God of War is one of the strongest and most notable first-party franchises under the PlayStation Studios umbrella, and the road to achieving such praise from the gaming community has not been easy. The game developers crafted a beautiful and unique world, highlighting the gods of different mythologies, and used these to tell an original tale while honoring the source material.
The franchise featured a few fan-favorite moments that players often overlook. Here are 11 moments that stood out to the gaming community and will serve as a reminder that Kratos is one of the best video game protagonists ever.
Coming Back from the Dead
Santa Monica Studio does not shy away from the ridiculous and insane nature of Greek mythology and embraces concepts that would benefit the story they envision. Among the great feats Kratos accomplished was fighting his way out of the Underworld after being killed by Ares and returning the favor after a climactic battle.
The gaming community has forgotten how powerful Ares was and was able to open a pocket dimension in the first God of War game, which could have given his fellow gods enough reason to remove him from his office. The Ghost of Sparta made short work of the god and then took his place.
Summoning the World Serpent in the Lake of Nine
The Norse Saga was fresh air for the retired god and introduced him and the gaming community to another pantheon. Despite his best efforts to avoid conflict with the local gods, his promise to his late wife propelled him into the middle.
Atreus and Kratos met Mimir, the smartest man alive and Odin’s former adviser, and sought help from the World Serpent, the last remaining giant on Midgard, during their journey.
Dying, Again in God of War 2
After Ares’ death, Kratos fulfilled his new responsibilities, driven by his contempt for the gods. This led to Zeus intervening and stripping away his godly powers.
Zeus killed him due to his past transgressions and Kratos’ refusal to stand down. This act made Kratos hate the gods even more, leading him to seek revenge by going back in time and forming an alliance with the Titans.
The Opening and Final Battle against Baldur
Fans didn’t know what to expect, but things quickly got exciting. After Faye’s funeral pyre, Baldur looked for the Giant and found a retired god instead.
Baldur’s curse of invulnerability drove him mad and it only took the combined efforts of Kratos and Atreus to relieve him from the curse at the cost of his life. His death kickstarted Fimbulwinter which will lead to Ragnarok.
Heimdall’s Timely Demise
The developers established unique characterizations of these renowned figures. Some players believed Heimdall could have been a perfect match to face the retired god if he had overcome his overconfidence.
The death of Heimdall served as a major tipping point for Kratos, as he feared he would fall back to his form as a god-killer. Despite trying his best to avoid killing him, fate has a funny way of manifesting itself.
Accepting Calliope’s Death in Chains of Olympus
In Chains of Olympus, the God of War was given a brief opportunity to be reunited with his daughter after killing her and his wife in a blind fit of rage. Kratos had to make a tough decision and think of mankind over his daughter, Calliope.
This moment shows Kratos’ emotional strength as he renounces his chance to be with his daughter. Being a god means being burdened with great power, and there will always be threats lurking in the shadows who mean to harm others.
Picking up The Blades of Chaos Again
The Blades of Chaos were hidden underneath Kratos’ new home, and he had no intention of using them ever again. Due to unfortunate circumstances, these cursed weapons always found a way to make themselves useful for the retired god and had an important role to play later on.
Fans are convinced that Kratos and the blades are paired for eternity. The Norse Saga gave them a new purpose; Kratos picked up the blades, intending to save Atreus, and later down the line, it started Ragnarok and ended Odin’s reign of tyranny across the Nine Realms.
Facing Garm with Atreus
After causing Garm to escape and go rampant, Atreus returned to his family, only to see the consequences of his compassionate act. Hel-Walkers are seeping through rifts, and it is up to Kratos and Atreus to save the Nine Realms from being overrun.
Following the intense battle, Kratos humbly apologized to his son, acknowledging his failures as a father and expressing remorse for not trusting him enough. In this moment, both protagonists are vulnerable and more open to one another adding another layer of their unique bond.
Taunting Odin in Svartfheim
Odin tried to strike a deal with Kratos but he wouldn’t budge. The two gods exchanged threats and promises in Svartfheim.
The All-Father goaded him about his past and his knowledge about godhood and was rattled by the determination of the retired God of War.
Fighting Thor in God of War Ragnarok
Eric Williams wasted no time and got into it with a fight against the Thunder God as he showcased his skill in combat. He even resurrected Kratos after killing him, as he wanted to experience his full might.
The final battle took a toll on the two gods who understood each other from a parental perspective. Odin didn’t hesitate to kill his son after defying him.
Forgiving Himself in Valhalla
Despite saving the Nine Realms in God of War Ragnarok, Kratos still feels the shame of his past. Tyr invited him to Valhalla to face his past in a much-needed therapy session.
The trials allowed Kratos to forgive himself and encouraged him to be better. Initially, he refused Freya’s offer to be the new Norse God of War because of his bloody and tragic past, but thanks to Tyr’s help, he is now ready to serve humanity and become the God they need him to be in this new chapter of his godhood.
What are your favorite God of War moments? Let us know in the comments section below!
