Kratos (God of War)

Image:Kratos God of War concept art.jpg in bonus play]]

When designing Kratos, God of War (2005) creator and game director David Jaffe attempted to create a brutal-looking character that did not resemble a typical traditional Greek hero.{{Harvnb |Prima Games, ed. |(2005) | pp=199–208 |ref=artgallery}} Jaffe wanted the character to be individualistic so Kratos would not wear traditional armor. Use of a fully masked character was initially approved but the concept was abandoned because the design seemed "soulless" and lacked a "defined personality". Some models included unconventional elements, such as Kratos carrying an infant on his back, while others had excessive detail, such as long hair and other "flowing things".

Charlie Wen, the director of visual development on God of War (2005) and God of War II, was responsible for designing Kratos. Wen said his direction for the design was influenced by similarly themed films and by pop culture. Wen made concept drawings of Kratos on napkins at a restaurant, having forgotten his sketchbook; he introduced the idea of the character's double-chained blades and eventually produced Kratos's iconic design.{{cite web |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/522/522557p1.html |title=God of War Interview |date=June 10, 2004 |last=Lewis |first=Ed |work=IGN |access-date=June 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114095213/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/06/10/god-of-war-interview |archive-date=November 14, 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2019/12/19/santa-monica-studio-celebrates-20-years-with-concept-art-from-god-of-war/ |title=Santa Monica Studio Celebrates 20 Years with Concept Art from God of War |first=Aaron |last=Kaufman |date=December 19, 2019 |access-date=December 19, 2019 |work=PlayStation Blog |archive-date=December 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219165927/https://blog.us.playstation.com/2019/12/19/santa-monica-studio-celebrates-20-years-with-concept-art-from-god-of-war/ |url-status=live }} Double-chained blades were chosen as Kratos's signature weapon because they emphasized the character's animalistic nature while allowing combat to remain fluid. Wen visualized the double-chained blades simultaneously activating as Kratos threw them with a balance of ferocity and accuracy. Jaffe said of the final version of the character:

[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.{{cite video |title=Heroic Possibilities |year=2005 |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |medium=documentary}}

Wen gave Kratos his most-noticeable feature, his ashen complexion, a story development that earns Kratos the title Ghost of Sparta.{{cite video game |title=God of War |developer=Santa Monica Studio |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |year=2005 |platform=PlayStation 2 |quote=Oracle: From this night forward, the mark of your terrible dead will 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's other distinctive features include a scar across his right eye and a large, red tattoo that threads from his left eye, circles the left side of his torso, and ends at his left shoulder. The tattoo was originally blue but was changed to red late in production.{{cite video game |title=God of War |developer=Santa Monica Studio |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |year=2005 |platform=PlayStation 2 |scene=Character Graveyard}} In the series lore, the scar is eventually to be the result of a childhood encounter with the Olympian god Ares, while the tattoo is a tribute to his dead brother Deimos, who had similar birth markings. Other changes that occur during the Greek era of the series include the temporary addition of divine armor when Kratos is the God of War, an abdominal scar, ability-enhancing armor, such as an epaulet called the Golden Fleece—all in God of War II—and the Boots of Hermes in God of War III. According to an early God of War script, the character is {{convert |7 |ft |0 |in}} tall,{{cite magazine |url=https://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/03/17/anatomy-of-a-character-kratos.aspx |title=Anatomy of a Character: Kratos |first=Matt |last=Miller |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=GameStop |date=March 17, 2010 |access-date=March 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603134608/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/03/17/anatomy-of-a-character-kratos.aspx |archive-date=June 3, 2012 |url-status=live }} but this was changed when Santa Monica Studios and Gnomon School investigated the animation-and-rigging history of the games, showing the Greek Kratos to be {{convert |2.34 |m}} tall, and Norse Kratos to be {{convert |1.94 |m}} tall and weighing about {{convert |250 |lbs}}.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCpdVm2bWEI#t=26m08s |title=Character Rigging & Cinematic Animation in God of War with Erica Pinto & Axel Grossman |publisher=Gnomon |via=YouTube |date=June 22, 2018 |access-date=June 22, 2018 |archive-date=June 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602073330/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCpdVm2bWEI#t=26m08s |url-status=live }} The designers of God of War (2018) gave Kratos a Nordic look that includes a full beard and changed his main weapon to a magical battle ax to make the combat more grounded. Unlike previous games, players can change and upgrade Kratos's three armor pieces, one of the game's role playing video game (RPG) elements.{{cite web |url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2016/06/13/first-look-santa-monica-studios-new-god-of-war-on-ps4/ |title=First Look: Santa Monica Studio's New God of War on PS4 |date=June 13, 2016 |last=Barlog |first=Cory |author-link=Cory Barlog |work=PlayStation.Blog |publisher=Sony Interactive Entertainment |access-date=June 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413202516/https://blog.us.playstation.com/2016/06/13/first-look-santa-monica-studios-new-god-of-war-on-ps4/ |archive-date=April 13, 2018 |quote=Cory Barlog: I wanted to reimagine the gameplay, give players a fresh perspective and a new tactile experience while delving deeper into the emotional journey of Kratos to explore the compelling drama that unfolds when an immortal demigod makes a decision to change.}}

Throughout the Greek games, Kratos's appearance can be altered in bonus play; completing the game at certain levels of difficulty and in challenge modes unlocks bonus costumes. Several costumes were available exclusively via pre-order and other promotions from the PlayStation Store; God of War III includes three costumes that are based on early sketches of the character.{{cite web |url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/11/17/coming-to-playstation-plus-discounts-on-dead-nation-and-psone-classics/ |title=Coming to PlayStation Plus: Discounts on Dead Nation and PSone Classics |date=November 17, 2010 |last=Chen |first=Grace |work=PlayStation.Blog |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America |access-date=May 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018225743/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/11/17/coming-to-playstation-plus-discounts-on-dead-nation-and-psone-classics/ |archive-date=October 18, 2012 |url-status=dead }} Many bonus costumes are consistent with story themes but others are humorous or farcical—such as the female costume "Athena" and the "Spud of War".{{cite web |url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/10/28/new-god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-skins-exposed-deimos-for-god-of-war-iii-unveiled/ |title=New God of War: Ghost of Sparta Skins Exposed, Deimos for God of War III Unveiled |date=October 28, 2010 |last=Chan |first=Ken |work=PlayStation.Blog |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America |access-date=October 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019045006/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/10/28/new-god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-skins-exposed-deimos-for-god-of-war-iii-unveiled/ |archive-date=October 19, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

The character was named at a late stage in the development of the original game after the character had already been fleshed out.{{sfn |Quinio et al., |2010 |ref=GodofWar}} The creators were unaware of the mythical god named Kratos who appears in Prometheus Bound; they coincidentally chose Kratos from the Greek word meaning strength, of which the mythical figure is the personification.{{sfn|Lowe|2009|page=82}}{{sfn|Quinio et al.,|2010|ref=GodofWar}} Stig Asmussen, who worked on the first two games and was the game director of God of War III, called the naming coincidence a "happy mistake",{{sfn |Quinio et al., |2010 |ref=GodofWar}} noting the games' character and the one in Prometheus Bound were both "pawns".{{sfn |Quinio et al., |2010 |ref=GodofWar}} Zoran Iovanovici of California State University, Long Beach, said while the mythical Kratos is best known for chaining Prometheus, in God of War II, the video game character releases him.{{sfn |Quinio et al.,|2010 |ref=GodofWar}} Classical scholar Sylwia Chmielewski states the video game character Kratos draws extensively on other figures from Greek mythology, including the heroes Perseus, Theseus, and Achilles,{{sfn |Chmielewski |2016 |page=186}}{{sfn |Martin |2016 |page=163}} but his strongest influence is the hero Heracles (Roman Hercules), who appears in God of War III with the Romanized name and is revealed to be Kratos's half-brother.{{sfn |Chmielewski |2016 |page=186}}

Game director Cory Barlog said for 2018's God of War, Kratos had to change his cycle of violence and learn how to control his rage. He said Kratos had made many poor decisions, which led to the destruction of Olympus, and Barlog wanted to know what would happen if Kratos made a good decision. The birth of Barlog's son influenced the idea of Kratos's character change. The canceled, live-action Star Wars television series was also an influence.{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/06/20/god-of-war-director-cory-balrog-says-that-sonys-violent-series-is-growing-up-with-the-industry/ |title=God of War director Cory Barlog says that Sony's violent series is growing up with the industry |date=June 20, 2016 |last=Minotti |first=Mike |publisher=VentureBeat |access-date=June 22, 2016 |archive-date=April 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413202418/https://venturebeat.com/2016/06/20/god-of-war-director-cory-balrog-says-that-sonys-violent-series-is-growing-up-with-the-industry/ |url-status=live}} The bond between Kratos and his son is at the heart of the game, and Barlog said: "This game is about Kratos teaching his son how to be a god, and his son teaching Kratos how to be human again". Referencing the Marvel Comics character Hulk, Barlog said about Kratos: "We've already told the story of The Hulk. We want to tell the story of [Bruce] Banner now."{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/14/e3-2016-god-of-war-made-me-care-about-the-series-for-the-first-time |title=E3 2016: God of War Made Me Care About The Series for the First Time |date=June 14, 2016 |last=Sliva |first=Marty |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=June 14, 2016 |archive-date=April 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413195831/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/14/e3-2016-god-of-war-made-me-care-about-the-series-for-the-first-time |url-status=live}}

Christopher Judge, who is best known for his portrayal of Teal'c in Stargate SG-1, replaced Terrence C. Carson, who had voiced Kratos since the original God of War, as the voice of Kratos in the 2018 game. Commenting in response to the change, Carson said: "Sony went in a new direction".{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-god-of-war-does-not-feature-original-kratos-vo/1100-6440925/?ftag=GSS-05-10aaa0a |title=New God of War Does Not Feature Original Kratos Voice Actor |date=June 15, 2016 |last=Paget |first=Mat |work=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=June 15, 2016 |archive-date=April 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413202827/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-god-of-war-does-not-feature-original-kratos-vo/1100-6440925/?ftag=GSS-05-10aaa0a |url-status=live}} Barlog said due to the way the earlier games were made, the studio was able to have someone other than the voice actor perform motion capture. Although Carson performed motion capture for Kratos in Ascension, Barlog said the actor change was made because of the type of camera work they wanted to do. They needed someone who was closer to Kratos's size to perform motion capture along with 10-year-old Sunny Suljic, who played Kratos's son, Atreus. Carson was unsuitable for this because he is much shorter than Kratos, who is over {{convert|6|feet|spell=in}} tall: "Offsetting [Carson's height] for the size of a child, it turned out it was going to be almost impossible to try and actually shoot them and go in and redo the animations". Judge was chosen because he is {{convert|6|feet|3|in|spell=in}} tall and had the body of a professional football player. Judge accepted the role as an opportunity to add something new to the character. He researched the character and Carson's performance but decided not to imitate Carson, instead deciding to start anew because Santa Monica was going in a new direction.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/god-war-4-ps4-game-hinges-bond-2-new-actors-1043888 |title='God of War' Hinges on the Bond of Its 2 New Actors |date=September 29, 2017 |last=Shanley |first=Patrick |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=February 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413191831/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/god-war-4-ps4-game-hinges-bond-2-new-actors-1043888 |archive-date=April 13, 2018 |url-status=dead}}

Prior to beginning work on Ragnarök, Judge briefly quit the game after finding out Eric Williams would be directing the sequel. Judge was uncertain about Williams but Barlog, who served as a producer and creative director on Ragnarök, was able to convince Judge of Williams' capability to direct the game, which Judge affirmed after working with him.{{cite web |last1=Bankhurst |first1=Adam |title=Kratos Voice Actor Christopher Judge Says He Is the Reason God of War: Ragnarok Was Delayed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/god-of-war-ragnarok-kratos-voice-actor-christopher-judge-delayed-ps5 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=October 9, 2021 |date=September 30, 2021 |archive-date=October 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009092459/https://www.ign.com/articles/god-of-war-ragnarok-kratos-voice-actor-christopher-judge-delayed-ps5 |url-status=live }}

File:Young Kratos and Deimos GoS.jpg]]

{{main|God of War (DC Comics)}}

Throughout the series, Kratos is portrayed as an antihero,{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna17746110 |title='God of War II' is one hell of a ride |author=Levi Buchanan |publisher=NBC News |date=March 30, 2007 |access-date=March 15, 2008 |archive-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625043358/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/17746110/ |url-status=live }} often performing questionable actions. His backstory is seen in the original God of War, Kratos's childhood is revealed in Ghost of Sparta, and the birth of his daughter is explored in the God of War comic series (2010–2011). In Ghost of Sparta, it is revealed the oracle had foretold the demise of Olympus would not happen by the hands of the Titans, who were imprisoned after the Great War, but rather by a marked mortal warrior. The Olympians Zeus, Athena, and Ares believed this warrior to be Deimos, Kratos's younger brother, due to his strange birthmark. Ares and Athena interrupted Kratos and Deimos's childhood training in Sparta and kidnapped Deimos. Kratos attempted to stop Ares, who swept him aside and scarred him across his right eye. Deimos was then taken to Death's Domain and 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 him.{{cite video game |developer=Ready at Dawn |title=God of War: Ghost of Sparta |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |year=2010 |platform=PlayStation Portable}}

Through flashbacks in the comic book series written by Marv Wolfman (2010–11), Kratos met his wife Lysandra, with whom he had a daughter named Calliope. Upon birth, Calliope was stricken with the plague. To save his daughter, Kratos was granted a quest to find the Ambrosia of Asclepius, an elixir with magical healing properties. Five gods entered into a wager with Ares; each god chose a champion to search for the Ambrosia with Ares's champion being Kratos. Kratos overcame all obstacles, including Hades's champion, the Barbarian Prince Alrik, who eventually became the Barbarian King, and thus Kratos saved his daughter.{{cite book |title=God of War |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IbehSgAACAAJ |isbn=978-1-4012-2972-6 |date=March 22, 2011 |publisher=DC Comics |first=Marv |last=Wolfman |pages=144 |access-date=October 17, 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.dccomics.com/wildstorm/comics/?cm=13275 |title=God of War #1 Solicitation |publisher=DC Comics |access-date=January 4, 2010 |archive-date=April 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414014502/http://www.dccomics.com/comics/god-of-war-2010/god-of-war-1 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/comics/god-of-war |title=God of War Comics |work=IGN |access-date=September 23, 2012 |archive-date=May 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504222628/http://www.ign.com/comics/god-of-war |url-status=live}}

Via flashbacks in God of War, it is revealed Kratos became the youngest captain of Sparta's army (also shown in the 2010–11 comic series), but had a thirst for power. When Kratos was faced with total defeat by the Barbarian King and his horde, Kratos called upon Ares for aid. Kratos was given the Blades of Chaos, destroyed his enemies, and blindly followed Ares, killing hundreds in his name. During a bloody rampage, Ares tricked Kratos into murdering Lysandra and Calliope within a temple dedicated to Athena—unbeknownst to Kratos that they were in the temple. Kratos was shocked out of his bloodlust and renounced his service to Ares. As the temple burned, a village oracle cursed Kratos and condemned him to wear the "mark of his terrible deed", the ashes of his family, which turned his skin pale white, earning him the title, the "Ghost of Sparta".{{cite video game |developer=Santa Monica Studio |title=God of War |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |year=2005 |platform=PlayStation 2}}

{{main|God of War: Ascension|God of War: Chains of Olympus|God of War (2005 video game)}}

In Ascension, it is revealed because Kratos renounced and broke his blood oath to Ares, he was imprisoned and tortured by the three Furies. The oath keeper Orkos helped Kratos to overcome and kill the Furies. To be completely free of Ares's oath, however, Kratos was forced to kill Orkos, who begged Kratos to do so so that he too could be free. Although free of his oath to Ares, Kratos was flooded with the memories of killing his family.{{cite video game|developer=Santa Monica Studio|title=God of War: Ascension|publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment|year=2013|platform=PlayStation 3}} He then vowed to serve the other gods in hopes that they would erase his memories and to receive forgiveness and relief from the nightmares of his past deeds, but he was openly defiant.

In Chains of Olympus, Kratos was reluctant to help the gods when Helios was kidnapped and openly abandoned them when Persephone offered him a chance to be reunited with Calliope. He was forced to reverse his decision when Persephone used the Titan Atlas in a bid to destroy the world and in turn, the spirit of Calliope. Knowing intervention would save Calliope but would separate him from his family forever, a bitter Kratos killed Persephone, imprisoned Atlas, and freed Helios.{{cite video game|developer=Ready at Dawn|title=God of War: Chains of Olympus|publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment|year=2008|platform=PlayStation Portable}}

By the time of God of War (2005), Kratos had been serving the gods for 10 years, and had grown tired of his service and nightmares. He confronted his patron Athena, who advised him the gods would forgive his sins if he killed the rampaging Ares. With this selfish motive, he again agreed, and after finding and using Pandora's Box, he was successful. Despite being freed of Ares's influence, including the Blades of Chaos, Kratos was forgiven but was not relieved of his nightmares. Dissatisfied and despairing, Kratos tried to commit suicide but is saved by Athena, who guided him to Olympus. Kratos was awarded the Blades of Athena and the throne as the new God of War.

{{main|God of War: Ghost of Sparta|God of War: Betrayal}}

The comic book series (2010–11) shows Kratos's present search for the Ambrosia of Asclepius, as he plans to destroy the Ambrosia to prevent worshipers of Ares from resurrecting their former master. Kratos overcomes several enemies, including the Chaos Giant Gyges, before destroying the Ambrosia. Still haunted by the visions of his mortal past in Ghost of Sparta, and against the advice of Athena, Kratos embarked on a quest to find his mother Callisto in the city of Atlantis. Callisto attemptsled to reveal the identity of Kratos's father but was 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 then freed the Titan Thera from imprisonment, causing the destruction of Atlantis and consequently earning him the wrath of Poseidon. In Sparta, Kratos learns that Deimos is located in the Domain of Death. He finds and frees Deimos, who remained hostile toward his brother. The siblings skirmished until Thanatos attacked Deimos, who was rescued by Kratos, and the pair joined forces to battle the god. At this point, Thanatos realizes Ares, Athena, and Zeus chose the wrong Spartan; it was Kratos who should have been taken, the mark being his red tattoo and his skin turned white from his family's ashes. Thanatos then kills Deimos and Kratos in turn kills Thanatos. Kratos then returns to Olympus, enraged at the gods. In Betrayal, the other gods have shunned Kratos, who decides to lead his Spartan army to overrun Greece. He is falsely accused of murdering Argos and he kills Ceryx, the son of Hermes, for interfering in his search for the true assassin, who escapes.{{cite video game|developer=Javaground|title=God of War: Betrayal|publisher=Sony Pictures Digital|year=2007|platform=Java Platform, Micro Edition}}

{{main|God of War II}}

File:Kratos God of War III.png, and as he appeared throughout most of God of War II, wielding the Blades of Athena with the Golden Fleece on his right arm. With the exception of a few details, such as the Golden Fleece and abdominal scar, this is largely Kratos's appearance throughout the Greek era of the series.]]

Kratos joins the Spartan army in Rhodes, intent on destruction. Zeus weakens Kratos and tricks him into abandoning his godly powers into the Blade of Olympus, which Zeus uses to kill him. Kratos overomes all obstacles but is stunned at Zeus's betrayal and swears revenge as he dies. Kratos falls into the Underworld but was rescued by Gaia, who was banished to Tartarus with the other surviving Titans after the First Great War. Gaia and her brethren seek Zeus's death. Kratos, fueled by anger at his betrayal, agrees to aid the Titans and is instructed to find the Sisters of Fate, who are capable of returning him to the moment of Zeus's treachery. Kratos becomes determined and utterly ruthless; in the pursuit of his goal, he wounds a Titan, kills several Greek heroes without hesitation, and sacrifices two scholars, restoring his god powers. All three of the Sisters of Fate are killed when they oppose Kratos, who is prepared to kill Zeus in a final confrontation. Zeus is saved when Athena intervenes and sacrifices herself for him; only then does Kratos show remorse. Kratos learns from a dying Athena that Zeus is his father, a fact Zeus kept secret because he wished to avoid a repetition of what he did to his own father, Cronos. Kratos rejects any notion of a relationship and vows to kill Zeus and destroy Olympus. Encouraged by Gaia, Kratos uses the power of the Fates to retrieve the Titans before their defeat in the Great War and, with their assistance, storms Mount Olympus.{{cite web |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/763/763624p1.html |title=IGN: God of War II Review |access-date=March 12, 2007 |publisher=Ziff Davis Media |work=IGN |last=Roper |first=Chris |date=February 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119231912/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/02/12/god-of-war-ii-review |archive-date=November 19, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}

{{main|God of War III}}

Kratos kills Poseidon but Gaia abandons him when his first 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 needs to find the Flame of Olympus, which is the key to defeating Zeus. In his quest for the Flame, Kratos murders Titans and gods, ignoring the warnings of his victims. Kratos realizes Pandora is the key to pacifying the Flame and reaching Pandora's Box, which is engulfed by the Flame. Kratos comes to care for Pandora, who reminds him of his lost daughter Calliope. Kratos shows humanity when he attempts to stop Pandora from sacrificing herself to quench the Flame but reluctantly allows the act when she says there is no other option. Zeus provokes Pandora into sacrificing herself after he states Kratos would fail her like he failed his own family, causing Kratos to release Pandora and attack Zeus in a rage. Kratos finds Pandora's Box empty, and is driven berserk by Zeus's mockery. Kratos engages Zeus in another fierce battle. Gaia interrupts and tries to kill Kratos and Zeus. Kratos destroys Gaia and then apparently defeats Zeus. Zeus returns in spirit form and attacks Kratos, who retreats into his psyche and forgives himself for his past sins with the help of Pandora. Pandora appears and tells Kratos hope would save him. Kratos is revived and easily destroys Zeus. Athena confronts Kratos and demands he return the power of hope, the contents of Pandora's Box. In a selfless act, Kratos refuses, stating his need for vengeance is gone and impales himself with the Blade of Olympus, which disperses the power across the world for mankind's use. Athena, disappointed with Kratos, removes the Blade and departes as Kratos collapses next to the Blade of Olympus. The post-credits scene shows a trail of blood leading away from the Blade with Kratos's whereabouts unknown.{{cite video game|developer=Santa Monica Studio|title=God of War III|publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment|year=2010|platform=PlayStation 3}}

{{main|God of War (2018 video game)}}

Decades after the events of God of War III, Kratos, having survived his apparent death from releasing the power of hope in Greece, arrives in ancient Scandinavia in the Norse realm of Midgard, and fathers a boy named Atreus, who is unaware of his true nature. Kratos has abandoned his double-chained blades as a symbol of the abandonment his old persona; instead, he uses a battle ax called the Leviathan Axe, which originally belonged to his second wife and Atreus's mother, Laufey (called Faye by Kratos), who recently died. Faye's last wish was for her ashes to be spread at the highest peak of the nine realms. At Midgard's peak, they learn from Mímir the highest peak is in Jötunheim. During their journey, the Æsir god Baldur, the brother of Thor, confronts them. Thor's sons Modi and Magni help Baldur but are killed by Kratos and Atreus. Around this time, Atreus falls ill; to cure him, Kratos must recover his old weapons, the Blades of Chaos, to battle the beings of Helheim because the Leviathan Axe, which inflicts frost damage, is useless there. While retrieving the blades, Athena appears and goads him about his past. Kratos travels to Hel, killing the troll that guards the realm, and retrieves the cure. After curing him, Kratos reveals to Atreus he is a god. The pair receives assistance from a witch, who is later revealed to be the Vanir goddess Freya, Baldur's mother, who cast a spell of immortality on him; the spell protects Baldur but causes him to no longer physically feel anything, for which he resents Freya.

Kratos and Baldur eventually battle, during which Baldur's spell is broken. Kratos decides to let Baldur go but Baldur attempts to kill Freya, forcing Kratos to kill him. Freya swears revenge against Kratos for killing her son and taunts Kratos for not revealing his troubled past to Atreus. Kratos decides to tell Atreus he had killed his fellow Greek gods, including his father Zeus—whose illusion he saw in Helheim—but that he and Atreus should learn from these experiences and not repeat past mistakes. Kratos and Atreus travel to Jötunheim, where it is learned Faye was a giant, making Atreus part-giant. It is also revealed Faye originally wanted to name their son Loki but Kratos preferred Atreus, which was the name of an honorable Spartan comrade. The giants also referred to Kratos as Fárbauti. In Midgard, Fimbulwinter begins and, after sleeping in the family home, Atreus has a vision Thor will come for them at the end of Fimbulwinter.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-revealed-for-ps4-at-e3-2016/1100-6440819/ |title=God of War Revealed for PS4 at E3 2016 |date=June 13, 2016 |last1=Newhouse |first1=Alex |last2=Crossley |first2=Rob |work=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=June 14, 2016 |archive-date=April 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413194458/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-revealed-for-ps4-at-e3-2016/1100-6440819/ |url-status=live}}

{{main|God of War Ragnarök|God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla}}

Three years after the events of the previous game, the All-father Odin and the god of thunder Thor confront Kratos, Atreus, and Mímir. Kratos duels Thor after which, Kratos, Atreus, and Mímir travel across the nine realms in hopes of finding a way to prevent Ragnarök. Along the way, a vengeful Freya confronts them but they eventually make amends. Unable to prevent Ragnarök, Kratos, Atreus, and their allies unite the realms in a war against Asgard. Kratos again battles Thor, who is killed by Odin for refusing to kill Kratos. Kratos, Atreus, Mímir, and Freya then engage Odin in battle and defeat him as Asgard is destroyed. Returning home to Midgard, Atreus, as Loki, decides he needs to find any remaining giants and bids farewell while Kratos learns he is destined to become a revered god. Along with Freya and Mímir, Kratos begins rebuilding the realms and restoring peace.{{Cite web |title=God Of War Ragnarök: Who Kratos & Atreus Are Looking For |url=https://screenrant.com/god-war-ragnarok-who-kratos-atreus-find-tyr/ |first=Kyle |last=Gratton |access-date=July 20, 2023 |website=Screen Rant |date=September 10, 2021 |language=en-US |archive-date=December 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222223347/https://screenrant.com/god-war-ragnarok-who-kratos-atreus-find-tyr/ |url-status=live}}

In Ragnarök{{'}}s downloadable content (DLC) pack Valhalla, it is revealed that Freya, now the Queen of the Realms, offered Kratos to join her council as the new Norse God of War, as Týr abandoned the position, but Kratos was reluctant due to his abuse of power on the Greek pantheon. Kratos and Mímir receive an anonymous invitation to Valhalla, which is later revealed to be from Týr so that Kratos can confront his past and forgive himself. Kratos goes through several trials in Valhalla and eventually makes amends with his past self and accepts the seat as the Norse God of War, championing the ideals of hope.{{Cite web |title=God Of War Ragnarök Gets Free Valhalla Roguelite DLC |url=https://kotaku.com/god-war-ragnarok-free-valhalla-dlc-ps5-1851082941 |first=Ethan |last=Gach |access-date=March 6, 2024 |website=Kotaku |date=December 7, 2023 |language=en-US}}

The Greek and Norse versions of Kratos have appeared as playable characters and costumes in several PlayStation games outside the God of War series. On August 21, 2008, the Greek Kratos, along with his Clubs of Chaos, was released as a downloadable character in Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds.{{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=August 20, 2008 |access-date=August 21, 2008 |first=Chris |last=Hinojosa-Miranda |work=PlayStation.Blog |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112044507/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/08/20/kratos-to-swing-the-clubs-of-chaos-in-hot-shots-golf/ |archive-date=November 12, 2012 |url-status=dead }} As a pre-order bonus for LittleBigPlanet from GameStop, customers received a Sackboy Kratos costume along with ones for Medusa and a Minotaur, as well as a God of War level sticker kit.{{cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/07/gamestop-lbp-pre-order-adds-more-god-of-war-sackness/ |title=GameStop LBP pre-order adds more God of War sackness |last=Sliwinski |first=Alexander |work=Joystiq |publisher=AOL |date=October 7, 2008 |access-date=October 15, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028012445/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/07/gamestop-lbp-pre-order-adds-more-god-of-war-sackness/ |archive-date=October 28, 2012 |url-status=dead }} These were later released for purchase on January 26, 2009.{{cite web |url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/01/22/little-delay-to-littlebigplanet-content/ |title=Little Delay To LittleBigPlanet Content |date=January 22, 2009 |last=Valledor |first=Mark |work=PlayStation.Blog |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America |access-date=March 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402134426/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/01/22/little-delay-to-littlebigplanet-content/ |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |url-status=dead }} Kratos was also a guest character in 2009's Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny.{{cite web |author=Sinclair, Brendan |title=Soulcalibur forges Broken Destiny on PSP |url=http://www.gamespot.com/psp/action/soulcaliburbrokendestiny/news.html?sid=6208728 |work=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=April 28, 2009 |access-date=April 29, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105085807/http://www.gamespot.com/news/soulcalibur-forges-broken-destiny-on-psp-6208728 |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/soulcalibur-broken-destiny-hands-on/ |title=Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny – hands-on |date=June 14, 2013 |last=Newman |first=Joe |work=GamesRadar |access-date=August 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225023408/http://www.gamesradar.com/soulcalibur-broken-destiny-hands-on/ |archive-date=December 25, 2014 |url-status=dead }}

As a pre-order bonus for ModNation Racers from GameStop, customers received a Kratos Mod and his Kart of Chaos.{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5493884/modnation-dated-kratos-ratchet--clank-and-nathan-drake-join-the-race/gallery/ |title=ModNation Dated, Kratos, Ratchet & Clank, And Nathan Drake Join The Race |date=March 15, 2010 |last=Fahey |first=Mike |work=Kotaku |publisher=Gawker Media |access-date=May 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014103114/http://kotaku.com/5493884/modnation-dated-kratos-ratchet--clank-and-nathan-drake-join-the-race/gallery/1 |archive-date=October 14, 2012 |url-status=dead }} These were released for purchase on November 2, 2010.{{cite web |url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/11/02/playstation-store-update-163/ |title=PlayStation Store Update |date=November 2, 2010 |last=Chen |first=Grace |work=PlayStation.Blog |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227073314/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/11/02/playstation-store-update-163/ |archive-date=February 27, 2014 |access-date=August 11, 2013 |url-status=dead }} Kratos's next guest appearance was in the PlayStation 3 version of 2011's Mortal Kombat—as well as the PlayStation Vita version released in 2012—which features his own fighting stage and arcade ladder mode.{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5708886/report-the-god-of-war-will-slaughter-mortal-kombat |title=Report: The God Of War Will Slaughter Mortal Kombat |date=December 7, 2010 |last=Plunkett |first=Luke |work=Kotaku |publisher=Gawker Media |access-date=December 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016060014/http://kotaku.com/5708886/report-the-god-of-war-will-slaughter-mortal-kombat |archive-date=October 16, 2012 |url-status=dead }} Kratos then appeared in the 2012 crossover fighting game PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, which includes two God of War-inspired stages, several God of War items,{{cite web |url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/04/26/see-playstation-all-stars-battle-royale-in-action/ |title=See PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale in Action |date=April 26, 2012 |last=Kendall |first=Omar |work=PlayStation.Blog |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America |access-date=May 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028185023/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/04/26/see-playstation-all-stars-battle-royale-in-action/ |archive-date=October 28, 2012 |url-status=dead }} and series antagonist Zeus, who was released as a downloadable character on March 19, 2013.{{cite web |url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2013/02/27/new-ps-all-stars-zeus-isaac-{{Not a typo |medi|evil}}-the-unfinished-swan-level/ |title=New PS All-Stars: Zeus & Isaac, {{Not a typo |Med |iEvil}} + The Unfinished Swan Level |date=February 27, 2013 |last=Killian |first=Seth |work=PlayStation.Blog |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America |access-date=February 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6El3RHjxV?url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2013/02/27/new-ps-all-stars-zeus-isaac-medievil-the-unfinished-swan-level/ |archive-date=February 28, 2013 |url-status=dead }} Kratos's appearance in PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale was seemingly made canon by a line of dialogue in 2022's God of War Ragnarök; Mímir asks Kratos about a tournament he was in to which Kratos replies he did not want to talk about it.{{cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/god-of-war-ragnarok-easter-egg-playstation-all-stars-battle-royale-canon/ |title=God of War Ragnarok Easter Egg Makes PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale Canon |date=November 15, 2022 |last=Onder |first=Cade |work=ComicBook.com |publisher=Paramount Global |access-date=November 17, 2022 |archive-date=November 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116080502/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/god-of-war-ragnarok-easter-egg-playstation-all-stars-battle-royale-canon/ |url-status=live}}

As part of the God of War franchise's 10th anniversary, Kratos appeared as a secret boss battle in the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita versions of Shovel Knight, which released on April 21, 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/12/06/psx-2014-shovel-knight-coming-to-ps4-ps3-vita |title=PSX 2014: Shovel Knight Coming to PS4, PS3, Vita |date=December 6, 2014 |last=Moriarty |first=Colin |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=December 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317184454/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/12/06/psx-2014-shovel-knight-coming-to-ps4-ps3-vita |archive-date=March 17, 2015 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/fight-god-of-war-s-kratos-in-shovel-knight-on-play/1100-6426546/ |title=Fight God of War's Kratos in Shovel Knight on PlayStation |date=April 10, 2015 |last=Pereira |first=Chris |work=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=April 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413012939/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/fight-god-of-war-s-kratos-in-shovel-knight-on-play/1100-6426546/ |archive-date=April 13, 2015 |url-status=dead }} His next guest appearance was in LittleBigPlanet 3 as another Sackboy costume in his Fear Kratos form, along with Sackboy costumes of Zeus, Hercules, Poseidon, and Athena, and a costume of Hades for the character Toggle. This coincided with the release of God of War III Remastered on PlayStation 4 in July 2015.{{cite web |url=http://littlebigplanet.playstation.com/news/god-of-war-3-pack-available-now |title=God of War 3 Pack available now |date=July 15, 2015 |work=LittleBigPlanet.com |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |access-date=July 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716035036/http://littlebigplanet.playstation.com/news/god-of-war-3-pack-available-now |archive-date=July 16, 2015 |url-status=dead}} A costume of Kratos and God of War custom decorations were included in the "Crafted Edition" of Tearaway Unfolded, which was released for PlayStation 4 on September 8, 2015.{{cite web |url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2015/06/12/tearaway-unfolded-out-on-ps4-sept-8th-for-39-99/ |title=Tearaway Unfolded Out on PS4 Sept. 8th for $39.99 |date=June 12, 2015 |last=Lawrence |first=Jenny |work=PlayStation.Blog |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America |access-date=June 12, 2015 |archive-date=June 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614061504/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2015/06/12/tearaway-unfolded-out-on-ps4-sept-8th-for-39-99/ |url-status=live}} TC Carson provided the Greek Kratos's voice in these guest appearances,{{cite web |url=http://www.mediastinger.com/mortal-kombat-2011-no-extras-during-or-after-the-credits/ |title=Mortal Kombat (2011): No Extras During or After the Credits |date=March 24, 2011 |last=Curtin |first=Paul |work=MediaStinger |publisher=Nitruc |access-date=August 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208221941/http://www.mediastinger.com/mortal-kombat-2011-no-extras-during-or-after-the-credits/ |archive-date=December 8, 2014 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2012/09/24/playstation-battle-royale-features-all-star-original-voice-cast-listen-to-them-here/ |title=PlayStation Battle Royale Features All-Star Original Voice Cast – Listen To Them Here! |date=September 24, 2012 |first=Jesse |last=Meikle |work=PlayStation LifeStyle |publisher=CraveOnline |access-date=August 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208102149/http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2012/09/24/playstation-battle-royale-features-all-star-original-voice-cast-listen-to-them-here/ |archive-date=December 8, 2014 |url-status=dead }} except for LittleBigPlanet, ModNation Racers, LittleBigPlanet 3, and Tearaway Unfolded, where the character is only a costume, and in Shovel Knight, which only has text dialogue.

In the PlayStation 5 launch game Astro's Playroom (2020), which contains several homages to PlayStation's history, two robots dressed as the Nordic Kratos and his son Atreus are seen re-enacting the scene in God of War (2018) in which the two travel in their boat.{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamepur.com/guides/every-cameraman-reference-in-astros-playroom |title=Every cameraman reference in Astro's Playroom |last=Hansen |first=John |work=Gamepur |publisher=GAMURS Group |language=en |access-date=November 12, 2020 |date=November 12, 2020 |archive-date=November 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113055305/https://www.gamepur.com/guides/every-cameraman-reference-in-astros-playroom |url-status=live}} Kratos would also be referenced in the Astro's Playroom sequel, Astro Bot (2024).{{Cite web |first1=Dale |last1=Driver |first2=Simon |last2=Cardy |url=https://sea.ign.com/astro-bot/220275/feature/astro-bot-every-playstation-character-easter-eggs |title=Astro Bot: Every PlayStation Character - Easter Eggs |website=IGN |language=en |date=September 6, 2024 |access-date=September 7, 2024}} The Nordic Kratos became a cosmetic outfit in Fortnite Battle Royale{{'}}s chapter two, season five event, Zero Point, which was released on December 3, 2020. Kratos is playable on all platforms on which Fortnite is available, marking the character's only appearance on the Xbox and Nintendo platforms, as well as Apple and Android devices; these platforms, including Windows, have Kratos's default appearance while players on the PlayStation versions get an exclusive armored Kratos that is based on the golden armor obtained from defeating the Valkyries in God of War (2018).{{cite web |last=Santa Maria |first=Alex |date=December 2, 2020 |url=https://screenrant.com/fortnite-kratos-skin-god-of-war-playstation-leak/ |title=God Of War Kratos Skin Is Coming To Fortnite Season 5 |publisher=Screen Rant |access-date=December 2, 2020 |archive-date=December 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206060359/https://screenrant.com/fortnite-kratos-skin-god-of-war-playstation-leak/ |url-status=live}} An armor inspired by Kratos's Nordic appearance is obtainable in the Director's Cut of Ghost of Tsushima, which was released on August 20, 2021, for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.{{cite web |last1=Hornshaw |first1=Phil |title=Ghost Of Tsushima Iki Island Guide – How To Solve The Shrine Of Ash And Unlock The God Of War Armor |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ghost-of-tsushima-iki-island-guide-how-to-solve-the-shrine-of-ash-and-unlock-the-god-of-war-armor/1100-6495375/ |website=GameSpot |publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=October 14, 2021 |date=August 20, 2021 |archive-date=October 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028173008/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ghost-of-tsushima-iki-island-guide-how-to-solve-the-shrine-of-ash-and-unlock-the-god-of-war-armor/1100-6495375/ |url-status=live }}

Costumes of the Nordic Kratos, Atreus, and Freya, and emotes for each, were released for Sackboy: A Big Adventure in the world of LittleBigPlanet on November 9, 2022, the same day as God of War Ragnarök{{'}}s release.{{cite web |url=https://gamerant.com/sackboy-a-big-adventure-god-of-war-ragnarok-costumes/ |title=Sackboy: A Big Adventure is Adding Costumes Based on God of War Ragnarok |date=November 7, 2022 |last=Long |first=Lacy |work=Game Rant |access-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107220559/https://gamerant.com/sackboy-a-big-adventure-god-of-war-ragnarok-costumes/ |url-status=live}} An armor set inspired by the Nordic Kratos was added to Destiny 2 as part of its Lightfall – Season of the Deep release on May 23, 2023. The set is for the Titan character class and is purchasable on all platforms Destiny 2 is available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows. It features Kratos's red tattoo and breechcloth, and is light gray. A special finishing maneuver that mimics the Blades of Chaos was also added.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-adding-playstation-crossover-armor-including-god-of-war/1100-6514437/ |title=Destiny 2 PlayStation Crossover Armor And Items Include God Of War, Ratchet & Clank |date=May 23, 2023 |last=Pereira |first=Chris |work=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom, Inc. |access-date=May 23, 2023 |archive-date=May 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522222400/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-adding-playstation-crossover-armor-including-god-of-war/1100-6514437/ |url-status=live}}

Kratos has also been parodied in The Simpsons franchise. He appears as the "God of Wharf" on a billboard advertising a chowder restaurant in The Simpsons Game.{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/07/11/e3-2007-eyes-on-the-simpsons-game |title=E3 2007: Eyes-On The Simpsons Game |author=Nix |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=July 11, 2007 |access-date=March 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211175616/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/07/11/e3-2007-eyes-on-the-simpsons-game |archive-date=February 11, 2013 |url-status=dead }}

A live-action film adaptation of the original God of War game was announced in 2005.{{cite web|url=http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/637/637274p1.html |title=Games to Film: God of War |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |last=Davidson |first=Paul |date=July 27, 2005 |access-date=February 15, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310125026/http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/07/28/games-to-film-god-of-war |archive-date=March 10, 2014 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/31/whats-in-store-for-the-god-of-war-movie |title=What's in Store for the God of War Movie? |date=August 30, 2012 |last=Nicholson |first=Max |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=September 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121221113905/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/31/whats-in-store-for-the-god-of-war-movie |archive-date=December 21, 2012 |url-status=dead }} During pre-production, new writers were hired to adapt the game{{cite web |url=http://www.craveonline.com/film/interviews/468223-exclusive-marcus-dunstan-on-the-collection-and-god-of-war/2 |title=Exclusive: Marcus Dunstan on The Collection and God of War – Page 2 |date=March 26, 2013 |last=Bibbiani |first=William |work=CraveOnline |publisher=AtomicMedia |access-date=March 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402115442/http://www.craveonline.com/film/interviews/468223-exclusive-marcus-dunstan-on-the-collection-and-god-of-war/2 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |url-status=dead }} but the project remained in development hell. Following the release of 2018's God of War, rumors about a potential adaptation of that game began circulating.{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/2018/06/06/god-of-war-movie-kratos-steven-deknight/|title=Steven DeKnight Has Talked To Sony About An R-Rated 'God of War' Movie|date=June 6, 2018|last=Davis|first=Brandon|work=ComicBook.com|publisher=Paramount Global|access-date=June 17, 2019|archive-date=June 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618022759/https://comicbook.com/gaming/2018/06/06/god-of-war-movie-kratos-steven-deknight/|url-status=live}} In May 2021, however, a Sony spokesperson said there was no film adaptation for any God of War game in development.{{cite web |last1=Ankers |first1=Adele |title=Sony Denies It's Working on a God of War Movie |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-denies-working-on-god-of-war-movie |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=June 7, 2021 |date=May 24, 2021 |archive-date=June 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607105733/https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-denies-working-on-god-of-war-movie |url-status=live }} The following May, it was instead announced that a streaming television series adaptation of the Norse era, starting with the events of the 2018 installment,{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/12/god-of-war-adaptation-playstation-video-game-series-order-prime-video-1235198842/|title='God Of War' Adaptation Of PlayStation Video Game Gets Prime Video Series Order|date=December 14, 2022|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 14, 2022|archive-date=December 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214180431/https://deadline.com/2022/12/god-of-war-adaptation-playstation-video-game-series-order-prime-video-1235198842/|url-status=live}} was being developed for Amazon Prime Video.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-horizon-series-netflix-god-of-war-amazon-gran-turismo-tv|title=Sony Announces Horizon Series for Netflix, God of War Series for Amazon, and a Gran Turismo Show|date=May 26, 2022|last=Dinsdale|first=Ryan|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|access-date=May 26, 2022|archive-date=May 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526143217/https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-horizon-series-netflix-god-of-war-amazon-gran-turismo-tv|url-status=live}}

Kratos appears on the Guts of War II: Entrails of Intestinox kiosk at E4, a parody of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), in The Simpsons television episode "The Food Wife".{{cite web |url=http://www.industrygamers.com/news/the-simpsons-attend-industrygamers-e3-party-create-e4-spoof/ |title=The Simpsons Attend IndustryGamers E3 Party, Create 'E4' Spoof |date=November 15, 2011 |last=Brightman |first=James |publisher=Industry Gamers |access-date=June 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031021559/http://www.industrygamers.com/news/the-simpsons-attend-industrygamers-e3-party-create-e4-spoof/ |archive-date=October 31, 2012 |url-status=dead }} Kratos has also been parodied by Adult Swim's clay-mation television series Robot Chicken. He was first parodied in season 5, episode 15, "The Core, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover", which shows how far Kratos (voiced by Brian Austin Green) will go to collect blood orbs.{{cite web |url=http://www.tv.com/shows/robot-chicken/the-core-the-thief-his-wife-and-her-lover-1384265/ |title=The Core, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover |work=TV.com |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=December 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120085835/http://www.tv.com/shows/robot-chicken/the-core-the-thief-his-wife-and-her-lover-1384265/ |archive-date=January 20, 2015 |url-status=dead }} Sony later worked with Robot Chicken to produce an advertisement for PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale that parodies Kratos and other characters from the game.{{cite web |url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/11/26/robot-chicken-inspired-character-comes-to-playstation-all-stars-battle-royale/ |title=Tonight: Robot Chicken Does PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale |date=November 26, 2012 |first=Matthew |last=Senreich |work=PlayStation.Blog |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America |access-date=December 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402154456/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/11/26/robot-chicken-inspired-character-comes-to-playstation-all-stars-battle-royale/ |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |url-status=dead }}

Kratos is set to appear in Amazon Prime Video's anthology series Secret Level, which is currently scheduled to be released on December 10, 2024.{{cite web |url=https://www.empireonline.com/tv/news/secret-level-trailer-god-of-war-dungeons-dragons-and-warhammer-lead-video-game-anthology-series/ |title=Secret Level Trailer: God Of War, Dungeons & Dragons And Warhammer Lead Video Game Anthology Series |date=August 20, 2024 |access-date=August 20, 2024}}

Kratos is the main character in novelizations of the video game series. Matthew Stover, Robert E. Vardeman, and James M. Barlog wrote novels retelling the games' events and further exploring their stories. Together, Stover and Vardeman wrote the first novel, which is titled God of War and was published in May 2010.{{cite web |url=http://playstation.joystiq.com/2009/07/13/del-ray-announces-first-god-of-war-novel-for-march-2010/ |title=Del Ray announces first God of War novel for March 2010 |work=Joystiq |publisher=AOL |access-date=January 4, 2010 |date=July 13, 2009 |last=Alexander |first=Jem |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829022404/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/13/del-ray-announces-first-god-of-war-novel-for-march-2010/ |archive-date=August 29, 2012 |url-status=dead }} Vardeman alone wrote the second novel God of War II, which was published in February 2013.{{cite book|title=God of War II|isbn=978-0345508683|last1=Vardeman|first1=Robert E.|date=February 12, 2013|publisher=Random House Worlds }} The third novel, God of War – The Official Novelization, was written by Barlog and published in August 2018; this is a novelization of 2018's God of War, skipping a novelization of God of War III.{{cite web|url=http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2018/05/29/god-of-war-novelization-written-by-cory-barlogs-father-available-to-pre-order/|title=God of War Novelization Written by Cory Barlog's Father, Available to Pre-Order|date=May 29, 2018|last=Wood|first=Chandler|work=PlayStation LifeStyle|publisher=CraveOnline|access-date=August 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821160343/http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2018/05/29/god-of-war-novelization-written-by-cory-barlogs-father-available-to-pre-order/|url-status=live|archive-date=August 21, 2018}}

File:Cosplay at NYCC (60421).jpg at the 2018 New York Comic Con]]

Video game publications have given Kratos a positive reception. Magazines, including Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition,{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/68759/TOP_50_VIDEO_GAME_CHARACTERS_OF_ALL_TIME_ANNOUNCED_inGUINNESS_WORLD_RECORDS_2011_GAMERrsquoS_EDITION.php |title=Top 50 video game characters of all time announced in Guinness World Records 2011 Gamer's Edition |work=Gamasutra |publisher=Think Services |date=February 16, 2011 |access-date=July 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022093831/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/68759/TOP_50_VIDEO_GAME_CHARACTERS_OF_ALL_TIME_ANNOUNCED_inGUINNESS_WORLD_RECORDS_2011_GAMERrsquoS_EDITION.php |archive-date=October 22, 2012 |url-status=dead }} described him as one of the greatest and most iconic video game characters.{{Cite web |url=http://www.glixel.com/news/lists/50-most-iconic-video-game-characters-of-the-21st-century-w449203/kratos-w449260 |title=50 Most Iconic Video Game Characters of the 21st Century |date=November 23, 2016 |website=Glixel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123081715/http://www.glixel.com/news/lists/50-most-iconic-video-game-characters-of-the-21st-century-w449203/kratos-w449260 |archive-date=November 23, 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/reportajes/30-mejores-heroes-ultimos-30-anos-816865 |title=The 30 best heroes of the last 30 years |work=HobbyConsolas |publisher=Axel Springer SE |access-date=October 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924043336/https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/reportajes/30-mejores-heroes-ultimos-30-anos-816865/ |archive-date=September 24, 2021 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-game-characters/ |title=50 iconic video game characters |first=Rachel |last=Weber |date=November 8, 2021 |website=GamesRadar+ |access-date=May 26, 2023 |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130073904/https://www.gamesradar.com/best-game-characters/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.empireonline.com/features/50-greatest-video-game-characters/Default.asp?film=15 |title=The 50 Greatest Video Game Characters – 15. Kratos |work=Empire |access-date=August 2, 2013 |first1=James |last1=Dyer |first2=David |last2=McComb |first3=Alastair |last3=Plumb |first4=David |last4=Scarborough |date=May 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402094347/http://www.empireonline.com/features/50-greatest-video-game-characters/Default.asp?film=15 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |url-status=dead }} Alex Navarro of GameSpot regarded the Greek Kratos as a "sympathetic antihero" and a "badass", describing him as endearing due to his unforgiving demeanor, but added the slowly-developing story offered players "no understanding [of Kratos]" in the original game's early stages.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/godofwar/review.html |title=God of War Review |work=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |first=Alex |last=Navarro |date=March 21, 2005 |access-date=March 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108172209/http://www.gamespot.com/god-of-war/reviews/god-of-war-review-6120758/ |archive-date=November 8, 2012 |url-status=dead }} GamesRadar+ included Kratos as one of the 25 best new characters of the decade, stating while he appeared at first to be a generic character, players eventually learn Kratos is both an "unstoppable force of nature" and a "broken, tragic man".{{cite web |title=The 25 best new characters of the decade |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/f/the-25-best-new-characters-of-the-decade/a-20091221171910974007 |work=GamesRadar+ |access-date=January 4, 2010 |date=December 29, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002234420/http://www.gamesradar.com/the-25-best-new-characters-of-the-decade/ |archive-date=October 2, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

Knowing of the talks about a God of War film at the time, both Jesse Schedeen of IGN and Marissa Melisa of UGO Networks described Kratos as a character who deserved his own movie.{{cite web |url=http://uk.stars.ign.com/articles/965/965382p2.html |title=Characters Who Deserve Better |date=March 29, 2009 |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |work=IGN |access-date=July 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225073022/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/03/23/characters-who-deserve-better?page=2 |archive-date=December 25, 2015 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.ugo.com/games/paging-uwe-boll-video-game-characters-who-need-their-own-movies |title=Video Game Characters Who Need Their Own Movies |date=July 19, 2011 |last=Meli |first=Marissa |work=UGO Entertainment |access-date=July 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627025839/http://www.ugo.com/games/paging-uwe-boll-video-game-characters-who-need-their-own-movies |archive-date=June 27, 2013 |url-status=dead }} In 2012, Justin Amirkhani of Complex said Kratos had the best fighting game cameos for his guest appearances in Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny and Mortal Kombat,{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/video-games/2012/03/the-10-best-fighting-game-cameos#11 |title=The 10 Best Fighting Game Cameos |date=March 21, 2012 |last=Amirkhani |first=Justin |work=Complex |publisher=Rich Antoniello |access-date=July 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426042902/http://www.complex.com/video-games/2012/03/the-10-best-fighting-game-cameos |archive-date=April 26, 2012 |url-status=dead }} while in 2023, Drea Avellan called him one of the "most badass" video game characters of all time.{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/video-games/2013/01/the-50-most-badass-video-game-characters-of-all-time/ |title=The 50 Most Badass Video Game Characters Of All Time |first=Drea |last=Avellan |date=February 1, 2013 |work=Complex.com |publisher=Rich Antoniello |access-date=March 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219033800/http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/02/the-50-most-badass-video-game-characters-of-all-time/ |archive-date=February 19, 2015 |url-status=dead }} Kratos's Blades of Chaos were also cited by Lance Cartelli of GameSpot as one of "the most badass swords in video game history".{{cite web |author=Lance Cartelli |url=http://www.gamespot.com/gallery/15-most-badass-swords-in-video-game-history/2900-69/4/ |title=15 Most Badass Swords in Video Game History |work=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=March 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313230148/http://www.gamespot.com/gallery/15-most-badass-swords-in-video-game-history/2900-69/4/ |archive-date=March 13, 2015 |url-status=dead }} Ivan Sulic of IGN said Kratos was ruthless, merciless, and savage, noting his main motive in the Greek games was vengeance and that "all he desires is murder". Sulic also stated "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=God of War Review |first=Ivan |last=Sulic |work=IGN |date=March 18, 2005 |access-date=March 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030074201/http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/03/18/god-of-war |archive-date=October 30, 2012 |url-status=dead }} Patrick Shaw of GamePro said it was "Kratos' tragic fall and brutal ascension to the peaks of Mount Olympus that made the original God of War so memorable".{{cite magazine | url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/98528.shtml | title=Reviews: God of War II | first=Patrick |last=Shaw |magazine=GamePro | publisher=IDG | date=March 28, 2007 | access-date=March 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216010919/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/98528.shtml |archive-date=February 16, 2007}} GamesRadar+ staff described Kratos as "one of PlayStation's most popular representatives", and described him as the "most memorable, influential, and badass" protagonist in games, writing: "Being insanely violent isn't exactly an uncommon trait amongst game characters, but driven by a rage wrought from his guilt (slaughtered thousands, including—oops—his wife and daughter) Kratos kills with such convincing visceral aggression it elevates him way beyond the status of brain-dead murder-bot".{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/top-100-video-game-heroes/ |title=100 best heroes in video games |work=GamesRadar+ |date=October 12, 2012 |access-date=October 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111101246/http://www.gamesradar.com/top-100-video-game-heroes/ |archive-date=November 11, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

Critics have acclaimed Kratos's portrayal in 2018's God of War, with many complimenting his more-layered and relatable personality compared to previous versions. Dave Thier of Forbes wrote: "Kratos is a character this time", calling him "fleshed-out" and "surprisingly engaging",{{cite web |last1=Thier |first1=Dave |title='God Of War' Review: The Best God Of War Game In A Decade |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2018/04/12/god-of-war-review/ |website=Forbes |access-date=May 22, 2018 |archive-date=May 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523012014/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2018/04/12/god-of-war-review/ |url-status=live}} while Jonathon Dornbush of IGN said the game "transforms him from the previous games' flat embodiment of the bloodthirsty warrior cliché into someone who can stand shoulder to shoulder with some of my favorite protagonists in recent media".{{cite web |last1=Dornbush |first1=Jonathon |title=God of War Review |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2018/04/12/god-of-war-review |website=IGN |date=April 12, 2018 |access-date=May 22, 2018 |archive-date=November 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118005049/https://uk.ign.com/articles/2018/04/12/god-of-war-review |url-status=live}} Similarly, Stephen Farrelly of Red Bull stated: "This God of War reflects a new, more nuanced Kratos in that it's measured, deep and ... complex".{{cite web |last1=Farrelly |first1=Stephen |title=A Greek god in Odin's court – why God of War is just so damned good |url=https://www.redbull.com/au-en/god-of-war-verdict-near-perfect-action |website=Red Bull |date=April 17, 2018 |access-date=May 22, 2018 |archive-date=May 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523011110/https://www.redbull.com/au-en/god-of-war-verdict-near-perfect-action |url-status=live}} According to Mike Hume of The Washington Post, Kratos "taught him as a father". Hume said even if the teachings are occasionally challenging, Kratos takes it upon himself to teach Atreus because he is aware of the difficulties in the world. Kratos is aware of the risks his son will encounter on their travels. Hume added Kratos and Atreus strike a balance in their love and connection. Atreus improves himself as a result of paying attention to his father's advice. Kratos develops compassion as he begins to see the world more like his son does.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/06/21/dad-war-what-kratos-taught-me-about-being-father/ |author=Mike Hume |title=Dad of War: What Kratos taught me about being a father |date=June 21, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=March 6, 2024}}

Nathan Ingraham of Engadget, though saying it was an exaggeration, wrote: "Kratos is more nuanced and shows more emotion in the game's opening hour than he did in the entire previous trilogy".{{cite web |last1=Ingraham |first1=Nathan |title='God of War' returns to form with good ol' father-son bonding |url=https://www.engadget.com/2018/04/12/god-of-war-review/ |website=Engadget |date=April 12, 2018 |access-date=May 22, 2018 |archive-date=May 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523011612/https://www.engadget.com/2018/04/12/god-of-war-review/ |url-status=live}} Nick Plessas of Electronic Gaming Monthly said the story's most-memorable moments were the interactions between Kratos and Atreus. He also noted: "There is often some comic relief to be found when Kratos' curtness and Atreus' charming naivety collide".{{cite magazine |last=Plessas |first=Nick |date=April 12, 2018 |url=http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/god-of-war-review/ |title=God of War review |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=EGM Media, LLC |access-date=April 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413205051/http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/god-of-war-review/ |archive-date=April 13, 2018 |url-status=dead }} Briana Lawrence of The Mary Sue said Kratos and Atreus's father-son adventure reminded them that they were not alone,{{cite web |last1=Lawrence |first1=Briana |title=Kratos and Atreus Remind Us That We're Not Alone Before Revealing the Release Date of 'God of War Ragnarök' |url=https://www.themarysue.com/god-of-war-ragnarok-release-date/ |website=The Mary Sue |accessdate=April 8, 2024 |date=July 6, 2022}} while Jakejames Lugo of Red Bull said the father-son-duo shared a remarkable relationship and made for a stunning virtual photography subject.{{cite web |last1=Lugo |first1=Jakejames |title=Kratos and Atreus: The Dynamic Duo in God of War |url=https://www.redbull.com/us-en/god-of-war-kratos-atreus-virtual-photography |website=Red Bull |accessdate=March 8, 2024 |date=May 21, 2021 }} Kratos was cited as one of the best video game characters of the 2010s by Polygon writer Colin Campbell, particularly his appearance, and wrote: "In 2018's God of War, [Kratos] retains his skills as a warrior, but is now a father whose gruff, tough-love approach to parenting belies a touching capacity for love and tenderness toward his son, and a deep grief for his late wife".{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2019/11/27/20974490/greatest-video-game-characters-2019-2010-skyrim-witcher-splatoon |title=The 70 best video game characters of the decade |work=Polygon |last=Colin |first=Campbell |date=November 27, 2019 |access-date=December 30, 2019 |archive-date=November 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127184110/https://www.polygon.com/features/2019/11/27/20974490/greatest-video-game-characters-2019-2010-skyrim-witcher-splatoon |url-status=live }}

Kratos has also been criticized, predominantly during the Greek era of the series. Prince of Persia producer Ben Mattes said he considered 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".As quoted in Gary Steinman's "Prince of Persia: Anatomy of a Prince," PlayStation: The Official Magazine 13 (December 2008): 50. Jeremy "Norm" Scott, creator of the comic strip Hsu and Chan, stated in Electronic Gaming Monthly Kratos was average and "did not exist, except as an avatar for the player".{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=8979118&publicUserId=5811079 |title=Hsu and Chan : 3D World, 2D Personality |date=January 21, 2009 |last=Scott |first=Norm |work=1UP |access-date=July 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015142809/http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=8979118&publicUserId=5811079 |archive-date=October 15, 2012 |url-status=dead }} Jesse Schedeen of IGN described Kratos as the sixth-most-overrated video game character and said: "Kratos is the typical testosterone-fueled He-Man that modern entertainment has too much of".{{cite web |url=http://uk.stars.ign.com/articles/976/976353p3.html |title=Top 10 Most Overrated Videogame Characters |date=April 24, 2009 |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |work=IGN |access-date=July 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213133738/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/04/24/top-10-most-overrated-videogame-characters?page=3 |archive-date=December 13, 2012 |url-status=dead }} Dante Douglas of Paste referred to power fantasy as the "Muscle-Bound Warrior Man" and said it was the commonest way men are sexualized in video games. According to Douglas, one well-known example was Kratos, whom he also cited as being characterized by hypermasculinity. He also said one of the primary distinctions between the sexualization of female characters and Kratos, and other instances of "power fantasy", was their agency. Rather than being intended for sexual stimulation, the male character's sexual activities served as avatars for straight male gamers to demonstrate their might through conquest.{{cite web |last1=Douglas |first1=Dante |title=The Three Modes of Male Sexuality in Videogames |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/the-three-modes-of-male-sexuality-in-videogames/ |website=Paste |accessdate=May 10, 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510125748/https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/the-three-modes-of-male-sexuality-in-videogames/ |archivedate=May 10, 2020 |date=April 7, 2016 |url-status=live}} Jaffe expressed distaste for the direction of Kratos's character development in the Norse era games, saying experiences reflective of ageing developers were ill-fitting for the character.{{cite web |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2023/12/god-of-war-creator-says-kratos-has-lost-his-way |first=Khayl |last=Adam |website=Push Square |title=God of War Creator Says Kratos Has Lost His Way |date=December 19, 2023 |access-date=January 8, 2024 |archive-date=January 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108223702/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2023/12/god-of-war-creator-says-kratos-has-lost-his-way |url-status=live}}

File:Christopher Judge (15229011611).jpg 's performance as Kratos in 2018's God of War and its 2022 sequel Ragnarök was met with acclaim.]]

During the 9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, Terrence C. Carson's portrayal of Kratos in the original God of War was awarded with Outstanding Character Performance – Male by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences;{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2006&idGame=111 |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details God of War |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |website=interactive.org |access-date=8 December 2023 |archive-date=May 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531162837/https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2006&idGame=111 |url-status=live }} a few years later, Carson's performance in God of War III received a nomination for Outstanding Character Performance during the 14th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards.{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2011&idGame=1126 |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details God of War III |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |website=interactive.org |access-date=8 December 2023 |archive-date=December 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215213401/https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2011&idGame=1126 |url-status=live }} At the 2010 Spike Video Game Awards, Kratos was nominated for "Character of the Year" and awarded "Biggest Badass".{{cite web |url=http://www.totallygn.com/2010/12/11/2010-spike-video-game-awards-results/ |title=2010 Spike Video Game Awards Results |date=December 11, 2010 |last=Hofer |first=Brandon |publisher=Totally Gaming Network |access-date=July 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611030401/http://www.totallygn.com/2010/12/2010-spike-video-game-awards-results/ |archive-date=June 11, 2012 |url-status=dead }} GameSpot included Kratos in its "All Time Greatest Video Game Hero" contest, in which the character reached the "Elite Eight" round before losing to Mario.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/greatest-video-game-hero/standings/index.html |title=All Time Greatest Video Game Hero contest at Gamespot.com – Standings |work=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=July 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121208202336/http://www.gamespot.com/greatest-video-game-hero/standings/index.html |archive-date=December 8, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

The portrayal of Kratos in God of War (2018) was received favorably by the industry, with the character's new voice actor Christopher Judge earning a BAFTA Award for Performer at the 15th British Academy Games Awards.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-47817730 |title=God of War wins best game at Bafta Awards |first1=Chris |last1=Fox |first2=Zoe |last2=Kleinman |date=April 4, 2019 |access-date=December 19, 2019 |publisher=BBC |archive-date=August 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828222157/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-47817730 |url-status=live }} He was also nominated for Best Performance at The Game Awards 2018.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/game-awards-nominees-1203027128/ |title='God of War,' 'Red Dead Redemption II' Tie For Most Game Awards Noms |first=Brian |last=Crecente |date=November 13, 2018 |access-date=November 13, 2018 |work=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113195202/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/game-awards-nominees-1203027128/ |archive-date=November 13, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} While he did not win the award in 2018, Judge won Best Performance for his performance as Kratos in God of War Ragnarök at The Game Awards 2022.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/god-of-war-christopher-judge-the-game-awards-2022-1849872823 |title=God of War's Christopher Judge Stole The Game Awards With Fire Fit, Epic Speech |date=December 8, 2022 |last=Jackson |first=Claire |work=Kotaku |publisher=Gawker Media |access-date=December 21, 2022 |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209030251/https://kotaku.com/god-of-war-christopher-judge-the-game-awards-2022-1849872823 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-game-awards-2022-winners |title=The Game Awards 2022 Winners: The Full List |last=Plant |first=Logan |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=December 8, 2022 |accessdate=December 9, 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209033254/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-game-awards-2022-winners |archivedate=December 9, 2022 |url-status=live }} For both God of War (2018) and Ragnarök, Judge's portrayal won him and the creative team the Outstanding Achievement in Character awards from the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2019&idGame=1613 |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details God of War |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |website=interactive.org |access-date=8 December 2023 |archive-date=June 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601135110/https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2019&idGame=1613 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2023&idGame=1853 |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details God of War Ragnarok |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |website=interactive.org |access-date=8 December 2023 |archive-date=April 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426213848/https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2023&idGame=1853 |url-status=live }} In 2024, a poll conducted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) with around 4,000 respondents named Kratos as the ninth-most-iconic video-game character of all time.{{Cite news |author=Ollie Reynolds |title=Random: BAFTA's 'Iconic Game Characters' Poll Has Us Scratching Our Heads |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/04/random-baftas-iconic-game-characters-poll-has-us-scratching-our-heads |work=Nintendo Life |date=April 3, 2024 |accessdate=April 8, 2024}}

File:God-of-War-Ascension-Collectors-Edition-Kratos-Statue-002.jpg

The National Entertainment Collectibles Association (NECA) produced two series of action figures based on God of War II. The first set included two versions of Kratos; one wielding the Blades of Athena, and the other wearing the Golden Fleece and holding a Gorgon's head. The second set included a {{convert|12|inch|cm|abbr=on|spell=in}} figure that played six game quotes.{{cite web|url=http://www.necaonline.com/article/detail/68 |title=Kratos Gets Packaged |publisher=National Entertainment Collectibles Association |date=February 20, 2007 |access-date=March 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080223100624/http://www.necaonline.com/article/detail/68 |archive-date=February 23, 2008 |url-status=dead }} A second two-figure set was released, with Kratos wearing the God of War armor.{{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 |access-date=March 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218051831/http://www.necaonline.com/product/detail/49307 |archive-date=February 18, 2008 |url-status=dead }} In October 2009, United Cutlery created a scaled replica of Kratos's Blades of Chaos that included a custom display stand with the God of War logo.{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/07/22/sony-announces-partnerships-to-produce-products-for-god-of-war-franchise |title=Sony Announces Partnerships to Produce Products for God of War Franchise |date=July 22, 2009 |work=IGN |access-date=November 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029090836/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/07/22/sony-announces-partnerships-to-produce-products-for-god-of-war-franchise |archive-date=October 29, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

Kratos was featured in a line of action figures DC Unlimited released and based on God of War III; this line included the characters Zeus, Hades, and Hercules.{{cite web|url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/106/1069212p1.html |title=God of War Toys Coming |work=IGN |last=George |first=Richard |date=February 12, 2010 |access-date=July 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217085149/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/02/12/god-of-war-toys-coming |archive-date=February 17, 2013 |url-status=dead }} Between February 1, 2010, and March 31, 2010, the convenience store chain 7-Eleven sold a limited-edition Slurpee drink called "Kratos Fury" and four exclusive God of War III cups bearing codes that could be used to access God of War III and Slurpee-themed downloadable content on the Slurpee website.{{cite web|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/01/29/kratos-fury-invading-local-7-eleven-stores/ |title=Kratos Fury Invading Local 7-Eleven Stores |date=January 29, 2010 |last=Brody |first=Evan |work=PlayStation.Blog |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America |access-date=July 21, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121226144625/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/01/29/kratos-fury-invading-local-7-eleven-stores/ |archive-date=December 26, 2012 |url-status=dead }} The video game website X-Play filmed a parody music video of Robin Thicke's "Sex Therapy"{{cite web|first=Andrew|last=Yoon|title=Kratos offers some 'Sex Therapy' in X-Play music video|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010-03-15-kratos-offers-some-sex-therapy-in-x-play-music-video.html|website=Engadget|date=March 15, 2010|access-date=June 3, 2021|archive-date=June 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603203747/https://www.engadget.com/2010-03-15-kratos-offers-some-sex-therapy-in-x-play-music-video.html|url-status=live}} in which Jessica Blake played Aphrodite.{{cite web|first=Nick|last=Chester|title=God of War's Kratos gets all smooth R&B on your ass|date=March 15, 2010|url=https://www.destructoid.com/god-of-wars-kratos-gets-all-smooth-rb-on-your-ass/|website=Destructoid|access-date=June 3, 2021|archive-date=July 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715224855/https://www.destructoid.com/god-of-wars-kratos-gets-all-smooth-rb-on-your-ass/|url-status=live}}

Kratos's visage has appeared on the PlayStation Portable exclusive bundle pack Chains of Olympus,{{cite press release|url=http://psp.ign.com/articles/878/878728p1.html |title=God of War PSP Pack Now Available |date=June 3, 2008 |work=IGN |access-date=June 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026110037/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/06/03/god-of-war-psp-pack-now-available |archive-date=October 26, 2012 |url-status=dead }} and on the PlayStation 3 God of War III sweepstakes prize video game consoles.{{cite web|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/03/15/god-of-war-iii-launch-special-tonight-on-spike-tv-midnight-launch-events-at-game-stop/ |title=God of War III Launch Special Tonight on SPIKE TV + Midnight Launch Events! |date=March 15, 2010 |last=Levine |first=Eric |work=PlayStation.Blog |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |access-date=June 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019045304/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/03/15/god-of-war-iii-launch-special-tonight-on-spike-tv-midnight-launch-events-at-game-stop/ |archive-date=October 19, 2012 |url-status=dead }} A limited-edition, {{convert|10|in|cm|adj=on|spell=in}} figurine of Kratos was the grand prize of a sweepstakes in a promotion for God of War Collection in November 2009.{{cite web|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/11/the-god-of-war-collection-sweepstakes/ |title=God of War Collection Spartan Army Sweepstakes |date=November 25, 2009 |last=Weissbaum |first=William |work=PlayStation.Blog |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America |access-date=June 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015004730/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/11/24/the-god-of-war-collection-sweepstakes/ |archive-date=October 15, 2012 |url-status=dead }} A {{convert|6|in|adj=on|spell=in}} figure of Kratos was included in the God of War: Ascension—Collector's Edition.{{cite web|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/06/04/e3-2012-god-of-war-ascension-unleashes-on-ps3-next-march/ |title=E3 2012: God of War: Ascension Unleashes on PS3 Next March |date=June 4, 2012 |last=Papy |first=Todd |work=PlayStation.Blog |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America |access-date=June 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109123022/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/06/04/e3-2012-god-of-war-ascension-unleashes-on-ps3-next-march/ |archive-date=November 9, 2012 |url-status=dead }} In June 2014, a Kratos Pop! Vinyl Figure was released.{{cite web|url=http://popvinyl.net/news/god-war-kratos-pop-vinyl/|title=God of War Kratos POP Vinyl|date=June 9, 2014|author=John|publisher=PopVinyl.net|access-date=May 5, 2014|archive-date=April 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419021221/http://popvinyl.net/news/god-war-kratos-pop-vinyl/|url-status=live}}

The same year, Sony partnered with Gaming Heads to produce a limited-edition (500 units), life-size bust of Kratos. It is {{convert|28|in|cm|abbr=out}} tall and sits upon a Greek-inspired column.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/01/30/life-size-kratos-bust-available-for-preorder.aspx |title=Life Size Kratos Bust Available For Preorder |date=January 30, 2014 |last=Federspiel |first=Isaac |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=GameStop |access-date=February 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331203314/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/01/30/life-size-kratos-bust-available-for-preorder.aspx |archive-date=March 31, 2015 |url-status=live }} One hundred units of a "Fear Kratos" version of the bust that was based on the Fear Kratos costume from God of War III were also produced that year.{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/kratos-is-even-more-imposing-without-arms-1632623300 |title=Kratos Is Even More Imposing Without Arms |date=September 9, 2014 |last=LeJacq |first=Yannick |work=Kotaku |publisher=Gawker Media |access-date=April 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315074524/http://kotaku.com/kratos-is-even-more-imposing-without-arms-1632623300 |archive-date=March 15, 2015 |url-status=dead }} In 2015, Sony again partnered with Gaming Heads to produce a limited-edition (1,250 units), lunging Kratos statue that is {{convert|19|in|cm|abbr=out}} tall and depicts Kratos wielding the Blades of Exile.{{cite web|url=http://gameidealist.com/news/god-war-lunging-kratos-statue-gaming-heads-gets-release-date/ |title=God of War: Lunging Kratos Statue from Gaming Heads gets release date |date=February 2, 2015 |last=Lee |first=Oscar |publisher=Game Idealist |access-date=February 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321003330/http://gameidealist.com/news/god-war-lunging-kratos-statue-gaming-heads-gets-release-date/ |archive-date=March 21, 2015 |url-status=dead }} For the God of War franchise's 10th anniversary in March 2015, Gaming Heads produced two limited-edition "Kratos on the Throne" statues, depicting the final scene of the original God of War game. Both statues are {{convert|29|in|cm|abbr=out}} tall; the Regular Edition (1,250 units) depicts Kratos in his normal attire and the Exclusive Edition (500 units) depicts Kratos in his God of War armor.{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/22/god-of-wars-kratos-takes-the-throne-in-new-collectible-statue |title=God of War's Kratos Takes the Throne in New Collectible Statue |date=March 21, 2015 |last=Haas |first=Rachel |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=March 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325144455/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/22/god-of-wars-kratos-takes-the-throne-in-new-collectible-statue |archive-date=March 25, 2015 |url-status=dead }} In November 2015, Sony announced it would release a new Kratos statue the following month to celebrate God of War{{'}}s 10-year anniversary. Santa Monica designed the limited edition (500 units), polystone statue, which is over {{convert|26|in|cm|abbr=out}} tall and includes leather, cloth, and metal pieces.{{cite web|url=http://gear.playstation.com/en-us/brands/god-of-war/kratos-statue.html|title=Kratos Statue|date=November 2015|publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America|access-date=November 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305052614/http://gear.playstation.com/en-us/brands/god-of-war/kratos-statue.html|archive-date=March 5, 2017|url-status=dead}} In 2023, a rubber duck depicting Kratos was made.{{cite web | url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2023/06/random-god-of-war-rangaroks-kratos-and-atreus-have-been-turned-into-rubber-ducks |author=Stephen Tailby |website=Push Square| title=Random: God of War Rangarok's Kratos and Atreus Have Been Turned into Rubber Ducks | date=June 27, 2023 | access-date=July 1, 2023 | archive-date=July 1, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701084353/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2023/06/random-god-of-war-rangaroks-kratos-and-atreus-have-been-turned-into-rubber-ducks | url-status=live }}

• Kratos (mythology)
• Fárbauti
• Characters of God of War

• {{Cite news|last= Stanley|first=Alyse|date=November 11, 2022|title=The evolution of Kratos|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2022/11/11/kratos-god-of-war-evolution-story/|access-date=December 23, 2022|newspaper=The Washington Post}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Refbegin}}

• {{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|ref=artgallery}}
• {{citation|last=Chmielewski|first=Sylwia|year=2016|chapter=C://Hercules in Computer Games/A Heroic Evolution|title=Antiquity in Popular Literature and Culture|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cNL6DAAAQBAJ&q=Kratos&pg=PA188|editor1-last=Dominas|editor1-first=Konrad|editor2-last=Wesołowska|editor2-first=Elżbieta|editor3-last=Trocha|editor3-first=Bogdan|location=Cambridge, England|publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing|isbn=978-1-4438-9024-3|pages=177–192}}
• {{citation|last=Lowe|first=Dunstan|year=2009|chapter=Playing with Antiquity: Videogame Receptions of the Classical World|title=Classics For All: Reworking Antiquity in Mass Culture|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=350YBwAAQBAJ&q=Prometheus+Bound&pg=PA82|editor1-last=Lowe|editor1-first=Dunstan|editor2-last=Shahabudin|editor2-first=Kim|location=Cambridge, England|publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing|isbn=978-1-4438-0120-1|pages=64–90}}
• {{citation|last=Martin|first=Richard|year=2016|title=Classical Mythology: The Basics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1CYRDAAAQBAJ&q=Kratos+Prometheus+Bound+God+of+War&pg=PA163|location= New York City, New York and London, England|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-315-72718-9}}
• {{citation|last1=Quinio|first1=Charles|last2=Weller|first2=Peter|author2-link=Peter Weller|last3=Iovanovici|first3=Zoran|last4=Lape|first4=Susan|last5=Purves|first5=Alex|last6=Madden|first6=John|last7=Asmussen|first7=Stig|author7-link=Stig Asmussen|year=2010|title=God of War: Unearthing the Legend|medium=Documentary|language=en|time=00:35:33|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=Santa Monica Studio|ref=GodofWar}}

{{Refend}}

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{{God of War series|state=expanded}}

{{Soul characters}}

{{Mortal Kombat}}

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