How a One Piece Game Could Deliver a God of War Ragnarok Experience

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How a One Piece Game Could Deliver a God of War Ragnarok Experience

As a long-time fan of One Piece and Norse mythology, I can’t help but get excited about the prospect of a One Piece game set in Elbaf. The potential for storytelling and gameplay mechanics is immense, especially when considering the rich history and lore behind Joy Boy, Nika, and Elbaf itself.

This article contains spoilers for
God of War: Ragnarök
and
One Piece
‘s Wano arc and onward

In the early days of the “One Piece” series, gods have been a part of its extensive lore. However, its most recent storyline is significantly deepening the concept of certain divine beings within its universe. Eiichiro Oda has broadened the influence of gods in “One Piece,” introducing new entities and demonstrating how their abilities impact characters such as Luffy. The enigmatic character of the sun god Nika, for instance, raises more questions than it answers, hinting that this latest arc could fundamentally alter the concept of gods within the franchise.

In a world reminiscent of Norse mythology, the Elbaf arc presents an intriguing opportunity for a new installment in the One Piece video game series. This world could be developed not only as another fantastic setting but also as a reimagining of God of War: Ragnarök within the One Piece universe. While the similarity in settings is evident, there have been whispers of fresh takes on characters from Norse mythology appearing in One Piece, offering game developers more reasons to draw inspiration from God of War: Ragnarok.

Yggdrasil the World Tree and Its Nine Realms

In the early stages of the Elbaf storyline, half of the Straw Hat pirates stumble upon a tree known as Yggdrasil. This tree is well-known to followers of Norse mythology, who will recognize it as the cosmic tree. As the home of the nine realms, Yggdrasil serves as a gateway for travel between different dimensions within Norse mythology’s multiverse.

The distribution of the nine realms in Norse mythology doesn’t evenly correspond with the One Piece crew’s possessions (which include ten straw hats). Yet, as they journey towards Elbaf, an array of allies accompanying them will further complicate the situation.

Despite reaching Elbaf not being confirmed as initially thought in chapter 1128 of “One Piece,” it appears that the popular theory about the Straw Hats being split up and sent to Yggdrasil’s nine realms remains plausible. As this arc is still in its early stages, discussion on potential Elbaf plot developments is currently all we have.

As a devoted fan, delving into another epic chapter in a beloved franchise feels like returning home. God of War: Ragnarok finds Kratos and his son Atreus, unveiled as none other than Loki himself, embarking on a quest to thwart the impending doomsday – Ragnarok. Just as the Straw Hats aren’t in Elbaf to halt Ragnarok, they too must traverse each realm if they aim to forge strong alliances, augment their unique abilities, and ultimately outwit the cunning trickster Loki.

In a hypothetical future video game adaptation of “One Piece,” if it borrows elements from “God of War: Ragnarok,” Luffy might assume the role that Kratos typically fills. In “God of War: Ragnarok,” players are required to unlock each realm by accomplishing specific tasks. Some of these tasks take place within particular realms, necessitating that players traverse all realms to complete the game.

The Straw Hats’ Destinations

In a potential adaptation of Elbaf, Luffy (the protagonist) might journey through various realms to reinstate the rest of the Straw Hats and his associates. So far, Oda hasn’t disclosed which Straw Hat character will be assigned to each realm, but fans speculate that the groupings could look something like this:

  • Franky will end up in Nidavellir, the realm of the dwarves (known as Svartalfheim in God of War: Ragnarök).
  • Brook will end up in Niflheim, the icy realm of the dead.
  • Jinbei and Chopper will end up in Midgard, the realm of humanity.
  • Nami will end up in Alfheim, the realm of the radiant light elves.
  • Robin and Lilith will end up in Vanaheim, home to the Vanir, which are gods associated with wisdom and prophecy.
  • Dorry, Brogy, and Usopp will end up in Jotunheim, the realm of the giants.
  • Sanji will end up in Muspelheim, the realm of the fire giants.
  • Zoro will end up in Helheim, Norse mythology’s version of Hell.
  • Luffy, Bonney, and Kuma will end up in Asgard, the realm of the gods.

What a One Piece Game About Elbaf Could Entail

The backstory between Joy Boy and Nika, characters Oda has hinted are connected to Elbaf, remains unclear. Both Bonney and Luffy have unlocked powers linked to the sun god Nika, implying that training in a divine realm could become a significant plot point. In a game scenario, Asgard might serve better as the location for a climactic battle.

In order to fully resolve the epic tale of the arc, Asgard will play a crucial role. However, it’s essential to delve into Bonney and Luffy’s connection with Asgard. Mastering skills on Asgard is vital for the progression of the One Piece storyline, but integrating these abilities could potentially disrupt the flow of a video game. Including a brief training session right before the final battle might slow down the narrative pace significantly.

As a starting point, players might find themselves as Luffy in Asgard, but eventually get expelled from that realm. Luffy then ventures to other realms, gathering companions along the way. Upon revisiting Asgard, he initially faces defeat. However, this loss could mark the beginning of Luffy’s training under a deity within the realm – possibly Odin. Once Luffy has assembled his full team, they return to Asgard for a rematch and ultimately emerge victorious.

In this imaginary game, travel will play a significant role in gameplay due to Luffy’s need to traverse multiple realms. Following the initial battle on Asgard, players would start their journey at the foot of Yggdrasil. Here, Luffy would pick one out of several realms to initiate the recruitment of his allies. Adopting a structure similar to God of War, players can move between realms through Mystic Gateways, which could save travel time compared to repeatedly returning to Yggdrasil. However, it’s important to maintain a primary portal on Yggdrasil as the tree could serve as a base for the Straw Hats.

In the progression of the One Piece storyline, it’s plausible that additional formidable members of the Straw Hat pirates, similar to the Monster Trio, will join later on. This could be facilitated by Zoro overcoming the goddess of death, Hel, a significant challenge that would solidify his status as “King of Hell”. This battle might serve as a crucial step towards the climax. Concurrently, other realms may witness the Straw Hats enhancing their abilities, such as Usopp training with giants, signifying a pivotal development in the series.

A Reunion with Jaguar D. Saul

In a video game version of Elbaf from “One Piece”, we might expect to encounter new allies not yet revealed within the series lore. Interestingly, at the conclusion of the Egghead Island arc, it’s hinted that Robin’s childhood mentor, Jaguar D. Saul, has taken refuge in Elbaf.

Given their scholarly backgrounds, it’s plausible that Saul is concealed in Vanaheim, a realm inhabited by the Vanir deities who are known for their wisdom, foresight, and fertility. By residing there, Saul, Robin, and Lilith might uncover insights about Elbaf, potentially unearthing hidden truths that could be beneficial during combat. Additionally, Egghead Island hints at a past between Saul and Lilith that she can’t recall. If their history is significant, Lilith might gain additional abilities or even reclaim lost powers.

In the decisive conflict with Loki, these allies – both fresh and seasoned ones – would play a crucial role. Gathering them might require some effort and careful decisions, but it could make the Elbaf arc of One Piece a tale as epic as God of War: Ragnarok.

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2024-10-16 14:34