Summary

  • God of War creator David Jaffe is disappointed with the direction of Kratos' character, feeling that the new games have made him too personal and weaker.
  • Jaffe believes that the writers are imparting their own personal issues onto Kratos, resulting in a significant departure from his original portrayal.
  • Despite Jaffe's opinion, many fans and critics have praised Kratos' evolution and emotional moments in recent games, seeing it as a natural progression for the character.

God of War creator David Jaffe expressed his disappointment with the direction that the series' main character, Kratos, has been taken in during recent games. While the God of War protagonist started out as a vengeful, kill-happy warrior in 2005, he has since evolved into a more complicated character.

Although all God of War games have been developed by Santa Monica Studio, the franchise has seen a significant amount of turnover, naturally due to its nearly 20-year lifespan. During that period, the series has seen plenty of unique design choices and narrative ideas. 2018's God of War reboot found Kratos living a quiet, isolated life with his son Atreus. Throughout the game's story, it becomes clear that Kratos has evolved emotionally, and sometimes uses his all-powerful abilities with restraint. The subsequent God of War Ragnarok continued this trend, as Kratos struggled with his place in the world and with his relationship with his son. Jaffe, who departed Santa Monica Studio in 2007, is not a fan of every new change to Kratos' personality.

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In a video uploaded to Jaffe's YouTube, the original God of War creator explained that Kratos has become too personal of a character for his liking. He details that the new games' writers are imparting their own personal issues onto Kratos, leading the Greek demigod to become a weaker version of what he's supposed to represent. He compares Kratos' evolution to Indiana Jones, another character that has seen reshaping in recent titles, and unnecessarily so in Jaffe's opinion.

Jaffe also explains that he would have no problem with new characters being added in to the game who have complex or relatable emotional issues. His problem lies with the significant departure from Kratos' original portrayal.

In contrast to Jaffe's opinion, Kratos' touching moments in recent God of War games have largely been a hit with the franchise's player base. Many fans believe that the character's evolution is a natural progression for someone who has experienced Kratos' life. The new games have been beloved by critics as well, with 2018's God of War and God of War Ragnarok both sitting at a highly impressive score of 94 on Metacritic.

It looks like Santa Monica Studio isn't done telling Kratos' story, thanks to a God of War writer hinting that God of War Valhalla's recent DLC is not the end of the franchise's current narrative. However, this could also mean that Atreus might take on the mantle of being God of War's protagonist.

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God of War: Ragnarok Tag Page Cover Art
10 /10

God of War Ragnarok
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Action
Adventure
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Systems
PC-1 PlayStation-1
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Top Critic Avg: 92 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
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Released
November 9, 2022
ESRB
M For Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
Developer(s)
Santa Monica Studio
Publisher(s)
Sony
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God of War Ragnarok the crater region and lightning
6 Images
God of War Ragnarok the crater region and lightning
Intense combat with Kratos wielding fiery Blades of Chaos against a powerful enemy in God of War Ragnarok
Kratos gazing at colossal statues in a mystical, cloudy landscape in God of War Ragnarok
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Kratos from God of War Ragnarok
Kratos battling a creature with Atreus assisting in the background
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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Embark on an epic and heartfelt journey as Kratos and Atreus struggle with holding on and letting go
From Santa Monica Studio comes the sequel to the critically acclaimed God of War (2018). 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.

Franchise
God of War
Genre(s)
Action, Adventure