The story of the original God of War (2005) follows Kratos, a Spartan warrior serving the Olympian gods to atone for his past sins. After a decade of service, he is tasked by Athena to defeat Ares, the God of War, who is laying waste to the city of Athens.
In the original God of War (2005), Kratos is portrayed as a tragic and hyper-violent Spartan warrior who has spent ten years in servitude to the Olympian gods. Driven by a desperate need to erase the haunting memories of his past, he serves as their champion to earn forgiveness for his atrocities. The "Ghost of Sparta": His most striking feature is his deathly pale skin, which is permanently coated in the ashes of his murdered wife and daughterโa curse meant to serve as a constant reminder of his sins. Distinctive Markings: He has a large red tattoo that winds across his left eye, torso, and back (a tribute to his lost brother, Deimos) and a prominent scar over his right eye. Build & Attire: He is depicted as an incredibly muscular, bald man with a goatee. In this era, he typically wears a simple Spartan-style leather loincloth with a large belt, bracers, and sandals. Height: In the original Greek saga, he is approximately 7'8" (234 cm) tall. Antihero Motivation: Unlike traditional heroes, Kratos is motivated almost entirely by vengeance and self-interest. He is bitter and outspoken, often engaging in dialogue with others while expressing disdain for the gods. Brutal Combatant: He is characterized by uncontrolled rage and incredible cruelty toward his enemies. In combat, he uses the Blades of Chaosโtwin blades fused to his arms by permanent chains, symbolizing his servitude to Ares. Divine Heritage: Though initially presented as a mortal with superhuman strength, it is later revealed that he is a demigod and the son of Zeus. Superhuman Prowess: He possesses near-limitless strength, stamina, and agility. Magic Gifts: During his journey, he receives magical powers from various gods, including Poseidonโs Rage (lightning), Medusaโs Gaze (petrification), and the Army of Hades (summoning spirits). Godhood: By the end of the game, after defeating Ares, Kratos ascends to Olympus and takes his place as the new God of War.
In the original God of War (2005), Athena serves as the primary guide and patron of Kratos. As the Goddess of Wisdom and War, she tasks Kratos with killing her brother, Ares, to save her city of Athens from his destructive siege.
In the original 2005 God of War, Ares is the primary antagonist and the Olympian God of War who sets the entire series in motion.
*To kill a god, Athena informs Kratos he needs Pandora's Box, which is hidden inside a massive temple chained to the back of the Titan Cronos. Kratos travels through the Desert of Lost Souls and spends days climbing the Titan to enter the trap-filled temple.
Just as Kratos retrieves the box, Ares senses his success and kills him by hurling a massive pillar from miles away. Kratos falls into the Underworld but refuses to stay dead, battling his way back to the surface with the help of a mysterious gravedigger.*
Release Date 2026.03.30 / Last Updated 2026.03.31