20 Years of Rage: God of War Blades of Chaos Still Hit Different

More than two decades ago, players gripped "Blades of Chaos" for the first time. These were not merely the chains that redefined the course of action games but also were a symbol of regret, fury and rage. During the twenty years, we follow a brutal and emotional saga of "Kratos" from the ancient temples of Greece soaked in blood to the frozen lands of Norse, where he wants to forget his past and live a life with his son Atreus. Today, we look back at the rage and give a tribute to a legend forged in blood and transformation that has grown with each generation of players.

We will explain the God of War completely in this article from the Spartan Lands to Norse adventure in Midgard. "Kratos" is our main protagonist who is known by many names like Ghost of Sparta, Fallen God and also "Boy!" yeller recently by the gaming community. The article is structured in chronological order of events, not according to game release dates

Kratos's Origin and Ares

Pre God of War

Kratos was a Spartan warrior, leading his armies through many battles and always coming out victorious. During his battles, he once encountered a barbarian horde and they face a defeat at their hand. So, he pledges his allegiance to Ares who is the God of War from Greek mythology in exchange for victory against those barbarians. Ares accepted his offer and grant him "Blades of Chaos " which were powerful weapons forged in the realm of the dead and chained to Kratos flesh. By doing so, Kratos became Ares servant and conquered various parts of Greece and defeated his enemies.

During his quests, he came across a village, that worshiped "Athena", who was goddess of wisdom. Kratos killed everyone in the village because of his bloodlust, but then he found out that that village also had her wife (Lysandra) and daughter (Calliope) among them. The ashes of his dead family were bind to his skin, that's why his skin had that pale skin color. That's how he got the popular nickname "Ghost of Sparta". He later found out that it was a plot from Ares, to place his family there so he could free Kratos from his mortal bounds and make him into a vicious warrior with no feelings. But Kratos renounced his allegiance to Ares, took a vow of vengeance and swore revenge against Ares.

God of War: Ascension

Six Months After Family's Death

After Kratos broke his oath of allegiance to Ares, The God of War (Ares) sent Furies to punish him for his betrayal. Furies were three sisters who used to prison anyone who break their blood oath, and tortured them to insanity.  Kratos was captured and tormented with illusions to weaken his mind. Son of Ares (Orkos) revealed his father's larger plot of overtaking Olympus and manipulation of Kratos, and guided Kratos toward the Oracle Aletheia. The Oracle told Kratos that he must kill the Furies to be free from his bond to Ares.  

Kratos was captured by the Furies in the Prison of the Damned called Aegaeon but eventually escaped that and killed the three sisters. Orkos told Kratos that the only way for both of them to get rid of their bond to Ares is to kill him because the Furies made him his oath keeper. Kratos was reluctant to do so but then killed him and finally broke his bond with God of War. Breaking the bond unleashed the full force of nightmares and visions of his family's death. There visions were previously held by Kratos bond to Ares but now were torturing his mind. So, he then started serving the God of Olympus and seeking redemption for his sins.

God of War: Chains of Olympus

Serving the gods

Serving the Olympian Gods, Kratos went on may missions, like fighting the Persian army in the battle of Attica, in which he killed their king and the basilisk fighting for them. After that, the (Helios) plummeted from the sky the world was turned into darkness under Morpheus who was God of Dreams. Morpheus has put the gods to sleep, and Kratos had to find Helios to restore the sun and wake the gods.

Kratos was still having haunting visions of his family. He heard his daughter's flute melody in the dream-like world. Kratos used the Fire Steeds to reach the underworld and encountered Persephone. There he saw his daughter Calliope. Persephone offered reunion with his daughter, but Kratos had to give up his godly powers. Kratos agreed to it and transferred powers to the Forsaken Tree, and became mortal and reunited briefly with Calliope. In reality, she orchestrated Helios's kidnapping with Atlas to destroy the Pillar of the World as revenge against the gods. Kratos realized he must regain his power to stop Persephone, even if it means losing his daughter again. Kratos reclaimed his powers, fought Persephone the top the Pillar, bound Atlas to hold the world, defeats Persephone.
Kratos returned Helios to the sky, ending Morpheus's reign, and serving gods, in hope that they would relieve him of his haunting dreams.

 God of War (2005)

Ten Years of Service to gods

Kratos had been fighting for Gods of Olympus for almost 10 years now in the hope that the gods would help him in releasing him from his nightmares. He had fought many wars and how he was tired of his mercenary life. So Anthena told him that he must fulfill one last mission and then gods will forgive him for his sins, and it was to kill Ares. Kratos had long due grudge with Ares so he couldn't say "no" to it. Kratos head to Athens where Ares was wreaking havoc. There he found out that he had to find a Pandora box which will give him the ability to kill a god.

The Pandora's box was hidden in a temple with life-taking traps on the back of the Titan Cronos in the Desert of Lost Souls. Kratos made his way to Pandora's temple. Kratos retrieved the box, but Ares intervened him with a pillar from afar, sending him to the Underworld. Kratos fought his way out of there with help of a mysterious gravedigger. Kratos then returned to Athens, opened Pandora's Box, and gained god-killing power. As Kratos started to fight Ares, he hallucinated him to see the death of his family again, but he overcame that, fight Ares using blade of the Gods (bridge sword) and killed him. His sins were forgiven by the gods, but nightmares remained the same because that wasn't part of the deal. So, Kratos attempted suicide as he thought there was nothing else to live for by drowning, but he was saved by Athena and given a place as the new God of War on Olympus.

God of War: Ghost of Sparta

Kratos as the God of War

Kratos was haunted by his mortal past and seek answers about his family, specifically his brother (Deimos). The Oracle had foretold that Olympus's fall would be by the hands of a "marked warrior". Zeus & Ares feared the prophecy and mistook Deimos's birthmarks and kidnapped him. While attempting so, Kratos tried to intervene, but Ares scarred his right eye. As Ares was about to kill Kratos, Athena stopped him saying they only needed the marked warrior. Deimos was imprisoned and tortured by Thanatos (God of Death). Years later after killing Ares, Kratos became new God of War. But the visons of his mortal childhood still remained him with and he wanted to know what happened to his family. Athena told him not to look for his past, but he didn't listen and found his mother Callisto in Atlantis. she told him that Deimos was alive but was being tortured in in Domain of Death. She suddenly turned into a monster and Kratos was forced to kill mother his own mother.

Kratos returned to Sparta and found out that he was hailed as a hero there. He also received his former weapons (Arms of Sparta). He then realized that he needs to return to Atlantis to find Domain of Death. Kratos located his brother there and freed him, but Deimos was angry with him as he didn't come sooner and both started to fight but Thanatos, the god of death intervened and took Deimos away, but Kratos saved his brother and gave him his weapons and both fought Thanatos together. Thanatos realized that they took the wrong brother as the marked warrior, it was actually the pale skin Kratos not Deimos. During the fight Thanatos killed Deimos, which made Kratos furious, and he slayed the god and took his dead brother to the grave digger. The grave digger already had a grave prepared and marked the grave with Arms of Sparta as grave marker.

 God of War II

Escalation with Olympus

Kratos was among the Gods of Olympus. but he was not liked by them because of for his brutality. He also had the same rage against them as he considered them responsible for his suffering and also not helping him get rid of his haunting illusions. Athena asks him to stop as the gods are getting more and more angry with his actions, but he didn't listen. During the battle of Rhodes, Kratos assisted his Spartan army as a giant god. Zeus disguised as eagle drained his power into the Colossus of Rhodes and brought it to life to kill Kratos. Zeus also gave Kratos the Blade of Olympus which was a powerful sword once used to stop a war between god of Olympus and the titans. Zeus told Kratos that he had to infuse his godly powers into the blade for him to kill the colossus with it. He did transfer all his powers into the sword and became mortal but powerful enough to destroy Colossus. Kratos was badly wounded during the fight and returned back to his sword to get back the powers, but the blade was taken away by the same eagle (Zeus). Zeus betrayed Kratos as he though he is a threat to Olympus and already killed one of the gods (Ares). So, he killed Zeus using the blade of Olympus and also wipeout the whole spartan army.

In the underworld, Kratos was saved by Gaia, goddess of the earth. Gaia told Kratos that to change his past, regain his powers and the status as god of war, he had to find Sisters of fate and then deal with Zeus betrayal and slay the kind of Olympus. Kratos reached the island of creation on his quest to find sisters of fate. Kratos asked Gaia why she helped Kratos on his revenge against Zeus. Gaia explained him how he was saved from Kronos (Zeus father) who ate all his children because he was afraid of a prophesy that one of his children would rise up against him. Zeus mother saved him and sent him to an island called Gaia (herself). Kratos battled against many mythical figures like Theseus, Perseus and more and finally encountered Titan Atlas who allied with Kratos because they had a shared enemy (Zeus), because he humiliated them (titans) during the great war. After that Kratos reached sisters of fate and asked them to change his fate but they denied his request. so, he did what he always does, fought them and defeated them. This granted him control over his destiny. Kratos got his powers back and his status as god of war before traveling back to his death at the hands of Zeus. Zeus was not ready for this time travel and caught off-guard. They both fought a long battle, but Kratos managed to overtake him and started stabbing Zeus the same way as he was stabbed using the Blade of Olympus. Before, Kratos could kill Zeus, Athena intervened and stopped him from doing so. Zeus told him that the sisters of fate had already predicted his victory and that Kratos will fail in his mission. Hearing this Kratos got angrier and more attacked Zeus but Athena came in his way and was stabbed by his blade, seeing this Zeus flew away from the scene. As she was dying Kratos asked Athena, why she sacrificed herself for Zeus. She said his actions were caused by fear same as his father Kronos killing all of his children. So Kratos found out that he was the son of Zeus. Kratos told her that no one will stop him from taking his revenge on Zeus. Kratos Traveled back to the times of Great War, bringing back Gaia and Titans to the present to assault Olympus.

 God of War III

The Fall of Olympus

As Zeus was warning his fellow gods about Kratos as how he had gone rogue, Kratos appeared with Gaia and titans. Kratos told Zeus that his son has returned, and the fall of Olympus is imminent. As the titans are climbing the Mount Olympus, the gods got ready to face them off with each god turning into a form that best sit itself like Poseidon turns into a giant water being. But Kratos fought him and killed him. This causes massive floods killing everyone but those standing on top of Mount Olympus. Kratos and Gaia reached Zeus. But Zeus threw a lightning blast on them and both fell, Gaia Managed to hold on to the mount and Kratos fell into the river Styx. he swore again that he will take his revenge on the gods and destroy all of Olympus. In the underworld, he met Athena's spirit. She guided him to destroy Zeus by extinguishing Flame of Olympus, and to help him reach them, she gave him Blades of Exile. On his way, he took his revenge on Hades who was lord of the underworld and took his claws.

Kratos escaped from the underworld and continued his journey to the mount of Olympus. This time he had two enemies, both the titans and the gods. On his way to the top, he encountered Gaia again and she asked for his help, but he cut her hand, and she fell down. He also found Helios, who was god of the sun, he was wounded already so he easily managed to kill him which turned the world into full darkness. He then reached the camber of the flames and found pandoras box there which hold the powers to kill a god. Knowing that Kratos used its power to kill Ares, Zeus protected it in the deadly flames of Olympus. Athena told him that the only way to unleash its power is to find the one who this box is named after "Pandora". On way to find Pandora, he Killed Hermes, Hercules, Hera, Cronos, Hephaestus and got the Nemesis Whip. he then found out that Pandora is in Labyrinth. Kratos head to the labyrinth and found her there. The two made their way back to the chamber of the flames. The only way to extinguish flames of Olympus was for Pandoras to sacrifice herself. but Kratos stopped her from doing so. In the meantime, Zeus appeared and grabbed her. Both father and the son stared fighting, but Kratos had upper hand. While both were fighting pandoras opened the box, but Kratos found out that she sacrificed herself for nothing. Both started fighting again and Gaia appeared in the scene. Gaia destroy the place where both were fighting forcing the two to fight inside Gaia body. Kratos overcame Zeus and stabbed him against Gaia heart killing them both. he finally had revenge on the gods of Olympus, but Greece was falling apart as there was not sun and there were huge tides. Athena appeared and congratulated Kratos. She revealed that the box did contain power (Hope), which Kratos absorbed when first opened. She asked from him the power hope so she can rebuild a better world. Kratos refused Athena request and impaled himself with Blade of Olympus, releasing hope to humanity. Athena left disappointed leaving him to death. But there was a trail of blood suggesting he might still be live.

God of War (2018)

Arrival in Midgard

Kratos had taken his revenge against the gods of Olympus, many years later he was then living in the realm of Midgard which was in ancient Norway with young boy (son) Atreus. Kratos second wife and Atreus mother had just died. After the funerial they went on the hunt and as they came back, a stranger appeared at their home, and he recognized Kratos as god of war and wanted to fight, Kratos refused to fight but the stranger left him no chose. Both engaged in an intense fight Kratos finally managed to kill him.  Kratos then realized they must leave home as it was not safe for his son, so he takes Atreus on the quest to reach the height peak of nine realms.

On their journey, they met Huldra Brothers (Brock & Sindri), Witch of the Woods (Freya), World Serpent (Jörmungandr) who became their ally. As both reach the Midgard peak, they heard the stranger love as he as alive with Magni & Modi Thor's sons. They were interrogating Mimir, about Kratos and Atreus. The stranger was Baudler, Son of Odin. Mimir was trapped there by Odin. They found out that true peak is in Jotunheim and its passage is blocked by Odin and Thor. Kratos cuts Mimir's head and free him from there and took him with himself to guide him through another way to the highest peak. Kratos learns that the witch called is goddess, but his past with gods was not really good and he distrusted them. She advised him to tell his son his truth, but Kratos refused.  

On their quest for opening the portal, they found out that they needed portal components. During this they were attacked by Magni & Modi. Kratos killed Magni in the fight, but Modi managed to escape. During the fight, Atreus suddenly collapsed and Mimir told Kratos to take him back to Freya. So, beside all his distrusts in gods, he still turned to the goddess. Freya told him that Atreus true nature is fighting with himself. She needed a heart of a troll in Helheim. He managed to find the heart and Atreus was cured and they resumed their journey across the nine realms.

Later in the journey Kratos told him that he was a god from a foreign country. But he decided to live as mortal after moving to Midgard, So Atreus was a god also. Kratos told Atreus that it was not a gift but a curse. After learning about this, Atreus became more and more arrogant. During their journey, they found Modi injured who was beaten by Thor for not avenging his brother. Atreus killed Modi by stabbing him in neck even though Kratos told him not to, as there are consequences to killing a god.

After they finally opened the portal, they were ambushed by Baldur. Atreus tried to fight against the god, but he was no match for him. Also during the fight, the portal to Jotunheim was destroyed. They managed to escape but, on the way, they found out that Baldur is Freya son. Her mother had cast a spell on him to protect him from harm, but he resented her for that. Now they were looking for another way to reach Jötunheim but Baldur attacked them again. but Freya intervened. Kratos and his son overcome Baldur but spared his life and told him to leave his mother Freya alone. Freya told Baldur if killing her makes him happy then he can do that and he grabbed her by the neck and about to kill her, that Kratos intervened and killed Baldur. Freya was mad at Kratos by seeming him getting killed by the hands of Kratos and swear to take her revenge. Kratos told his son his full life story and how his actions resulted in killing many victims including his own father. he told his son killing their fathers is not the only way of becoming a god and that they can choose a better path.

After this they finally reached Jotunheim, there they found temple mural depicting their entire journey, foreseen by Giants. Atreus found out that Fye who was mother of Atreus, was also a giant so Atreus was actually a god, a giant and a mortal and his Giant name was Loki. There on the peak they spread Fye ashes.

God of War Ragnarök

The Prophecy Unfolds

It had been three years and the Fimbulwinter had was almost ended which meant that Ragnarök (End of the World) would be happening soon. Both father and the son were coming from a hunt that they were attacked by Freya who still didn't forgive them for the death of her son. They narrowly escaped and came back home to find out that Fenrir, Atreus wolf was about to die. Atreus was still struggling to know about his true nature and was shifting shapes.

One night, they were interrupted by Thor. Thor confronted Kratos for killing his sons. Odin also arrived at the scene, offering peace if Kratos and Atreus stop interfering into their business especially seeking Tyr. Kratos refused the offer. Then there happen a brutal fight between Thor and Kratos. Thor killed and revived Kratos many times but then left him once Kratos showed god-power.  Kratos agreed to help Atreus find Norse God of War Tyr to understand his destiny as Loki's. and then later rescue Tyr from Svartalfheim. Groa's shrine revealed Ragnarök would destroy Asgard, not all nine realms and a champion called Loki will lead coalition against Asgard. Kratos didn't like the idea and did not want his son to become a war hero like himself.  Atreus's made a secret journey to Jötunheim and met a young giantess Angrboda. She revealed the prophecies that Kratos was fated to die in Ragnarök.

Kratos and Atreus made an alliance with Freya in which they help Freya break Odin's curse so she could travel between the realms. She also united with them against Odin along with Freyr (her brother). In the meantime, Atreus escaped to Midgard to spy on Odin and stop the death of his father during Ragnarök. There he helped Odin with ancient mask quest which hold infinite knowledge. Kratos found out that Heimdall (watchman of Aesir and god of foresight) planed to kill Atreus. Kratos took Draupnir Spear from Brock, confronted and killed Heimdall and took Gjallarhorn. Atreus also accidentally released giant wolf Garm in Helheim. He later used Fenrir's soul to tame Garm. Atreus go on a last mask quest and completes it. "Tyr" offered to lead attack using mask, but Brok grew suspicious why did Tyr never revealed that he had a way to reach Asgard and why did he call Atreus Loki like the Asgardian's. Tyr forcefully stabbed Brock and revealed he was Odin spying on them the whole time. He then escaped and declared war on Kratos and his allies.

Kratos then used the Gjallarhorn to lead coalition of 8 realms against Asgard. Kratos fought against Thor and defeated him, but he spared him because their children were friends and also show a better example to the young ones. Odin ordered Thor to kill Kratos, but he refused so Odin killed Thor for defiance. Kratos, Atreus, Freya fought together against Odin and defeated the ruler of Aesir. Atreus trapped Odin soul in spiritual stone, but Sindri destroys it avenging Brock. Soon Ragnarök emerged to destroy Asgard.  Freyr sacrificed himself so others can escape doomed realm. Ragnarök prophecy was complete and Asgard was destroyed. Survivors from the doomed realm regrouped and Angrboda revealed that Faye altered prophecy murals for free will. Atreus then left on solo quest to find Giants.  Kratos's destiny was rewritten as he found final mural showing him being revered as a peaceful god.

God of War

The Future

We have seen Kratos's journey from vengeful warrior to a god seeking peace and taking responsibility and the love for his friends and family. Kratos was rebuilding realms and Atreus seeking his own destiny as Loki.

Open Questions: What does Kratos's future leadership look like? Will Atreus find the Giants? Will their paths cross again?

Let us know in the comments section what you think about all this and support us . Looking forward.

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