Characters of God of War
The characters of the God of War video game franchise belong to a fictional universe based on Greek mythology and Norse mythology. As such, the series features a range of traditional figures, including those from Greek mythology, such as the Olympian Gods, Titans, and Greek heroes, and those from Norse mythology, including the Æsir and Vanir gods and other beings. A number of original characters have also been created to supplement storylines.
The overall story arc focuses on the series' primary playable single-player character, the protagonist Kratos, a Spartan warrior haunted by visions of himself accidentally killing his wife and child. The character finally avenges his family by killing his former master and manipulator, Ares, the God of War. Although Kratos becomes the new God of War, he is still plagued by nightmares and is eventually betrayed by Zeus, the King of the Olympian Gods—revealed by the goddess Athena to be Kratos' father. The constant machinations of the gods and Titans and their misuse of Kratos eventually drive him to destroy Mount Olympus. Many years following the destruction of Olympus, Kratos ends up in Midgard fathering a son named Atreus (known to prophecy as Loki) with the Jötunn warrior Faye. Their journey to keep a promise to the boy's late mother ends with Kratos and Atreus becoming enemies to the Norse gods, and ultimately set about the events of Ragnarök, a catastrophic event that the Allfather Odin was desperate to prevent, but ultimately ends with Odin's death and the destruction of Asgard.
God of War (2005), created by Sony's Santa Monica Studio, was the inaugural game in the series, the main part of which continued with God of War II (2007), God of War III (2010), and series prequel Ascension (2013); and side games Betrayal (2007), Chains of Olympus (2008), and Ghost of Sparta (2010). These seven games comprised the Greek era of the series. The Norse era began with the sequel to God of War III, which is also titled God of War (2018) and concluded with Ragnarök (2022). The God of War mythos expanded into literature, with a novelization of the original God of War published in 2010,[1] and a six-issue comic series that introduced new characters and plot developments that was published from 2010 to 2011. A novelization of God of War II was published in 2013.[2] A prequel graphic novel titled Rise of the Warrior (2012–13) was released in the lead up to Ascension's release and is the backstory of the player's multiplayer character. To go along with the 2018 game, a text-based game, A Call from the Wilds, was released in February 2018, followed by a novelization in August, and then a two-volume comic series that began publication in November, serving as a prequel to the 2018 game.
God of War has become a highly lucrative franchise on account of the commercial and critical success of the series. Products include action figures, artwork, clothing, Slurpee cups, sweepstakes, and special edition video game consoles. The character of Kratos received positive comments from reviewers, and was described as a "sympathetic antihero" by GameSpy.[3] Game Guru claimed "Practically anyone, even if they hadn't played any of the God of War games, would know about Kratos."[4] Several reviewers have praised the portrayal of other characters: PALGN claimed that the original God of War's voice acting is "up there with the best",[5] while IGN have complimented most of the games in the series, saying of God of War II that the characters were "timeless"[6] and the voice acting was "great".[7]
– The Goddess of Love and Sexuality, and widow of Hephaestus. In God of War (2005), Aphrodite helped Kratos by empowering the head of the slain Medusa and giving it to Kratos as a magical weapon.[49] In God of War III, indifferent to Kratos' war against Olympus, she offered advice regarding the architect Daedalus. After seducing Kratos, Aphrodite directed him to her estranged husband. She is the only god that Kratos did not kill that was present in God of War III.[36] The character was voiced by Carole Ruggier in 2005's God of War,[37] and April Stewart in God of War III.[50]
Aphrodite
– A four-armed Titan who was imprisoned in Tartarus after the Great War.[66] In Chains of Olympus, Atlas was freed by the goddess Persephone and captured the god Helios on her behalf. Persephone directed Atlas to use Helios' power to destroy the Pillar of the World. Atlas, however, was chained to the weakened pillar by Kratos, and was doomed to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders forever. After Kratos defeated Persephone, Atlas mocked Kratos and his choice to defend the gods. In God of War II, Atlas and Kratos met again, and although he was initially bitter towards Kratos, Atlas decided to help him reach the Sisters of Fate, providing him with the magic, Atlas Quake, and stated that they would meet again. This would be Atlas' final appearance, however, leaving his fate unknown. The character was voiced by Michael Clarke Duncan in God of War II,[38] and by Fred Tatasciore in Chains of Olympus.[45]
Atlas
– The father of Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, and Hera.[67] Cronos learned of a prophecy that foretold that one of his children would become greater than he. In an attempt to cheat fate, Cronos devoured his own children and imprisoned them in his stomach. Due to the trickery by Cronos' wife Rhea, the young child Zeus was spared the fate of his siblings, and secretly grew to manhood. Zeus freed his siblings and defeated Cronos and the Titans in the Great War. In an attempt to change his fate, Cronos offered a gift, the gigantic stone "Steeds of Time", to the Sisters of Fate, but they declined his request. He also left magic, "Cronos' Rage", in the Steeds, which Kratos acquired during his quest for the Sisters.[45] As punishment for Cronos' role in the Great War, Zeus forced the Titan to crawl through the Desert of Lost Souls with Pandora's Temple chained to his back.[33] In God of War III, Kratos traveled to Tartarus in search of the Omphalos Stone where he was confronted by a vengeful Cronos (who still had Pandora's Temple chained to his back). The Titan blamed Kratos for Gaia's presumed death and his imprisonment, as when Kratos penetrated the Temple and retrieved the Box in God of War (2005), a fearful Zeus cast Cronos into Tartarus. The Titan was then killed in battle by Kratos with the Blade of Olympus.[27][35][36][54] The character was voiced by Lloyd Sherr in God of War II,[38] and George Ball in God of War III.[50]
Cronos
– The volcanic Titan of Destruction featured in God of War III. Perses participated in the assault on Olympus. After mortally wounding Helios, Perses attacked Kratos, but was wounded with the Blade of Olympus and fell off the mountain. He was not seen afterwards, leaving his fate unknown.[35][36]
Perses
– Punished by Zeus for giving mankind the Fires of Olympus, Prometheus was made mortal, and was attacked by an eagle that ripped out and ate his liver, which regrew instantly on a daily basis. Kratos encountered Prometheus near Typhon's lair in God of War II. Prometheus was eventually freed by Kratos, died by self-immolation in fire, and his ashes empowered Kratos, giving him the ability called the Rage of the Titans.[35] The character was voiced by Alan Oppenheimer.[38][45]
Prometheus
– Featured in a flashback in God of War II, Rhea is the wife of Cronos. When Cronos devoured their children in an attempt to cheat the prophecy that one of his children would become greater than him, Rhea tricked Cronos and ensured the young Zeus was hidden away and protected by Gaia. Rhea's fate is unknown.[41]
Rhea
Thera – A lava-based Titan in Ghost of Sparta, Thera is an original character that does not appear in Greek mythology. Imprisoned beneath the Methana Volcano just outside the city of Atlantis, Kratos freed the Titan, gained her power (Thera's Bane), and in addition to destroying the archimedean screws, the volcano erupted. The eruption destroyed the city, submerged it under the ocean, and caused great damage to the Island of Crete and its capital city Heraklion.[68] Thera's fate after that is unknown. The character was voiced by Dee Dee Rescher.
[59]
– A demigod and the half-brother of Kratos. In God of War III, Hercules sought to claim the throne of God of War after performing a thirteenth and unofficial labor: the murder of Kratos. Jealous of his half-brother, Hercules attacked Kratos, but was killed by the Spartan, who took Hercules' Nemean Cestus as his own.[35][69] The character also appears as a boss in Ascension on the Forum of Hercules multiplayer map. Hercules was voiced by Kevin Sorbo, who was chosen due to his previous portrayal of the character in the television series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (although this portrayal was done with a darker tone).[29] Hercules was originally set to appear in God of War II and was to be voiced by Cam Clarke, but the character was cut early in the game's development and only named in the credits.[28][70]
Hercules
– The second Greek hero Kratos encountered in his quest to find the Sisters of Fate in God of War II. Perseus was also seeking the Sisters in the hope of reviving his dead love. Believing Kratos to be a test from the Sisters, he battled Kratos, but was killed by the Spartan.[35] The character was voiced by Harry Hamlin, who was chosen due to his previous portrayal of the character in the 1981 film Clash of the Titans.[38][45][71]
Perseus
– A servant of the Sisters of Fate guarding the Steeds of Time in God of War II. Theseus challenged Kratos to determine who was the greatest warrior in all of Greece, but was killed in battle.[35] The character was voiced by Paul Eiding.[38][45]
Theseus
– Featured in Ascension, Aegaeon the Hecatonchires had pledged a blood oath to Zeus, but later betrayed the god. The first victim of the Furies, they captured and tortured the multi-armed creature. Instead of killing him, the Furies turned him to stone, making him the giant Prison of the Damned and becoming a symbol to all who may think of breaking a blood oath to a god. As Kratos attempted to escape the prison, Megaera used her parasitic insects to bring Aegaeon to life and control him as his many arms mutated into monstrous forms and began to attack the Spartan. Fending off two of its parasite-controlled arms, Megaera then infected Aegaeon's head, which attacked Kratos, but the Spartan outsmarted and killed Megaera; this also caused Aegaeon to die, freeing him from his suffering.[72][73]
Aegaeon
– The former Oracle of Delphi who was gifted with prophetic sight.[74] When she was encountered by Kratos in Ascension, she was shown to be an elderly woman who had no eyes. Castor and Pollux crushed her under rocks so that Kratos could not see her. Her dying words to Kratos told him to seek the Eyes of Truth across the sea in the Lantern of Delos[75]—the Eyes being her own eyes that were taken by the Furies.[76] The character was voiced by Adrienne Barbeau.[77]
Aletheia
– Featured in Ascension, they are elderly conjoined twins with Pollux being a parasitic twin that Castor normally conceals. The two usurped the Oracle of Delphi and decided who could see her.[80][81] When Kratos attempted to see the Oracle without any offerings, the twins used the Amulet of Uroboros to make themselves younger to fight Kratos and were killed only after they murdered the Oracle to hinder Kratos.[82][83] Castor and Pollux were voiced by David W. Collins and Brad Grusnick, respectively.[77]
Castor and Pollux
– The former ferryman of the River Styx in the Underworld who guided lost souls to their final destination.[59] Kratos encountered Charon on the River Styx twice in Chains of Olympus. Although he almost killed Kratos during their first encounter, Kratos returned and destroyed Charon, taking his power, Charon's Wrath.[35] The character was voiced by Dwight Schultz.[59]
Charon
– A witch of the island of Aeaea in the graphic novel Rise of the Warrior. Circe was recruited by the Redeemed Warrior (who becomes the player's multiplayer character in Ascension); she seemingly also wanted revenge against the general, who had killed the warrior's father. Circe granted the soldiers magical weapons to aid them on their journey, and suggested that they see the Oracle of Delphi to discover whether the general had any weaknesses. They eventually encounter the general, who was revealed to be the warrior's uncle and Circe's lover. Circe only aided the warrior so he would reach the general. Circe offered the warrior a choice: serve the general and his men would be spared, or kill the general and she would kill his men. The warrior then declared that he would not slay Circe and defended the lives of his men, but tricked the general into drinking from a cup that he had secretly filled with poisonous Cerberus blood, which killed the general. Circe was aghast at the warrior's vengeful act and retreated, never to be seen again.[85]
Circe
– Featured in God of War III, he was a brilliant architect who constructed the labyrinth in which Pandora was imprisoned after Zeus discovered her existence. Zeus also promised to reunite Daedelus with his son Icarus as a reward, but never revealed that Icarus was already dead. Kratos, who had killed Icarus during his quest to seek the Sisters of Fate, encountered Daedalus hanging in a part of the labyrinth and the architect revealed that the labyrinth must be united to free Pandora. Daedelus was killed when Kratos united the labyrinth and he left a message in blood encouraging Kratos to get even with Zeus for him. The character was voiced by Malcolm McDowell.[36][50]
Daedalus
– The daughter of Thanatos featured in Ghost of Sparta. After the destruction of Atlantis, Erinys searched for Kratos, killing various Spartans as a warning for Kratos to stop his quest to find Deimos. Erinys eventually found Kratos in the Mounts of Aroania, and after a land battle, an aerial battle ensued as Erinys shape shifted into an enormous bird before being killed by Kratos, after which, Kratos took her power, the Scourge of Erinys.[35] The character was overdub voiced by Jennifer Hale and Erin Torpey.[64]
Erinys
The Furies
Sisters
Gorgon
– Featured in the God of War comics #4, #5, and #6 (2010–11), he was one of the three Chaos Giants with one hundred arms and fifty heads. During Kratos' first quest for the Ambrosia of Asclepius, his battle with Cereyon burned off the hundred arms of Gyges. During Kratos' second quest, Gyges revealed that he had planned to use the Ambrosia to revive his brothers, Briareus and Cottus, and then reclaim the world, but Kratos' initial retrieval thwarted that plan. Kratos destroyed both Gyges and the Tree of Life — which contained the Ambrosia — with the Fire of Apollo.[86]
Gyges
– The son of Daedalus, who had become insane and obsessed with finding the Sisters of Fate. In God of War II, Kratos encountered Icarus by the Great Chasm and attacked him. The two battled while falling down the chasm. Kratos eventually stripped Icarus of his wings, took them, and allowed Icarus to fall to his death into the Underworld.[35] The character was voiced by Bob Joles.[38][45][71]
Icarus
The Judges of the Underworld – Featured in God of War III, King , King Rhadamanthus, and King Aeacus were the judges of the dead. The statues of the trio held the Chain of Balance that connected Olympus to the Underworld. Kratos encountered the statues, who declared that he was not yet ready for the afterlife. Kratos later returned to the statues and destroyed the crystals behind the statues' heads in order to raise the labyrinth so that Pandora could reach Pandora's Box. King Minos, who was the only Judge to speak through his statue, was voiced by Mark Moseley.[36][50] In Ragnarök's DLC Valhalla, the statues appear within Valhalla during Kratos' trials, but do not speak or cast any judgment.
Minos
– Featured in Ghost of Sparta, he was a king whose touch turned anything to gold and was grief-stricken and hallucinating as he accidentally turned his daughter to gold. Kratos encountered Midas in the Mounts of Aroania where the Spartan killed him by throwing him into a lava river — turning it to gold — which created a passage for Kratos. The character was voiced by Fred Tatasciore.[64]
King Midas
– Also known as The Giver in Rise of the Warrior, he was the keeper of oaths sworn to the gods and is the son of Ares and Alecto.[87] In Rise of the Warrior, he followed the redeemed warrior through his journey and imprisoned him in the Prison of the Damned due to the warrior breaking his father's oath. Later in Ascension, Orkos helped Kratos by enabling him to see through illusions. He also provided Kratos with his Oath Stone, allowing Kratos to be in two places at once. Orkos revealed to Kratos that Ares and the Furies plot to overthrow Olympus,[76] and that Ares chose Kratos to help him do so. After Kratos defeated the Furies, Orkos has Kratos to kill him to nullify the Spartan's pact with Ares, though it inadvertently led to Kratos beginning to experience his horrible nightmares. The character was voiced by Troy Baker.[88]
Orkos
– An animated creation of Hephaestus who became like a daughter to the god, and was neither living nor dead.[89] Pandora was imprisoned in the labyrinth by Zeus when he was infected by the fear released from Pandora's Box. In God of War III, Kratos rescued Pandora after he learned that she was the key to pacifying the Flame of Olympus that surrounded Pandora's Box. Kratos reluctantly allowed Pandora to sacrifice herself to open the Box and mourned her death, as Pandora reminded him of his deceased child Calliope. Pandora reappeared in Kratos' psyche and helped him find the power of hope locked deep inside himself, which allowed him to overcome and kill Zeus.[27] The character was voiced by Natalie Lander.[36][50]
Pandora
– Featured in God of War III, he was a prisoner of the Underworld who possessed the Bow of Apollo and was in love with Persephone; he was imprisoned by Hades for trying to make off with her. He offered his bow to Kratos in exchange for freedom, but the uncaring Spartan ignored the offer, killed Peirithous, and took the bow anyway. The character was voiced by Simon Templeman.[36][50]
Peirithous
The Sisters of Fate
– A Vanir archer who is Freya's advisor. He originally appeared as a boar in God of War (2018), which Atreus accidentally shot for "target practice", with Atreus and Kratos subsequently helping Freya heal him. He returned in Ragnarök in his human form and helped fight against Odin's forces in Vanaheim and in Asgard during Ragnarök. The character is voiced by James C. Mathis III.
Hildisvíni
The
Norns
– A supernatural talking squirrel that tends to the mythical tree Yggdrassil. The character first appeared in God of War (2018) as a spirit that can be summoned by Atreus and displays a nasty disposition. The real Ratatoskr appears in Ragnarök, who reveals that the spirit from the previous game was Bitter, one of his spectral aspects. Ratatoskr provides seeds of Yggdrassil to Kratos to help them travel across the Nine Realms. Troy Baker voiced the spirit of Ratatoskr in 2018's God of War, while SungWon Cho voiced the real Ratatoskr in Ragnarök.
Ratatoskr
Calliope – Kratos' daughter. As an infant, she was stricken with the plague and was to be killed due to Sparta's law. Calliope was saved by Kratos during the comic series (2010–11) when he obtained the Ambrosia of Asclepius, but was eventually killed with her mother by Kratos during a berserker rage in a temple dedicated to Athena (shown in flashbacks in 2005's God of War). In Chains of Olympus, Kratos was briefly reunited with Calliope in the Underworld in the Fields of Elysium, but was forced to abandon her to save the world from Persephone and Atlas. In God of War III, Kratos found a note from her in the Underworld, and when Kratos entered into his psyche during his final fight with Zeus, he was spiritually reunited with both Lysandra and Calliope. The character was voiced by Debi Derryberry.[36][50]
[59]
Callisto – The mother of Kratos and Deimos, featured in Ghost of Sparta. Kratos found his ailing mother in the city of Atlantis. As she attempted to reveal the identity of Kratos' father, she was punished by Zeus and transformed into a deformed humanoid beast, which Kratos was forced to kill. Before dying, Callisto advised Kratos to find Deimos. Her body was later buried next to Deimos by the Gravedigger. voiced the elder Callisto while Jennifer Hale voiced the younger Callisto.[64]
Deanna Hurstold
Deimos – The younger brother of Kratos, featured in Ghost of Sparta. He was kidnapped by Ares and imprisoned and tortured by Thanatos because of his unusual birthmarks, as a prophecy predicted the demise of Olympus would come at the hands of a "marked warrior". As time passed, Deimos' hatred for Kratos grew, as his hope of rescue decayed. When eventually reunited with his brother, Deimos was initially bitter for Kratos' perceived failure and the two battled. When Kratos saved Deimos from falling to his death, he joined his brother and battled Thanatos. Deimos, however, was killed by Thanatos, who was killed in turn by Kratos. The character was voiced by Elijah Wood in God of War III during the psyche sequence,[50] and Mark Deklin as an adult and Bridger Zadina as a child in Ghost of Sparta.
[64]
Lysandra – Kratos' first wife. Although she was responsible in granting Kratos his quest for the Ambrosia of Asclepius to save Calliope in the comic series (2010–11), she was killed along with her daughter (shown in flashbacks in 2005's God of War). After being spiritually reunited with both Lysandra and Calliope in his psyche in God of War III, Lysandra aided Kratos in forgiving himself for his crime. The character was voiced by Gwendoline Yeo in God of War (2005)[37] and God of War III,[50] and Jennifer Hale in Ascension as an illusion created by Alecto.[88]
[36]
"Art Gallery: Kratos". God of War: Official Game Guide. United States: . 2005. ISBN 0-7615-5133-6.
Prima Games
The Art of God of War III (God of War III Ultimate ed.). Canada: . 2010.