Despite his dark past, God of War’s Kratos has become an almost universally beloved video game icon, a love that has only grown deeper ever since Santa Monica Studio saw fit to give him his son, Atreus. While the family dynamic is new, his overall appearance is for the most part unchanged: pale skin, bald head, and an amazing physique. The devs also saw fit to give Kratos an epic beard for his debut on the PlayStation 4, though before too many of us could wonder how he looks without it, Santa Monica Studio did one better and released a rather startling image. Check it out below:

So how about that beardless Kratos!? For once we have finally found someone that actually looks more menacing without facial hair. Were he to decide to shave at some point, Atreus would likely be terrified. Thankfully Santa Monica Studio knew what it was doing and gave us the Kratos on the right instead. Here’s what God of War is all about for those interested:

From Santa Monica Studio and creative director Cory Barlog comes a new beginning for God of War. Living as a man outside the shadow of the gods, Kratos must adapt to unfamiliar lands, unexpected threats, and a second chance at being a father. Together with his son Atreus, the pair will venture into the brutal Norse wilds and fight to fulfill a deeply personal quest.”

God of War is now available exclusively for the PlayStation 4.

So, thoughts on beardless Kratos? Would you like a DLC that lets players activate beardless Kratos in-game, or would that be too terrifying? Let us know in the comments section below, and as always, stay tuned to Don’t Feed the Gamers for all the latest gaming and entertainment news! Don’t forget to follow DFTG on Twitter for our 24/7 news feed!