Of all gaming protagonists out there, it’s Kratos ofGod of Warthat earned a reputation for being one of the most badass characters of all time. After all, this Spartan General took up arms against not just Ares but the entirety of the Greek pantheon. Armed with nothing but his combat prowess and the acclaimed Blades of Chaos, Kratos proved that no god could stop his wrath. And every cover art of eachGod of Wargame proved his sheer awesomeness.
RELATED:God of War: Killer Kratos Quotes
However, given the many games in Sony’sfranchise, it’s only natural that some titles have better cover art than others. WhichGod of Warholds the distinction of being the best in this area?
9God of War 3 (2010)
The climactic finish to the classic trilogy,God of War 3depicts Kratos reigniting the Great War in a bid tofinally end the reign of the Olympian Gods. Prior to its release, this installment has players itching to learn what fate would befall Kratos as he sought to tear down the deities that caused him so much misery.
Sadly, theGod of War 3cover doesn’t depict this excitement at all. Its cover art simply shows Kratos’s left eye, and his ashen-white face smeared with red warpaint. Granted, by 2010, Kratos was a big enough icon to make such a simple cover work, but the lack of creativity was a missed opportunity to highlight the sheer thrill of this game.
8God of War Saga (2012)
UnlikeotherGod of Warcollectionswhose boxes simply show the cover of the games they include,God of War Sagafinally has a unique presentation. Featuring Kratos on a gray background wielding the Nemean Cestus, theGod of War Sagacover does reveal a lot about the nature of the “game.” TheSagacontains the originalGod of Wartrilogy as well asChains Of OlympusandGhost of Sparta.
Although the inclusion of an original cover is nice, the absence of Kratos’s signature Blades of Chaos and a more dynamic pose hurt this art’s appeal.
7God Of War: Betrayal (2007)
Released as amobile action game,God of War: Betrayaldepicts Kratos being framed for the murder of Argos and his journey to brutally clear his name. Despite its side-scrolling nature, the game retains its action-packed premise, making it a welcoming addition to the franchise.
RELATED:Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do In God of War PS4
Its cover could use some work, however. This time around, Kratos is seen rushing toward the player with his Blades of Chaos. He is placed on a red background with lighter highlights, possibly depicting blood. Despite the evocative nature of the cover,Betrayalremains remarkably mundane in its appearance.
6God of War 2 (2007)
After Kratosbecomes the new God of War, the other Gods of Olympus ignore him for his destructive ways. And when Zeus kills Kratos in a bid to stop him from acquiring power, the Titan Gaia stops Kratos’s descent into the Underworld to give him another chance to seek vengeance against the Olympian Gods.
Zeus becomes Kratos’s primary target, andGod of War 2depicts this perfectly through its cover. Kratos has two flaming Blades of Chaos as he turns his back to the player, this time facing the gates of what could probably be Olympus itself.
5Bonus: Key Art For God Of War: Ragnarok (2022)
Despite theappeal of the banter between Kratos and his son Atreusthroughout the firstGod of Wargame,Ragnarokdoesn’t seem to evoke the same appeal with its key art.
Featuring a snowy landscape, fierce lightning, and a giant helmet implying the presence of Frost Giants, there’s nothing truly “evocative” in this artwork. Kratos and Atreus are both wearing more “covered” outfits fitting for the snowy landscape. Not only that, both are facing the players in a standing pose that wouldn’t hurt to have more dynamism.
4God Of War: Chains Of Olympus (2008)
God of War: Chains of Olympusserves as a prequelto the events of the 2005 game. This title details the start of Kratos and Athena’s relationship, with the latter contacting the former to ask for his help in finding the Sun God Helios in order to awaken the other Gods from their deep slumber.
RELATED:The Best Armor Sets in God of War (& How to Craft Them)
While this game’s events don’t have any direct effect on the rest of the series, they do inspire the cover. Kratos is seen holding his Blades of Chaos as he looks towards the sun that remains bright despite being covered by clouds. Perhaps the most “optimistic” of all classicGod of Warcovers,Chains Of Olympusdeserves credit for this unique aesthetic.
3God Of War: Ghost Of Sparta (2010)
God of War: Ghost of Spartahas quite a unique cover compared to the rest of the franchise. Instead of depicting Kratos with his back turned to the player,Ghost Of Spartapresents almost asilhouette of the protagonistas he gives his back to the fires of war.
Kratos’s red marks are especially eye-catching in this cover art. This rather foreboding aesthetic greatly emphasizes the game’s plot: Kratos embarks on a journey to explore his past after the death of the previous God of War, Ares.
2God Of War (2005)
Almost nothing beats the original, and this is the aura that the 2005 cover ofGod of Warscreams. Depicting Kratos and abloodied pair of Blades of Chaoslooking towards a large Greek structure, this cover art just evokes an intense plot wherever players look.
After players get through the opening sequence and learn Kratos’s intentions to kill Ares for luring him into killing his own family, they will acquire a new appreciation for the point of this cover. This art implies maturity, gore, and brutal action, all of which the game provides.
1God Of War (2018)
The 2018God of Warcompletely stunned fans by significantly revamping the franchise. The cover does not only show an older Kratos, but it also features a young archer (named Atreus). Without any Greek iconography, the cover instead depicts the father and son duo on a boat with predominant Norse features, as well as a natural landscape largely absent in previous covers.
Kratos appears much more serious in this image, implying growth from his younger self. Furthermore, the lack of the Spartan’s Blades of Olympus reinforces that this game marks a new era inGod of War.
