In keeping with the new Scandinavian setting, the latest God of War is filled with Norse things; including lines and lines of runic text. While it’s easy to see them as purely directive, some determined fans have been working hard to translate these God of War runes. Because an Easter Egg was discovered via translated runes, they have hoped to uncover even more secrets in this manner.
Translating the God of War Runes
The runes in God of War are primarily written in Elder Futhark; the oldest form of runic alphabets. The alphabet was used from the 2nd to 8th centuries. These runes appear all through Santa Monica Studio’s latest title. A few months ago, determined fans translated runes from an item in the game’s Collector’s Edition and were able to unearth a secret item. Since then, other fans have sought to uncover similar secrets, or simply learn more about the game’s story.
By translating the runes into Old Norse or Icelandic, fans have been able to translate them into English text. Most of these runes don’t hint at in-game secrets. However, a lot of them give players insight into certain story elements. Eurogamer has recently compiled some of the more interesting discoveries which fans have made, taken from a variety of Reddit threads.
Among the more interesting discoveries were that the red runes tattooed across Baldur’s back read “cursed”. Similar phrases inscribed on his body read; “never to forgive”, and “lights confide me with warmth so that I might feel”. His neck is even tattooed with the line; “I mark the twilight of the gods”. This could reference Baldur’s role as a Norse version of Kratos; a figure manipulated by the gods and driven by revenge. In his case, however, he is ultimately slain in order to prevent the same course of events from playing out again.
Other discoveries have included translations of tattoos on Atreus, and the murals which appear in Jotunheim, hinting at the future of the series…