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Kratos is a fictional video game character from Sony Santa Monica's God of War series, which is loosely based on Greek mythology. Kratos first appeared in the highly successful Template:Vgy video game God of War, which led to the development of five additional games (with a sixth currently in development) featuring the character as the protagonist. Kratos also appears as the protagonist of the God of War comic series and the God of War novel. Kratos has been consistently voiced by Terrence C. Carson, with Antony Del Rio voicing the character as a child.

In the series, Kratos embarks on a series of often forced adventures in attempts to avert disaster or change his fate. He 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, providing additional information on Kratos' origins (eventually revealed to be a demigod) and relationship with his family and the gods.

The God of War franchise has become a flagship title for the PlayStation brand, with Kratos being one of its most recognizable characters. Receiving almost totally positive critical reception. the character is also associated with other products, and has had various cameos in PlayStation games outside of the God of War series.

Concept and creation

During the creative process, game director David Jaffe attempted to create a character that looked "brutal", but still separated his appearance from what is considered to be the traditional Greek hero. Traditional armor was also removed from the character, in order to promote the character's individualism. One of the early concepts was a fully masked character, but the idea was abandoned when such designs seemed "soulless", lacking a defined personality. Some models included unconventional elements, including an infant being carried on Kratos' back, while others were deemed to include excessive detail, such as hair and other "flowing things".

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The double-chained blades were selected as Kratos' signature weapons as they emphasized the character's animalistic nature while still allowing combat to remain fluid. Jaffe commented on the final version of Kratos stating while " 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."

The most notable external feature is Kratos' ash-white complexion, a story development which earns him the title "Ghost of Sparta." Other features include a scar across the right eye, and a large red tattoo (originally blue but changed late in production) 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). According to an early God of War script, the character has a height of 6'6 to 6'7.

Kratos' appearance can also be altered in bonus play, as completing a game at certain levels of difficulty and challenge modes unlock bonus costumes. Several costumes were also available exclusively via pre-order and other promotions (e.g. God of War III, which features three costumes based on early sketches of the character), which became available via the PlayStation Store (two costumes have since been removed). 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 26 different bonus costumes are currently available for use throughout the series (two of the 26 costumes are available in two games respectively).

Appearances

In video games

Throughout the series, Kratos is portrayed as an antihero, often performing questionable actions. Through flashbacks in Ghost of Sparta, it's revealed that an oracle had foretold that the demise of Olympus would not happen at the hands of the Titans - imprisoned after the Great War - but rather by a "marked warrior". The Olympians Zeus and Ares believed this warrior to be Deimos, the younger brother of Kratos, due to his strange birthmarks. Ares interrupted the childhood training of Kratos and Deimos in Sparta (with Athena watching) and kidnapped Deimos. Kratos attempted to stop Ares, but was swept aside and scarred (across his right eye) by the Olympian. Taken to Death's Domain, Deimos was imprisoned and tortured for many years by the god of death, Thanatos. Believing Deimos to be dead, Kratos marked himself with a red tattoo (identical to his brother's birthmark) to honor his sibling.

Through flashbacks in God of War, it is revealed that Kratos eventually became the youngest Captain of Sparta's army, but was revealed to have had a thirst for power. When Kratos was faced with total defeat at the hands of a barbarian horde, the Spartan called for aid to the Olympian god Ares. Given the Blades of Chaos, Kratos destroyed his enemies and blindly followed the God of War, killing hundreds in his name. After Ares tricked Kratos into murdering his wife Lysandra and daughter Calliope in a temple dedicated to Athena, the Spartan was shocked out of his bloodlust and renounced service to Ares. As the temple burned, a village oracle cursed Kratos and condemned 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 vowed to serve the other gods in order to receive forgiveness and relief from the nightmares of his past deeds, he was openly defiant. Kratos was reluctant to aid the gods when Helios was kidnapped, and openly abandoned them when the goddess Persephone offered him a chance to be reunited with his daughter. Kratos, however, was eventually forced to reverse his decision when Persephone used the Titan Atlas in a bid to destroy the world and in turn Calliope. Knowing that while intervention would save Calliope it would keep them apart forever, a bitter Kratos killed Persephone, imprisoned Atlas and freed Helios (Chains of Olympus).

Kratos served the gods for ten years until becoming tired of his service and his nightmares. When he confronted patron Athena, the goddess advised that if Kratos will kill the rampaging Ares, the gods will forgive his sins. Kratos once again agreed out of selfish motives, and after finding and using Pandora's Box, he was ultimately successful. Despite being freed of Ares' influence (including the Blades of Chaos), Kratos was not relieved of the nightmares that haunted him: only forgiven. A dissatisfied and despairing Kratos attempted to commit suicide, but was saved by Athena, who guided Kratos to Olympus (giving him the Blades of Athena) where he became the new God of War (God of War).

Still haunted by the visions of his mortal past, Kratos – against the advice of Athena – embarked on a quest to find his mother, Callisto, in the city of Atlantis. Callisto attempted to reveal the identity of Kratos' father before being transformed against her will into a beast that Kratos was forced to kill. Before dying, Callisto advised Kratos to search for his brother Deimos in Sparta. Kratos first freed the Titan Thera from imprisonment, which caused the destruction of Atlantis. In Sparta, Kratos learned of Deimos' location: the Domain of Death. Kratos finds and frees Deimos, who remained hostile towards his brother. After a skirmish between the siblings, the God of Death Thanatos attacked Deimos, but after being rescued by Kratos, the pair joined forces to battle their foe. Although Thanatos killed Deimos, the god was in turn killed by Kratos. Kratos then returned to Olympus, enraged at the gods (Ghost of Sparta).

Eventually shunned by the other gods, Kratos led his Spartan army to overrun Greece. After being falsely accused of committing murder and eventually killing Ceryx, the son of Hermes (Betrayal), Kratos joined the Spartan army in city of Rhodes, intent only on destruction. Zeus, however, weakened Kratos, and then tricked him into abandoning his godly powers into the Blade of Olympus (which Zeus used to kill Kratos). Although Kratos overcame all obstacles, he is stunned at Zeus' betrayal and swore revenge as he died. As Kratos fell into the Underworld, he was rescued by the Titan Gaia. Banished to Tartarus with the other surviving Titans after the First Great War, Gaia and her brethren sought 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 became both determined and utterly ruthless – in the pursuit of his goal he wounded a Titan, killed several Greek heroes without hesitation and deliberately sacrificed two scholars. All three of the Sisters of Fate were killed when they opposed Kratos, and in a final confrontation with Zeus, he was prepared to execute the King of the Gods. Zeus was only saved when Athena intervened and sacrificed 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 wished to avoid a repetition of what he himself did to his own father, Cronos. Kratos rejected any notion of a relationship and vowed to both kill Zeus and destroy Olympus. Encouraged by Gaia, Kratos used the power of the Fates to retrieve the Titans prior to their defeat in the Great War, and with their aid, stormed Mt. Olympus (God of War II).

Although Kratos killed Poseidon, he was abandoned by Gaia when an initial encounter with Zeus went poorly. Stranded in the underworld and now betrayed by both the Olympians and Titans, Kratos learned from the spirit of Athena (who also provided the Blades of Exile) he will need to find the Flame of Olympus: the key to Zeus' defeat. Kratos murdered both Titans and gods alike, ignoring the warnings of his victims as he sought 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 reminded him of his lost daughter Calliope. Kratos showed humanity when he attempted to stop Pandora from sacrificing herself to quench the Flame, but reluctantly allowed the act when Pandora states there is no other option. Finding the Box empty, and driven berserk by Zeus' mockery, Kratos attacked his father. Although Gaia intervened and attempted to kill both Kratos and Zeus, she is destroyed by Kratos, who then apparently defeats Zeus. Zeus, however, returned and attacked Kratos in spirit form. Kratos, now retreated into his psyche, came to forgive himself for his past sins with the help of Lysandra. Pandora later appeared and told Kratos that hope will ultimately save him. A now whole Kratos is revived and easily destroyed Zeus. Athena confronted Kratos and demanded that Kratos returned what she placed in Pandora's Box: hope. In a selfless act, Kratos refused, stated his need for vengeance is at an end, and impaled himself with the Blade of Olympus, which dispersed the power across the world for mankind's use. Athena, disappointed at Kratos, removed the Blade and departed as Kratos collapsed next to the Blade of Olympus. Kratos' ultimate fate remains unknown (God of War III).

In other media

A six issue comic book series (titled God of War) written by Marv Wolfman with art by Andrea Sorrentino was released by WildStorm in 2010-2011. The story takes place shortly after the events of God of War (and prior to Ghost of Sparta) with Kratos seeking to destroy the Ambrosia of Asclepius (an elixir with legendary healing properties), which he once used to save his dying daughter and the King of Sparta.

Kratos is also the main character in the game series' novelizations by Matthew Stover and Robert E. Vardeman. The first novel released in May 2010, with the second novel scheduled for February 2013. A film adaptation of the original God of War was announced in 2005, but has remained in development hell as of July 2012. In 2010, Jaffe stated that the "script went out a year and a half ago to Daniel Craig who plays Bond, but he turned it down." He also advised that another actor had since been signed to the role of Kratos, with Jaffe claiming "this new person is pretty good, if that ends up true."

Cultural impact

In 2010, Game Guru claimed that "practically anyone, even if they hadn't played any of the God of War games, would know about Kratos." The character has also been parodied repeatedly in The Simpsons fictional universe, appearing as the "God of Wharf" on a billboard advertising a chowder restaurant in The Simpsons Game and on the Guts of War II: Entrails of Intestinox kiosk for "E4" (a parody of E3) in The Simpsons episode "The Food Wife".

Merchandise

Two series of action figures based on God of War II have been produced by NECA. 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. A second two-figure set was also released, with Kratos wearing Ares' God of War armour. Kratos has also been featured in a line of action figures released by DC Unlimited based on God of War III, which also included the characters Zeus, Hades and Hercules.

From February 1, 2010 until March 31, 2010, 7-Eleven sold 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 be used on the Slurpee website for exclusive God of War III and Slurpee themed downloadable content.

Kratos' image has appeared on the PlayStation Portable (Chains of Olympus bundle pack exclusive) and on the PlayStation 3 (God of War III sweepstakes prize) video game consoles. A limited edition 10" figurine of Kratos was also available as the grand prize of a sweepstakes during a promotion for God of War Collection in November 2009. An 8" statue of Kratos will be available in the God of War: Ascension - Collector's Edition.

Guest appearances

Kratos has been featured as a playable character in several PlayStation games outside the God of War series created by different developers. These include Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds (complete with "Club of Chaos"), a DLC costume for LittleBigPlanet (together with Medusa, Minotaur and level sticker kit), Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny (with his own stage), ModNation Racers (complete with a "Kart of Chaos"), and the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita versions of Mortal Kombat (including own stage with three stage Fatalities). He will also appear in the upcoming crossover fighting game PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale (with God of War inspired stages mixed with other games).

Reception

GameSpot stated God of War did not allow the player to initially understand Kratos, but would be evident by the game's conclusion. The character was regarded as a "sympathetic antihero" and a "badass", and described as "endearing" due to his unforgiving demeanor. IGN similarly noted he was "ruthless", "merciless" and "savage", noting the character's main motive is vengeance and "all he desires is murder." IGN also stated that in time the player would begin to "love and loathe Kratos and hate Ares." 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." PlayStation Universe called him "certainly a unique character and a warrior to be reckoned with," adding that "this iconic PlayStation anti-hero will surely not be forgotten."

At the 2010 Spike Video Game Awards, Kratos was nominated for "Character of the Year" and awarded the "Biggest Badass" award. He was included in GameSpot's "All Time Greatest Video Game Hero" contest where the character made it to the "Elite Eight", the round before the semi-finals, but was beat out by Mario. The 2011 Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition lists Kratos as the ninth most popular video game character.

GamesRadar listed Kratos as one of the 25 best new characters of the decade, stating he is both an "unstoppable force of nature" and a "broken, tragic man". Both IGN and UGO have listed Kratos as a character who deserves his own movie. In 2008, IGN listed Kratos as one of the many characters wanted for an "ultimate fighting" game, featuring characters from all consoles and all eras of gaming. Kratos was also included on the list of the best anti-heroes by GameDaily in 2009 and IGN in 2012.

In 2011, several of the character's finishing moves were on a list of the fifty "craziest fatalities" in video games by Complex. The "Dairy Bastard" alternate costume from the original God of War was included in UGO's list of the "most stylin' alternate costumes". Kratos has been listed by GameFront in 2011 as one of the top five video game characters with the "biggest daddy issues". In 2012, Complex ranked him as having the number one best fighting game cameos for his guest appearances in Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny and Mortal Kombat.

Prince of Persia producer Ben Mattes, however, explained in an interview that while 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." 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." In 2009, IGN listed Kratos as the sixth "most overrated videogame character". Cheat Code Central also listed Kratos as the sixth "most overrated" video game character in a 2011 top ten list.

See also

• Kratos (mythology)

References

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External links

• Kratos - God of War Wiki at Wikia

Template:PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale

• Deity characters in video games
• Fictional Greek people
• Fictional mass murderers
• Fictional soldiers
• God of War
• Male characters in video games
• Mortal Kombat characters
• Soul series characters
• Video game characters introduced in 2005