Okish theory, but he's an annoying fuckface in Ragnarök too.
He's just a shitty character that's annoying.
Ragnarök even fucked up the character of Kratos though, he's not much better than a Drax from Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy, being excluded from many conversations and only lending grunts to them when he's queried for an opinion. Then characters talking about his actions like he's a fucking dog "OH HE MUST HAVE FOUND A CHEST" just shit that doesn't need to be there.
Ragnarök is through and through written like shit.
Kratos does grunt a lot, it's true...but that's because he isn't some modern man in touch with his feelings who needs therapy if he stubs his toe.
He's a God of War, a killer, who has personally slaughtered thousands with his bare hands, and is from a culture that celebrates glory in battle, courage, and sacrifice.
I think you are asking too much if you are expecting him to be in touch with his feminine side.
He grunts, he says little, because he's about action and doing what needs to be done and talk is unnecessary and means revealing personal information...and that can be used against you.
Atreus is the counter weight to Kratos, he is his only real weakness, the only thing that brings out genuine emotions - which are so overwhelming he smothers the boy with his cautious, over protecting nature.
Plus, you could argue Atreus is just rebelling like all teenagers do - especially ones with parents who wrap them in cotton wool and try to shield them from the ugliness of the world.
It can backfire as the child might end up naive and frightened.
Anyway, I haven't even given this any thought until just now...it just seemed apparent to me playing the game.
I haven't even finished it yet, by the way.
