Did Kratos Go Full Power?
Kratos, the iconic protagonist of the God of War series, is known for his godlike strength and abilities. As we explored through several installments of the game series, Kratos’ journey took him from being an outcast to becoming a God of War. His evolution is marked by constant encounters with higher forces of both mythological and divine aspects, which have shaped him into the powerful warrior we see today. But at any point in his timeline, did Kratos attain his full potential? What limits did he face during his journey, and where did he stop short from realizing his full power?
Early Life as the God of War
At the beginning of God of War (2005), Kratos is simply the God of War of Greece, a demigod with incredible strength but without any real control or command over his powers. This is evident in how easily he is manipulated and influenced by the gods during his early battles. Without his full potential, he often finds himself struggling and outmatched by the higher gods.
Assuming Godhood
Once Kratos kills Ares and becomes the new God of War, he still maintains his incredible strength. This is evident in scenes such as the battle in God of War where he effortlessly takes on gods and monsters. Nonetheless, he still faces severe restrictions and limitations. Here’s a breakdown of when he stopped short of using his full power, so to speak:
| God of War Series | Approx. Age | Level of Power | |
|---|---|---|---|
| – God of War I (2005) – Early 30s | Beginner God of War strength ((Note 1: Kratos’ limited potential at this stage ) | ||
| – God of War II (2007) – Late 30s | God-like strength, but still some limits (( Note: No Divine Gods ability and godly powers ) | ||
| – God of War: Chains of Olympus (2008) & God of War: Ghost of Sparta (2010) – mid to late 40s | God-like strength continued; still some limitations to full power ) | ||
| – God of War: Ascension (2013) – Late 50s | God- ascended strength, much stronger, but still stopping short of full) |
Kratos Goes All Out
In recent iterations of the series (from **God of War III (2010) onward), Kratos evolves, and his powers drastically expand. He becomes close to achieving his full power when he:
- Acquires the Mark of the Gods, demonstrating he can now wield power more effectively.
- Faces Odin and other gods, showing capacity to rival their strength while resisting their influence.
- Defeats Chaos, a god like figure, and Other powerful beings, indicating improvement toward total command
What restricts Kratos from becoming completely all-powerful, though?
(Partial) Limitations, Reservations, and Constraints:
- Averse to Godling power, Kratos refrains from using it too aggressively, as seen through interactions with Freya, Odin‘s daughter.
- A tendency toward self-determination and free-will, Kratos never gives in fully to powers above his own, a subtle sign of his humility.
Conclusion
Considering his journey, Kratos did not fully master his powers at some stages, but he does have moments where he neared maximum utilization throughout GOW series. From battling gods to facing demons within, Kratos still encounters limitations, but continues his growth toward containing his powers (Note 1). His human connections, like at-one-ment to Atreus, Freya, and his humility play a crucial role. When Kratos does get close to full potential, it’s often seen when he’s in self-extraction modes, such as before meeting Odin and gods.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKOkJgRmOTw