Kratos Stands Tall at 6‘4" in God of War Ragnarök

As a passionate God of War fan and gaming industry expert, I can definitively state that Kratos is 6 feet and 4 inches (193 cm) tall in the latest franchise installment, God of War Ragnarök. This places him at the taller end of the spectrum for video game protagonists, though he has shrunk a few inches compared to earlier titles.

Let‘s analyze Kratos‘ imposing physique across God of War games over time, see how he measures up literally against iconic characters like Mario, Master Chief and more, understand why developers reduced his height in recent years, and appreciate the symbolic meaning behind his Herculean frame.

Documenting Kratos‘ Height Across God of War Games

Kratos entered the gaming scene standing dominantly tall – some of the earliest measurable records had him pegged around the 7 foot range in overall height:

However, more recent titles have portrayed a shorter yet just as fierce version of our ashen-skinned antihero:

So over the last decade, Kratos has shed a few inches in terms of canonical height within the games. Next let‘s see exactly how he measures up against other famous video game characters.

Kratos vs Other Video Game Icons: Height Comparison

Standing boldly at 6 foot 4, Kratos fits right in amongst other powerful video game protagonists and warriors in terms of stature:

Some titans that outsize even the mighty Kratos include:

So in summary, at 6‘4" Kratos stands eye to eye with many iconic video game heroes in terms of girth and height. He may not be the tallest, but his physique and skills make him more than a match for any challenger.

The Intentional Design Choice to "Shrink" Kratos

When asked about Kratos‘ reduced height, God of War franchise Creative Director Cory Barlog explained it was an intentional choice to craft a more grounded and realistic protagonist:

"He‘s definitely shorter. So he was like 8 feet tall or something like that before. And it‘s something that visually for where I wanted to take it — I wanted a little more grounded, a little more intimacy."

As Barlog notes, at his initial mammoth measurements Kratos lacked intimacy and felt disconnected from players and other characters. His smaller 6‘4" frame in recent games maintains an larger-than-life presence while allowing more emotional storytelling and impactful relationships with figures like his son Atreus.

Overall, the height change helped reimagine Kratos for a new generation with a greater focus on nuanced character depth over purely shock-and-awe factor.

The Symbolic Meaning Behind Kratos‘ Powerful Physique

It‘s no accident Kratos cuts such a dominantly tall, broad-shouldered figure. His creator David Jaffe once explained that his imposing frame represents his indomitable warrior spirit:

"Physically he had to be imposing and ripped because I wanted this game and this character to have a physicality that I felt I hadn‘t seen in a lot of games."

Some players wrongly assume his fierce masculinity exists merely for style or objectification. But his burly proportions directly reflect the unstoppable resilience housed within.

Kratos also contrasts the slim, lithe frames of stereotypically sneaky Greek trojan heroes. He proudly fights head on with raw strength – no tricks or deception necessary.

Lastly, his ashen white complexion symbolizes a void of warmth and light after tragically slaying his own family. The layers of white ash thus convey his somber, tortured history.

So all facets of Kratos‘ design, including his skyscraping height and Spartan build, signify core themes and that make up the God of War franchise.

To summarize Kratos‘ current height measurements:

• God of War Ragnarök: 6‘4" (193 cm)
• Earlier Heights From 7‘-8‘

So while maybe an inch or two shorter than his early days, make no mistake: Kratos remains an intimidating presence worthy of his God of War namesake thanks to unmatched physical and inner strength.

His reduced height brings welcome intimacy and emotional depth. Yet the heart of a lion still rages within that imposing frame.

Do you think Kratos‘ height has impacted his character arc across games? Share your thoughts on Kratos‘ design evolution in the comments!