Unraveling the Mystery of Kratos’ Age in God of War 3
God of War 3 is an epic conclusion to the original Greek mythology-inspired trilogy, boasting stunning graphics, intense battles, and an emotionally charged story. However, amidst the chaos of the game, a simple question has stirred debate among fans: How old was Kratos at the start of God of War 3? Dive into the world of GoW and unravel the answer to this age-old riddle (pun intended!) in this comprehensive article.
Before We Begin…
It is crucial to clarify that the storyline of God of War has undergone significant changes since its inception. The original God of War was released in 2005, focusing on Kratos’ story during the Fall of the Titans. From there, the series’ narrative unfolded through God of War II in 2007 and God of War III in 2010. The fourth installment, God of War (2018), introduces a completely new narrative focusing on Kratos’ personal journey as a father alongside his son Atreus.
Contents
Origins and Early Life (Before the Fall of Gods)
Kratos’ childhood and early adult life play a significant part in determining his age throughout the trilogy. According to the GoW lore,
- Kratos was the son of King Eurymedon
- Born around 320 BCE, which is widely accepted by fans and officials
- Growing up in Athens, Greece
- Served in the Olympian army led by the god Dionysus
To better comprehend Kratos’ age at the start of God of War 3, it’s essential to understand the passage of time between each installment.
| h | Event | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| God of War 1 | 480 BCE-480 BCE | ||
| God of War II | 321 BCE-400 BCE (10-year gap) | ||
| God of War 3 | 420 BCE (~10-year gap) | ||
| *The Fall of Gods | (around | 317 BCE | – 306 BCE) * |
Aging System in the Game
God of War 3 uses a chronological system that’s not without controversy. To put simply, time flows differently within the game according to different narrative events or plot progression. This subjective time, dubbed the ‘God’s perspective,’ helps to manipulate the timeline according to Kratos’ deeds and struggles. Critics and fans alike lament this mechanic as introducing inconsistencies to the game world.
Given the game’s unique take on time travel, fans must consider which timeline Kratos is stuck in: linear progressive time, where events proceed chronologically, or a branching narrative, involving multiple concurrent timelines.
Consider the example of Kratos’ death at the hands of the gods in God of War 3 and the subsequent event of him dying again near the start of the second game God of War II. This event creates confusion as to where Kratos stands in linear time.
- “Kratos dies in a linear progressive timeline, leading to an instantaneous restart when he becomes stuck in Acheron (God’s realm)”.
- “If you consider these events a parallel timeline for Kratos’ journey… Kratos ages accordingly through the two separate timelines,“
Calculations and Controversy
To resolve the age- old conundrum (), we can work backward from Kratos’ story to approximate his starting age for God of War 3:
Taking into account Kratos’s last encounter with Achilles during the Fall of Gods around 317/306 BCE, and
- his brief mention of not being too old to raise a child () in Acheron’s realm later in the game, *we may deduce**: Kratos has not progressed significantly through the years when the third game begins).
Considering this timeline, combining the ‘linear progressive timeline’ idea, and working backward in the story Kratos starts God of War 3 around
Key Calculations: A Simplified Age Calculation Guide
| h | Epoch | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Life | 321 BCE | ||
| GOD of WAR 3 Start | (approximate) 422 BCE |
Conclusion
Wrapping up, Kratos is approximately 101 years old at the start of God of War 3, assuming continuity with the chronological system observed throughout the original trilogy, considering factors such as progressive time travel, and neglecting major discrepancies in its narrative flow.
While fan debates regarding the aging pattern within God of War exist, Kratos’ aging process might have been intentionally omitted within the games, leaving calculations open for speculation. Some may agree or disagree depending on how they personally interpret time flow (linear vs. branching narrations), further solidifying the notion that Kratos’ age, in relation to this world, became a contentious subject.
Still, an essential aspect worth noting remains that the overall narrative impact is not marred by these age gaps, maintaining an engaging portrayal of Kratos’ struggles between his unyielding conviction and self-rediscovered humanity throughout his journey
Your turn! Is Kratos’ age calculable in your opinion, or would you rather emphasize the art of storytelling with the chronological manipulation? Provide your answer and share other insights, making this page a collective celebration of dedication to exploring the world within God of War!
