The God of War franchise is an iconic series of epic battles, breathtaking graphics, and gripping narration. Even in a series with such high-caliber writing, some characters in God of War felt underdeveloped and had unrealized promise. These six Characters could have used more screen time before meeting their tragic end.
1. Pandora
| Feature | Value |
| Developer | Santa Monica Studio |
| Release Date | March 23, 2010 (PS3), November 14, 2012 (PS4) |
| Platform | PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 |
| Genre | Action-adventure |
| Top Critic Rating | 94/100 (Metacritic) |
| Critics Recommend | Yes |
Pandora, an essential character in God of War 3, was first shown as a small child who would be sacrificed to overthrow Zeus’ rule. Kratos was led to Pandora by Athena, who wanted to bring about the fall of Olympus and satisfy her wants. Kratos started feeling a sense of self-reconnection while traveling with Pandora; it was as if he was seeing his lost daughter, Calliope. Quite the opposite of Athena’s plan, this newfound connection made him reluctant to sacrifice Pandora. Kratos’s will to stop Zeus’s dominion and save Pandora without doing such a terrible deed was evidence of his growth.
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Even though Pandora had a big part in the plot, fans were left wanting more because of her scant screen time. The story may have significantly benefited from a more thorough examination of her relationship with Kratos’s characters in God of War, possibly focusing on emotional ties and shared experiences. She is a fascinating character because of her naivety and sincere relationship with Kratos, although her plot arc may have used more work.
2. Hercules
Kratos’s half-brother, Hercules, Characters in God of War, offered a seductive prospect for a deep, complex connection. Their different paths and common ancestry could have created a fascinating and complicated interaction. But regrettably, Hercules’s part was limited to a boss fight, which prevented the character’s growth and the investigation of his motivations.
When Hercules first appeared in God of War 3, he was one of the numerous enemies preventing Kratos from achieving his ultimate objective. Considering their shared history, Hercules ought to have been an apparent buddy. However, the characters in God of War, the developers, took a different approach, confining his appearance to a lukewarm one-time meeting. Given the legendary prominence of Hercules in Greek mythology, the two brothers’ lack of contact and build-up was a lost chance for a story that would have been genuinely unforgettable.
3. Athena
Her intelligence and cunning frequently eclipsed Kratos’s formidable ally, Athena. She was wise and foresighted, yet her position as a goddess of battle was not fully realized. She may have been a more captivating and influential character in God of War if her fighting skills and experiences as a divinity had been explored in greater detail.
Athena was a key ally of Kratos during his Greek quest, and her wisdom and insight were priceless. She always thinks strategically and makes decisions that benefit the planet. However, her function as a goddess of war was not thoroughly investigated. Athena may have developed into an even more influential figure if Santa Monica Studio had explored this side of her persona; at one time, she might have even helped Kratos physically. Sadly, Kratos killed her by accident; this terrible result could have been prevented had her warrior aspect been highlighted more.
4. Thor
| Feature | Value |
| Developer | Santa Monica Studio |
| Release Date | November 9, 2022 |
| Platform | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 |
| Genre | Action RPG |
| Top Critic Rating | 94/100 (according to Metacritic) |
| Critics Recommend | Overwhelmingly Positive |
In God of War: Ragnarok, the Norse god of thunder, Thor, posed a severe threat. His intriguing character was derived from his deep motivations and great powers. However, many admirers were disappointed by his final destiny, and his character development seemed too hasty. Characters in God of War are more in-depth explorations of Odin’s relationship with him, and his struggle to reconcile his duties with his personal beliefs could have added significant depth to his story. Thor and Kratos were similar in more ways than one. Both of them were chosen by their fathers to do their bidding without asking questions.
Odin gave Thor false impressions about giants and unleashed a murderous rampage that nearly wiped out the race. To escape from his mental burdens, Thor drank himself blind, hoping that it would ease his pain. He appeared as one of the significant characters in God of War Ragnarok, but towards the game’s end, he realized there was room for change. Sadly, it was too late, and Odin was annoyed that his mindless killing machine had grown sentient. So he killed Thor, ruining one of the better characters in the game.
5. Hades
The god of the underworld, Hades, had a fascinating personality and was an intriguing figure. He had the chance to be shown in a more complex light because of his dual roles as the ruler of the dead and his frequently neglected sympathetic side. Sadly, he didn’t have much screen time, and his characters in God of War didn’t grow much. He might have been a more memorable character if his motivations, relationships with other gods, and interactions with Kratos had all been explored in greater detail. Despite being an Olympian, Hades, the deity of the Underworld, showed little concern for the world of mortals. Living in the underworld with his spouse, Persephone, he was happy.
Hades first helped Kratos on his voyage, but the lord of the Underworld could not remain silent as the Spartan’s fury threatened Mount Olympus. Hades had a fantastic design that made him look pretty scary. Hades, despite his reputation as a ruthless murderer, had a deep affection for his wife. His passion for Persephone was too strong for even the cold of the underworld to quench. Hades constructed a large memorial for Persephone despite her betrayal. In addition, he was angry that Kratos had killed his niece Athena and brother Poseidon. Even though Hades was a villain, he had a lot of room for character growth.
6. Deimos
| Feature | Value |
| Developer | Ready at Dawn Studios |
| Release Date | November 2, 2007 |
| Platform | PlayStation Portable |
| Genre | Action Adventure |
| Top Critic Rating | 91/100 (according to Metacritic) |
| Critics Recommend | Overwhelmingly Positive |
God of War: Ghost of Sparta tells the tragic tale of Deimos, Kratos’ younger brother. He was endearing due to his suffering at the hands of Thanatos and his final atonement. But his scant screen time and the Ghost of Sparta game’s brief existence thwarted a deeper examination of his persona.
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These characters in God of War have the potential to become legendary figures in the world of God of War. Their untimely demise left many fans wanting more. While their stories may have been incomplete, their impact on the series remains undeniable. Perhaps in future installments, we will see a return to these characters or the introduction of new figures with similar potential.
Powers and Similarities Characters in God of War
| Character | Powers | Control of lightning, the enchanted hammer |
| Pandora | Connection to Pandora’s Box | Divine heritage, vulnerability |
| Hercules | Immense physical strength, endurance, combat skills | Divine heritage, superhuman abilities |
| Athena | Wisdom, strategy, warfare skills, control of weapons | Divine heritage, superhuman abilities, complex personality |
| Thor | Divine heritage, superhuman skills, tragic fate | Divine heritage, superhuman abilities, tragic fate |
| Hades | Control of the underworld, undead creatures | Divine heritage, superhuman abilities, complex personality |
| Deimos | Superhuman strength, speed, durability, combat skills | Divine heritage, superhuman abilities, tragic fate |
Conclusion
The God of War series has consistently delivered captivating narratives and memorable characters. However, due to limited screen time or underdeveloped storylines, several characters in God of War felt incomplete. Pandora’s connection with Kratos, Hercules’ potential for a complex relationship, Athena’s unexplored warrior aspect, Thor’s rushed character development, Hades’ limited exploration, and Deimos’ tragic tale all left fans wanting more.
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These characters’ unique powers and similarities could have enriched the universe of God of War. Their untimely demise serves as a reminder of the series’ untapped potential. Perhaps future installments will revisit these characters in God of War or introduce new figures with similar depth and complexity.
FAQ
The Underdeveloped Characters in God of War
- Why were these characters not given more screen time?
The limited screen time for these characters in God of War might be due to the overall narrative structure, game length, or specific plot points. - Could these characters have had a significant impact on the story?
These characters in God of War could have added depth and complexity to the narrative, potentially influencing major plot points or character arcs. - Will these characters appear in future God of War games?
While there’s no guarantee, future installments could explore these characters further or introduce new figures with similar potential. - What makes these characters stand out despite their limited screen time?
These characters in God of War often possess unique powers, intriguing backstories, or strong connections to other key characters. - How do characters in God of War compare to other underutilized characters in video games?
These characters in God of War share similarities with underutilized characters in other games, often due to limited development time or narrative constraints.
Author Bio
Sardar Khurram is the guy behind the Kings Game. He’s super into video games and writes about them every day. He tells you what he thinks of new games, how they work, and what’s good and bad. He also talks about what’s happening in the gaming world. This guy loves games and wants to share his thoughts with you! Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
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