The bird creature encountered in Helheim in God of War (2018) is not given an official name in the game. However, based on its appearance and the mythology behind the realm of Helheim, it seems to be inspired by Hræsvelgr, a giant from Norse mythology who takes the form of an eagle. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the bird enemy in God of War, what it might represent, and how it connects to Norse mythology.
Appearance and Abilities
In God of War, the bird enemy first appears as Kratos and Atreus enter the icy realm of Helheim. It has a massive wingspan, razor sharp talons, and the ability to breathe bursts of damaging wind/ice. The bird’s design incorporates deathly imagery, with skeletal features and tattered, corpse-like skin on its wings.
When it attacks Kratos and Atreus directly, it uses its claws and wind blasts, swooping through the air or perching on the giant corpse in the center of Helheim. It serves as a miniboss-type encounter, testing the player’s ability to avoid attacks while fighting on the corpse’s moving hand terrain. Defeating the bird is necessary to progress deeper into Helheim.
Connections to Hræsvelgr
In Norse mythology, Hræsvelgr (meaning ‘Corpse Swallower’) is a giant who takes the form of an eagle. He sits at the edge of the world overlooking Helheim, and is responsible for creating the winds by flapping his wings. This aligns with the God of War enemy’s wind/ice breath attack.
Hræsvelgr’s massive size and connection to death also match the bird enemy’s design. As a guardian of Helheim and its goddess Hela, his menacing appearance in mythology echoes the miniboss encounter in the game. The perching behavior and corpse imagery reinforce this connection.
Helheim and Norse Mythology
To better understand this enemy, let’s look at the larger context of Helheim and Norse mythology that inspired it.
About Helheim
In Norse mythology, Helheim is one of the nine realms, ruled by the goddess Hela or Hel. It is a realm of the dead, specifically those who did not die in battle. The God of War version of Helheim combines elements of the mythological realm with its own twists:
- Icy, dreary wasteland visuals, with a seeming endless sea
- Central giant corpse island that houses the Bridge of the Damned
- Serves as a transition point to reach other realms, rather than final resting place for dishonorable dead
The freezing oceans, wandering souls, and ominous giant structures all work to create a foreboding underworld for Kratos and Atreus to traverse.
Hela in Norse Mythology
In Norse myth, Hela is Loki’s daughter and ruler of Helheim. She has power over those that dwell there and accepts newly dead souls into her realm. She is described as half alive/half corpse in appearance.
God of War altered Hela to be Baldur’s mother Freya using powerful magic to go into exile. But the idea of a goddess overseeing the dead in Helheim remains.
Afterlife Beliefs
The appearance of Helheim and a guardian creature like Hræsvelgr represent Nordic beliefs about the afterlife. Warriors hoped to reach Valhalla by dying in battle, while those who died of sickness or old age were condemned to Helheim. Much like the Greek Underworld, it was not a pleasant realm for dead souls.
The God of War version of Helheim draws on this mythology to create a setting that contrasts with the heroism of reaching Valhalla. The dark, dangerous wasteland offers challenges for Kratos and Atreus as they quest for knowledge and a way home.
The Bird Enemy as Symbol
Given its connections to Norse myth, we can deduce some symbolic roles and meanings behind the bird enemy:
Guardian of Helheim
As a guardian of the realm and gatekeeper to the Bridge of the Damned, the enemy represents Helheim’s nature as an inhospitable realm that doesn’t welcome visitors. Killing the bird dispels its protective magic over the central corpse island.
Bearer of Death
The skeletal imagery and association with Hræsvelgr emphasize the deadly nature of this enemy. It embodies the endless cold and death permeating Helheim and acts as a threat toeven the godly Kratos.
Omen of the Afterlife
The overall design evokes decay, lifelessness, and inevitability – all things associated with death. As Kratos and Atreus’s first encounter in the realm, the enemy foreshadows what’s to come on their journey.
Test of Strength
Since the bird guards the main corridor forward, defeating it proves the characters’ ability to overcome the dangers of Helheim. Facing the enemy shows their resolve as they venture deeper into uncertainty.
The Enemy in God of War Gameplay
Shifting from mythology to gameplay, let’s examine how the bird enemy challenges players:
Walkthrough of the Boss Fight
The miniboss fight with the bird enemy has three main phases:
- Attacking the corpse’s hand island from the air
- Perching on the hand for close attacks
- Short final phase of aerial attacks
Throughout the fight, the bird will use wing/wind attacks, claw swipes, and ice explosions to damage Kratos. Dodging and parrying with a shield are key to avoiding damage while landing hits on the bird.
Attacks and Behaviors
Here are the main attacks and characteristics of the bird enemy:
- Dive bomb – Slams onto the corpse hand from the air
- Perching slash – Slashes claws when perched on the hand
- Ice explosion – Freezes parts of the hand and causes area damage
- Gust – Flaps wings to create damaging wind gusts
- Flying – Swiftly flies around the arena when not attacking
Strategy and Tips
Since the bird is in the air most of the time, ranged attacks like Kratos’s Leviathan Axe and Atreus’s arrows do well to whittle down its health. Staying mobile and dodging melee strikes is key when it perches.
When the corpse hand freezes over during the ice explosion attack, lure the bird down onto the icy surface so its claws get temporarily stuck. Use this opening to land extra hits.
Maximizing parries and defensive maneuvers is also important against the powerful claw and wind attacks. With patience and evasion tactics, players can conquer this deadly guardian of Helheim.
Conclusion
The monstrous bird enemy encountered in God of War’s Helheim realm makes for an imposing and meaningful miniboss fight. Through its design, abilities, and mythological connections to Hræsvelgr, it represents core parts of Norse underworld lore. As a guardian of the dead and herald of decay, it challenges Kratos and Atreus while foreshadowing the greater dangers ahead. For players, it serves as an engaging mid-game skill check before proceeding deeper into the icy realm. When viewed in the larger context of Norse myths and God of War’s world, the bird enemy becomes a standout symbolic figure brought to life through the game’s stellar combat gameplay.
