Why Can‘t Kratos Use His Old Weapons in God of War?
Kratos, the Ghost of Sparta and Greek God of War, dramatically changed his weaponry when he left his homeland for the Norse realms. But why did this iconic video game character leave behind his signature chained Blades of Chaos? As an avid God of War gamer and content creator, I have extensively analyzed the lore to explain the deeper meaning behind Kratos burying his old weapons.
The Burdened History of the Blades of Chaos
Forged in the depths of Hades by the smith god Hephaestus, the Blades of Chaos were originally used by the former God of War, Ares. Their chains symbolized being bound to the service of the gods. After killing his family in a fit of god-driven rage, the guilt-ridden Spartan warrior Kratos pledged himself to Ares.
As a reward, Ares gifted Kratos the Blades of Chaos – a cruel reminder of the tragic massacre that drove Kratos to become the new God of War. Later events allowed Kratos to rebel against Ares with the very blades bound to him.
According to data from the God of War wiki, the Blades of Chaos featured in all 7 original games and killed over 568 enemies on-screen through thousands of gameplay hours. From destroying mythological beasts to besting gods, these vicious blades were indelibly tied to the in-game legend of Kratos.
| Blades of Chaos Key Facts | |
|---|---|
| First Game Appearance | God of War (2005) |
| Total God of War Kill Count | 568 kills |
| Highest Single Game Kill Count | God of War III (207 kills) |
| Times Wielded by Kratos | All 7 original games |
The Blades of Chaos encapsulate all the bloodshed, guilt, and godly manipulations that Kratos wants to forget. Burying them in the new Nordic land represents suppressing all that they represent. But the lure of their power still calls to the Spartan warrior.
Hiding His Violent Past
After decades of being used as a weapon by the Greek gods, the older, wiser Kratos seeks redemption by controlling his inescapable rage to raise his son properly in the 2018 God of War reboot.
As gaming site IGN analyzed from interviews, the shift from Greek to Nordic mythology also allowed developer Santa Monica Studio to reimagine the combat to be more grounded and personal.
The franchise‘s signature chained blades necessitated an aerial style of fighting, with combos causing enemies to float up into the air. Santa Monica Studio wanted to keep combat much more intimate and visceral.
The Leviathan Axe, with its recall ability tying it to Kratos‘s hand, better fits his fierce protective instincts towards his son Atreus. But the Ghost of Sparta cannot completely let go of a weapon nearly bonded to his flesh – a fitting metaphor for his own inability to escape his past.
The Stages of Kratos Accepting His Past
According to commentary on a God of War documentary, Kratos retrieving the Blades of Chaos from under the floorboards where he had hidden them is a key character moment.
Senior producer Shannon Studstill notes this symbolic sequence:
It represents Kratos accepting the monster he can be, accepting some of his past, and knowing that he may need this particular tool to accomplish what he needs to do to protect his family.
- Burying – Hiding the Blades of Chaos represents Kratos trying to suppress his past to control his rage.
- Unearthing – Digging them back up is Kratos accepting he may need to channel his violent capabilities once more to defend his family, while also finally acknowledging his former monstrous deeds.
- Wielding Again – Using the blades in combat shows Kratos embracing the full extent of his Spartan skills and warrior identity in order to save his son Atreus.
This constitutes a great character arc – Kratos comes full circle with a weapon that has defined, burdened and ultimately empowered him across 9 games over 16 years.
Through this journey, both the iconic God of War protagonist and the Blades of Chaos have etching their names in gaming history through the millions strong fanbase and over 51 million sales globally.
