Traditionally, video games are an unexpected medium to find an empathetic handling of issues, but throughout consistent growth, video games have advanced in their abilities to tell a story, develop characters, evoke emotion, and thematically represent real issues. God of War, 2018 Game of the Year, is among the most accomplished video games because of the game’s successful depiction of the complexities surrounding fatherhood. Specifically, God of War follows Kratos’s journey of caring for his son Atreus after his wife Feye passes away. Kratos finds himself within the nine realms of Norse mythology, seeking to disperse Feye’s ashes atop the highest point of the nine realms, all while caring for his son. On their journey, Kratos must endure the stress of keeping them alive, fathering Atreus, and fulfilling Feye’s request; Odin, the All-father of Nordic gods, senses something unique about Kratos and Atreus and aims to upend them with whatever means necessary. While God of War is a masterpiece because it mesmerizes gamers with its gorgeous landscape, bold character development, engaging storyline, and plentiful dialogue, God of War’s triumphant utilization of underlying theme places the game in a league of its own. Through realistic stressors, relatability, and forced self-growth, fatherhood is a central theme that steers the story and enhances the gaming experience
A focus throughout the story is Kratos’s stress of trying to become a good father. Kratos struggles with whether to be more nurturing or more authoritative, which is a dilemma parents face in reality. Early in the game during a mission on Midgard called “The Marked Trees,” Kratos teaches Atreus how to hunt. During the lesson, Atreus shoots a deer and must finish the kill with a knife because Kratos tells him that “he must finish what he started.” (Santa) Atreus is unable to finish the kill alone, so Kratos completes the task for him, causing Atreus to turn away in sadness. Kratos reaches his arm to comfort Atreus but stops himself and remains silent. (Santa) To the player, Kratos visibly felt the conflict of wanting to be a loving father while also teaching Atreus a tough life lesson. This conflict is a realistic stressor for fathers in society. To some men, being a good father means toughening up their child to prepare him or her for the world, but sometimes children want love rather than a lesson. Finding a balance between teaching lessons and giving love may be difficult for fathers who have a lack of nurturing capabilities. Kratos seems to understand how dangerous his journey with Atreus is but clearly struggles with determining the correct course of action. When Kratos sees Atreus upset after failing to finish his kill, Kratos is unsure whether Atreus needed to be nurtured or taught a lesson. The uncertainty Kratos experiences is a struggle for many fathers because what feels like the right decision in the moment could present negative consequences in the future. All fathers, including Kratos, stress about the choices they make with their kids because they hope what they decide is what’s best for their children.
Another realistic stressor Kratos handles is the fragile nature of his relationship with Atreus due to Kratos’s absence in Atreus’s childhood. When Kratos first travels to the Realm of Light, Alfheim, in “A Realm Beyond,” Freya, the main antagonist’s mother, drags Kratos deep within the realm. (Santa) While deep within the realm, Kratos hears Atreus whispering to Feye, “You left me here alone… alone with him… he always leaves; he’s never here. He doesn’t want me, and he never will. I don’t know him, and he doesn’t know me. He doesn’t seem to want to.” (Santa) Kratos is shaken up after hearing this because he believes he is acting in Atreus’s best interest even though Atreus thinks otherwise. Kratos’s confusion stemming from how to handle Atreus’s emotions is a common struggle among parents and children. Specifically, parents sometimes struggle reconciling what they think is best for their children and what the children think is best for themselves. As also displayed in this scene through Atreus confiding in Feye, some children develop stronger bonds with their mothers. A closer relationship between mothers and children can be attributed to a father’s absence, which caused a disconnect between Atreus and Kratos. Fragile parent-child relationships and uncertain parenting decisions are realistic stressors that fathers face. In God of War, Kratos is seen struggling through everyday stressors for real life fathers, and Kratos’s journey through these stressors enhances the experience for the player.
An effective way for game developers to entice players is to create a protagonist who portrays likable, relatable characteristics. Before, in his lust for destruction, Kratos was not a relatable character. However, Atreus’s introduction into the game caused Kratos to face adversity as a father, allowing an element of relatability for players. Kratos’s fatherhood role is relatable to “anyone [who has] lived with a father who struggles to express himself, hiding, instead, behind a cold veneer of authority.” (Macdonald) A specific instance showcasing relatability occurs during the mission “Return to the Summit,” when Atreus disrespects the dwarven blacksmith and denounces his mother; Kratos attempts to teach Atreus that kindness is more appropriate than honesty in some situations. (Santa) Despite Atreus’s negative response, Kratos further explains the importance of kindness and honoring Feye. (Santa) Kratos also disciplines Atreus’s actions by not allowing him to carry Feye’s ashes. (Santa) Players who are also parents will relate to Kratos being disrespected by his own son. Through his further explanation, Kratos showed players one way to handle a child who disregards parental advice, by reinforcing proper behavior. Kratos also asserts dominance over Atreus in a manner proportional to Atreus’s disobedience. Parents who play God of War will learn from Kratos about how to parent in a way that is neither too harsh nor too lenient during difficult situations. Kratos’s ability to remain calm and continue enforcing the message he is trying to teach is a task all parents should attempt. Kratos’s experiences add both an educational and relatable element for players.
Kratos is also relatable because he displays unconditional love in difficult situations. During a different segment of “Return to the Summit,” Kratos and Atreus are at a gate to Jotunheim, which contains the highest peak within the nine realms, when Baldur, the main antagonist, appears and tries to kill them. Kratos pushes Atreus back and tells him to run. (Santa) Rather than running, Atreus yells at Kratos, and then shoots him with an arrow and attacks Baldur. Baldur grabs Atreus and jumps off the mountain. (Santa) Even after Atreus wounded him, Kratos gathers himself and jumps after Baldur and Atreus. (Santa) This scene displays Kratos’s unconditional love for Atreus. Kratos actions resemble a familiar situation for parents. Parents are often put in situations where their children treat them poorly, but a parent must maintain composure. Kratos defended Atreus after he shot him, displaying a respectable quality of fatherhood by looking beyond a child’s dismay and continuing to love them unconditionally.
Finally, fatherhood can force individuals to grow in several aspects because parents may be terrified that “[they] might inflict [their] worst qualities on the people [they] love the most in the world, whether through genetics or behavior.” (Macdonald) This common fear causes parents to grow as people, just as Kratos does. Throughout God of War, Kratos fears that Atreus will become the arrogant, sadistic god that Kratos once was. Because of his fear, Kratos neglects to share his past with Atreus, and for as long as possible, Kratos avoids telling Atreus they are both gods. As the game progresses, the player sees Kratos grow. During the mission called “Jotunheim in Reach,” Kratos and Atreus battle their way to the main entrance of Jotunheim. As they approach the entrance, Baldur attacks them for the final battle of the game. (Santa) After the dramatic battle that leaves Baldur dead, Freya, Baldur’s mother, picks him up and says to Kratos, “You are an animal, passing on your cruelty and rage, you will never change ... does [Atreus] know what you really are?” (Santa) Rather than reacting with anger, Kratos tells Atreus about his past filled with rage, merciless violence, and killing his own father. Kratos concludes the conversation by telling Atreus that “[they] will be the gods they choose to be, not those who have been. Who [he] was is not who [Atreus] will be; [they] must be better.” (Santa) This moment is the defining point in Kratos’s growth and journey as a father. A younger Kratos would have welcomed the idea of a rage-filled son who shares his love for violence, but the new Kratos has a different outlook on what he wants in his son. One main goal of parenting is raising a child that succeeds beyond the parents’ successes and accomplishments. Parents hope to learn from their pasts and apply that knowledge to provide a better life for their child. Throughout God of War, Kratos worked through his past and ultimately became a role model for Atreus. Kratos acknowledged the negative impacts of his past violence and imparted this knowledge onto Atreus, encouraging him to “be better.” Kratos shows God of War players that honesty with oneself and others regarding negative portions of the past will increase credibility and respect when trying to teach lessons.
Fatherhood is a prevalent theme throughout God of War, and without the dynamic between Kratos and Atreus, the game would have a less significant impact on players. Although video games are an unorthodox medium to consider complex life issues, God of War pulls from many aspects of fatherhood to engage the player. Through Kratos, God of War emphasized realistic stressors fathers face, created relatable scenarios with the player, and traced self-growth. God of War’s success as a video game stems not only from the graphics, but also from the story, which is strengthened by the thematic use of fatherhood. Video games reach a wide range of players, and utilizing themes is one way to portray societal values and lessons upon a diverse group of people.
A focus throughout the story is Kratos’s stress of trying to become a good father. Kratos struggles with whether to be more nurturing or more authoritative, which is a dilemma parents face in reality. Early in the game during a mission on Midgard called “The Marked Trees,” Kratos teaches Atreus how to hunt. During the lesson, Atreus shoots a deer and must finish the kill with a knife because Kratos tells him that “he must finish what he started.” (Santa) Atreus is unable to finish the kill alone, so Kratos completes the task for him, causing Atreus to turn away in sadness. Kratos reaches his arm to comfort Atreus but stops himself and remains silent. (Santa) To the player, Kratos visibly felt the conflict of wanting to be a loving father while also teaching Atreus a tough life lesson. This conflict is a realistic stressor for fathers in society. To some men, being a good father means toughening up their child to prepare him or her for the world, but sometimes children want love rather than a lesson. Finding a balance between teaching lessons and giving love may be difficult for fathers who have a lack of nurturing capabilities. Kratos seems to understand how dangerous his journey with Atreus is but clearly struggles with determining the correct course of action. When Kratos sees Atreus upset after failing to finish his kill, Kratos is unsure whether Atreus needed to be nurtured or taught a lesson. The uncertainty Kratos experiences is a struggle for many fathers because what feels like the right decision in the moment could present negative consequences in the future. All fathers, including Kratos, stress about the choices they make with their kids because they hope what they decide is what’s best for their children.
Another realistic stressor Kratos handles is the fragile nature of his relationship with Atreus due to Kratos’s absence in Atreus’s childhood. When Kratos first travels to the Realm of Light, Alfheim, in “A Realm Beyond,” Freya, the main antagonist’s mother, drags Kratos deep within the realm. (Santa) While deep within the realm, Kratos hears Atreus whispering to Feye, “You left me here alone… alone with him… he always leaves; he’s never here. He doesn’t want me, and he never will. I don’t know him, and he doesn’t know me. He doesn’t seem to want to.” (Santa) Kratos is shaken up after hearing this because he believes he is acting in Atreus’s best interest even though Atreus thinks otherwise. Kratos’s confusion stemming from how to handle Atreus’s emotions is a common struggle among parents and children. Specifically, parents sometimes struggle reconciling what they think is best for their children and what the children think is best for themselves. As also displayed in this scene through Atreus confiding in Feye, some children develop stronger bonds with their mothers. A closer relationship between mothers and children can be attributed to a father’s absence, which caused a disconnect between Atreus and Kratos. Fragile parent-child relationships and uncertain parenting decisions are realistic stressors that fathers face. In God of War, Kratos is seen struggling through everyday stressors for real life fathers, and Kratos’s journey through these stressors enhances the experience for the player.
An effective way for game developers to entice players is to create a protagonist who portrays likable, relatable characteristics. Before, in his lust for destruction, Kratos was not a relatable character. However, Atreus’s introduction into the game caused Kratos to face adversity as a father, allowing an element of relatability for players. Kratos’s fatherhood role is relatable to “anyone [who has] lived with a father who struggles to express himself, hiding, instead, behind a cold veneer of authority.” (Macdonald) A specific instance showcasing relatability occurs during the mission “Return to the Summit,” when Atreus disrespects the dwarven blacksmith and denounces his mother; Kratos attempts to teach Atreus that kindness is more appropriate than honesty in some situations. (Santa) Despite Atreus’s negative response, Kratos further explains the importance of kindness and honoring Feye. (Santa) Kratos also disciplines Atreus’s actions by not allowing him to carry Feye’s ashes. (Santa) Players who are also parents will relate to Kratos being disrespected by his own son. Through his further explanation, Kratos showed players one way to handle a child who disregards parental advice, by reinforcing proper behavior. Kratos also asserts dominance over Atreus in a manner proportional to Atreus’s disobedience. Parents who play God of War will learn from Kratos about how to parent in a way that is neither too harsh nor too lenient during difficult situations. Kratos’s ability to remain calm and continue enforcing the message he is trying to teach is a task all parents should attempt. Kratos’s experiences add both an educational and relatable element for players.
Kratos is also relatable because he displays unconditional love in difficult situations. During a different segment of “Return to the Summit,” Kratos and Atreus are at a gate to Jotunheim, which contains the highest peak within the nine realms, when Baldur, the main antagonist, appears and tries to kill them. Kratos pushes Atreus back and tells him to run. (Santa) Rather than running, Atreus yells at Kratos, and then shoots him with an arrow and attacks Baldur. Baldur grabs Atreus and jumps off the mountain. (Santa) Even after Atreus wounded him, Kratos gathers himself and jumps after Baldur and Atreus. (Santa) This scene displays Kratos’s unconditional love for Atreus. Kratos actions resemble a familiar situation for parents. Parents are often put in situations where their children treat them poorly, but a parent must maintain composure. Kratos defended Atreus after he shot him, displaying a respectable quality of fatherhood by looking beyond a child’s dismay and continuing to love them unconditionally.
Finally, fatherhood can force individuals to grow in several aspects because parents may be terrified that “[they] might inflict [their] worst qualities on the people [they] love the most in the world, whether through genetics or behavior.” (Macdonald) This common fear causes parents to grow as people, just as Kratos does. Throughout God of War, Kratos fears that Atreus will become the arrogant, sadistic god that Kratos once was. Because of his fear, Kratos neglects to share his past with Atreus, and for as long as possible, Kratos avoids telling Atreus they are both gods. As the game progresses, the player sees Kratos grow. During the mission called “Jotunheim in Reach,” Kratos and Atreus battle their way to the main entrance of Jotunheim. As they approach the entrance, Baldur attacks them for the final battle of the game. (Santa) After the dramatic battle that leaves Baldur dead, Freya, Baldur’s mother, picks him up and says to Kratos, “You are an animal, passing on your cruelty and rage, you will never change ... does [Atreus] know what you really are?” (Santa) Rather than reacting with anger, Kratos tells Atreus about his past filled with rage, merciless violence, and killing his own father. Kratos concludes the conversation by telling Atreus that “[they] will be the gods they choose to be, not those who have been. Who [he] was is not who [Atreus] will be; [they] must be better.” (Santa) This moment is the defining point in Kratos’s growth and journey as a father. A younger Kratos would have welcomed the idea of a rage-filled son who shares his love for violence, but the new Kratos has a different outlook on what he wants in his son. One main goal of parenting is raising a child that succeeds beyond the parents’ successes and accomplishments. Parents hope to learn from their pasts and apply that knowledge to provide a better life for their child. Throughout God of War, Kratos worked through his past and ultimately became a role model for Atreus. Kratos acknowledged the negative impacts of his past violence and imparted this knowledge onto Atreus, encouraging him to “be better.” Kratos shows God of War players that honesty with oneself and others regarding negative portions of the past will increase credibility and respect when trying to teach lessons.
Fatherhood is a prevalent theme throughout God of War, and without the dynamic between Kratos and Atreus, the game would have a less significant impact on players. Although video games are an unorthodox medium to consider complex life issues, God of War pulls from many aspects of fatherhood to engage the player. Through Kratos, God of War emphasized realistic stressors fathers face, created relatable scenarios with the player, and traced self-growth. God of War’s success as a video game stems not only from the graphics, but also from the story, which is strengthened by the thematic use of fatherhood. Video games reach a wide range of players, and utilizing themes is one way to portray societal values and lessons upon a diverse group of people.
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