Kratos (God of War)

General CVG character
name= Kratos


caption=Kratos sitting on his Olympian throne
series="God of War" series
firstgame="God of War" (2005)
voiceactor= Terrence C. Carson
japanactor=Tesshō Genda

Kratos is the fictional protagonist of the "God of War" series. The character first appeared in "God of War", released in vgy|2005. In this game, Kratos is on a quest for revenge, a theme continued throughout the "God of War" series. The series has become a flagship title for the PlayStation brand, appearing on both the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable, with a PlayStation 3 game in development. "" is the first game in the series released for another platform, being the first mobile game in the series.

The character went through many stages of development, with his final design being chosen due to his "Greek" and "brutal" characteristics. Kratos uses a distinctive main weapon in all of the "God of War" games. The "chain blades", a pair of swords attached by chains to Kratos' arms, were chosen to show an "animalistic" nature while allowing a fluid combat animation. The character has received a mostly positive critical reception, being described by reviewers as a "sympathetic antihero", while his gameplay was perceived as "a nightmare to his enemies, but a dream to control". His role in the first game's plot received a similar reaction, particularly his "tragic fall and brutal ascension to the peaks of Mount Olympus". National Entertainment Collectibles Association has produced a series of action figures featuring Kratos' appearance in "God of War II".

Concept and creation

The main idea when creating Kratos was to design someone that looked "brutal", while separating its appearance from what is considered the traditional Greek hero.cite book| title=God of War: Official Game Guide| publisher=Prima Games| year=2005| isbn=0-7615-5133-6| location=United States| Chapter=Art Gallery: Kratos| pages=203] The character's look was supposed to feel violent and impulsive. One of the early concepts was to have a fully masked character, but the idea was abandoned when such designs seemed "soulless", lacking a defined personality. [cite book| title=God of War: Official Game Guide| publisher=Prima Games| year=2005| isbn=0-7615-5133-6| location=United States| Chapter=Art Gallery: Kratos| pages=199] During the creative process, game director David Jaffe focused on the "brutal" factor; this led to the team focusing on the character's primal aspect. At a point all traditional armor was removed from the character, in order to conserve his "individualism".cite book| title=God of War: Official Game Guide| publisher=Prima Games| year=2005| isbn=0-7615-5133-6| location=United States| Chapter=Art Gallery: Kratos| pages=208] Numerous designs were drawn, ranging from one resembling a member of a African tribe to several using traditional Greek armors. Various changes were done to these drawings in order to make the character seem as "Greek" as possible. Some of the models included unconventional elements, including an infant being carried on Kratos' back.cite book| title=God of War: Official Game Guide| publisher=Prima Games| year=2005| isbn=0-7615-5133-6| location=United States| Chapter=Art Gallery: Kratos| pages=200] Others were deemed to include excessive detail, these included hair and other "flowing things" which were discarded after they were considered a bigger effort when creating the virtual models. The Blades of Chaos were selected as Kratos' signature weapons because the team considered that they emphasized the character's animalistic nature while at the same time making his combat more fluid. [cite book| title=God of War: Official Game Guide| publisher=Prima Games| year=2005| isbn=0-7615-5133-6| location=United States| Chapter=Art Gallery: Kratos| pages=206]

Attributes

Personality

Throughout the series, Kratos acts as an anti-hero, [cite web| url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17746110/| title='God of War II' is one hell of a ride| author=Levi Buchanan| publisher=MSNBC Interactive| date=2007-03-30| accessdate=2008-03-15] often making immoral decisions to further his goal; sacrificing unprotected humans for example. Prior to the start of the series, he served as the captain of Sparta's army and was only interested in increasing his power by conquering his opponents.cite web| url=http://stars.ign.com/objects/959/959773_biography.html| title=Kratos Biography| publisher=IGN| accessdate=2008-03-15] His personality changes when he becomes a servant to Ares, after which he faithfully followed the god's orders. After he stopped serving Ares, Kratos continues to serve the gods in order to receive forgiveness, but shows a defiant stance against them. Once contacted by the gods of Olympus, Kratos shows disregard for their plight, only following their orders for personal benefit. In the first game, Kratos' main motive is revenge. He is ordered to assassinate Ares and agrees to do so to achieve absolution from his past crimes. [cite web| url= http://www.us.playstation.com/PS2/Games/God_of_War| title=Playstation 2 - God of War| publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment| accessdate=2008-03-15]

Outward appearance

Throughout most of the series Kratos' skin is seen completely lacking pigmentation, only showing his original skin color in flashbacks. The reason for this is made evident when the player is shown a scene, where a village oracle placed a curse on Kratos, which fastened the ashes of his murdered daughter and wife to his skin. [cite video game |title="God of War" |developer=SCE Studios Santa Monica |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America |date=2005 |platform=Playstation 2 |version= |level= |language= |quote=Oracle: From this night forward, the mark of your terrible dead with be visible to all! The ashes of your wife and child will remain fastened to your skin, never to be removed! Narrator: And with that curse, all would know him for the beast he had become, his skin white with the ash of his dead family. The ghost of Sparta had been born.] The character does not use a significant amount of clothes, usually seen only wearing a loincloth, sandals and gauntlets. Some exceptions include the early stages of "God of War II" where he is seen wearing armor reminiscent to the one used by Ares in the first game and cutscenes detailing his past, where he wears a different set of armor. Some of his distinctive features include large red markings, which cover half of his body and head, and the chain blades, which are attached to his wrists in all of the series' installments. Kratos' face exhibits a scar crossing over his right eye and a goatee.

Role in the "God of War" series

"God of War"

Prior to the events in the game, Kratos was the youngest and most promising captain in Sparta's army, quickly gaining recognition due to his violent tactics. During an attack by a barbarian tribe, they were outnumbered. Before being killed by the barbarian king, Kratos summoned Ares, the Greek god of war, and offered his soul in exchange for a victory. [cite video game |title="God of War" |developer=SCE Studios Santa Monica |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America |date=2005 |platform=Playstation 2 |version= |level= |language= |quote=Narrator: The soldiers faced a massacre, while their young captain faced the end of his brilliant career, and his life. But to Kratos, victory was worth any price, even his soul. Kratos: Ares! Destroy my enemies, and my life is yours. Narrator: That desperate call for aid, will come to haunt Kratos for all his days.] He continued to serve Ares until the god tricked him into killing his own family, after which he served several of the Greek gods for a decade. After becoming tired of serving the gods to erase the memories of his family's murder, he contacted Athena, who offered him forgiveness if he was able to stop Ares' destruction of Athens. After defeating several monsters which were attacking citizens, Kratos saves the city's oracle who tells him to retrieve Pandora's box in order to defeat Ares. [cite video game |title="God of War" |developer=SCE Studios Santa Monica |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America |date=2005 |platform=Playstation 2 |version= |level= |language= |quote=Oracle: Choose your enemies wisely Kratos, your brute strength alone will not be enough to destroy Ares. Only one item in the world will allow you to defeat a god... Pandora's Box, which lies far beyond the walls of Athens, hidden by the gods across the desert to the east.] Kratos succeeds in this task, but is killed by Ares and sent to Hades. After escaping from the underworld he returns to Athens and confronts Ares, regaining control of Pandora's box and using its power to kill the god. When he discovers that the gods' forgiveness does not include allowing him to forget his mistakes, he attempts suicide, but is stopped by Athena who informs him that he has been granted Ares' throne on Mount Olympus. [cite video game |title="God of War" |developer=SCE Studios Santa Monica |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America |date=2005 |platform=Playstation 2 |version= |level= |language= |quote=Athena: You will not die this day Kratos. The gods cannot allow one who has performed such service to perish by his own hand. Ares' tactics were brutal. His path of destruction had to be stopped. But now there is an empty throne in Olympus, and a new God of War is needed. Take these stairs Kratos, they lead to your ultimate reward. Your battles are at an end Kratos. Your Journey is over, take these steps to Olympus and your place among the Gods.]

"God of War II"

"God of War II" begins with Kratos performing his office as the new god of war. He however had chosen to avoid the other gods, instead using his powers to aid the Spartans in battle. [cite video game |title=God of War II |developer=SCE Studios Santa Monica |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America |date=2007 |platform=Playstation 2 |version= |level= |language= |quote=Narrator: By defeating Ares, Kratos, the once mortal warrior became the new god of war. However, Kratos soon found himself alone on Olympus, shunned by his fellow gods. But Kratos had no need for the love of petty gods. He had found a new family in the warriors of Sparta. Bringing solace from his past with carnage and battle.] This angered several of the other Olympians, but after receiving an ultimatum, Kratos ignored it and decided to destroy the city of Rhodes, where the Spartan army was fighting. Upon descending to the city, Zeus brings the Colossus of Rhodes to life and tricks Kratos into transferring all of his godly strength into the Blade of Olympus, the sword used to defeat the Titans in the Titanomachy. Zeus then gains control of the sword and stabs him with it, declaring to Kratos "you will never be the ruler of Olympus". [cite video game |title=God of War II |developer=SCE Studios Santa Monica |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America |date=2007 |platform=Playstation 2 |version= |level= |language= |quote=Zeus: It did not have to be this way my son. This path is of your choosing. Kratos: A choice from the gods is as useless as the gods themselves. Zeus: Even now as you draw your last breath, you continue to defy me! Everything you have ever known, Kratos, will now suffer because of your sacrilege. You will never be the ruler of Olympus. The cycle ends here.] After this, Gaia aids Kratos in escaping from Hades and tells him to find the Fates in order to change his destiny. He travels to the island of the Fates, where he retrieves the Golden Fleece and the power of some of the surviving Titans. Kratos eventually reaches the temple of the Fates with the help of Atlas and confronts them. The Fates decline to help him, citing that his destiny was already determined. [cite video game |title=God of War II |developer=SCE Studios Santa Monica |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America |date=2007 |platform=Playstation 2 |version= |level= |language= |quote=Lahkesis: Your resolve is admirable, even if it is misguided. None can change their destiny, Kratos. We Sisters determine the fate of all. It was I who deemed that the Titans lose the Great War and I who have allowed you to come this far. It is not your destiny to kill Zeus. Kratos: You no longer control my destiny. Lahkesis: I see Gaia has filled you with her lies. Kratos: I have warned you! Let me pass! Lahkesis: You have always amused us, Kratos. But know this mortal. There is no power greater than the Sisters of Fate. If you challenge us, you will die.] Seeing that the Fates were not going to help him, Kratos fights and kills them. He then rewinds the thread that controlled his life and returns to the moment when Zeus betrayed him, regaining control of the Blade of Olympus. Both engage in battle, Zeus becomes badly injured, but Athena intervenes before Kratos can kill him, resulting in her getting mortally wounded. Before dying, Athena reveals to Kratos that he is Zeus' son. [cite video game |title=God of War II |developer=SCE Studios Santa Monica |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America |date=2007 |platform=Playstation 2 |version= |level= |language= |quote=Kratos: Athena! No! Why do you sacrifice yourself? Athena: To save Olympus. Kratos: I do not seek to destroy Olympus, only Zeus. Athena: Zeus is Olympus! Kratos: He brought this to himself. Athena: Because of fear Kratos... a fear felt by his father, Cronos, a fear that naught the Great War. A fear that drove Zeus to kill you.... his own son. Kratos: His son!?] The game ends with Kratos rewinding the thread a second time and returning to the moment of the Titanomachy, where he convinces the Titans to accompany him back to his time and engage in battle against the Olympians. [cite video game |title=God of War II |developer=SCE Studios Santa Monica |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America |date=2007 |platform=Playstation 2 |version= |level= |language= |quote=Kratos: Gaia! Gaia: We have been expecting you, Ghost of Sparta. The gods are far too powerful for us to defeat now. Kratos: All Olympus trembles at my name! Zeus is weak. Ares and Athena are dead and I wield the Blade! We can win the Great War but not in this time! Together we will destroy the petty gods and we will see Olympus crumble before us! Come with me Gaia, return to my time! Victory awaits!]

"God of War: Betrayal"

The plot of "God of War: Betrayal" covers the timeframe between the first and second installments. The game begins explaining that Kratos had been employing his power to help Sparta during the beginning of his reign as god of war; in this instance he was leading the Spartan army in an invasion of an unnamed city. [cite video game |title= |developer=Javaground |publisher=Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment |date=2007 |platform=Mobile phone |version= |level=For Sparta |language=|quote=Narrator: Since defeating Ares, Kratos, the god of war, reveled in his newfound powers, leading the Spartan army trough conquest after conquest.] Shortly after entering the city, the soldiers encounter Argos, a giant beast that was Hera's servant. Kratos traps the monster in a sewer, where an unidentified assassin kills it. The Spartans celebrate the victory, however Kratos realizes that he was being framed to infuriate the other Olympians and quickly chases after the culprit. [cite video game |title= |developer=Javaground |publisher=Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment |date=2007 |platform=Mobile phone |version= |level=The Beast |language=|quote=Spartan soldier: You have conquered the giant, Argos! Lord Kratos, the victor! All honor and glory to lord Kratos! Kratos: This is not my victory. Spartan soldier: But your mark is on his chest. Kratos: I tell you now, I did not kill the giant.] [cite video game |title= |developer=Javaground |publisher=Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment |date=2007 |platform=Mobile phone |version= |level=Ruins |language=|quote=Narrator: Kratos defeated the giant, Argos, but the gods grew concerned, for Argos was the creation of Hera, wife of Zeus and queen of Olympus. Kratos knew that there was more to this death than could be seen. Kratos: Murderer of Argos! what master do you serve that would try to turn the gods against me?] During the pursuit, several undead soldiers attack Kratos, who suspects that Hades is behind the conspiracy. [cite video game |title= |developer=Javaground |publisher=Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment |date=2007 |platform=Mobile phone |version= |level=Ruins |language=|quote=Narrator: As Kratos pursued the assassin, minions of the underworld sprung from the depths to do battle. Kratos: Hades you unleash your minions to stop me, after the countless souls I have sent to you?!] Meanwhile, the assassin continues fleeing, killing several Spartans in the process. Angered at the amount of destruction that the chase is leaving through its path, Zeus orders Ceryx to serve as his messenger and stop the violence. Ceryx confronts Kratos, but the god of war refuses to cease and engages the messenger in battle. Taking advantage of the situation, the assassin escapes. Kratos kills Ceryx and the Spartan soldiers celebrate, but he realizes that Zeus would eventually take action for this act of defiance. [cite video game |title= |developer=Javaground |publisher=Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment |date=2007 |platform=Mobile phone |version= |level=Messenger |language=|quote=Spartan soldier: Kratos, slayer of gods! Narrator: The son of Hermes lay slain. Kratos, the ghost of Sparta, slayer of gods, defied Olympus. Soon, the fury of Zeus would rain down upon him.]

"God of War: Chains of Olympus"

"God of War: Chains of Olympus" serves as a prequel to "God of War", the events in it take place ten years before the timeline of the first game. It starts in Attica, where Kratos was sent by the gods to defend the city from the Persian army. [cite book| title=God of War: Chains of Olympus Official Strategy Guide| publisher=BradyGames| year=2008| isbn=0-7440-0999-5| location=United States| Chapter=| pages=9] After the battle Kratos observes when the sun falls from heaven and crashes into the city of Marathon. Kratos makes his way to the crash site and discovers both the Sun Chariot and Temple of Helios. Near the temple's entrance he encounters a statue of Athena who tells him that Helios has disappeared and Morpheus has used his absence to make the gods fall "into a deep slumber." [cite book| title=God of War: Chains of Olympus Official Strategy Guide| publisher=BradyGames| year=2008| isbn=0-7440-0999-5| location=United States| Chapter=| pages=49] Athena wants Kratos to retrieve Helios so he can release Morpheus' grasp on the other gods. Inside the temple, Eos uses a statue to communicate with Kratos and tells him that the Titan Atlas has kidnapped her brother Helios. [cite book| title=God of War: Chains of Olympus Official Strategy Guide| publisher=BradyGames| year=2008| isbn=0-7440-0999-5| location=United States| Chapter=| pages=56] After awakening the fire steeds, the horses lead Kratos into Hades, the underworld. He faces off against Charon, but is left unconscious and is thrown into Tartarus. Kratos is eventually able to climb back out of Tartarus and finally defeats Charon. [cite book| title=God of War: Chains of Olympus Official Strategy Guide| publisher=BradyGames| year=2008| isbn=0-7440-0999-5| location=United States| Chapter=| pages=113, 114, 115] He takes the boat and follows the sunlight of Helios down the river Styx, eventually coming upon a temple, where he meets Persephone. She convinces him to "release" all of his evils by surrendering all of the powers and weapons he possessed in order to reunite with his daughter, Calliope in the Elysian Fields. [cite book| title=God of War: Chains of Olympus Official Strategy Guide| publisher=BradyGames| year=2008| isbn=0-7440-0999-5| location=United States| Chapter=| pages=123, 124] Once there, Persephone reveals that she released Atlas in order to destroy Olympus and kill everyone to recover her "liberty", expressing anger at being betrayed by Zeus and being tricked by Hades. [cite book| title=God of War: Chains of Olympus Official Strategy Guide| publisher=BradyGames| year=2008| isbn=0-7440-0999-5| location=United States| Chapter=| pages=125] Realizing this would kill his daughter Kratos decides to sacrifice his humanity in order to recover the powers he lost. Kratos has a final battle against Persephone atop the pillar that holds the world. After chaining Atlas to the pillar, Kratos is able to defeat and kill Persephone. [cite book| title=God of War: Chains of Olympus Official Strategy Guide| publisher=BradyGames| year=2008| isbn=0-7440-0999-5| location=United States| Chapter=| pages=129] Helios returns to the sky but Kratos, weak from battle, falls back towards Earth. While unconscious, Athena and an unidentified god show satisfaction towards his work and remove two Olympian items before leaving him alive on top of a cliff overlooking the Aegean Sea.

Cultural impact

Critical reception

Upon "God of War's" release, Kratos received a mostly positive reception. GameSpot felt the storytelling's method did not allow the player to understand the character in the early stages of the game, but would allow full understanding of him when the game was concluded. The character was reviewed as a "sympathetic antihero" and a "badass", and he has been described as "endearing" due to his unforgiving demeanor.cite web| url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/godofwar/review.html| title=Reviews: God of War| publisher=GameSpot| author=Alex Navarro| date=2005-03-21| accessdate=2008-03-10] IGN similarly noted he was "ruthless", "merciless" and "savage", noting the character's main motive is vengeance and "he doesn't care for the plight of the Olympians. Kratos doesn't want to save anyone, let alone himself. All he desires is murder. Kratos wants to destroy the god of war for the joy that would come from ripping his heart out." However, the publication felt that in time the player would begin to "love and loathe Kratos and hate Ares."cite web| url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/596/596778p1.html| title=Reviews: God of War| author=Ivan Sulic| publisher=IGN| date=2005-03-18| accessdate=2008-03-10] The character's story was also well received, to the point that "GamePro" directly stated it was "Kratos' tragic fall and brutal ascension to the peaks of Mount Olympus that made the original "God of War" so memorable."cite web| url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/98528.shtml| title=Reviews: God of War II| author=Patrick Shaw| publisher=GamePro| date=2007-03-28| accessdate=2008-03-10]

When reviewing "God of War II", GameSpy noted that Kratos' role as a god was "far more ruthless than Ares ever was" eventually being "stripped of his godhood for being a little too hands-on with the people of planet Earth." [cite web| url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/god-of-war-2-divine-retribution/| title=Games: God of War| publisher=GameSpy| accessdate=2008-03-10] cite web| url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/god-of-war-2-divine-retribution/763910p1.html| title=Reviews: God of War II| author=Gabe Graziani| publisher=GameSpy| date=2007-02-12| accessdate=2008-03-10] His gameplay was described as "a nightmare to his enemies, but a dream to control", aspects outside of combat, such as the addition of a gliding ability provided by the use of the Wings of Icarus were positively reviewed. Kratos appears as a playable character in the PlayStation 3 title "". [cite web | url = http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/08/20/kratos-to-swing-the-clubs-of-chaos-in-hot-shots-golf/ | title = Kratos to Swing the Clubs of Chaos in Hot Shots Golf | date = 2008-08-20 | accessdate = 2008-08-21 | first = Chris | last = Hinojosa-Miranda | publisher = Sony Computer Entertainment of America] The character has been referenced in two other video games, the first of these was in "Heavenly Sword", where his Olympian armor and chain blades are displayed as part of King Bohan's arsenal, Kratos himself appeared in a parody of "God of War" titled "God of Wharf" in "The Simpsons Game", where he appears in a billboard advertising a chowder restaurant. [cite web| url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/802/802694p1.html| title=E3 2007: Eyes-On The Simpsons Game| publisher=IGN| date=2007-07-11| accessdate=2008-03-10]

Merchandise

Kratos has been featured in two series of action figures based on "God of War II", and released by National Entertainment Collectibles Association. The first included two figures; one illustrated Kratos' most common appearance while attacking with the chain blades and the other included the Golden Fleece and Medusa's head as accessories. [cite web| url=http://www.necaonline.com/article/detail/68| title=Kratos Gets Packaged| publisher=National Entertainment Collectibles Association| date=2007-02-20| accessdate=2008-03-11] A twelve-inch variation of the second figure which plays six pre-recorded game quotes was included in this release. A second two-figure set featuring Kratos wearing Ares' armor was released later, the main difference between these two versions is that they feature variations on Kratos' facial expression. [cite web| url=http://www.necaonline.com/product/detail/49307| title=Player Select God of War II Ares Armor Kratos Closed Mouth Action Figure| publisher=National Entertainment Collectibles Association| accessdate=2008-03-11] [cite web| url=http://www.necaonline.com/product/detail/49306| title=Player Select God of War II Ares Armor Kratos Open Mouth Action Figure| publisher=National Entertainment Collectibles Association| accessdate=2008-03-11] Fans have created their own custom Kratos action figures. [cite journal| title = Letters: Fan Art| journal = | pages = 93| month = May| year = 2008| issue = 6| publisher = Future US] [cite journal| title = Letters: Art in Action| journal = | pages = 95| month = June| year = 2008| issue = 7| publisher = Future US] To promote "LittleBigPlanet", Sony included a special in-game character model based on Kratos as part of preorder packages at selected retailers. [cite web| url = http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/08/05/littlebigplanet-pre-order-goodness/| title = LittleBigPlanet: Pre-order Goodness| date = 2008-08-05| author = Valledor, Mark| publisher = Sony Computer Entertainment| work = PlayStation Blog| accessdate = 2008-10-10]

ee also

*Cratos
*Epic hero
*Greek mythology

References

External links

* [http://us.playstation.com/PS2/Games/God_of_War/OGS/main.asp Official "God of War" website]
* [http://www.us.playstation.com/GodofWar2/ Official "God of War II" website]
* [http://www.us.playstation.com/GodofWar_ChainsofOlympus/ Official "God of War: Chains of Olympus website]