God of War: Charting Kratos' Journey from the First Game to Ragnarok

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The God of War series spans eight games and a wide array of tie-in material and remasters. The series has proven its enduring popularity over the years by exploring Greek, and later Norse, mythology. At the helm of this grand adventure is Kratos, God of War'scomplex anti-hero. Given the nickname «Ghost of Sparta», the Spartan warrior is instantly recognizable by his ash-white skin and distinctive tattoos, and the character has had such popularity that he's popped up in a variety of other games. Often sullen and stoic, the overall transformation of Kratos throughout the series, paired with his enduring popularity, emphasizes how both prevalent constructions of masculinity and interpretations of myths have changed over the years.

Throughout the Greek saga of God of War, Kratos is violent, aggressive, and embodies an explosion of rage and frustration at the cruel gods. Like the ancient myths, the God of War series has never shied away from the more brutal stories about the gods, and Kratos was very much a pawn to their whims. However, as the original games explored Greek mythology, there were some nuances teased for the intimidating Kratos. The 2018 God of War game seems, on surface, to represent a major shift in Kratos, from the violent unrestrained soldier to a father. However, fatherhood has always played a role in Kratos' characterization, and his softening as a character may have more to do with changing ideas around masculinity and fatherhood rather than the shift to Norse mythology.

God of War Mod Gives Kratos His Original Look

The main God of War trilogy explores Kratos' quest for vengeance against Ares, and later Zeus, as well as discovering various truths about his own lineage along the way. Kratos' backstory is