As the franchise has continued to evolve,God of Warhas showcased protagonist Kratos in a variety of forms. The powerful demigod has proven over and over what a force to be reckoned with he is, and his arc in the recent Norse saga has brought an even deeper layer to the surface.God of Warhas become more than Kratos' fight against the Greek gods; it has morphed into a thoughtful story about fatherhood and personal growth.
When comparingGod of War(2018) andRagnarokto the original trilogy, Kratos has changed in more ways than one. Of course, he’s more emotionally mature, but his own physical appearance has gone through significant rework, as well.God of War’s future remains a mystery, but afterRagnarok, it’s clear that Kratos' new height is essential to making him a more compelling character.
God of War’s Norse Saga Gave Kratos' Height a Shake-Up, and it Has Been for the Better
Kratos Was Once a Hulking Figure
Considering he’s literally part god, it’s not surprising that he was originally designed to be so tall. Measuring around seven to eight feet, he was a towering figure in his early days of the franchise.Kratos' size is impressive, but as the character has evolved on his journey, so has his size, and it might be one of the secret keys to making him more relatable.
The Norse Saga Shows the Human Side of Kratos in More Ways Than One
Of course, one could be led to think that this shorter stature is simply from age, since people tend to lose height as they grow older, but that would be a significant number of inches lost. Instead, Kratos' new height is a useful tool to make him feel more human.The originalGod of Wartrilogywas more of a power fantasy than an emotional journey, and that is reflected in his larger height. However, with the Norse Saga’s approach, Kratos needs to be able to show players that he is far more than a powerful demigod. He’s someone with deep, complex feelings.
The change to his height in the Norse saga feels like a deliberate design choice, so players can relate to Kratos more easily. Being 6'5" is still considerably taller than the average human, but it still adds just enough realism to allow Kratos' human qualities to shine through the shadow of his godlike powers.Kratos' journey has taken many shapes and forms, so it only makes sense that his appearance does, too.
God of Warhas become more than Kratos' fight against the Greek gods; it has morphed into a thoughtful story about fatherhood and personal growth.
God of War’s Next Chapter Remains in the Dark
Ever sinceRagnaroklaunched at the end of 2022, there have been a number of theories regarding what lies in store for Kratos next. While some rumors have claimed a saga based around the Ancient Egyptian pantheon, others have suggested thatKratos may not even be the protagonist.
According to rumors, the nextGod of Wargame could be a 2.5D Metroidvania that is centered around Deimos, Kratos' younger brother. While intriguing, such claims should be taken with a grain of salt until officially confirmed by Santa Monica Studio.
As the year continues, there will hopefully beaGod of Warannouncementwaiting in the wings, but only time will tell. Whatever awaits Kratos next, though, it will be fascinating to see how his physical appearance reflects the themes of his new journey.
God of War Ragnarok
WHERE TO PLAY
Embark on an epic and heartfelt journey as Kratos and Atreus struggle with holding on and letting goFrom 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.
