God of War

Overview Places & Experiences Collectibles Characters Weapons & Gear Media

Action-adventure video game series following Kratos, a Spartan warrior turned god, on his journey of revenge and redemption through Greek and Norse mythology.

Official Website

Jump to:Story·Impact·Characters·FAQ

IP Overview & Key Facts

IP Key Facts

Essential information and quick stats.

Full Name

God of War

Also Known As

GoW

Format

Action-Adventure Video Game Series

Release Year

2005

Current Status

Active

Country of Origin

United States

Region

United States

Creator

David Jaffe

Publisher

Sony Interactive Entertainment

Original Work

Video Game

Genre

Action-Adventure, Hack and Slash, Mythology, Drama

Story, World & Core Themes

Explore the narrative, setting, and ideas that shape God of War.

Story

High-level synopsis and narrative focus.

Follow Kratos, a Spartan warrior who becomes the God of War, on his journey through Greek and Norse mythology seeking revenge and redemption.

World

Setting, cultures, and distinctive elements.

Ancient Greece and Norse realms, mythological worlds filled with gods, monsters, and magic

God of War masterfully reinterprets classical mythology, blending the brutality of Greek tragedies with the somber introspection of Norse sagas. It is a touchstone for 'dadification' in gaming, exploring complex father-son dynamics against a backdrop of divine conflict.

Themes

Core ideas and recurring motifs.

Revenge, redemption, fatherhood, mythology, the cycle of violence, personal growth

Cultural Impact Timeline

High-level milestones showing God of War's global influence.

2005

Original God of War releases on PlayStation 2, establishing the franchise

2007

God of War II continues Kratos' story in Greek mythology

2008

Chains of Olympus brings the series to PlayStation Portable

2010

God of War III concludes the Greek saga on PlayStation 3

2013

Ascension serves as a prequel to the original trilogy

2018

God of War (2018) reboots the series with Norse mythology and mature storytelling

2022

God of War Ragnarﾃｶk concludes the Norse saga

2024

Series continues to expand with new projects in development

Sales

Over 51 million copies sold across all games in the series

Revenue

Multi-billion dollar franchise for Sony Interactive Entertainment

Awards

Game of the Year awards, BAFTA Games Awards, D.I.C.E. Awards

Key Characters

Meet representative characters from God of War.

Kratos

“Boy!”

The Ghost of Sparta turned father, seeking redemption for his bloody past while protecting his son in a harsh new world.View Profile

Atreus

“I'm ready, father.”

Kratos' inquisitive son who grapples with his divine heritage and his destiny as Loki.View Profile

Mimir

“Well, that's a story for another time.”

The smartest man alive, a reanimated head who serves as the duo's guide, lore-keeper, and moral compass.View Profile

Freya

“I will have my revenge!”

A powerful Vanir goddess and grieving mother torn between her friendship with Kratos and her vengeance for her son.View Profile

Thor

“I am Thor, God of Thunder!”

Norse God of Thunder, Odin's son, wielder of Mjﾃｶlnir and one of the most powerful gods.View Profile

Odin

“I know everything, and I will do anything to survive Ragnarﾃｶk.”

King of the Aesir gods, obsessed with preventing Ragnarﾃｶk and controlling all knowledge.View Profile

Explore all God of War characters

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to play the older God of War games before the 2018 one?▼

Not necessarily. God of War (2018) acts as a soft reboot and a great entry point, introducing a new story in Norse mythology. However, knowing Kratos' tragic past in Greece adds significant emotional depth to his character arc.

Who is Atreus really?▼

Atreus is the son of Kratos and the Giantess Faye. It is revealed at the end of the 2018 game that his mother wanted to name him Loki, making him the Norse Trickster God.

Why did Kratos move to Norse mythology?▼

After destroying the Greek pantheon and flooding the world in God of War III, Kratos wandered the earth for centuries before settling in the Norse realm of Midgard to live as a man, away from his past.

Is Kratos a villain or a hero?▼

He started as a tragic anti-hero seeking vengeance, often committing villainous acts. The Norse saga portrays his redemption arc, where he strives to be a protector and a better father, moving away from his destructive past.

What is 'Ragnarﾃｶk' in the game?▼

Ragnarﾃｶk is the prophesied end of the world in Norse mythology, involving a great battle that leads to the death of many gods, including Odin and Thor. Kratos and Atreus find themselves at the center of this prophecy.

Who is Mimir?▼

Mimir is the smartest man alive and a former advisor to Odin. Kratos carries his reanimated head, and he serves as the duo's guide, lore-keeper, and often the voice of reason.

What are the Blades of Chaos?▼

The Blades of Chaos are Kratos' iconic weapons from the Greek era, seared onto his flesh by Ares. They represent his past servitude and sins, which he literally and metaphorically unearths in the Norse saga.

Who is the main villain of the Norse saga?▼

Odin, the All-Father, is the overarching antagonist. He is depicted not as a wise ruler, but as a paranoid, manipulative, and ruthless tyrant obsessed with preventing his own death.

How does the combat system change in the 2018 game?▼

The 2018 game shifts from a fixed-camera hack-and-slash to an over-the-shoulder, more tactical combat system. It introduces the Leviathan Axe, which can be thrown and recalled, adding a new layer of strategy.

Is God of War Ragnarﾃｶk the final game?▼

God of War Ragnarﾃｶk is the conclusion of the Norse saga. However, the developers have hinted that the franchise itself may continue, possibly exploring other mythologies in the future.