Spoiler Warning: This article contains spoilers for God of War Ragnarok

According to God of War 2018’s director Cory Barlog, the sequel God of War Ragnarok needed to have these three things, without fail.

This article contains details from an interview in a special spoilercast episode of Beyond. Spoilers for the ending of God of War Ragnarok below.

In an interview with IGN on a Beyond spoilercast, God of War Ragnarok director Eric Williams shared that Barlog said three things “had to be done” for the sequel to not only work but conclude the Norse saga for Kratos.

“[Barlog] gave me three things that had to be done, and I said okay,” Williams recalled. “And I was like, ‘What are the three things?’ [and] he’s like, ‘Well, Ragnarok’s going to happen. The kid’s got to leave, and Brok’s going to die.”

Barlog then asked Williams if he knew why Brok had to die and Williams shared that this topic was discussed between the two of them previously some years ago. “He’s the family dog,” Williams responded.

Ragnarok happening, Atreus leaving, and Brok dying indeed all happen in the God of War reboot sequel, making for some of the most emotional moments in the game. According to Williams, these three things would ensure that Kratos’ Norse story could play out in two games instead of three.

According to Williams PlayStation “most definitely” wanted the studio to make a sequel but the team was debating whether it was going to be two or three games. Williams believed the story could be achieved in two games and Barlog agreed and was “adamant” that “two’s the way to go.”

And the team nailed it. IGN’s God of War Ragnarok review awarded the sequel a perfect score, calling it a blockbuster masterpiece. For more behind-the-scenes secrets with the game’s director check out IGN’s special episode of Beyond.

Matt T.M. Kim is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach him @lawoftd.