Do we like them?

Do we like Atreus?

A character from God of War (2018-2022)

Our score: 8 out of 10. Yes, we'd back him. He's kind, brave and eager to do right, and his flaws are the believable stumbles of a kid growing up beside a hard father.

Atreus is the young son of Kratos, the former Greek god of war who now lives quietly in the realm of Midgard. After the death of Atreus's mother, Faye, the two set out to carry out her last wish. The boy has to learn survival, archery and the weight of his father's past.

He is warm, talkative and curious, the opposite of his gruff father. He loves myths and learning, and he cares about people. Much of his story is about proving himself, and about his awkward, loving relationship with Kratos. The 2018 game follows him as a child, and the sequel shows him as a restless teenager.

In Ragnarök, Atreus pursues his own questions about his identity and destiny, including the name his mother had for him, Loki. His hunger for answers and his stubborn independence cause friction with those who love him. He also grows more thoughtful, and he gets his chance to choose what kind of person he wants to be. That mix of mistakes and real goodness is why he scores well without being a perfect hero.