Has Kratos Gotten Taller? Unraveling the Ghost of Sparta’s Shifting Height
The short answer is no, Kratos hasn’t gotten taller. In fact, depending on which era of God of War you’re looking at, he’s actually gotten shorter! The height of Kratos has varied throughout the God of War series, influenced by early script decisions, developer intentions regarding animation and character design, and even considerations related to the actor portraying him. Let’s delve into the specifics.
The Ever-Evolving Height of the Ghost of Sparta
Greek Kratos: Towering Over All
Early scripts for the God of War games initially pegged Kratos at around 6 feet 6 inches tall. However, as the franchise progressed and the developers at Santa Monica Studio collaborated with Gnomon School, a deeper dive into the character’s animation and rigging revealed a different figure. The Greek Kratos, specifically in the original trilogy and God of War: Ascension, was established to be a much more imposing figure, standing at an impressive 2.34 meters (7 feet 8 inches). This towering height contributed to his image as an unstoppable force, a wrathful warrior capable of taking down gods and titans alike. This behemoth of a man was not only physically powerful, but visually intimidating.
Norse Kratos: A More Approachable God
The 2018 God of War marked a significant shift in both gameplay and narrative for the series. This extended to Kratos himself, who became a more nuanced and relatable character. This involved a shift in his physical presence, as well. In the Norse saga, Kratos’ height was adjusted to 1.94 meters (6 feet 4 inches). This change served several purposes. First, it made him more approachable and less of an overwhelming figure, aligning with the game’s focus on Kratos’ role as a father figure to Atreus. Second, it brought him closer in height to Christopher Judge, the actor who provided the voice and motion capture for Kratos in the Norse games. As Santa Monica Studio lead character technical artist Axel Grossman explained (via Gnomon YouTube), the decision was intentional, aiming for a character that felt more grounded and believable. His height was also meant to make other characters like Thor seem all the more imposing.
Height as a Storytelling Tool
Ultimately, Kratos’ shifting height serves as an example of the power of video game development to use visual representation to tell a story. The original trilogy’s Kratos was larger than life, a symbol of unbridled rage and destruction. The Norse saga’s Kratos, while still incredibly strong, is more human, his height reflecting a character attempting to temper his past and find a new purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Kratos
1. What was the tallest Kratos has ever been depicted as?
The tallest Kratos was in the Greek era God of War games, where he was depicted as being 2.34 meters (7 feet 8 inches) tall. This height was established during the animation and rigging process, solidifying his image as a towering and formidable warrior.
2. Why did Kratos get shorter in the Norse God of War games?
Kratos was made shorter in the Norse games to be more approachable and to align him closer in height with actor Christopher Judge, who plays Kratos in the games. This contributed to a more grounded and believable character, fitting with the Norse setting’s narrative.
3. How tall is Christopher Judge, the actor who plays Kratos in the Norse games?
Christopher Judge is approximately 6 feet 3 inches tall. The developers adjusted Kratos’ height to be closer to Judge’s height, enhancing the connection between the character and the actor’s performance.
4. Is Kratos taller than Thor in God of War Ragnarök?
No, Thor is significantly taller than Kratos in God of War Ragnarök. The height difference is intentional, emphasizing Thor’s imposing presence and making him a formidable foe for Kratos. Thor is estimated to be around a foot taller than Kratos.
5. How strong is Kratos?
Kratos’ strength is legendary, reaching levels that defy conventional understanding. One source estimates his strength to be around 30-24 quintillion tons, based on his ability to contend with beings like Cronos and Atlas, who are capable of holding up the Earth’s crust.
6. How old is Kratos in God of War Ragnarök?
Estimates place Kratos’ age in God of War Ragnarök at approximately 1,055 years old. As a demigod, he ages much slower than humans, allowing him to remain a formidable warrior despite his advanced age.
7. Why is Kratos’ skin white?
Kratos’ skin is white due to a curse inflicted upon him by an oracle after he unknowingly killed his wife and daughter. Their ashes were permanently bonded to his skin, marking him as the “Ghost of Sparta” and serving as a constant reminder of his tragic past.
8. Can anyone defeat Kratos?
While Kratos is incredibly powerful, certain characters from other franchises are theorized to be able to defeat him. These include characters with abilities such as black hole creation (Thirteen), cosmic destruction (Beerus), space manipulation (Satoru Gojo), and light-based attacks (Kizaru). This is purely speculation however, as a match up between these characters is, sadly, impossible. You can still learn much from these debates however. For example, you could visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org to learn about the educational value of comparing these characters’ skills and understanding of the narratives behind them.
9. Is Kratos a full god?
Kratos began as a demigod (the son of Zeus) but became a full god after killing Ares and becoming the God of War. While he later abandoned his godhood, he retains significant powers and abilities.
10. Why can’t Kratos turn giant anymore?
Kratos possessed the ability to grow to a mountainous size in previous games because he had the power of all the gods on Olympus and the Blade of Olympus at his disposal. In the Norse saga, he relies primarily on his own power, which is formidable but does not include the ability to drastically increase in size.
11. Is Kratos’ skin color fading in the Norse games?
There’s been some suggestion that the ashes are fading in the new God of War games, confirmed by Cory Barlog.
12. Why did Kratos refuse Odin’s offer in God of War Ragnarök?
Kratos rejected Odin’s offer due to his distrust of the Allfather, based on Mimir’s warnings and Odin’s history of deceit and manipulation. Additionally, Kratos wanted to protect Freya from Odin’s potential threats. He was also tired of making deals with Gods.
13. Is Kratos weaker in God of War Ragnarök compared to previous games?
In a sense, yes. The narrative suggests that Kratos’ power has diminished due to the destruction of his domain and the lack of worshipers. His connection to his godly powers has weakened, resulting in a decline in his overall strength.
14. Is Kratos older than Thor?
While Thor and Odin are both extremely old by human standards, Kratos is not older than them. His godly heritage, however, allows him to live for an extended period, but the Aesir Gods were around for a longer period.
15. Why couldn’t Kratos lift Mjölnir?
Kratos can’t lift Mjölnir, Thor’s hammer, as doing so would compromise his character arc, and tarnish the story. Mjölnir is used for evil, and Kratos should never fall back into his old ways.