God of War Wiki
No edit summary
Line 57: Line 57:
 
[[Image:Hadesminotaur2.jpg|thumb|right|Kratos battles a Hades Minotaur.|200px]]
 
[[Image:Hadesminotaur2.jpg|thumb|right|Kratos battles a Hades Minotaur.|200px]]
 
In ''God of War II'', a new type of Minotaurs also called Hades Minotaurs appears. These creatures are fat, squat Minotaurs that wield giant flaming maces. These Minotaurs usually present a danger when in combat and are seen more often than not in pairs. Kratos can kill them by taking their mace; hitting them in the head with it and then sticking it into the ground; and then latching his blades onto the Minotaur itself and impale it on its own mace.
 
In ''God of War II'', a new type of Minotaurs also called Hades Minotaurs appears. These creatures are fat, squat Minotaurs that wield giant flaming maces. These Minotaurs usually present a danger when in combat and are seen more often than not in pairs. Kratos can kill them by taking their mace; hitting them in the head with it and then sticking it into the ground; and then latching his blades onto the Minotaur itself and impale it on its own mace.
  +
  +
===Minotaur Brute===
  +
[[File:Rsz 1snap016.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Minotaur Brute]]
  +
The Minotaur Brute is an enemy encountered in ''God of War: Ghost of Sparta''. They appear as extra large Minotaurs, armed with a spiked warhammer. They attack Kratos either by striking at him with their hammer or by charging at him, goring him with their horns and throwing him to the nearest wall. The best method to fighting this type of Minotaurs is to carefully evade its damaging attacks, and unleash a furry of blows whenever it drops its guard. Once it has been weakened enough, it will be prone to a finishing move, in which Kratos kills it the same way he does most other Minotaurs.
   
 
===Erebus Minotaur===
 
===Erebus Minotaur===

Revision as of 22:19, 23 November 2010

File:Minotaur3.jpg

Concept art of the Minotaur

"Run, run! The beasts have taken Athens!" - Athenian Soldier


The Minotaurs appear as a species of anthropomorphic bulls, about eight feet tall. They walk on their hind legs and carry a variety of massive axes. Over the course of the game, the Minotaurs Kratos encounters become larger, more powerful and more heavily armored and well armed. Kratos can kill them by thrusting a sword in their open mouths and out the back of their heads (doing that will also usually give him additional Green Orbs).


Greek Mythology

In Greek mythology, the Minotaur (Greek: Μῑνώταυρος, "Bull of Minos") was the offspring of the King Minos of Crete's wife, and of a sacred white bull. It appeared as being part man, part bull, and was locked away in the middle of Labyrinth designed by Minos' architect Daedalus. Every nine years, seven young men and seven young maidens were taken from Athens to the labyrinth to be sacrificed to the Minotaur so that Crete would not attack the city (possibly a cultural memory referring to the Minoan Empire of Crete). The beast was then later killed by the Greek hero Theseus.

In the God of War series

God of War: Chains of Olympus

Minotaurs appear in God of War: Chains of Olympus, but they are different than in the other games. They are significantly larger than Kratos, being one of the largest enemies of the game. They attack Kratos by charging at him, or by attempting to bludgeon him with their giant, blunt swords. After weakening them, Kratos can kill these monsters by pinning their hands down with his blades, and then striking them in the neck with their own sword. Later in the game, Kratos encounters another type of Minotaur that is covered in powerful armor that must first be removed (see below).

God of War

In the first God of War, Kratos must fight various types of minotaurs which are a large part of the army of Ares. Later in the game, he even encounters a type called Hades Minotaur, the flaming monsters patrolling the depths of the Underworld.

Kratos also had a unique encounter with a boss, a giant, strong, armored, partially undead Minotaur who served as the final trial of the Challenge of Hades in Pandora's Temple. This beast, known as Pandora's Guardian, was defeated by Kratos, who destroyed his steaming armor and impaled him to the wall.

God of War: Ghost of Sparta

Minotaurs return in God of War: Ghost of Sparta, in which they are almost identicle to their Chains of Olympus counterparts. A new type of Minotaur, the Minotaur Brute, is also encountered in the game. This time, when the Minotaur charges Kratos, a minigame appears, allowing Kratos to grab it by the horns and deflect its attack.

God of War: Betrayal

File:Minot.jpg

Minotaur in God of War: Betrayal

A weak version of the minotaur appeared in God of War: Betrayal (partially due to the fact that Kratos is a full-powered god during the game). These creatures are summoned to a Greek city to stop the devastating progress of God of War.

God of War II

Along with the same types of minotaurs from the original God of War, God of War II brings new, unique types, including the ice-powered Erebus Minotaur (see below) and the large, hulking beast called Hades Minotaur (even though it is absolutely different from the Hades Minotaurs from the original game). At several points during his journey across the Island of Creation, Kratos will also encounter massive Minotaurs compossed of solid volcanic stone, known as Titan Minotaurs.

God of War III

Minotaurs appear once again in God of War III, now as powerful minions of the Gods. Their most common means of attacking Kratos is to charge at him, in an attempt to gore him with their horns. Later in the game, Kratos will also encounter stronger breeds of Minotaurs, such as the Minotaur Elite and the Labrys Minotaur (see below).

Species

Armored Minotaur

In God of War: Chains of Olympus, the Armored Minotaur is like the standard Minotaur in both fighting style and appearance. The only difference is that's covered in thick armor, which Kratos must shatter and remove before he can actually harm the creature itself. Upon removing its armor and weakening it, Kratos can also kill it the same way he kills the standard Minotaur. Kratos encounters these foes exclusively in the Temple of Persephone.

Minotaur Grunt

Minotaur4

A Minotaur Grunt

A standard type of Minotaur seen in the God of War series, the Minotaur Grunt is often seen in pairs and should be handled with caution. When you are fighting this minotaur as well as any minotaur, it is best to launch them in the air and throw them down to the ground several times. This keeps you away from the other minotaur and other enemies that will want to attack you. Though as not dangerous as the other type of Minotaurs seen in the series, this Minotaur still wields a large battle axe. Kratos can also kill them the same way as most other Minotaurs. The Minotaur Grunts first appear in the first God of War. They appear in small groups or pairs throughout parts of the city of Athens as minions of Ares. In God of War II, Minotaur Grunts are one of the enemies summoned by the High Priest of the Fates.

Minotaur Hammer Grunt

A step up from the Minotaur Grunts, the Minotaur Hammer Grunts are still one of the weaker types of Minotaurs in God of War, but are still worthy adversaries. Kratos can also kill them the same way as most other Minotaurs. Kratos encounters them later on in his quest through Athens. They appear similar to the Minotaur Grunts, except their fur is blue-colored, and they carry a large warhammer for a weapon, along with a battle axe. They attack Kratos by swiping at him with their hammer or axe when he gets close. When at a distance, they can attack by leaping into the air and slamming their hammer into the ground, which then causes a shockwave to radiate out in the direction they're facing.

Minotaur Warrior

The Minotaur Warrior in God of War is a more powerful type of Minotaur that Kratos encounters later on in the game within Pandora's Temple. They appear larger than the Minotaur Hammer Grunts, have brownish-colored skin, and carry a massive war hammer and battle axe as weapons. Like the Hammer Grunts, they can attack Kratos by leaping into the air and crashing down with their hammer, which can then create a large, damaging shock wave in the direction they are facing. Kratos can also kill them the same way as most other Minotaurs.

Minotaur Tormentor

Minotaur5

A Minotaur Tormentor

The Minotaur Tormentor is one of the largest and most dangerous types of Minotaur that Kratos encounters in God of War. They are only found in a few parts of Pandora's Temple, mostly in the Challenge of Hades and upon the Cliffs of Madness. They are covered in thick spiked armor, and they wield a gigantic spiked battle axe for a weapon. They attack by approaching Kratos and delivering dangerous swipes and slams with their axe. Kratos can also kill them the same way as most other Minotaurs. In the Underworld, there's an enemy called a Hades Minotaur which is pretty much the same except it's wreathed in flames (see below).

Hades Minotaur

The Hades Minotaur is the name of two separate types of Minotaurs Kratos encountered in God of War and God of War II.

God of War

In God of War, Kratos encounters these fiery monsters deep in the pits of Hades, where they serve as guards of Hades and of the Underworld. They are similar in appearance to the Minotaur Tormentors except covered in flames. Their fighting styles are also the same. Kratos can also kill them the same way as most other Minotaurs.

God of War II

File:Hadesminotaur2.jpg

Kratos battles a Hades Minotaur.

In God of War II, a new type of Minotaurs also called Hades Minotaurs appears. These creatures are fat, squat Minotaurs that wield giant flaming maces. These Minotaurs usually present a danger when in combat and are seen more often than not in pairs. Kratos can kill them by taking their mace; hitting them in the head with it and then sticking it into the ground; and then latching his blades onto the Minotaur itself and impale it on its own mace.

Minotaur Brute

File:Rsz 1snap016.jpg

Minotaur Brute

The Minotaur Brute is an enemy encountered in God of War: Ghost of Sparta. They appear as extra large Minotaurs, armed with a spiked warhammer. They attack Kratos either by striking at him with their hammer or by charging at him, goring him with their horns and throwing him to the nearest wall. The best method to fighting this type of Minotaurs is to carefully evade its damaging attacks, and unleash a furry of blows whenever it drops its guard. Once it has been weakened enough, it will be prone to a finishing move, in which Kratos kills it the same way he does most other Minotaurs.

Erebus Minotaur

Erebus Minotaur

An Erebus Minotaur

Erebus Minotaurs are a new type of Minotaur in God of War II, first encountered in the Lair of Typhon. They somewhat resemble the Minotaur Grunt, except parts of their body are covered in ice, including their hooves, hips, forearms, back, and horns. As a weapon, they carry a large battle axe. Usually fought in pairs, this Minotaur is dangerous and caution should be used when fighting it in battle. Theseus can also summon them during his battle with Kratos. Kratos can kill them the same way as most other Minotaurs.

Titan Minotaur

Titan Minotaur

Kratos defeating a Titan Minotaur

Titan Minotaurs are the strongest type of Minotaur found in God of War II. Titan Minotaurs are massive Minotaurs made entirely of volcanic rock and fiery lava. At first they simply appear as a pile of rocks, but then "awaken" when Kratos approaches. They attack Kratos by slamming at him with their stone fists, spinning with their fists outward, or by picking up and throwing giant boulders at him. Kratos encounters three Titan Minotaurs over the course of the whole game. The first is in the Bog of the Forgotten, the second one in the catacombs beyond the Temple of Euryale, and the third one within Atlas. Kratos can kill them by grappling onto them with one of his blades, chopping at their legs, and climbing up their backside. From there Kratos leaps into the air and strikes their shoulder, and then finally impaling his blades into their fiery core, causing them to crumble to rubble.

Minotaur Elite

Minotaur Elites are a more powerful breed of Minotaur that Kratos encounters over the course of his quest in God of War III. The Minotaur Elites appear similar to the standard Minotaurs that Kratos has encountered, except they are now covered in heavy armor, and wield a deadly battleaxe. The key to defeating these more powerful breeds of Minotaur is to perform skilled block-and-counter techniques, or to carefully evade their charges and axe swings. Once Kratos has weakened them, he can kill them by grabbing them by the horns, wrestling them to the ground, and breaking their necks. Like all Minotaurs, this will not only kill them, but reward Kratos with some useful Green Orbs.

Labrys Minotaur

The Labrys Minotaur is the most powerful breed of Minotaur that Kratos encounters in God of War III. They appear similar to the Minotaur Elites, except their armor is even stronger, and their axe is even larger. Like their weaker Minotaur brethren, these beasts attack Kratos by charging at him from a distance, or by attempting to pummel him with their powerful axes. The most effective way to damage and kill these beasts is to rely primarily on counter attacks, and then performing the final context-sensitive kill to reward Kratos with Green Orbs.

Trivia

  • In God of War III, Kratos kills Minotaurs in a fashion similar to how he is shown battling a Minotaur in a marketing image drawn for God of War II.
  • The Labrys Minotaur is named after the type of axe that it wields. The labrys was a type of double-headed battleaxe that was used amongst various ancient Greek socities, including the Minoan society on Crete.

Gallery

Related Pages