Every time you say that Kratos involved himself in the “mortal conflicts” my mind always jumps to him participating in mortal kombat 2011

I really do believe that the ending where kratos is seen crying at that mural isnt due to him finally being worshipped as a god, its that people no longer see him as a monster, but as someone worth revering as a hero and good person. Kratos' whole goal in these games (outside of keeping his only family safe and just surviving) was to move past his old self. To get rid of the anger and come to terms with the guilt and trauma that he has wrought on others, and himself. He sees himself as a monster and despite trying to so desperately to move past it, everyone he meets who've heard of him only see him as such. Look at freyja and mimir, they had heard of the ghost of sparta, destroyer of civilizations, killer of gods, monster of mankind. But they hadn't heard of kratos, the man betrayed by the very gods he looked to for guidance, the man who had to give up a peaceful afterlife with his daughter, the man who had killed his own family either because he was tricked or because he had no choice. So him seeing that statue, surrounded by those who see a Hero? He breaks down, knowing that all his effort isnt in vain. He's not a monster anymore. He's a man, and a good one at that.

"I have faith that our brothers of Sparta will live on through the true god of War" - The Last Spartan.

I don't think Kratos was crying because people were worshipping him. I'm pretty sure it's because of what the worship itself showed about how people saw him; as a protector and a peacekeeper, someone who is beloved by the people as a good person. And he actually breaks down crying because he is overwhelmed at realizing that he's finally found redemption after all this time.

I immediately understood exactly what type of character Odin was in that first scene. He is the embodiment of the soul of the actual mythical Loki. The manipulator, the liar, the con.

Odin feels like a mafia don in this game. Richard Schiff did such a great job voicing this character.

You read my mind, Bacon Man. What I really love about Odin is that they don’t just tell us he’s smart, they show us he’s smart. Like baiting Atreus into finding “Tyr” so he could secretly keep a close eye on them. Or how he found a loop-hole to summon the Einherjar early, and used Nidhogg to secure Freya’s binding spell.

Completely agree it's one of the best parts of the game. He kinda fears Kratos but he also doesn't back down on pissing him off either.

I think what odin said in particular “to be loved” was what hit most. sure kratos was briefly worshipped but you don’t really love a god of war. In fact the majority of greeks rightfully feared and loathed him for all the war and slaughter in his name. For him to learn that the nordic folk revere him as a benevolent god, I think thats what he always wanted deep down. To protect, not needlessly mutilate and slaughter like in his darker days.

I think you forgot one small detail... When zues attacked sparta the last spartan warrior specifically said "they prayed to you. They pray for their god to protect them. But you never came." Or something like that so yes. The people of sparta did have faith in him even through thick or thin.

Odin definitely seemed like an overt villain the moment he visited Kratos' home to make him an offer (he couldn't refuse). I was married to someone with very similar traits and toxic characteristics and can spot an abuser a mile away.

Kratos cries in the end not because he is worshipped but because people care about him and consider him worthy to be worshipped.

I loved the point you made about rational thought vs irrational feeling but when you said the Spartans only worshiped Kratos because he let the Spartans bring death and destruction. Isn’t the opposite true though, because they respected Kratos as a general and worshiped Kratos after he killed the god of war and and took his throne. This is indicated when one of the Spartans say “all shall know the glory of Sparta” which is what Kratos said in the first game. Which would mean that The Spartans don’t worship Kratos because he lets them bring death and destruction but follow Kratos in his path of destruction because they respected and worshiped Kratos.

I love when Odin is like "has anyone ever prayed to you, worshipped you or can you even imagine that kind of love?" literally Kratos had everything at one point but because of his old ways he lost everything. Every single little thing norse gods claim to know about Kratos is based on pure legends but they never know the actual reason or the true story behind everything that happened in Greece. I am 100% if Odin knew the actual truth about Kratos he could've manipulated him.

Kratos wasn't worshipped by the spartans because he is one of them he's basically a extremely respected warrior

Kratos was worshipped and feared before, the mural wasnt showing the people worshipping him, it was showing him being loved.

I don’t think that the cupboard is supposed to show that he’s been being worshipped this whole time, I think that it’s supposed to be another prediction by Faye and the giants that Kratos will be a God worth worshipping not a way to prove Oden is wrong by saying that he’s been being a worshipped this whole time

A lot of people have also pointed out that everything Óðinn says to Kratos about 'never being worshipped' is also really hardcore projection... Because it 100% is. Narcissists and Machiavellians constantly project their own failures & insecurities onto their victims. Deep down, Óðinn knows he's a monster that everyone (including his own children) rightfully despises because of his actions, and how he treats them. Even though he's trying to prod Kratos' weak spot, he's actually the one losing his composure. That scene is telling you who he really is.

God worship in Greece was largely based on their city. Athens and Athena. Sparta had the god of war regardless of who it is. So on and so on. It’s a dynamic worth mentioning.

I knew from the Get go the kind of person that Odin was, largely because I used to be him. I recognized rhetorical tactics he used to manipulate people because I used to do the same. I’ve matured since then, and I’m glad I’m not the same person I was.

It’s also awesome that Kratos grows enough to admit to Atreus that he SHOULD open his heart to people. He learned from Atreus to help others and not just himself. In the end, that plays a huge role in him being worshipped.

I’m so glad someone else thought this! I personally thought this was a great manipulation by Odin. The way he brings up a part of Kratos history where he was beloved by few for being the embodiment of everything he hates about himself and wants to leave behind. This makes the ending scene so satisfying because he is shown a rewritten vision of him dying for remaining the rage filed monster he used to be, replaced by the people of the nine realms loving him for being the exact opposite. A hero for fights for the good of the people rather than himself. The first selfless god.

we spent an entire game hearing about odin being a manipulator, then an entire game seeing Odin manipulating thor, and people STILL dont understand that odin is a manipulator Also kratos doesnt care about being worshipped. He was emotional seeing the mural because of what it represent. We spent a WHOLE game seeing him move on from his past, then a whole game seeing him trying to change his ways. That mural showed him that he changed his nature Changing ones nature was a main theme of BOTH GAMES how did so many people miss it 😂😂

2:00 Except when you find out about the Ravens....

So maybe im over analysing this, or maybe it's just my super god of war fan brain but It's worth mentioning that kratos is asked these questions by odin in this order: 1- What do you know of godhood 2 - Has anyone ever Worshipped you? 3 - Ever Prayed to you? 4 - Can you imagine that kind Love? Which if you look at by themselves it's just him trying to cut kratos deep by targeting kratos' status as a god. But Odin knows about Kratos and his history so when I first saw this I focused on the order in which the questions were asked. 1- So what does kratos know of God hood? Short answer not as much as Odin but he knows what a corrupt god looks like. He knows that gods are not without flaws. But this question also would force kratos to recall his past as the ghost of Sparta. Particularly of killing the Greek pantheon and sending his world into chaos. Most of his time as the god of war was made up of him discovering his mother and brother were still alive only to be prisoners of the gods he now sat with and then losing them again, turning every battle in Spartas favor and defying the gods, and finally killing the gods and sending the world into destruction. This question in my opinion is asked to remind kratos of what he's done. 2- As said in the video Kratos was never really Worshipped as a god as much as a home town hero and/or a being you would almost feel obliged to pray to in the hopes of winning a battle. Even if thst worship is out of fear. Even then if you were facing Sparta, praying to kratos wouldn't do anything. This is asked after the first question to remind kratos he really was no better than the gods he killed. Selfish and willing to destroy just so he got what he wanted. This is asked second to drive that first knife deeper. Remind kratos that he is a hypocrite above all else. The whole "Be better" does show us that kratos wants to be better he wants to be what people believe gods to be. Moving on to my next point. 3- Pray to Kratos. Like a lot of the gods kratos probably shut out any prayers towards him that he didn't care about or just flat out ignored prayers from non Spartans or everyone. If that's the case than it would tie in with the last point about the guilt and insecurity of him being more feared and hated than ever worshiped and loved. Odin would also know the destiny of all those who who Worshipped kratos (aka death and destruction), so it would just continue bringing those feelings of guilt to the surface as well as his failure as a god. But I feel the best question was the last. 4- Can you imagine that kind of love? Now Tactical Bacon Production in the past and this video has pointed out kratos' capacity for love and how losing those he's loved affected him. From his wife, to his daughter, to his mother, to his brother, to his second wife and finally at the moment of the scene Atreaus too. Kratos would be desperate to not lose his son to the will of the norse gods the same way he lost his other family members to the will of the Greek gods. This last question was the finishing blow of odin to try and make kratos act impulsively and on emotion alone. Questioning Kratos' understanding of love when odin knows what he has done in the name of those he loved was what should have been enough to throw kratos over the edge. However as mentioned in the video Kratos has dealt with emotional manipulation before by the hands ofthe Greek gods, Athena in particular. He knows what odin is doing and that this is the only hand Odin can deal right now. Hence why yes this question cuts the deepest but Kratos maintains his composure as best he can. Its an interesting attempt to try and bring out the savage in kratos because then odin can claim Kratos attacked him unprovoked in an attempt to further manipulate Atreaus. It's a wonderful scene as it shows just how much Kratos has grown but also how low Odin is willing to steep to keep those he needs close to him. TLDR - The question Odin asks are ordered in a way to remind kratos of his failings in order to create an emotional response in kratos. Each question brought up feelings of anger, loss, shame and self doubt. The last question in particular being one aimed to push kratos over the edge.

This video makes me want to replay Ragnarok again. I only played through it once and have been meaning to play it again. Now I watch to everything I miss read from my first playthrough. Thanks for the video.

Kratos back then wasn't really worshipped as a god, the Spartans knew him as the great general and one of them... Not as a god to love and worship but a general that'll lead them to victory, it's also the reason as to why Odin says how Kratos does not know true godhood because for most of his life he was a mortal manipulated by gods and fighting against them... Odin here is referring to the greenery of being a god instead of throwing his power around...

I'm glad to see people today starting to finally appreciate this great villain.

I hope this channel get the recognition it deserves. Every tactical bacon notification makes my day a lot better! Kudos from Brazil 🇧🇷

This was a really eye-opening and interesting video, I also was confused about this scene and why this was being brought up, but I never looked at it this way.

Fantastic video! Apart from the main point, you also give a great analysis of odin in general. This is prolly the next best thing I've watched related to gow Ragnarok after jacob geller's video (please watch that one if you haven't, you might love it because he draws an interesting parallel between norse and greek gow). I'm genuinely happy that KZfaqrs like you exist in gow community who make such nuanced and thoughtful content on the game. Keep up the great work❤

the issue here is that kratos was acknowledged by spartans as a spartan general not as a god. Kratos status itself was raised because he was promoted as GOD OF WAR who was once a spartan so odin was correct when he said kratos does not know godhood

Bro, watching this video and the last like 4 minutes really did just hit home. Kratos is one of those characters as a teen and 18 year old I hated but now, especially with you hitting the nail on the head, I relate to a lot. Good video man.

The point of telling half truths is to instill doubt. Truths and lies can be confirmed, but half truths are determined as such by the self. The scene is true to kratoe that he was never worshipped. But we all know Aphrodite worshipped him until I chose to leave.

Even if we start from the point that he was worshiped in the past, Kratos is ashamed and don't like that past. Being taunted for that also hurt I think. Your "bad" self was worshiped, not your actual "better" self

Your explanation of unconditional worship is spot on! Great video, keep up the good work 😊

2:01 "he is villain but does not burn down orphaneges", bro odin literally kidnapped children, murdered them and transfered their souls to ravens to obey him :d

HEAVILY disagree that you're viewing something objectively when you view it for the first time. its like the exact opposite of that. unless you're given something to watch or read or review with no prior knowledge at all theres obviously going to be something influencing you when you view something for the 1st time. it isnt until you see something fully and multiple times can you really get everything about the situation. for example, theres no way to fully review thors actions when he meets kratos for the 1st time until you realize what he's going through later on in the game. to say thats objective is missing the mark completely

I think them killing thor was a massive mistake, would have loved to see him live and become the new king of asgard doing things the right way for once, I hate how they developed his character so well only to kill him, was the only thing I was disapointed on in this game

I feel like people get too hyperfocused on every mention of lore that they just assume characters can only speak truths about it. 😂 Lore and Story are completely different things. One can only be the truth, while the latter can lie to you and the characters.

I think a slightly closer interpretation is that Kratos knows that he was worshipped in the past, but only for the atrocities that he regrets. And he doesn't see a future in which he could be worshipped again, especially for anything other than war.

I do always love the "you may meet the god I once was" moment cause when odin replies "and what kind of god is that?" I feel like hes risking a LOT poking at kratos considering the answer to that question is "greece isnt there anymore, guy who is trying to avoid the destruction of his realm. That kind"

It’s like what Mimer said: “if he tells you snow is white, he’s lying!”

I remember thinking as well of odin doing that on purpose, to make krate say”The Spartans!” Just for odin to say”and where are they now?”. Since krate did end sparta in gow 3.

As I was playing the end game content Kratos said it was the fact that he no longer had the ash skin and he thought that was a path lost to him.

Hi Bacon! This was a good video. I agree with you.

I've always had difficulty explaining characters personalities until they've been directly told to me. Odin says things so softly and casually (Thor too) that I could never pin down what kind of man he is. Every time he speaks I had to keep reminding myself of all the damage he's done to the realms.

This is a great video it made me want to play ragnarok again

When Odin asks if Kratos can imagine the kind of love that is faith it makes me think of Mimir talking about the upbringing of Thor or maybe one of his sons. Imagine having discipline bashed into you. Odin asking if Kratos can imagine that kind of love without him sounding happy about it makes me wonder about how faith would feel. Thinking that I exist, praying for good fortune, and showing some kind of love as long as I do stuff for them. Is this the way Odin learned to see people? After they die he only speaks of them in ways in which he can make use of them. Bargaining with Kratos saying he used self defense, not taking responsibility away for Baldur since he has value, using Heimdall to try to get Atreus to say what Kratos has been doing, saying that they’re square after killing Brok, and thinking about how to turn the scenario to make him look better in Thrud’s eyes after killing Thor. Nothing that includes any amount of care. At most a small amount of appreciation.

Wow, the mosaic of Dionisus, I see it regularly, I work as a tourist guide, and seeing it in your video is amazing. It's one of the most well preserved mosaics in Greece in the ancient city of Dion. At the foothills of mount Olympus. Amazing piece of art.

This is my second time running into your channel so I’ll subscribe 😂❤

New tbs vid on my birthday, thank you 🎉

You should work with The Vile Eye doing an Analyzing Evil video on both Thor and Odin.

I think the reason those words from Odin strike so deep are that Kratos looking back probably wishes he could have been the kind of diety he was at the end of GOW:R that he was back then. He brought immense ruin across the greek world regardless of the whole war with the pantheon and that is clearly weighing heavily on him in the norse games as he tries to ensure his son will be a better man. BUt Odin in the end cant fully use that against Kratos because of the afformentioned experiences dealing with people like Ares, Athena and Zues manipulating him and his focus on geting Aetreus back safely that he can shrug off Odins attempts to do so.

“Striking a brick wall in just the right spot, to make a crack.” Bars.

If they ment worshiped on a wide scale then they should've said that instead they say has ANYONE ever worshiped you or prayed to you? Yes he has had worshipers and the spartans did love him but what your talking about is wide scale worshiped I think they shouldve worded this differently by saying has multiple cities ever worshiped and looked up to you or something along those lines

5:00 the spartans have worshiped Kratos,in ghost of sparta the spartans take down Ares' statue in front of his temple to put one of Kratos.I remember the soldier saying after the statue of Ares was taken down:''All hail lord Kratos,the god of war'' Surely thats not the only time somebody worshiped him

What did you thought of heimdall

Even though I do feel gowr did lose a lot of it’s nuance compared to 2018. I must say when they leaned into it in certain scenes it’s incredible & what I loved most abt gow. The tension & nuance is the house scene is a good example

Tactical bacon!!!! I lost this channel months ago And been feeling a bit lost in youtube This and Extreme Zesty are my favorite GoWar tubers!

WOw I never realized this about Kratos. Good video

nicely put vid

I love what you’re doing here 😮

“ if he tells you snow is white, he’s lying” -Mimir

Notice how Odin with his outer coat looks like a mob boss.

is it weird that i can still see the scene at 0:47. i need you can see exactly your brok's head an armor start you can see him walk up to tir (odin) and can see tir perfectly fine.

What's the name of the track at 4:40? I can never find it

Your thumbnail shows Odin with his right eye missing.

I can smell the intro

the only time Odin was ever truly honest is sadly the moment he killed Brok

This is amazing. Thank you

Small correction. Kratos almost fell for odin’s deal at the start he even says as much. Odin then brought up freya which is why Kratos denied the deal cause she saved Artreus’s life.

Haven't even started watching the video but I'm happy someone made a video of this topic I feel when Kratos confronts Odin and Odin accuses Kratos of being a self-serving brute of a God with no idea of what it means to have people in need of godly intervention call upon him and it really registered with me because that's exactly what Kratos was a cruel self serving brute with no care in the world about how he hurts anyone or anything in his desires.

I always read the scene where Kratos cries at the mural being him crying at the realisation that Faye saw this future and truly believed in him to be a better man/god than he thought himself. Like, he and Atreus had been questioning her motives but knowing that she had actually went against her people and saw him acheiving what he sought- to change his nature. She saw everything and she always knew, even when he doubted her and everyone doubted him. Like that relief and love and vindication from someone you cherush above all others. Finding out that someone saw a path for him where he would become a god revered when others only saw hin as a god killing monster

Odin is also making assumptions about Kratos, who he hardly knows. Kratos stays silent because he has nothing to prove to him.

i really like the opening with odin and thor and kratos sitting at the table. So much going on with body language that you completely miss out just freaking out omg thor and kratos about to fight. Showing the cracks between thor and odin immediately and how angry thor looks at odin talking about his useless kids. And odin taunting him with the drinks while we know he is trying to quit and be better for thrud. at some moments thor has to even look away and collect himself. I also like the always ready for dad moment kratos does with his hand always going for the axe on the table any time odin approches or mentions atreus then when he realizes there is no threat his hand always retreats slowly. So many little details going on i love it.

Mimir: "If he tells you snow is white, he's lying!"

I kinda wish Thor had a more explicit redemption moment, that could've morphed into a duo of Him and Kratos against Odin

HOW TF DID THAT BACON LOOK SO JUICY

What was the point of the retcon of Kratos being a "God" when he killed everyone in GOW3? So Odin sort of read my thoughts like "hey you're not a God."

Here is some of my points regarding the points made in this video: 1.) Odin uses Thor has his hammer to any nail (problem) that he has. While he used Baldr as his hound dog to track down things of interest. 2.) Odin knows Kratos' past so he wanted to sugar coat his agenda while talking to him but it went to the point that Odin was pointing out his divine status due to the lack of people that worship Kratos (detachment of his past because he knew that his past is always going to haunt him) 3.) The thing about the part with "the people would still worship the Gods" part of the video. I am a pagan and I am a historian too. Yes, when there was a drought or famine you would still call upon the deities to help out but at the same time they would act on those prayers too. If there was a drought, they would pray to Demeter to help with the crops and for Zeus to bring rain while they work in the fields. That or if you want to be realistic in how Ancient Greece was like they would have slave labor in the major city-states like Athens and Sparta. 4.) "Only the Spartans worshipped Kratos as the God of War", given what we know about the Ares cult worship around the cities of Greece and several in the Asia Minor. I would assume it would be the same for Kratos. Ares was a figure that was noted to be favored by the Spartans as their patron deity of that city-state but the Scythians also gave offerings to Ares in blood offerings. They worshipped him in Crete as well. So, I assume that Kratos when he was deified that he filled the role their patron deity of said areas that Ares once had (before the whole Greece being under water type of deal lol) 5.) Apotheosis or deifying after death. Hercules did it. Asclepius did it. And other demigods (Kratos is a demigod in the series as well due to his mother was human and his father is well... Zeus). The Spartans started praying to Kratos because they knew that the role was switched from Ares to him. Ancient Greece is HUGE on doing oral story telling. I bet they (the humans in The God of War series) were telling tales of what happened and why they are painting Kratos on the vases and other depictions of him on their stuff. 6.) I think with the part of Kratos didn't see it as worship or anything like that because Kratos still hates the fact that he is a God (meaning that he hates that he is one because that comes from Zeus then it replays the memories of his past). The story arc of him telling Atreus that he was part God in the first game was because Kratos wanted to hide that fact from him because his distaste for Gods in general and his distrust when dealing with them. He didn't want him (Atreus) to end up like the Gods that he once killed in his past. Thus, the whole thing with "Be better" was talked about throughout the first game through examples of Baldr or Kratos telling his past or etc. That is one of the core themes through both games where Kratos wants Atreus to be not a God but better than them. AND this was an amazing video!!

As someone who played the very first God of War (2005) on the ps2 when I was in middle school in 2006 thanks to my older cousin who was playing it one day at my aunts house for a family birthday party (His sister, my other cousin) him and my other two cousins (His younger brothers, all 3 of them are older than me) shared a room at the time so all of us boys were watching him play until my uncle came in and told us the jumper had arrived; so while everyone else rushed outside, I stood right there still watching him play for the next 45 minutes till he saved the game and said “C’mon Little, let’s go get in the jumper” That’s where my journey began … I’ve basically grown up playing the God of War games (1-3, and Chains of Olympus on the psp) when God of War was released in 2018, by this time I was a working man making my own money so I bought a used ps4 and the game from GameStop cause I was a little behind schedule .. And man oh man .. When Kratos broke out the blades, I freaking shouted so loud at 2 in the morning that my grandpa came in my room cause he thought I got hurt 😅 Anyway, the scene in this game when Kratos and Atreus had their goodbye, don’t get me wrong I got emotional no doubt … But when he seen his mural in the back, by the architecture of the buildings I knew it was his story, leaving Greece then the second panel was basically the first game, then the third .. Let me tell you I was pretty drunk at this time, I knew I beat the game and I had like 3 shots back to back, once I seen him painted in gold on a pedestal with everyone around worshipping him I bawled into tears, set down my controller and put my hand over my heart … Thinking back to my own journey with this character and all that he had been through, this ending for him (As far the Norse mythology) was just so earned and perfect, then he started to sniffle/cry and even leaned against the mural which made me go “Oh, man” and bawl even more . I’m not gonna say if you didn’t cry then you’re not a true fan, I know there’s plenty of reaction channels where someone is catching up on these games and enjoy them AND become fans, and that’s perfectly fine But I will say this: If you didn’t cry at not only the mural itself of Kratos being a God worthy of worship but seeing him also pretty much cry then you just don’t have the emotional attachment as I do actually growing up playing these games .. In 3 years 2006 will have been 20 years ago (Holy shit I’m old) so for people who started their journey earlier this year or even back in 2018, there’s no comparison . K I’m done, be safe out there wherever you are in the world KZfaq community, and thank you Tactical Bacon for this video !

WHY DOES YOUR INTRO HAVE TO MAKE ME SO HUNGRY!?

This is good man

I gotta say, man. I really appreciate you and your videos, especially on my boy Kratos here. You've helped me appreciate a character I grew up with more than I think I would have otherwise and that's why he's one of my favorites now too. I always thought he was misunderstood, but you've helped put that into words and have helped people see that too. Hope you're well, man.

9:15 love the illustration right there

Odin telling Kratos that he hasn’t been worshipped and knows nothing of godhood has so many layers to it. On the surface, the Aesir don’t really know much about what exactly happened to Olympus beyond a Godkiller destroying the Greek pantheon, so it’s likely that Odin truly believes that Kratos has never been worshipped or loved. Kratos has a noticeable reaction to the line, and grows angrier as he reflects on killing his last Spartan (people forget that it was a huge drive for his vengeance too). Mimir even mentions afterwards that “he’s just trying to get in your head” since it’s likely he knows about that too

I’m praying to Kratos each time I step in the cage

If you saw the last Spartan, or the one who told the sisters of fate nothing, they worship Kratos.

Faye's wish for her husband was for him to achieve what he wanted. To no longer been seen as a monster. She worked hard to change his fate from what her people predicted but more so what he had been tossed into by others and to help him heal from all the trauma he endured. Now it is true, he has never had a true worship because of what tyoe of god he is. What he DOESN'T know is that Greece is not only not destroyed but the urn in Tyr's temple showed he is in fact still worshipped. The statue at the end was Faye's gift to him. Like she said if he opened his heart to the world he would find all he needed when she was gone. He did as she asked, he showed he had become a better god and man when he saved the Midgardians because they were inocent in the fight and showed them what a god that cares looks like while ODIN showed them what crap gods were like so of course they love him

That was a nice bit about religious people. Very balanced.

12:53 where is this from

Many ancient cultures did in fact have a give and take mentality to worship. They believed the gods didn't really favor anyone by default. The closest might be patrons deities that people from a place strongly identified with, but it was never the same as in abrahamic faiths. Instead you asked for favors or boons, promising something in return. "Help me win and I'll sacrifice 100 goats." "Accept this offering and protect my wife during labor." "Protect our city and we will make a temple for you." The static and continual reverence and worship of a primary deity is not inherent to religion in general, rather a feature of certain places, times, and culture. The characterization of Kratos as the God of War in GoW II is very much in line with how Ares would have been regarded, or even more accurately: Kratos' original plea to Ares for power is just a supernatural telling of EXACTLY how the ancient Greeks viewed their relationship with the gods.

me personally i think the way its presented to us, there's various ways to interpret what the conversation is trying to convey, some say that odin is projecting, some say he's speaks the truth mixed in with lies, or maybe its just odin trying to get under kratos skin even if what he's saying is true or not he's just trying to poke a hornet nest.

I so want kratos to have his moment of viciousness like if Atreus got hurt but he thinks he died. That would be awesome

"Return my son, or you may meet the God I once was" has to be the hardest quote in any game ever !!

What about the part of the depiction of his statue that was free of the blades of Chaos? Free from the death of his family and free of the guilt of the past because of his work in the present.

Just because Kratos is touched by the mural doesn't mean he's never been worshipped

In my view, I always saw that moment at the end of the game as being more about what the realms would think of Kratos when it was all over. I feel like a huge portion of this game is Kratos trying to be better "Than the god I once was". He even has to extend severely out of this comfort zone to convince Thor that they can no longer be destroyers, but Ragnarok is absolutely a moment of destruction and almost nothing else. For all of this to be over and for the people to see him as a golden figure, a true god to be worshipped, it proves that Kratos has not slipped and become the man he tried to leave behind in Greece, but rather has carved for himself a new life and a new meaning. He may be a God of War, but he is no longer a God of Destruction.

I feel like him crying at the mural was more of him thinking of Fate and how no matter what he was she always saw him as more and didn’t judge him and knew he was a good person