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Kratos (God of War)

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See also: List of God of War characters
Kratos
'God of War' character
Kratos, as the character appears in God of War III.
First gameGod of War (2005)

Kratos (Ancient Greek: Κράτος, English translation: "strength" and "power") is a video game character from Sony Computer Entertainment's God of War series, which is loosely based on Greek mythology. Kratos first appeared in the game God of War, which was released in March 2005, and whose success led to the development of five additional games featuring him as the protagonist. The character has been consistently voiced by TC Carson (with a minor voicing of the character as a child by Antony Del Rio in God of War: Ghost of Sparta).

Eventually revealed to be a demigod, Kratos embarks on a series of often forced adventures in attempts to avert disaster or change his fate. Kratos is usually portrayed as being oblivious to all else in the execution of these adventures, often engaging in morally ambiguous activities and performing acts of extreme violence. Each adventure forms part of a saga with vengeance as a central theme, and provides additional information on Kratos' origins and relationship with his family and the gods.

Kratos has received positive critical reception, being described by reviewers as a "sympathetic antihero".[1] The character is also associated with products including artwork, clothing, comic books, fast food, the internet, a novel, sweepstakes, toys and cell phone skins, with Game Guru claiming that "Practically anyone, even if they hadn't played any of the God of War games, would know about Kratos."[2]

Concept and creation

During the creative process, game director David Jaffe strived to create a character that looked "brutal", but still separated his appearance from what is considered to be the traditional Greek hero.[3] Traditional armor was also removed from the character, in order to promote the character's "individualism".[4] One of the early concepts was a fully masked character, but the idea was abandoned when such designs seemed "soulless", lacking a defined personality.[5]

Some models included unconventional elements, including an infant being carried on Kratos' back,[6] while others were deemed to include excessive detail, such as hair and other "flowing things".[6]

The double-chained blades were selected as Kratos' signature weapons as they emphasized the character's animalistic nature but still allowed combat to remain fluid.[7]

Jaffe commented on the final version of Kratos stating while "...he (Kratos) may not totally feel at home in Ancient Greece from a costume standpoint, I think he achieves the greater purpose which is to give players a character who they can play who really does just let them go nuts and unleash the nasty fantasies that they have in their head."[8]

Early concept art, depicting unused variations of Kratos.

Outward appearance

The most notable external feature is Kratos' ash-white complexion, a story development which earns him the title "Ghost of Sparta."[9]

Other features include a scar across the right eye, and a large red tattoo (originally blue but changed late in production[10]) beginning at the left eye and ending at the left shoulder. The scar is eventually revealed to be a result of a childhood encounter with the Olympian god Ares, while the tattoo is a tribute to his deceased brother Deimos, who had similar birth markings (God of War: Ghost of Sparta). Other changes that occur during the course of the series include the temporary addition of divine armor as the God of War (modelled on Ares' own armor) (God of War II), an abdominal scar (God of War II) and ability enhancing armor such as the Golden Fleece (an epaulet - God of War II) and the Boots of Hermes (God of War III).

Kratos' appearance can also be altered in bonus play, as completing a game at certain levels of difficulty unlocks bonus costumes. Several costumes were also available exclusively via pre-order and other promotions (e.g. God of War III), but are now available via the PlayStation Store.[11] Although many bonus costumes are consistent with story themes, others are blatantly humorous (e.g. the female Athena) or farcical (e.g. the "Spud of War"). A total of 27 bonus costumes are available for use through out the series.[12][13]

According to an early God of War script, the character has a height of 6'6 to 6'7.[14]

Role in series

Throughout the series, Kratos is portrayed as an anti-hero,[15] often performing questionable actions.

An oracle foretold that the demise of Olympus would come not by the revenge of the great Titans, imprisoned after the Great War, but by a marked warrior. The Olympians Zeus and Ares believed this warrior to be Deimos, the brother of Kratos, due to his strange birthmarks. Ares interrupts the childhood training of Kratos and Deimos in Sparta (with Athena watching) and kidnaps Deimos. Kratos attempts to stop Ares, but is swept aside and scarred (across his right eye) by the Olympian. Taken to Death's Domain, Deimos is imprisoned and tortured for many years by the god of death, Thanatos. Believing Deimos to be dead, Kratos marks himself with a red tattoo (identical to his brother's birthmark) to honor his sibling.

Kratos eventually becomes the youngest Captain of Sparta's army, but is revealed to have had a thirst for power. Faced with total defeat at the hands of a barbarian horde, Kratos called for aid to Olympian god Ares. Given the Blades of Chaos, Kratos destroys his enemies and blindly follows the God of War, killing hundreds in his name. After Ares tricks Kratos into murdering his wife Lysandra and daughter Calliope in a temple dedicated to Athena, the Spartan is shocked out of his bloodlust and renounces service to Ares. As the temple burns, a village oracle curses Kratos and condemns him to wear the "mark of his terrible deed", being the ashes of his family. The ashes turn Kratos' skin ash-white, earning him the title "Ghost of Sparta."

Although Kratos then vows to serve the other gods in order to receive forgiveness and relief from the nightmares of his past deeds, he is openly defiant. Kratos is reluctant to aid the gods when Helios is kidnapped, and openly abandons them when the goddess Persephone offers him a chance to be reunited with his daughter. Kratos, however, is eventually forced to reverse his decision when Persephone uses the Titan Atlas in a bid to destroy the world and in turn Calliope. Knowing that while intervention will save Calliope it will keep them apart forever, a bitter Kratos kills Persephone, imprisons Atlas and frees Helios (Chains of Olympus).

Artwork for the Deimos (brother of Kratos) bonus costume: obtained as a download and available for use in the game God of War III (an unlockable costume in God of War: Ghost of Sparta).

When Kratos grows tired of his service and confronts patron Athena, the goddess advises that if Kratos will kill the rampaging Ares, the gods will forgive his sins. Kratos once again agrees out of selfish motives, and after finding and using Pandora's Box, is ultimately successful. Despite being free of Ares' influence (including the Blades of Chaos), Kratos is not relieved of the nightmares that haunt him: only forgiven. A dissatisfied and despairing Kratos attempts to commit suicide, but is saved by Athena, who guides Kratos to Olympus (giving him the Blades of Athena) where he becomes the new God of War (God of War).

Still haunted by the visions of his mortal past, Kratos - against the advice of Athena - embarks on a quest to find his mother, Callisto, in the city of Atlantis. Callisto reveals the identity of Kratos' father before being transformed against her will into a beast that Kratos is forced to kill. Before dying, Callisto advises Kratos to find his brother Deimos in Sparta. Kratos first frees the Titan Thera from imprisonment, which causes the destruction of Atlantis. After a skirmish with his brother Deimos, Kratos allies with his sibling to battle the God of Death Thanatos. Thanatos kills Deimos but is then killed in turn by Kratos, who returns to Olympus enraged at the gods (Ghost of Sparta).

Eventually shunned by the other gods and bored with life on Mt. Olympus, Kratos spends his time watching the Spartan army overrun Greece. After being falsely accused of committing murder and eventually killing Ceryx, the son of Hermes (Betrayal), Kratos joins the Spartan army in city of Rhodes, intent only on destruction. Zeus, however, weakens Kratos, and then tricks him into abandoning his godly powers into the Blade of Olympus (which Zeus uses to kill Kratos). Although Kratos overcomes all obstacles, he is stunned at Zeus' betrayal and swears revenge as he dies.

As Kratos falls into the Underworld, he is rescued by the Titan Gaia. Banished to Tartarus with the other surviving Titans after the First Great War, Gaia and her brethren seek the death of Zeus. Kratos, fuelled by anger at the betrayal, agrees to aid the Titans and is instructed to find the Sisters of Fate, with their power being capable of returning him to the moment of Zeus' treachery.

Kratos becomes both determined and utterly ruthless—in the pursuit of his goal he wounds a Titan, kills several Greek heroes without hesitation and deliberately sacrifices two scholars. All three of the Sisters of Fate are killed when they oppose Kratos, and in a final confrontation with Zeus is prepared to execute the King of the Gods. Zeus is only saved when Athena intervenes and sacrifices herself for him, with Kratos only then showing some remorse. Learning from a dying Athena that Zeus is in fact his father, and that Zeus wishes to avoid a repetition of what he himself did to his own father Cronos, Kratos rejects any notion of a relationship and vows to kill both Zeus and destroy Olympus. Encouraged by Gaia, Kratos uses the power of the Fates to retrieve the Titans prior to their defeat in the Great War, and with their aid, storms Mt. Olympus (God of War II).

Although Kratos kills Poseidon, he is abandoned by Gaia when an initial encounter with Zeus goes poorly. Stranded in the underworld and now betrayed by both the Olympians and Titans, Kratos learns from the spirit of Athena (who also provides the Blades of Exile) he will need to find the Flame of Olympus: the key to Zeus' defeat. Kratos murders both Titans and gods alike, ignoring the warnings of his victims as he seeks the Flame. Realizing the key to pacifying the Flame and reaching what is discovered to be Pandora's Box is in fact Pandora herself, Kratos comes to care for the girl, who reminds him of his lost daughter Calliope.

Kratos shows humanity when he attempts to stop Pandora from sacrificing herself to quenching the Flame, but reluctantly allows the act when Pandora states there is no other option. Finding the Box empty, and driven berserk by Zeus' mockery, Kratos attacks his father. Although Gaia intervenes and attempts to kill both Kratos and Zeus, she is destroyed by Kratos, who then apparently defeats Zeus.

Zeus, however, returns and attacks Kratos in spirit form. Kratos, now retreated into his psyche, comes to forgive himself for his past sins with the help of Lysandra. Pandora later appears and tells Kratos that hope will ultimately save him. A now whole Kratos is revived and easily destroys Zeus. Athena confronts Kratos and demands that Kratos return what she placed in Pandora's Box: hope. In a selfless act, Kratos refuses and disperses the power across the world for mankind's use (by impaling himself with the Blade of Olympus), stating that his need for vengeance is at an end.

Kratos' ultimate fate remains unknown (God of War III).

Critical reception

GameSpot stated God of War did not allow the player to initially understand Kratos, but would be evident by the game's conclusion.[16] The character was regarded as a "sympathetic antihero" and a "badass", and described as "endearing" due to his unforgiving demeanor.[16] IGN similarly noted he was "ruthless", "merciless" and "savage", noting the character's main motive is vengeance and "All he desires is murder."[17] IGN also stated that in time the player would begin to "love and loathe Kratos and hate Ares."[17] GameDaily included him in a top 25 list of video game anti-heroes, stating that they love him for how he "tears enemies limb from limb and looks awesome doing it".[18]

GamePro stated it was "Kratos' tragic fall and brutal ascension to the peaks of Mount Olympus that made the original God of War so memorable."[19] GamesRadar listed Kratos as one of the 25 best new characters of the decade, stating that while he appears at first to be a generic character, the players eventually learn that he is both an "unstoppable force of nature" and a "broken, tragic man".[20]

Prince of Persia producer, Ben Mattes, explained in an interview that he considers Kratos "a supercool character, but it's black and white; his personality is pure rage, his dialogue is pure rage, his character design is pure rage--it's kind of easy."[21] Jeremy "Norm" Scott, creator of the comic strip Hsu and Chan appearing in video game magazine Electronic Gaming Monthly, made similar comments and stated that Kratos was "average", and "did not exist, except as an avatar for the player."[22]

At the 2010 Spike Video Game Awards, Kratos was nominated for "Character of the Year" and awarded the "Biggest Badass" award.[23]

Merchandise

Two series of action figures based on God of War II have been produced by National Entertainment Collectibles Association. The first set included two versions of Kratos (the first being Kratos wielding the Blades of Athena and the second being Kratos wearing the Golden Fleece and holding a gorgon's head). A twelve-inch variation of the second figure that plays six pre-recorded game quotes was included in this release.[24]

A second two-figure set was also released, with Kratos wearing Ares' God of War armour.[25][26]

Kratos has also been featured in a line of action figures released by DC Unlimited based on God of War III.[27]

On January 29, 2010, it was announced that from February 1, 2010 until March 31, 2010, 7-Eleven would be selling a limited edition Slurpee drink called "Kratos Fury" (a blend of blackberries and frosty lime flavors) available in one of four exclusive God of War III Slurpee cups. The cups also featured codes that could also be used on the Slurpee website for exclusive God of War III and Slurpee themed downloadable content.[28]

Kratos has been featured as a playable character in four other PlayStation games outside the God of War series. These include Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds (complete with "Club of Chaos"),[29] LittleBigPlanet (also included monsters the Medusa and Minotaur and level designs),[30] Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny,[31] and ModNation Racers (complete with "Kart of Chaos").[32] The character also appeared in The Simpsons Game in a God of War parody: titled "God of Wharf", Kratos appears on a billboard advertising a chowder restaurant.[33]

At the 2010 Spike Video Game Awards, a preview trailer for the 2011 game Mortal Kombat confirmed Kratos will be a playable character in the PlayStation 3 version.[34]

Other media

A film adaptation of the original God of War was announced in 2005.[35] Creator David Jaffe confirmed that a completed script had been written by David Self and would be sent to an unspecified "huge-name director". Jaffe also confirmed that Universal Studios is behind the making of the God of War movie but was unaware of its current status,[36] and eventually stated that "it's doubtful that the film will even be made." [37]

A novelization of Kratos' first released adventure -God of War- was written by Matthew Stover and Robert E. Vardeman was released on May 25, 2010 by Del Ray Books.[38]

A six issue comic book series written by Marv Wolfman with art by Andrea Sorrentino was released by Wildstorm from March 2010 to January 2011 on a bi-monthly schedule (a collected edition is scheduled for March 2011).[39] Courtesy of flashbacks, the story explores Kratos' past as a Spartan soldier, and present during the period when Kratos first becomes the new God of War. On both occasions, Kratos seeks the Ambrosia of Asclepius, which has legendary healing properties. His first journey, however, is to retrieve the Ambrosia to save his new-born daughter Calliope (then a sufferer of the plague) and the King of Sparta, while his second journey is to destroy the Ambrosia, as supporters of Ares want to harness its power to resurrect the former God of War.

See also

References

  1. ^ Gabe Graziani (2007-02-12). "Reviews: God of War II". GameSpy. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
  2. ^ "Kratos: An Unlikely Hero | Game Guru". Gameguru.in. 2010-04-28. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
  3. ^ "Art Gallery: Kratos". God of War: Official Game Guide. United States: Prima Games. 2005. p. 203. ISBN 0-7615-5133-6.
  4. ^ "Art Gallery: Kratos". God of War: Official Game Guide. United States: Prima Games. 2005. p. 208. ISBN 0-7615-5133-6.
  5. ^ "Art Gallery: Kratos". God of War: Official Game Guide. United States: Prima Games. 2005. p. 199. ISBN 0-7615-5133-6.
  6. ^ a b "Art Gallery: Kratos". God of War: Official Game Guide. United States: Prima Games. 2005. p. 200. ISBN 0-7615-5133-6.
  7. ^ "Art Gallery: Kratos". God of War: Official Game Guide. United States: Prima Games. 2005. p. 206. ISBN 0-7615-5133-6.
  8. ^ Heroic Possibilities, God of War documentary (2005)
  9. ^ SCE Studios Santa Monica (2005). God of War (PlayStation 2). Sony Computer Entertainment America. 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.
  10. ^ Character Graveyard, God of War feature (2005)
  11. ^ "God of War III - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia". En.wikipedia.org. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
  12. ^ "Bonus Costumes - God of War Wiki - God of War 3, Kratos, Weapons, Bosses and more!". Godofwar.wikia.com. 2010-07-06. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
  13. ^ Chan, Ken (2010-10-28). "New God of War: Ghost of Sparta Skins Exposed, Deimos for God of War III Unveiled". SCEA. Retrieved 2010-10-29.
  14. ^ Miller, Matt (2010-03-17). "Anatomy Of A Character: Kratos". Game Informer. Retrieved 2010-03-22.
  15. ^ Levi Buchanan (2007-03-30). "'God of War II' is one hell of a ride". MSNBC Interactive. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
  16. ^ a b Alex Navarro (2005-03-21). "Reviews: God of War". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
  17. ^ a b Ivan Sulic (2005-03-18). "Reviews: God of War". IGN. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
  18. ^ Chris Buffa (2009-04-24). "Gallery and Images". GameDaily. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
  19. ^ Patrick Shaw (2007-03-28). "Reviews: God of War II". GamePro. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
  20. ^ "The 25 best new characters of the decade". GamesRadar. 2009-12-29. Retrieved 2010-01-04.
  21. ^ As quoted in Gary Steinman, "Prince of Persia: Anatomy of a Prince," PlayStation: The Official Magazine 13 (December 2008): 50.
  22. ^ http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=8979118&publicUserId=5811079
  23. ^ http://www.totallygn.com/2010/12/11/2010-spike-video-game-awards-results/
  24. ^ "Kratos Gets Packaged". National Entertainment Collectibles Association. 2007-02-20. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
  25. ^ "Player Select God of War II Ares Armor Kratos Closed Mouth Action Figure". National Entertainment Collectibles Association. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
  26. ^ "Player Select God of War II Ares Armor Kratos Open Mouth Action Figure". National Entertainment Collectibles Association. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
  27. ^ "God of War Toys Coming". IGN. 2010-02-12. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  28. ^ Brody, Evan (2010-01-29). "Kratos Fury Invading Local 7-Eleven Stores". SCEA. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
  29. ^ Hinojosa-Miranda, Chris (2008-08-20). "Kratos to Swing the Clubs of Chaos in Hot Shots Golf". Sony Computer Entertainment of America. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  30. ^ "GameStop LBP pre-order adds more God of War sackness". Joystiq. 2008-10-07. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
  31. ^ Sinclair, Brendan (2009-04-28). "Soulcalibur forges Broken Destiny on PSP". GameSpot. Retrieved 2009-04-29.
  32. ^ Fahey, Mike (2010-03-15). "ModNation Dated, Kratos, Ratchet & Clank, And Nathan Drake Join The Race". Kotaku. Retrieved 2010-05-12.
  33. ^ "E3 2007: Eyes-On The Simpsons Game". IGN. 2007-07-11. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
  34. ^ Plunkett, Luke (2010-12-07). "Report: The God Of War Will Slaughter Mortal Kombat". Kotaku. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
  35. ^ Games to Film: God of War, IGN.com
  36. ^ Posted: Aug 11, 2007 (2007-08-11). "Game Head - David Jaffe meets Uwe Boll". Gametrailers.com. Retrieved 2010-07-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  37. ^ John, Tracey (2010-03-04). "God of War Movie Update: Designers Have 'No Creative Control'". UGO Entertainment. Retrieved 2010-04-28.
  38. ^ "Del Ray announces first God of War novel for March 2010". Joystiq. 2009-06-13. Retrieved 2010-01-04.
  39. ^ "God of War #1 Solicitation". Wildstorm. Retrieved 2010-01-04.

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