The art director sat alone in the dim light of the Santa Monica Studio offices, staring at a blank screen. The deadline for the game’s final branding was hours away. The first game had used a simple, striking image: Kratos in his seat on the throne of Ares, a story of a man who had claimed a godhood he didn't understand.
) serves as the series' logo. In God of War 2 , it is often depicted with a "cracked" or weathered texture, signifying the destruction Kratos brings to Olympus. god of war 2 icon
Every part of the God of War 2 icon was meticulously crafted by Santa Monica Studio to tell a story before the player even presses start. The art director sat alone in the dim
This was the narrative hook: Kratos had become so consumed by vengeance that he had literally replaced part of the alphabet of the gods. He was forcing his way into the mythology, carving his face onto the symbol of endings. Yet, because he was only half the symbol, it signified that his story wasn't whole. The loop was broken. The symmetry was ruined. ) serves as the series' logo
To understand God of War II ’s icon, you must set it beside its predecessor.
The God of War series is famous for hiding cryptic text and philosophical messages within its world and promotional materials:
The first game’s Kratos is a soldier on a mission. The second game’s Kratos is a demigod scorned, already in motion. The 2005 icon asks, “Who is this monster?” The 2006 icon answers, “The one who will kill Zeus.”