cited two poems the one where Thor drank most of the ocean and the one where Thor pretended to Freya before eating the whole feast and killing the groom. Neither poem describes him as fat. Sony could have made Thor large with a washboard stomach and no belly. Besides the fact that having such a large belly would be a detriment to combat. It is just going to be silly to see Thor in game running to kratos to attack Thor's man boobs flapping up and down while he rushes you. It is just so redicoulous. Part of the problem with the design is the use of the Norse myth as a justification. It is not in the myth. Thor is not fat. In other mediums such as assassin's Creed Valhalla and too human Thor is not depicted as fat.

Further to the point about making Thor fat be political, it sort of is. Matt Sophos has an adversary kind of relationship with critics. Since people like him love an echo chamber instead of civil discourse with criticism. I do not think Sony is pushing an agenda. The more I think about it, the more I think it is the individual creators who are pushing inclusion and politics in games since Sony is very hands off with the creative process. Dude, it's obvious Thor was made fat for inclusion sake. Especially because the lore never says he is fat. Not to mention this culture we have now of celebrating being fat. Heck Matt sophos even accused critics of fat shaming. It is so absurd.

[AspiringProGenji]

The eddas books describe Thor as a glutton and alcoholic. Also this game is set near the end of the norse saga so this is an older thor, so this design is appropriate. Also this is mot the first time we see a fat God. Hades was a big fat demon-like god. This has nothing to do with politics. Just SSM sticking to the source material

[Rimeskeem]

It's mythology, there are interpretations of it that are different.

[McToasty2077]

The First God of War already did pretty distinct things with Baldur and Loki, not sure why people are suprised

[K-Tuck]

Thor has nothing to do with God of War Ragnarok according to the N4G mods. @cl1983, care to chime in on whether or not this is relevant?

[cell989]

Lmao!!! They want him looking like Chris Hemsworth 😂😂

[Yppupdam]

That is because they are two dimensional morons that think they are intellectual because they read part of a Harry Potter novel and can quote lines from Game of Thrones.

[Nacho_Z]

The GoW games have always had their own take on mythology and that's a good thing. More of a warts and all approach.

[Gianoni33]

Love the design. For me, althought all the good the trailer is, this is the main thing that let me consider they are on the right way.

He is fat, he is strong, he is a threat - not a joke.

[slowgamer]

In reality there is not much more scary than tall fat angry drunken biker shoved in your face.

[SDuck]

After my initial shock, I love Thor's design. What do these idiots expected? To be modelled after Chris Hermsworth? This is a perfect depiction of what he should look like. Realistic Vikings would look like that. Ridiculous is his look on Netflix's anime with Ragnarok in the name (I forgot what it's called)

[Alex_vance21]

Actually Viking civilians would look like that. However, Viking warriors would not since they are constantly in combat. Also being that fat would be a detriment to combat. There seems to be a large misunderstanding to fitness and how someone could eat like Thor and still be fit. It all depends how active someone is. The fact that Thor is a warrior means he would burn off all the feasting he has done. The bigger issue with Thor's depiction is how unrealistic it actually is. If Thor was not a warrior and a politician or civilian I would agree that that would be realistic build, but anyone who has competed in a combat sport will tell you having a belly like Thor does is a detriment because of how it can fatigue the person. Not to mention, if Viking warriors actually were as fat as Thor is depicted they would have been conquered instead of being conquerors. Since a army of fit soldiers could easily trample an army of fat soldiers since they could last longer in a fight without tiring out so easily. Not to mention recover faster in the fight.

[Alex_vance21]

Furthermore Vikings love feasting so it makes sense Thor would enjoy feasting

[TheDoomedGuy]

This is interesting...im seeing a lot of articles in defense or against this and that criticism....yet

I havent heard or seen any complaints or criticism outside of these comments section relating to the article written about the supposed criticism and complaining.

But just gonna put it out there...why aint he black?

[Sciurus_vulgaris]

This version of Thor seemed to have a strong man build big barrel chest and round belly. One should remember Gods, in the GOW Series can still be physically affected by alcohol. GOW: Ragnarok's Thor has red hair like the Thor in classic Norse/Germanic mythology. Plus Thor in mythology was found of drinking lots of alcohol, so I'm assuming GOW: Ragnarok's Thor likes to drink heavily too.

[Alex_vance21]

Strong men are not fat. They are muscular. Body builders and weight lifters do not get a belly and turn it into muscle. That would be a horrible way to gain muscle. Body builders lift heavier and heavier weights in short sets. Being fat is not synonymous with being strong. Especially because Thor is a warrior and you never see any fat UFC fighters. Probably because being fat would be burdensome in combat causing fatigue and other problems. They can make Thor fat, but it is not realistic or related to the lore because the Norse myth never said Thor was fat just that he enjoyed feasting and drinking. Fit people enjoy eating as much as fat people. Enjoying food and drink is no indication of being fat. For the last time, Thor was large, not fat. There is a difference.

[Sciurus_vulgaris]

Daniel Cormier is the one the greatest UFC fighter of all time, and he is of barrel-shaped build. Cormier is also kind of pudgy, especially when fighting at heavyweight. However, I do agree with you their are few overweight successful UFC fighters. As being obese and or overweight is generally not healthy and of any benefit in most sports.

Also, a lot of strongmen like Edie Hall and Hafthor Bjornsson weren’t practically lean [or didn’t look lean in a traditional sense] when they competed. I have never seen any strong men with a ripped, lean muscular build during competition. Strong and larger powerlifters seem to always be less lean than bodybuilder, despite being stronger than them.

[Alex_vance21]

The difference is their build is large, not fat. Being healthy and fat is an oxymoron. If you are fat, you have more healthy problems and it is a detriment to the sport. If those athletes you mention were actually fat or pudgy then they would not be as successful. Furthermore to the point of Thor. He is considered large not fat. To me there is a difference. As someone who is fat and taking an active role in changing that. I will tell you, athletic activity is much more difficult and taxing on the body. So I can tell you firsthand. That being fat and being an athlete are mutually exclusive. Take the mountain from game of thrones for instance. People on n4g are comparing him to Thor saying he is fat when he is large, if the mountain were fat, he would not be able to do half the things he can do. Again being fat and being large are two different things. Those athletes you mentioned may look pudgy, but that is muscle not body fat. It is untoned muscle. The dudes with six packs and hulking muscles you see have toned muscle. A large person is more likely muscular than fat. Thor is clearly fat and not muscular based on his design. That is the problem. They could of made him large with an untoned muscular build and that would of been fine. However people see gods as having toned muscles. The difference between being large and fat and the ignorance associated with not knowing the difference is the problem.

[Elda]

You must not go out into the world because there are many big & out-of-shape men or one that would consider fat that are very strong. I've seen club bouncers that are big & tall with big guts do their jobs as bouncers.

[ChickenOfTheCaveMan]

Looks like that Thor pretty much has the build of Eddie Hall with some added fat. Sure, any human with that physique would be slowed but he's a god, it's fantasy, for all we know he will as fast as Kratos in the game. Your point just doesn't make sense.

[Alex_vance21]

Actually I have done plenty of research. The thing is those bouncers you mention would be horrible in an actual fight, if they are fat like you say, they are slow and sluggish in a fight. Furthermore, those bouncers you mentioned if they are fat and that pudgy exterior is not untoned muscle they may be strong to a point, but the tax that lifting a person to throw them out of the bar would put them out. The issue with Thor being fat is that fat belly would be a detriment in combat. That is the issue. It is unrealistic.

Further to your point of Thor being a god, saying he is as fast as kratos, the problem with that logic is it is a double edged sword. If he is a god and his abilities are superior to a human, would Thor not have an incredibly strong metabolism, not to mention how many battles he has been in, that would mean with his crazy metabolism, Thor as a god would not be fat, but fit, maybe not muscular, they could have gave Thor the physique of bulder and made him slightly bigger. The problem with your assumption of a gods abilities is it means that Thor would not be fat, would be in shape and capable because of his godly abilities and the fact that if a gods powers are infinite why would he choose to be fat. It looks unappealing and even as a god, you would have the same issues a fat person would in a fight.

[AspiringProGenji]

Stop being fatphobic and move on. It’s a game, not real life.

[Alex_vance21]

@Aspiringprogenji, this is what I expected. I win the argument and you accuse me of being fat phobic. Being fat should not be celebrated or normalized, science has said time and again the being fat is unhealthy and leads to further health problems later on. That is why I am trying so hard to lose weight.

[Asuka]

He looks fine. People will complain about anything.

[anast]

Eurogamer loves that bait. It's Thor. Marvel's Thor is Marvel's Thor. God of War's Thor is God of War's Thor.

[JayRyu]

Oh no, Fat Aloy and now this!?

Just kidding!

We have to remember that these are characters that people are to envision for themselves. There is no set look of Thor. Just get read to enjoy the game

[Vengeance1138]

I'd assume the inclusion of Thor was the reason Marvel had to be included in the legal lines at the end of the trailer. Disney apparently owns any and every mention of Thor?

[Magog]

If Marvel Thor is Thor to you that's just sad. Comic book movies are the lowest form of entertainment.

[Dirty_Lemons]

Nothing wrong with this portrayal. Anyone claiming otherwise either has never read any Norse mythology - which often contradicts itself - or is going off Marvel's Thor.

[SaveFerris]

Thor isn't fat. He's just big boned.

[Godmars290]

HE needs defending? Pretty certain he could stomp anyone who actually pisses him off into a mud hole. Including the Marvel version.

You get body checked trying to body shame THAT.

[CantThinkOfAUsername]

Agreed. To me, he's more intimidating than some buff guy with six-pack. Guy could move mountains with those hands...

I only hope they do his boss fight proper.

[andron]

He fits the setting, end case...

[MetalGearsofWar]

Those who defend this must have finally gotten representation.

[frostypants]

This controversy is so stupid. It's embarrassing for the hobby. Yes, they depicted a norse god who historically is often portrayed as fat...as being fat. So what? Why is this triggering anyone? It's not like they're promoting being fat.

There is even a theory that the character of Santa Claus is based on/evolved from Thor (in addition to St. Nicholas). Fat dude with a beard who flies around in a sleigh (instead of a chariot).

[Alex_vance21]

Thor is not portrayed as fat historically or you probably mean in the myth. Since Thor is a fictional character. He is portrayed as large, not fat. Thor may eat a lot, but he is a warrior and warriors are constantly in battle burning what they ate. This is precisely why Viking warriors are never portrayed as fat, but fit and muscular. Thor is no exception, he may enjoy feasting, but is battle hardened. Thor is not the only Norse god in the myth who enjoys feasting, are you going to tell me that all of the Norse gods including Odin and Loki are as fat as Matt Sophos portrayed Thor in god of war ragnarok. That is absurd, Loki is always portrayed as fit and not fat. Not to mention that realistically being fat would be a detriment in combat. Why can't Thor be fit, he is constantly in combat he must burn all the food he eats. I mean athletes do it all the time. They eat three entries for dinner and are fit because they are very active. The god of thunder would never sit on the side lines. Especially because glory in battle is so important to Viking and Norse culture. Thor being fat is absurd, especially when the myth/ poems never explicitly say he is fat.

[Lionsguard]

Well he does drink oceans and eats whole cows, why wouldn't he be fat? Mimir even calls him a fat dobber. It's curious that we haven't seen Odin yet though.

[McToasty2077]

Isn't that proof that logic doesn't apply here? If he can swallow oceans then he should be planet sized right? It's clear that Thor's gullet is like a black hole or other dimenson, stuff goes in there and just evaporates or whatever.

Gods are magic, they don't follow rules. Thor can be whatever the hell he likes

[ghostrider32]

Apparently everybody forgot Mimir described Thor as a glutton alcoholic with anger issues.

[Knightofelemia]

Looks more like a fatter version of the DC Thor god I wish Ragnarok was coming out this season.

[Cyclindk2]

Hm, don’t mind varied physical builds at all, but I think the face area is personally uninspiring, just from looking at it and at this one angle.

That being said, I didn’t care all that much for the main baddy in the previous game either, but the game was brilliant nevertheless.

[Tankbusta40]

Thor is just trying to make fat guys feel good....inclusion guys inclusion

[dbcoops]

Does it need defending?

[OhReginald]

He looks like a nasty evil dude. Perfect for kratos to rip him open.

[AuraAbjure]

Dad bod.

[isarai]

People watch a marvel movie and think they're mythology specialist. He looks fine bro, he's often described as barrel chested, rough, scruffy, large, red haired, etc in norse mythology.

[Wilwon]

Thor is described as being fierce eyed, with red hair and a full beard, and he is quick to anger and has an "enormous appetite".

[McToasty2077]

But that enormous appetite translate to fat, Thor once almost drank the ocean in a challenge with Utgard Loki (Not the main Loki). Are we to assume he's planet sized? Or more simply that he and all the other gods are magic and logic doesn't apply to them

[Kakashi Hatake]

Chiseled dudes get enough shine. Nothing wrong with having diverse body types in gaming.

[TheExecutioner]

He looks fantastic

[GoodGuy09]

I mean....was hoping hed look more badass. He kinda looks a bit generic honestly...
But its whatever as long as hes done well and a good boss fight in the game.

[Kakashi Hatake]

Looks awesome. All for diverse body types in media.

[Petebloodyonion]

I don't see the problem with Thor and I'm quite interested to see what's gonna be the story around him.

[Hedstrom]

Love the looks of him!

[Jinjojuice49]

Arguing over what a fictional character looks like.. Sad.

[mastershredder]

Lol in defense? We got Greek mythos mixed with the Nords. I mean at this point Who cares what he looks like? One of the antagonists might as well be a bag of Dorritos. Next stop, Kratos vs. ancient Mesoamerica or hell, ancient Mars!

[Pyrofire95]

I like it. SM Studio are going off of the most reliable sources of the myth first for much of their inspiration. Also he is built like a proper strong-man like the people who train to be extremely beafy and strong, not for aesthetics.

[K-Tuck]

The mods have said that Thor has nothing to do with God of War Ragnarok