When a single character has existed for therefore lengthy that they’ve challenged the gods of not one however two mythologies, you simply know they’ve had a number of adventures. Kratos, star of each God of War recreation because the sequence’ debut in 2005, has hacked, slashed, and bludgeoned his approach by way of seven core video games, together with his eighth launching quickly in November. Each and each recreation has been a gentle enchancment, but it surely wasn’t till 2018’s semi-reboot merely known as God of War that the sequence obtained close to common acclaim and monumental gross sales numbers.
Because every recreation has bought higher than the final, it solely stands to motive that most individuals have performed the latest entry within the sequence with out many, and even any, of the prior entries. While having no prior information received’t spoil the expertise, figuring out the total historical past and sequence of occasions that lead as much as the present occasions in Kratos’ life make his progress and struggles one thing you possibly can actually make investments your self into. There are a number of video games unfold throughout a number of techniques, although, which might make it a giant monetary and time funding, so the subsequent smartest thing can be to take a look at our abstract of the complete story of God of War thus far.
Note: Spoiler Alert! This shouldn’t be mandatory, however simply in case it wasn’t clear, we will probably be spoiling the plot for each God of War recreation launched! If you haven’t performed a selected recreation but and plan on it, learn on at your individual danger!
Further studying
Backstory
Before we begin going by way of Kratos’ life recreation by recreation in chronological order, moderately than launch order for comfort sake, we need to briefly go over who Kratos is and what he’s all about. A variety of his character is predicated on issues that occur earlier than any of the video games, so it’s essential to set that up first to know why he’s the way in which he’s as soon as we bounce into the god-slaying.
Kratos is a demigod from start, that means he’s half god and half mortal. His father was none aside from the king of the gods, no less than in Greek mythology: Zeus. Zeus was additionally his brother Deimos’ father as properly, and when Zeus discovered that there was a prophecy that one in all his children was going to kill him, he despatched Athena and Ares to kill Deimos. Both of them have been nonetheless children on the time, and Kratos couldn’t do something to cease them. Ares gave Kratos his first scar over his eye. To honor his fallen brother, Kratos will get his iconic purple tattoos.
Fast ahead to maturity, and Kratos crammed out to be an absolute brick of a Spartan soldier. He finds a spouse and has a daughter named Calliope, however she’s not a really wholesome child and finally ends up catching the plague. If you noticed 300, then you know the way Spartans really feel about weak children. Well, Kratos isn’t about to let his daughter get tossed off some cliff to die and goes off to get the one remedy: Ambrosia. He faces off towards loads of different warriors on his quest however finally ends up retrieving the mythic meals, saving his daughter, and changing into a captain within the Spartan military. Life sounds fairly good for our hero thus far, doesn’t it?
Well, issues begin going downhill quick from there. Kratos is an excellent soldier. Like, severely good. He loves killing a lot that he turns into well-known for it and finally ends up being a goal of a barbarian military. Despite being a demigod, Kratos is definitely about to lose right here till he begs Ares, promising to serve the god of conflict if he saves him. Ares, with plots of his personal in his head, is down for this deal and provides Kratos the Blades of Chaos. And by offers, we imply he burns the chains to his arms so he’ll always remember his promise.
After that, Kratos turns into Ares’ lapdog, pillaging and murdering within the god’s title. Now, if it wasn’t clear but, gods are type of jerks and can spoil folks’s lives for amusing in the event that they really feel prefer it. Ares figures that it will be actually cool to teleport Kratos’ spouse and daughter right into a village Kratos is within the technique of slaughtering. Obviously not anticipating to seek out his household there, it isn’t till after the truth that Kratos realizes he unintentionally murdered his household.
He cremates his household in a fireplace, the place he sees a imaginative and prescient of Ares completely hyped about how dropping his household will make Kratos a greater, stronger soldier. Kratos, understandably, isn’t as pumped about this and swears revenge towards Ares however can also be cursed by an oracle to put on the ashes of his spouse and daughter on his pores and skin for the remainder of his life. Bummer.
In quick, the purple tattoo is for his useless brother, the white pores and skin is the ashes of his useless household, and the enormous blades chained to his arms are the Blades of Chaos he obtained for promising to serve Ares. Got it? Cool. Let’s get to the video games.
God of War: Ascension
Chronologically, God of War: Ascension is the earliest level within the timeline the place we play as Kratos, only a mere six months after murdering his household and changing into the Ghost of Sparta. Six months later, and Kratos continues to be firmly within the anger a part of the seven phases of grief and is able to break his promise to Ares by shoving his blades into his neck if doable. He will get some assist from Ares’ son Orkos, who lets him in on Ares’ true plan for the Spartan. He needed Kratos all huge, robust, and pissed off so he might use him to kill Zeus to permit Ares to take over Olympus.
Ares truly has three children, referred to as the three Furies, who’re in control of punishing traitors and placing them in a jail with a large with 100 arms. So, for Kratos to interrupt his oath to Ares, he must kill the Furies. Simple, proper?
Well, not a lot. Kratos is put in stated jail, tortured, and finally escapes and murders the Furies, together with Orkos, who had solely helped the complete time. This is among the few occasions Kratos isn’t completely satisfied about killing a god.
God of War: Chains of Olympus
Our subsequent cease is the PSP title God of War: Chains of Olympus. This continues to be earlier than the primary recreation, and Kratos is principally an errand boy for the gods (besides Ares, clearly). Most of this recreation has nothing to with something, actually, so we’ll minimize to the chase.
Helios is kidnapped, completely messing up the solar and making a bunch of gods go to sleep. Kratos has to determine what the deal is and finally ends up assembly Hades’ queen Persephone. She provides Kratos an opportunity at reuniting together with his useless daughter in Elysium for the low, low worth of all his powers. This is an apparent trick, and she or he seems to be the one who plotted to kidnap Helios and use Atlas to interrupt the Pillar of the World, which is type of essential. Kratos kills her, makes Atlas return to holding the world on his again once more, and units all the things again to regular.
God of War
After all these diversions, Kratos can lastly get again to his foremost aim of killing Ares, which he’s been continuously screaming about for years. In reality, it’s been 10 years now since he’s been doing chores for the gods, and he’s lastly on the final merchandise on the record from Athena: Kill Ares. Well, isn’t that handy? Only, you possibly can’t simply kill a god so simply, and Kratos might want to discover Pandora’s Box to beat the god of conflict. It’s held in Pandora’s Temple, which is being carried on the again of the titan Cronos. Nothing is ever easy for Kratos, is it?
First discovering the Titan Horn to summon Cronos like some form of large horse, Kratos fights his approach up the titan, into the temple, and is completely sucker punched by Ares. Or, moderately, sucker-impaled by a large stone pillar. Normally, that may be the top of anybody’s quest, however Kratos is so pissed off that he climbs out of the underworld, grabs that silly field, and opens it to achieve godly powers.
Turning right into a kaiju battle, a large Kratos and Ares battle to the dying, and wouldn’t it, wins! At this level, Kratos realizes that getting revenge didn’t truly remedy his issues. Funny, that. When he tries to kill himself, Athena as a substitute makes him the brand new god of conflict.
God of War: Ghost of Sparta
As the outdated saying goes, Kratos would both die a hero or stay lengthy sufficient to see himself change into the god of conflict (or one thing like that). Either approach, Kratos is now a full-fledged god however is principally again the place he began and is simply taking orders from the opposite gods once more. First up, go destroy the Ambrosia that Ares’ followers might doubtlessly use to resurrect him. Kratos clearly doesn’t need that, so he’s down for the duty.
On the way in which, although, he immediately remembers he has a mother and wonders how she’s doing. So, one journey to Atlantis later, he reunites along with her and learns that his brother Deimos is definitely nonetheless alive! This is the primary time within the video games we’ve ever heard about Kratos’ brother, and boy, oh boy, does it sound like a significant piece of fan fiction. He’s apparently being tortured by Thanatos, the dying god. His mother then turns right into a monster as a result of… causes, and Kratos has to kill one more member of the family.
After killing his mother, Kratos finds and frees the titan Thera, which is type of a mistake, because it causes Atlantis to sink. Bummer. Anyway, Kratos fights some gods and enters Thanatos’ temple to rescue his brother, solely Deimos isn’t all that completely satisfied to see Kratos as a result of, , Kratos by no means tried to avoid wasting him. This is truthful, however the two battle for some time till Thanatos reveals up. The two staff up, however Deimos nonetheless finally ends up biting the mud. Kratos provides this to his rising record of causes to hate the gods.
God of War 2
Because God of War 2 was made earlier than Ghost of Sparta, you possibly can just about neglect all that when leaping to this recreation. It opens with Kratos, nonetheless a god, main a Spartan military in an assault on Athens, though all the opposite gods are completely not down with him doing that. Zeus himself decides Kratos must be humbled and sucks out all his god powers, brings him the Colossus of Rhodes, and provides him the Blade of Olympus that drains much more of his energy to beat the statue. After all these debuffs and being tremendous drained from combating the enormous statue, Zeus is available in and finishes him off when Kratos refuses to be his errand boy. What a punk.
Back within the underworld — Kratos ought to severely take into account investing in his personal property there contemplating how typically he’s despatched down there — the titan Gaia says she desires to staff up towards Zeus as revenge for him overthrowing the titans. She says he can rewind time if he finds the Fates so he can get the Blade of Olympus again, and thus regain his god powers that he must beat Zeus.
Kratos goes on a quest to seek out all these Fates, none of which need to assist him, so Kratos asks further properly till they do. Just kidding, he straight-up murders all of them and takes their time powers. Using them, Kratos goes again to his battle with Zeus, and this time, is poised to win. He’s about to deal the ultimate blow with the sword when Athena pulls a “get down, Mr. President!” and takes the hit for him. Zeus will get away, and Athena tells Kratos that he’s destined to kill him, however that it’s an excellent dangerous concept. Like, finish of the world dangerous, however Kratos is just too pissed to care. He travels again in time as soon as extra to avoid wasting all of the titans from being killed in that conflict, and so they all staff as much as make one last assault on Olympus itself. It’s go time — as soon as the sequel comes out.
God of War 3
After the most important sequel tease since Halo 2, God of War 3 picks up proper the place you hoped it will: Kratos driving the titans as they climb up Mt. Olympus to take the battle to Zeus and no matter gods are left. This is an enormous battle, with titans falling left and proper, and Kratos having an epic, multi-phase battle towards Poseidon. Killing the god of the seas seems to not be that good, and the ocean goes utterly uncontrolled, principally wiping out everybody in Greece, however that’s probably not Kratos’ downside.
What is Kratos’ downside is when Zeus begins combating him and Gaia, pushing them right down to the underworld (yeah, once more). Gaia, clearly not figuring out who she’s coping with, lets Kratos fall to avoid wasting herself, calling him only a “tool.” Back in his residence away from residence, Athena seems as a ghost to assist Kratos now and tells him how he can lastly beat Zeus. The trick is to seek out the Flame of Olympus and put it out. Sounds easy sufficient, so Kratos begins his journey, placing down main gamers on the way in which, like Hades, Helios, Hermes, Hercules, Perses, Cronos, and Hera. Each fallen god sends the world into additional chaos, just like the solar going darkish and plagues sweeping the land. Again, not Kratos’ downside.
On the way in which, Kratos additionally will get some candy revenge on Gaia for letting him fall. He doesn’t kill Aphrodite, although, however does have an excellent time earlier than killing her husband like a complete Chad. He does all that, not simply because he’s type of a D-bag, however as a result of Pandora, the precise woman, is the one factor that may put out the Flames of Olympus — and she or he’s the daughter of Aphrodite. She’s additionally the important thing to the field named after her, which is what the Flames of Olympus shield — a significant oversight when you consider it.
Kratos kidnaps Pandora, takes her to the flame, and has to battle off Zeus whereas she sacrifices herself to place it out and free the field. When the field opens, although, it’s truly empty! What!? While shocked by this, Gaia, who wasn’t fairly useless, assaults the 2 of them. Kratos makes use of the Blade of Olympus to complete off the pesky titan and impale Zeus in a single environment friendly thrust. Zeus, not achieved but, assaults Kratos’ thoughts, clearly his weak level, together with his recollections. He has to resist all of the horrible issues he did, like, , killing his household, and manages to flee as soon as he learns to forgive himself. Once he snaps free, Kratos beats Zeus to dying together with his naked arms.
Ghost Athena seems once more and tells him that the primary time he opened Pandora’s Box approach again within the first recreation, it corrupted all of the gods with concern however powered Kratos with hope. She desires that energy to restore the world he utterly trashed by killing the gods, however Kratos doesn’t let her have it. Instead, he performs a type of Seduku with the Blade of Olympus to kill himself and provides hope to all of mankind. How candy, proper?
Except that, after the credit, we reduce to the place Kratos supposedly killed himself and discover that his physique shouldn’t be there, and there’s a path of blood main away.
God of War (2018)
While we by no means actually get a solution as to how Kratos survived shoving an enormous sword by way of his personal chest, not to mention traveled the world over into a brand new realm solely, he no less than does bear a scar. Also, a beard. Oh, and he additionally met a girl named Faye, married her, and had a son he named Atreus. Have questions? Too dangerous, as a result of most received’t be answered. What we are able to assume is that a number of time has handed and that each one the world-ending stuff brought on by killing the Greek gods didn’t impression locations with their very own gods — or one thing.
Anyway, Kratos and Faye by no means advised Atreus about Kratos’ colourful previous. In reality, primarily based on how they work together, we are able to assume Kratos didn’t actually discuss to Atreus a lot in any respect rising up. The recreation opens after Faye has died, although, forcing Kratos to really, , acknowledge his son for a change. She had two dying needs. First, for Kratos to chop down some specifically marked bushes. Secondly, for the 2 of them to hold her ashes to the best peak within the Nine Realms to scatter them. That first one seems to be an excellent humorous prank, since these bushes stored the Norse gods from seeing them, and as soon as they’re minimize down, properly, one reveals proper as much as confront the god from one other world.
Kratos and Baldur have a Dragon Ball Z-style battle, however Baldur is seemingly invincible and unable to really feel ache. Kratos snaps his neck and throws him off a cliff, which retains him occupied lengthy sufficient for him and Atreus to seize the ashes, his new Leviathan axe (the Blades of Chaos are nowhere to be seen, however he nonetheless has the scars from their chains), and head off to climb the tallest mountain.
On the way in which, they meet a few pleasant dwarf brothers that give Atreus some helpful mistletoe arrows — although they aren’t pleasant with one another — and a mysterious witch who tells them that one thing known as a Black Breath is obstructing the way in which to the highest of the mountain. To do away with that nasty odor, they’ll want the Light of Alfheim to clear it, which, wouldn’t it, can solely be picked up in Alfheim. To get there, they should go to Tyr’s Temple, which is in the course of the Lake of the Nine, the place they meet the pleasant Jormungandr — aka the World Serpent.
One huge diversion later, the 2 carry the sunshine again, clear the Black Breath, and climb all the way in which up the mountain. At the highest, a dude fused to a tree is being questioned by two brutes, Magni and Modi, who’re two of Thor’s sons. Once they filter, Kratos goes up and meets the poor horned dude named Mimir. He tells them that — uh-oh — this isn’t the tallest peak within the Nine Realms, but it surely’s truly the one in Jotunheim, the land of the giants. The solely technique to get there may be together with his assist, so Kratos cuts his head off, hooks it on his belt, and the three associates go off for a ship experience, telling tales alongside the way in which (actually, there are a ton of tales).
Mimir reveals that the witch they met is definitely Freya, the estranged spouse of Odin (additionally the mom of Baldur, trace trace), however they go away all that household drama alone. Still making an attempt to get to Jotunheim, Magni and Modi monitor them down and power them right into a battle underneath Odin’s orders. During the battle, to make one other DBZ reference, Atreus pulls a Gohan and rages out, and so they kill Magni. This rage, coming from the godly heritage he doesn’t find out about, offers him a depraved cough. Freya can’t remedy him with no particular coronary heart he can solely get from Helheim (aka one more underworld). Also, his Leviathan axe received’t do diddly squat there.
With no selection, Kratos goes again residence and opens a secret compartment underneath his mattress to retrieve the shameful secret he needed to maintain hidden from Atreus (no, not magazines): the Blades of Chaos. These weapons are good for killing underworld, or Helheim, monsters, and he’s in a position to get the center and remedy his little boy’s cough. He lastly comes clear about being a god, which Atreus, similar to any younger child would, is tremendous enthusiastic about. Maybe he’s a bit too excited, although, and begins getting somewhat huge for his britches, straight-up murdering Modi subsequent time he reveals up, getting the 2 despatched right down to Helheim by Baldur.
However, for Kratos, you need to know that getting despatched to Helheim can be a mere speedbump, and the 2 are again on the street to Jotunheim. Everything is ready, however Baldur comes at them another time. Freya reveals up whereas combating, clearly not wanting them to kill her son, however Baldur truly hates his mother for making him proof against ache, resulting in a really awkward scenario. Kratos stops Baldur from killing Freya, utilizing his private expertise with killing his mother and father to speak him down, however Atreus hits him with a mistletoe arrow, his one weak spot! Now in a position to really feel and die, Kratos is pressured to kill him to avoid wasting Freya. She’s, like, actually pissed about this, however she received’t do something about it fairly but.
Finally, in Jotunheim, Kratos and Atreus study that Faye was a large and that all of them appear to be useless. They additionally see some very disturbing wall artwork closely implying Kratos may be in some critical hassle quickly. While scattering the ashes, we study that Atreus was the title Kratos needed for his son, however Faye had given him the enormous title of Loki. If something about Norse mythology, that’s a giant uh-oh proper there.
Going residence for a well-deserved nap, Fimbulwinter, a magic winter that’s further chilly that comes earlier than Ragnarok, begins up. That’s bizarre, as a result of it was scheduled to come back 100 years later, so it’s a bit early.
God of War: Ragnarok
God of War: Ragnarok hasn’t launched but, however we do know a couple of factors concerning the recreation from advertising and marketing supplies and a few transient descriptions. First, this recreation will bounce forward a couple of years, as indicated by the apparent ageing up of Atreus. We additionally see the return of Mimir and a really offended Freya who will in all probability be one of many foremost antagonists. We additionally get a glimpse of Kratos and Atreus assembly the Norse god of conflict Tyr, presumably to recruit him to try to cease Ragnarok, which needs to be a really fascinating encounter.
A full plot synopsis was posted on the official retailer web page for the sport, which reads as such:
“Fimbulwinter is well underway. Kratos and Atreus must journey to each of the Nine Realms in search of answers as Asgardian forces prepare for a prophesied battle that will end the world. Along the way they will explore stunning, mythical landscapes, and face fearsome enemies in the form of Norse gods and monsters. The threat of Ragnarök grows ever closer. Kratos and Atreus must choose between their own safety and the safety of the realms.”
That doesn’t say a lot we didn’t already suspect, aside from the truth that this time round we are going to apparently be visiting each one of many Nine Realms. How a lot time we are going to spend in every and the way expansive every one is stays to be seen, however that could be a very fascinating prospect to think about. For these unaware, all Nine realms are:
Niflheim: The realm of fog and mist. Considered the darkest and coldest realm, it’s residence to the oldest spring on the earth known as Hvergelmir, which is protected by a dragon named Nidhug.
Muspelheim: The land of fireplace. We went right here in God of War (2018), although it was a really small and never plot related space.
Asgard: Home of the gods. This is the Norse equal of Olympus and the place Odin and the opposite nice gods stay. If Kratos finally ends up taking the battle to Odin himself, that is in all probability the place the ultimate battle will occur.
Midgard: Home of the people. This is the “normal” world the place you spent many of the recreation in 2018 and certain will once more on this one.
Jotunheim: Home of the giants. The last location of the final recreation, it’s unclear why we might return right here since all of the giants are apparently useless. Perhaps there’s some artifact or weapon right here they should acquire.
Vanaheim: Home of the Vanir. Vanir are the older department of gods in Norse mythology. They had a conflict with the Aesir (Odin and people “newer” gods) and solely three survived: Freya, Njord, and Freyr.
Alfheim: Home of the sunshine elves. Another realm we spent an excellent period of time in in God of War (2018). However, final we noticed it, this place wasn’t doing so properly.
Svartalfheim: Home of the dwarves. Brok and Sindri are the one two dwarves we’ve met, and these gifted blacksmiths are certain to play a giant supporting position in Ragnarok. Considering they typically want particular, uncommon, or in any other case magical objects to enhance the issues they will smith, it will make sense that they ship you to their residence for a brand new instrument or one thing to offer you a weapon able to taking down the gods.
Helheim: Home of the useless. If there’s one place you possibly can rely on going no less than as soon as, it’s the Norse underworld. It wouldn’t be a God of War recreation if Kratos didn’t get despatched right here no less than as soon as. According to the parable, Hel, the ruler of Helheim and daughter of Loki, will unleash all of the useless in Helheim originally of Ragnarok to assault the gods at Vigrid, so maybe killing her will probably be plot vital in the event that they need to stop the apocalypse.
God of War: Ragnarok can also be confirmed to be the ultimate chapter within the Norse saga, so whereas it could not essentially be the top of Kratos or Atreus’ journey, if both or each survive, any future adventures will probably be in one other place and or time.
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