Kratos has evolved, but fans are craving the old rage-fueled god. Will the God of War franchise ever bring back the fearless warrior?

The God of War series has evolved dramatically over the years, transforming from a rage-fueled vengeance story into an emotionally rich, character-driven narrative about growth and self-reflection. While the community has widely praised this shift, there is a segment of fans who want the fearless anti-hero back.

The series has left a long-lasting impact on the players. | Image Credit: Santa Monica Studio

As the series slowly shows the emotional depth of the once-unstoppable god, fans are asking a simple question: Will they ever see the Kratos they fell in love with again? The one who didn’t care about the consequences, who thrived on raw aggression and had no problem destroying anything that crossed his path.

The transformation of God of War: From vengeance to growth

Fans once again want to see the rage-fueled version of Kratos. | Image Credit: Santa Monica Studio

In the original trilogy timeline, Kratos can be defined by one simple trait: rage. He was fueled by his betrayal (by the gods), his guilt over the death of his family, and his unyielding desire for revenge. Players stepped into the shoes of a god who was plowing through countless enemies, leaving a trail of destruction.

Whether it was slaying gods like Ares, Poseidon, and Hades, or destroying mythical beasts, The Ashen God was always a character driven by raw emotion, never compromising his pursuit of vengeance. This version of him became the heart and soul of the series.

Fans didn’t just admire him, they feared and respected him for his relentless pursuit of justice (however flawed it was). However, in 2018, when the series took a dramatic turn, this version of him was a far cry from the bloodthirsty warrior players had come to know.

Players understood that he had accomplished his vengeance and was now raising his son, Atreus, shifting the game’s central theme from vengeance to growth. This marked the beginning of a more subdued and reflective Kratos.

While the newer titles still delivered some epic fights (especially against Thor and his sons) and the narrative offered great depth and richness, this was a more thoughtful and controlled version of him.

Fans are craving to see the Old Kratos

While the latest titles are great, fans crave the real version of the warrior. | Image Credit: Santa Monica Studio

Among all the praise for the more mature portrayal and rich narrative, there’s a vocal portion of the fanbase that yearns for the Kratos of the original trilogy. They miss the Kratos who charged into battle with no regard for his own life, who laughed in the face of gods, and who had an unmatched intensity.

Players have begun to voice their opinions on social media, in forums, and in various gaming communities, expressing their craving to once again see the aggressive, no-nonsense attitude of the warrior.

He should do this again, but he’s lost to the virus. https://t.co/rKXYlqQWSX

— Grummz (@Grummz) January 9, 2025

Old Kratos is now “problematic”

— Akira Toriyama (Parody) (@AkiraToriyama) January 9, 2025

Kratos needs to embrace his roots again—the unrelenting rage, the raw emotion, and the tragic depth that made him iconic. The original games were unapologetically bold, capturing a man consumed by vengeance and pain. They didn’t dilute his fury to cater to trends or ideals; his…

— NomadicAi (@nomadicai) January 9, 2025

The old Kratos is the real Kratos.

— BASED PLAYER (@BASEDPLAYERLLC) January 10, 2025

It’s clear that these fans aren’t upset with the character’s growth or emotional depth, they appreciate that he has evolved and changed. But for many, they want to see the original, unfiltered Kratos who made them fall in love with the series in the first place.

As God of War moves forward, it’s unclear whether the series will ever return to its roots (since the focus could also shift to Atreus). Will Kratos once again embrace the anger and vengeance that defined him, or is the character’s evolution a permanent shift? Only time will tell.

In the end, while fans are hoping to see Kratos reclaim his rage, one thing is clear: He wasn’t just a main character, he was a symbol of unrestrained power that made the franchise unforgettable.