Why is Kratos so small?

Why is Kratos so Small?

Kratos, the iconic Greek warrior from the God of War series, has undergone significant changes in his character design over the years. One of the most notable changes is his reduction in height. In the earlier games, Kratos was depicted as a towering figure, standing at an impressive 7 feet 8 inches tall. However, in the 2018 God of War game and its subsequent sequels, Kratos’s height was significantly reduced to around 6 feet 6 inches.

Why the Change?

So, why did the developers of God of War decide to make Kratos smaller? The answer lies in the game’s new direction and the creative decisions made by the developers. According to Axel Grossman, the lead character technical artist at Santa Monica Studio, the team wanted to make Kratos more relatable and human-like. They felt that his massive size made him more of a cartoonish character, and by making him smaller, they could make him more grounded and realistic.

Kratos’s Height in the Earlier Games

Before the 2018 God of War game, Kratos’s height was a significant aspect of his character design. He was depicted as a towering figure, with a height that was almost mythical. In fact, his height was often used as a way to emphasize his strength and power. However, as the series progressed, the developers began to feel that Kratos’s massive size was becoming a hindrance to the storytelling and gameplay.

Kratos’s Height in the 2018 God of War Game and Beyond

In the 2018 God of War game, Kratos’s height was significantly reduced to around 6 feet 6 inches. This change was made to make him more relatable and human-like, as mentioned earlier. The developers also wanted to focus more on Kratos’s emotional journey and his relationships with his son, Atreus, and other characters. By making Kratos smaller, they could create a more intimate and personal story that was focused on character development rather than just action and spectacle.

The Impact on Gameplay

The reduction in Kratos’s height had a significant impact on the gameplay of the 2018 God of War game and its sequels. The game’s combat system was designed to be more strategic and nuanced, with a focus on melee combat and puzzle-solving. The smaller size of Kratos made him more agile and easier to maneuver, which allowed for more fluid and responsive combat.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Kratos’s reduction in height was a deliberate creative decision made by the developers of God of War. By making him smaller, they could create a more relatable and human-like character that was focused on emotional storytelling and character development rather than just action and spectacle. The change in Kratos’s height also had a significant impact on the gameplay, making it more strategic and nuanced. Overall, the reduction in Kratos’s height was a successful change that helped to revitalize the God of War series and attract a new audience.

Height Comparison Table

Height Comparison Chart

Early Games

• Kratos’s height was consistently depicted as 7 feet 8 inches in the early God of War games.
• This height was used to emphasize Kratos’s strength and power.

2018 Game and Beyond

• Kratos’s height was reduced to 6 feet 6 inches in the 2018 God of War game.
• This change was made to make Kratos more relatable and human-like.

Key Points

• Kratos’s reduction in height was a deliberate creative decision made by the developers.
• The change was made to make Kratos more relatable and human-like.
• The reduction in Kratos’s height had a significant impact on the gameplay, making it more strategic and nuanced.
• The change in Kratos’s height was a successful change that helped to revitalize the God of War series and attract a new audience.

Additional Resources

• God of War (2005) – Wikipedia
• God of War (2018) – Wikipedia
• God of War Ragnarok (2022) – Wikipedia
• Kratos’s Height – A Comparative Analysis (article)

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