It used to be that console mascots were big-headed cartoon animals, bumbling plumbers, and other non-threatening chaps. However, as gaming has matured, the characters we play have grown up as well. One of the most recognizable franchise characters from the PlayStation 2 is Kratos, protagonist of the blood-soaked God of War action series. Covered in crimson tattoos and wielding two jagged blades at the end of whirling chains, Kratos has a little more attitude than your Marios and your Sonics. His outings (two on the PS2 and one on the PSP thus far, with a next-gen debut on the PlayStation 3 promised soon) have been among the best-reviewed games of the last ten years, with epic storylines flawlessly melded with monster-mashing action. However, the twisted storylines that weave into and out of Greek mythology can be a little much for a newbie to dive into - in this feature, UGO runs down the three games' storylines, introduce you to the main characters, and speculate on the future of Kratos's quest.