God of War
What to Know
Average Score
- April 20, 2018
- SIE Santa Monica Studio
- Action, RPG
- Game of the Year (2018), Nom: Best Action (2018), Editors' Choice
Critics Consensus
- April 20, 2018
- Action, RPG
- Game of the Year (2018), Nom: Best Action (2018), Editors' Choice
Critics Consensus
# Reviews: 140
God of War is a masterpiece with outstanding characters, world, and combat. SIE Santa Monica successfully reimagines Kratos for a new audience while keeping the heart of the series gloriously unaltered.
Rate and Review
Awards & Recognition
Critic Reviews for God of War
Critic Reviews
Score Distribution
140
Reviews
Platinum
42% of scored reviews gave God of War a perfect score (100/100)
Ranges
God of War’s outstanding characters, world, and combat come together to form an unforgettable adventure.
A top-to-bottom revamp of the whole God Of War franchise that matches thrilling, if slightly shallow, combat and exploration with some impressively trenchant storytelling.
This is how you do a reboot. After Kratos lost his way, Sony Santa Monica has set the God of War on a new path. A more measure, nuanced character, a great supporting cast, an excellent combat system, and some of the best graphics in the PlayStation 4 game to-date add up to a winner.
Jonathon Dornbush (IGN)
10/10 - (Read Review)
God of War’s outstanding characters, world, and combat come together to form an unforgettable adventure.
GameCentral (Metro GameCentral)
9/10 - (Read Review)
A top-to-bottom revamp of the whole God Of War franchise that matches thrilling, if slightly shallow, combat and exploration with some impressively trenchant storytelling.
Mike Williams (USgamer)
5/5 stars - (Read Review)
This is how you do a reboot. After Kratos lost his way, Sony Santa Monica has set the God of War on a new path. A more measure, nuanced character, a great supporting cast, an excellent combat system, and some of the best graphics in the PlayStation 4 game to-date add up to a winner.
Outlet | Author | Score | Date | Quote | Read |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
33bits | Roberto Pineda | 95 / 100 | 05-09-2018 | Santa Monica jumped into the void announcing such a groundbreaking new installment. And the result could not have been more satisfactory; God of War is one of the great titles of the generation. Ambitious at all levels, Kratos | Read review |
3DNews | Иван Бышонкoв | 7.5 / 10 | 04-21-2018 | God of War is undoubtedly a technical masterpiece. The idea with one camera executed brilliantly — nobody ever done something like that, and nobody will in the nearest couple of years. Or decades. Besides, Kratos is written into the North mythology with love to both the spartan and the myths. But in terms of gameplay God of War strongly reminds Darksiders series, with kind of boring combat sequences, repetitive boss fights, awful camera position during the battles where you can’t see what’s going on behind you, and not so necessary RPG elements. | Read review |
ACG | Jeremy Penter | Recommended | 04-15-2018 | Video Review | Read review |
Areajugones | Juan Linares | 9.9 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | God of War is an excellent game that has evolved and with a great quality in every aspect. The game feels more mature, profound and solid than we have ever seen in the saga. Its gameplay is still dynamic and its story will keep us in the edge of our seats from beginning to end. However, it lacks magic in some moments and has a few repetitive bosses, which does not allow this game to reach the perfect score. | Read review |
Atomix | Alberto Desfassiaux | 97 / 100 | 04-12-2018 | One of the most ambitious and well done video games ever made. God of War is almost the perfect evolution that the Hack & Slash genre needed. | Read review |
Attack of the Fanboy | William Schwartz | 4.5 / 5 stars | 04-12-2018 | God of War has seen considerable changes from previous games in the series, but they almost all feel like they were for the better. | Read review |
AusGamers | Steve Farrelly | 9.8 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | I was always a critic of a Greek god being in an entirely different realm with different rules. I thought for sure the game was just using Kratos and the God of War IP to get it over the marketing line, but I’ve been proven massively wrong. This is a God of War game, and it’s fucking brilliant. It has old-school game-design coupled lovingly alongside a modern storytelling tilt, and it marries the two in a contemporary and meaningful way. And playing on PS4 Pro on a setup like my Samsung QLED 65″ Q8C with HDR, it just screams quality. | Read review |
BaziCenter | Bahram Bigharaz | 10 / 10 | 04-22-2018 | God of War 4 is the new milestone in the series. Santa Monica made everything from scratch and the result is far beyond of great. From the gameplay to story and music, this is what we call the masterpiece. They made the new standard for the action-adventure genre. God of War feels like a portal to next generation of video games. | Read review |
Bazimag | Fardin Bagherian | 10 / 10 | 04-25-2018 | Great story and narrative combined with phenomenal and modernized gameplay and flawless graphics and sound design, all mix up to make God of War one of the most memorable games of recent times. Following the story of Kratos who once was a killer machine but is now struggling to raise his son is an engaging and at times, an emotional experience. It is very clear that the risk taken by Santa Monica Studios has paid off and we can’t wait to see the next installment in this groundbreaking series. | Read review |
CGMagazine | Brendan Frye | 10 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | God of War is back with one of the most rewarding experiences on the PlayStation 4 to date. | Read review |
Cheat Code Central | Lucas White | 4.5 / 5 stars | 04-12-2018 | God of War feels ambitious in the best kind of way: the messy kind. It’s not afraid to get its hands dirty digging at something it thinks is interesting, while knowing it might not find it at that moment. It’s fine with not telling you everything, or with dialing back on the usual tropes of loud music, brutal violence, and hamfisted emotional manipulation. Sometimes, God of War just wants you to take some time and think about how you feel, and compare notes with Kratos as he struggles through his trauma to relate to his kid. And sure, sometimes you beat group of monsters to death by juggling them in the air with a magic axe and a pack of wolves made of lightning fired from a bow. It’s still a video game about a violent, hulking bald man, but it’s thoughtful and, most importantly, genuine. | Read review |
COGconnected | Patrick Anderson | 95 / 100 | 04-12-2018 | Rest assured that another hallmark of the series, visceral combat, is also back and better than ever. | Read review |
ComiConverse | Jordan Samuel | 5 / 5 stars | 04-14-2018 | While some might not like the grounded take, long-term fans should be engrossed in the changes and outstanding story elements! The god of war has returned and brings with him the best video game experience in the last decade, without question a masterclass in the PS4 echo system | Read review |
Critical Hit | Alessandro Barbosa | 10 / 10 | 04-18-2018 | God of War reinvigorates an ageing series with a Kratos you can care for, a host of new characters that are both exceptionally acted and wonderfully written with action and exploration that sets new standards for games of this ilk going forward. It’s a triumph in storytelling and design, making it one of the most exceptional experiences gaming has ever seen. | Read review |
Cubed3 | Albert Lichi | 8 / 10 | 04-30-2018 | God of War is an exceptionally solid action game that delivers the epic scope the series is known for, but in a new way. While many of the plot elements are a bit forced at times, the characters themselves are well written and performed very naturally. Don’t expect to feel for Kratos much, no matter how hard the game tries, because he is just too much a monster. The real star is the fluid combat, realistic visuals, and the rousing set-pieces. It is unclear how far the PlayStation 4’s architecture is being pushed, but it wouldn’t be surprising if God of War is pushing it to its absolute limit because there is never a moment when it does not look stunning. There is a so much to like that the weaker aspects get drowned out and easily ignored and pulling that off is no easy feat. | Read review |
Cultured Vultures | Jimmy Donnellan | 10 / 10 | 04-23-2018 | It’s not the God of War you once knew, but Kratos’ debut on PS4 brings the franchise back into the limelight in a big way as one of the best games of its generation.Microtransactions: nope | Read review |
Daily Dot | AJ Moser | 4 / 5 stars | 04-12-2018 | Full of genuine surprises, thrilling action, and emotionally grounded in almost every moment, this God of War is easily the best entry in a long series that had no right to reinvent itself so well. | Read review |
Daily Mirror | Aodhan Gregory | 5 / 5 stars | 04-11-2018 | This new chapter in the hack and slash franchise freshens up the gameplay for a thrilling experience that will please fans | Read review |
Daily Star | James Wright | 5 / 5 stars | 07-04-2019 | Again though, we really are splitting hairs because this is a near flawless game. | Read review |
Destructoid | Chris Carter | 10 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | God of War is a different game for a new era of the medium. While I’m a sucker for more frantic arcadey action there are plenty of studios left carrying on that legacy. Unless something catastrophic happens to Sony Santa Monica, there’s more story to tell, and I hope the exact same team is able to tell it. | Read review |
Digiato | Shayan Ziaei | 100 / 100 | 04-23-2018 | God of War has matured, has redefined its genre, has incredible graphics even on older PS4 and ends in a way that you know you should await at least one more epic trilogy. | Read review |
Digital Chumps | Steven McGehee | 10 / 10 | 04-04-2017 | Santa Monica took the best of God of War as a franchise and melded it beautifully with the most distinguishable designs of other modern games to create something with an immensely potent synergy. | Read review |
Digital Spy | Laurence Mozafari | 4 / 5 stars | 04-17-2018 | God of War’s reboot is a triumph. | Read review |
Digitally Downloaded | Brad L. | 4.5 / 5 stars | 04-12-2018 | God of War on the PlayStation 4 has taken me completely by surprise. As a game that follows on from the old games, but somehow turns it completely on its head and makes it a world worth investing time into feels almost like a miracle. It is one of those games that takes Norse mythology as a core idea and treats it with respect, while also integrating it seamlessly into the story and making it important to the narrative. I have a newfound interest in learning more about Norse mythology, and it truly makes a game special when it encourages the player to learn more beyond the scope of the game itself. | Read review |
DualShockers | Giuseppe Nelva | 10 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | Cory Barlog and his team managed to reinvent the wheel, and while they added more pieces, it rolls smoother than ever before, providing the best God of War experience of the history of the franchise. | Read review |
Easy Allies | Michael Huber | 5 / 5 stars | 04-11-2018 | Video Review | Read review |
Echo Boomer | David Fialho | Recommended | 03-14-2018 | Half-sequel, half-reboot. The return of Kratos comes with a new sidekick, in a new setting, in a new generation and with a new perspective. It’s one of the riskiest reboots in recent history for an high caliber franchise, full of ambition, that sets a new standard in narrative and action games. Without any doubt, one of the best games of the generation. | Read review |
EGM | Nick Plessas | 9.5 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | A fascinating story, sublime mechanics, and a beautiful world come together in an experience that is about as confident of a step forward as the God of War series could make. | Read review |
Eurogamer | Christian Donlan | Recommended | 04-12-2018 | Despite eye-catching changes, the heart of this series remains gloriously unaltered. | Read review |
Everyeye.it | Francesco Fossetti | 9.5 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | God of War has changed. This new Nordic chapter transforms the series into an impressive action/adventure, rediscovering the value of exploration. Yet the soul of God of War is still there: and emerges, in all its imperious power, during the brutal fights and the violent clashes. As the main story progresses and the optional contents unfolds, God of War affirm itself as one of the most dense, surprising and rich adventure of the last three generations. | Read review |
Flickering Myth | Shaun Munro | 9 / 10 | 04-27-2018 | Rarely do games feel as singularly visionary as God of War; this is a rarest of AAA games with no whiff of publisher interference or executive meddling whatsoever. Almost entirely fat-free while still serving up literally dozens of hours of worthwhile, value-filled entertainment, that it does this alongside an unexpectedly visceral and emotionally involving story makes it an elite, towering accomplishment that a sequel nevertheless has the potential to build and improve upon. | Read review |
Forbes | Dave Thier | 9.5 / 10 | 04-13-2018 | God of War works for what it keeps and works for what it changes. It’s a foundation for a series that’s suddenly a tentpole once again. | Read review |
Game Debate | Jon Sutton | 9.5 / 10 | 04-29-2018 | God of War is one of the most sublimely constructed action games of all time. | Read review |
Game Informer | Joe Juba | 9.8 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | An enthralling experience from beginning to end, with a mixture of great narrative moments and engaging encounters. God of War is a well-paced adventure that knows when to let the action simmer and when to make it boil over | Read review |
Game Rant | Anthony Taormina | 5 / 5 stars | 04-21-2018 | Sony Santa Monica has evolved Kratos in God of War and in the process delivered a technical and narrative showpiece that any PS4 fan should be proud of. | Read review |
Game Revolution | Jason Faulkner | 5 / 5 stars | 04-12-2018 | The graphics, sound, combat, world, and plot all come together to make an exquisite package that is a prime example of why games are art and God of War is right up there with the best films and novels when it comes to storytelling. If you have a PlayStation 4, you should play God of War. If you don’t have one, you should consider getting one to play this game. | Read review |
Game Volt | Moustafa Gad | 9.5 / 10 | 05-02-2018 | God of War is a leap in single player games in terms of presentation, sophisticated scenario and Gameplay that offers countless options, the distinctive graphic level, accuracy and depth of the clashes, not to mention the complex development options, the remarkable development of the characters of Kratos and aterus, With a huge content even after completing main story, and the title is no more than the absence of explanations about what happened after the end of the third part and take a long time at the outset before opening more skills and development options, which may make some feel repetitive gameplay and combat | Read review |
Gameblog | Gameblog | 10 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | Quote not yet available. | Read review |
GameCrate | Leo Parrill | 9.5 / 10 | 04-17-2018 | God of War takes everything good about the franchise and elevates it. Almost every aspect is polished to a fine sheen, with a particular standout being the world itself, and the new emphasis on telling a mature and meaningful story that explores remarkably complex themes. God of War sets a new bar for storytelling and world building in games, and transforms Kratos from a one note character to a fascinating man with a story worth hearing. If you have a PS4, this is a must have title. | Read review |
Gamefa | Saeed Aghababaie | 10 / 10 | 04-21-2018 | in my opinion, God of War is simply one of the two Best Games of this generation beside to the witcher 3. the new Adventure of Kratos “The God of War” has madness, love, drama, anger, relationship and everything else it needed to have. Every elements in this new game has changed deeply, compared to other games in this series but good news is that it completely feels like a “God of War” game when we play it and it is so amazing. also we must mention that these structural changes that we see in this game, were absolutely necessary because we saw reactions about God of War Ascension in last gen and we knew (and we wanted) to see big changes in new game and experience a brand new adventure so far away from greek gods and where to go better than Valhalla gates and Norse mythology. God of War takes the place of God of War 3 as the best game in this epic beautiful series. God of War is a “must have” game for every playstation fans and also a game that worth to buy a ps4 for experience it. | Read review |
GameGrin | Thomas Hughes | 9.5 / 10 | 06-07-2018 | Where most games excel in one single area, God of War manages to deliver on every front, providing players with one of the best experiences we’ve seen so far this generation. | Read review |
GameHaunt | Excelle Escalada | 5 / 5 stars | 04-30-2018 | Even though there are some people around who are crying about the new direction in which the current edition of God of War has taken, from my point of view, it certainly sets a new trend in the gaming industry with its spectacular surroundings, brutal action along with a fine storyline involving the relationship of the father and son. | Read review |
GameMAG | xtr | 10 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | God of War has a great story and sets a new level in almost everything: from epic boss battles to the world building. And if you haven’t bought a PlayStation 4 Pro with a 4K TV yet, now it’s the right time to do it, if you want to see the peak of what entertainment industry of the 2018 can offer. | Read review |
Gameplanet | Chris Brown | 10 / 10 | 04-18-2018 | God of War is a genre redefining epic, a triumph for SCI Santa Monica, and the single best reason to own a PS4 in 2018. | Read review |
GamePro | Ann-Kathrin Kuhls | 93 / 100 | 04-11-2018 | Successful overhaul: God of War manages balancing modern action rpg features and classic GOW feeling. | Read review |
Gamerheadquarters | Jason Stettner | 10 / 10 | 04-22-2018 | God of War is an amazing step forward in gaming that expands the general narrative beyond what one would ever expect. | Read review |
Gamers Heroes | Blaine Smith | 10 / 10 | 04-24-2018 | Every facet of God of War has been created as a labor of love. Seldom do we see such a complete, whole experience in modern gaming. God of War is nothing short of a modern day masterpiece. | Read review |
Gamersky | 不倒翁蜀黍 | 9.7 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | God of War is a successful reboot of one of the most brutal hack-and-slash action games, and it’s remarkable, fun and still uber-violent. The core gameplay has changed a lot, and Santa Monica did take a risk that won’t appeal to some orthodox God of War fans. But all in all it turns out that those new game mechanics are so well-crafted and of course it’s a great progress. | Read review |
GamesBeat | Mike Minotti | 90 / 100 | 04-12-2018 | This new God of War takes a lot of risks. It trades blind rage and revenge for a story about a troubled father/son relationship. It ditches fast, combo-based violence for something more methodical. It’s a departure from everything that once was God of War. | Read review |
GameSkinny | Jonathan Moore | 10 / 10 | 04-27-2018 | Deep with allegory and underpinned by rich combat, God of War stands triumphant as a narrative masterwork. This is what it means for video games to grow up. | Read review |
GameSpew | Richard Seagrave | 10 / 10 | 04-30-2018 | The God of War series has a bright future it would seem, one that many of us didn’t expect or think was possible. And I’m extraordinarily happy about that. | Read review |
GameSpot | Peter Brown | 9 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | God of War is every bit the over-the-top action game you expect, but it’s the story and setting that end up stealing the show. | Read review |
GamesRadar+ | Leon Hurley | 5 / 5 stars | 04-12-2018 | One of PlayStation’s finest moments, Kratos has been reimagined for a new audience while keeping the best bits of what originally made him great. | Read review |
GameZone | Mike Splechta | 10 / 10 | 04-16-2018 | While it may not resemble the older games in the franchise, that might actually be its strength. It proves that just like Kratos, who was able to mature and grow as a character, letting go of his past while not forgetting who he was, the newest game was able to do the same. | Read review |
Gaming Nexus | Randy Kalista | 9.5 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | This is a skull-smashing story about making mistakes and taking responsibility. While hacking and slashing their enemies, a father and son build bonds of love and loyalty. God of War is a minor masterpiece. | Read review |
GamingBolt | Aaron Main | 10 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | God of War is a phenomenal effort by Sony Santa Monica, one that needs to be experienced by every PS4 player out there. | Read review |
GamingTrend | Ron Burke | 100 / 100 | 04-12-2018 | It’s very rare that a game grabs me this completely, but God of War is, without a doubt, an early contender for Game of the Year. It’s flawless in its execution, and the new benchmark for action titles. Well done, Santa Monica Studios, and thanks for taking us on this entirely new adventure. | Read review |
GBAtemp | Jakub Kowalski | 10 / 10 | 05-09-2018 | I said it once and I’ll say it again | Read review |
GearNuke | Khurram Imtiaz | 9.5 / 10 | 05-06-2018 | God of War is a more grounded and personal journey for Kratos. The game excels at world building, combat and exploration but suffers from some flaws with its lack of enemy variety and pacing near the end-game. | Read review |
Geek Culture | Jake Su | 9.8 / 10 | 04-11-2018 | A truly divine experience, God of War returns and places Kratos and Atreus among the pantheon of gaming’s greatest. | Read review |
Geeks Under Grace | LJ Lowery | 9.5 / 10 | 05-18-2018 | God of War has one of the greatest stories ever told in a video game, filled with moments that will never be forgotten. This is a “mic drop” that creates a high standard for future releases. | Read review |
Giant Bomb | Dan Ryckert | 5 / 5 stars | 04-12-2018 | Sony Santa Monica makes us care about Kratos in this stunning revival of the series. | Read review |
God is a Geek | Chris White | 10 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | One of the best games on PS4, and one of the best games of this generation. A masterpiece. | Read review |
GRYOnline.pl | Krystian Smoszna | 9.5 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | The new God of War brings back Kratos in a superb fashion. Santa Monica studio should do the same for a potential sequel and I won’t be able to worry about my favorite hero. The game is bold in introducing some radical changes to the series’ formula but if you stop looking back you’ll know – this is an excellent game in every way. | Read review |
Guardian | Keza MacDonald | 5 / 5 stars | 04-12-2018 | Kratos returns older and wiser, but exhilaratingly brutal in a story that deftly intertwines family drama and mythological epic | Read review |
Hardcore Gamer | Kevin Dunsmore | 4.5 / 5 stars | 04-12-2018 | Vengeance may not be what Kratos seeks anymore, but that has done little to stop the God of War franchise. | Read review |
Hobby Consolas | David Martinez | 96 / 100 | 04-11-2018 | Every single aspect in God of War works perfectly in order to create a violent, yet moving masterpiece. Probably the best looking game of current gen consoles and a deep story, whose only weak point is that we get the feeling that the best is yet to come. | Read review |
Hynerd.it | Hynerd.it | 9.5 / 10 | 05-15-2018 | This game is really a “must buy”. And for those who thinks this is something | Read review |
IGN | Jonathon Dornbush | 10 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | God of War’s outstanding characters, world, and combat come together to form an unforgettable adventure. | Read review |
IGN Italy | Gianluca Loggia | 9.3 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | God of War is a new beginning for Kratos, a different game, but still one of the best entries in the series and one of the best games for this generation. | Read review |
IGN Middle East | Islam Ibrahim | 9.8 / 10 | 04-25-2018 | Santa Monic has set new standards for action-adventure games with God of War. The game has already attracted me from start to finish. It’s an experience that happens only once every 10 years, and I can not wait to see how the series will become in the future, with a unique open world, interesting storyline, simple gameplay but difficult to master, and soundtrack and sound performance is the best ever, I can say God of War is the best game on PS4. | Read review |
IGN Spain | David Soriano | 9 / 10 | 04-11-2018 | God of War very effectively achieves its mission to be a good reboot of the saga and a good sequel. Each one of the days of the five years of development of this new delivery is evident in the great values of production in each one of the sections, materializing perfectly in the constant sequence plane. Perhaps we only regret not having been presented with something truly original mechanically and not a mixture of ingredients that we have seen in other titles. | Read review |
Impulsegamer | James Coles | 4.6 / 5 stars | 04-15-2018 | After spending over twenty hours with the game, it’s clear that God of War is an impressive action-adventure title that should appease a variety of different gamers. However, once all the dust settles, whether or not this will land Sony Santa Monica the prestigious ‘Game of the Year’ honour remains to be seen. | Read review |
Jump Dash Roll | Rob Kershaw | 9 / 10 | 05-02-2018 | A fresh, feisty and at times poignant return for Kratos make this by far the best entry to date, as well as a bold new foundation for the future of the series. | Read review |
Just Push Start | Mark Fajardo | 4.75 / 5 stars | 04-12-2018 | God of War’s new direction breathed new life into the franchise. | Read review |
JVL | Malcolm89 | 10 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | We had to wait 5 years to get a new episode of the God of War franchise, but it was worth it. After getting lost with its previous episode, the serie returns to the top, which it has already known in the past. Managing the father-son relationship works great and Atreus is more than just an awkward NPC. All the elements of the puzzle fit perfectly and naturally to offer a memorable adventure that proves that risk taking can pay off. Even if he loses some of his excessiveness, Kratos has never been so indisputable in your library. It is impossible to miss this God of War if you own a PlayStation 4, the game takes a clear lead over the competition for the title of the GOTY 2018. | Read review |
KnowTechie | Jonathan White | 9 / 10 | 05-16-2018 | If you’re going to revamp a franchise, God of War 2018 is the new gold standard on how to pull it off. | Read review |
LevelUp | Rodrigo Muñozaltea | 9.8 / 10 | 01-01-1970 | God of War is all you can ask from a new game in a franchise; very high production values, charismatic characters and satisfying combat, visceral with no lack of action. However, this is accompanied by a very well-told story, excellent animations, a very interesting new universe, fun gameplay and a new partner that develops a very promising personality. You can feel the dedication and care that Santa Monica Studio put into every frame of this game. Despite going in a new direction, God of War somehow manages to feel familiar and it is the worthy beginning of a new saga that surely has a lot to give us in the future. This is a very carefully made game that will certainly help define this generation and that is nothing short of a masterpiece. | Read review |
M3 | Billy Ekblom | 9 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | God of War manages to point out a new direction for the franchise. The fantastic environments, moving storyline and fierce combat makes this game an absolute must for every Playstation 4-owner. | Read review |
Marooners’ Rock | Ahmed Al-Sheikh | 9.9 / 10 | 06-12-2019 | God of War not only shows what the PS4 is capable of, it’s an amazing evolution of the series. | Read review |
Metro GameCentral | GameCentral | 9 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | A top-to-bottom revamp of the whole God Of War franchise that matches thrilling, if slightly shallow, combat and exploration with some impressively trenchant storytelling. | Read review |
MonsterVine | Spencer Legacy | 5 / 5 stars | 04-27-2018 | God of War manages to keep the soul of the franchise intact while drastically changing its tone to a grounded story about father and son, making God of War one of the greatest achievements of this console generation. | Read review |
New Game Network | Alex Varankou | 80 / 100 | 04-12-2018 | God of War takes a classic franchise and reshapes it into the modern fold. The end result is a dramatic, polished, visually impressive and somewhat by-the-numbers PS4 blockbuster that slots along nicely beside the other exclusives in the console’s library. It has plenty of content and fairly robust combat to entertain newcomers, while fans of the original games will likely enjoy the second half of the adventure a bit more. | Read review |
Nexus | Sam Aberdeen | 10 / 10 | 04-21-2018 | God of War is a genre-defining epic, an emotionally powerful story, and a true modern gaming masterpiece. Game director Cory Barlog and the creative force at Santa Monica Studio deserve a huge applause for crafting an ambitious God of War experience that offers one of the most heart-wrenching and shocking pay offs in gaming history. | Read review |
Niche Gamer | Caitlin Harper | 8 / 10 | 05-04-2018 | It’s worth a playthrough just to see the dynamic between father and son and how well-crafted the world is, just don’t expect much in the way of an actual story and be prepared for all questions you may have while playing to be thrown back at you at the very end of the adventure. | Read review |
NoobFeed | Sarwar Ron | 100 / 100 | 04-30-2018 | God of War is a new beast of its own. It is not the game fans asked for but the game fans needed without even knowing. | Read review |
OnlySP | Ben Newman | 5 / 5 stars | 04-23-2018 | Above all, God of War is a surprise. By perfecting the current trends in the gaming market, the game has become an outlier in how to properly design a AAA experience. The combination of systems, which have failed numerous times in other games, somehow work thanks to the amount of effort, time, and love the studio has poured into the title. The title has transcended the bloody roots of its origins, trading in a shallow representation of vengeance for a meditation on power and revenge that feels more mature. The scariest thing about God of War is that it is destined for sequels, but with a foundation this excellent, the series could reach untold heights. Despite all the gameplay and visual successes, God of War’s greatest feat is tell a story about family in a way that feels timeless, with the writing taking care of all the idiosyncrasies and implicit machinations of patriarchal relationships. God of War is a game about fathers in a time that dearly needs them and that should be appreciated. | Read review |
Oyungezer Online | Utku Çakır | 9.8 / 10 | 04-15-2018 | One world summary of this perfect game would be, “epic”. Santa Monica Studio delivers an instant classic. It’s not just one of the best PS4 games out there, but one of the best games of all time. | Read review |
Pardis Game | Mohammad Taghavi | 10 / 10 | 04-29-2018 | I’ll just cut myself short. Despite its minor flaws, God of War is the best in its series and one of the greatest games of the 8th generation. If you have a PS4, than don’t miss it | Read review |
Paste Magazine | Garrett Martin | 7.5 / 10 | 04-23-2018 | The story’s biggest problem is that it attempts something that can’t really be done. It tries to rehabilitate that which cannot be rehabilitated. This Kratos is the same Kratos who was pure animal lust for a half-dozen games, driven solely to kill or sleep with every living creature he came across. | Read review |
PCMag | Gabriel Zamora | 4 / 5 stars | 04-27-2018 | God-slayer Kratos returns to intense, bloody combat in this action-adventure reboot that brings dramatic changes to the God of War formula. | Read review |
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | Max Parker | 9.8 / 10 | 04-24-2018 | “God of War” is the culmination that the series always had the potential to be. Better yet, it’s just the beginning of a new legend forged by the God of War. | Read review |
Player2.net.au | Matt Hewson, Paul James | Recommended | 04-29-2018 | I was happy with God of War being finished, I didn’t think the world needed another game with Kratos as the lead. What I didn’t count on was this masterful reinvention coming along and proving me wrong. I have never been so happy to be wrong in my life. | Read review |
PlayStation LifeStyle | Paulmichael Contreras | 10 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | God of War is an epic reboot of an epic franchise. The evolution of Kratos could have gone horribly wrong. Instead, Santa Monica Studio has given the franchise the treatment it deserves. This new narrative tone has heart, and serves to make Kratos much more relatable in his new role as protector, while remaining as brutal as past installments. Reworked and improved combat options make for an enjoyable and customizable experience, and phenomenal audiovisual performance ensures that each trip to the mythical lands before the Vikings is a wonderfully grisly experience. God of War is a must-buy experience well worth the wait. | Read review |
PlayStation Universe | Kyle Prahl | 9.5 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | In God of War, story and gameplay unite for a gripping, memorable journey with unerring focus. Kratos’ new beginning is masterfully written, emotionally resonant, and a thrilling challenge. | Read review |
Polygon | Chris Plante | 10 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | Some die-hard fans may fear this isn’t really God of War. I suppose they’re right. It’s even better. | Read review |
Post Arcade (National Post) | Chad Sapieha | 9 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | I get the sense that SIE Santa Monica Studio, with some bold changes worth applause, has set out on the right path toward maturing this iconic franchise. | Read review |
PowerUp! | Leo Stevenson | 10 / 10 | 04-19-2018 | God of War is a cinematic masterpiece, a masterclass in game design and the greatest adventure game ever made. | Read review |
Press Start | Shannon Grixti | 9 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | God Of War is a cinematic masterpiece that manages to reinvent and push an already fantastic series to new heights. Barring some pacing issues in its narrative, Sony Santa Monica have breathed new life into Kratos and the God of War series, and I can’t wait to see what’s next. | Read review |
PS4Blog.net | ThaRaven403 | 10 / 10 | 05-14-2018 | PSN Game Price: $59.99 | Read review |
PSX Brasil | Ivan Nikolai Barkow Castilho | 98 / 100 | 04-12-2018 | The God of War series needed to be reinvented and the Santa Monica Studio team did it masterfully. The change of perspective, the fantastic graphics, the new chapter of the story and especially the addictive combat show that God of War is easily one of the best PS4 games. | Read review |
Push Square | Sammy Barker | 10 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | God of War is a special game. This reimagining of the famous PlayStation franchise elevates the series in unexpected ways, without forgetting the core tenets that made Kratos a fan-favourite to begin with. This is a sprawling single player epic with an abundance of secrets and a storyline that keeps you hooked from start-to-finish. While it borrows liberally from other action adventure greats, its unique combat and outstanding artistic direction separate it from its immediate peers. A truly impressive achievement. | Read review |
Reloading BR | Felipe Mesquita | 9.5 / 10 | 05-14-2018 | God of War is a special project. It is celebratory to attest the high level of technical and creative work put here during its five years of development. From the way they reconstructed the combat, how they opened up the scope of its world design geared towards exploration and gameplay experimentation, how they delivered an excellent narrative with a good script, good dialogues and characters that are not one-dimensional and even the way they present the credits, all of its aspects are almost untouchable. Santa Monica Studio was able to completely change my perception of this property, something that only a masterpiece of this high-caliber would be capable of. | Read review |
Reno Gazette-Journal | Jason Hidalgo | 10 / 10 | 05-02-2018 | After a long absence, Kratos manages to beat his toughest opponent yet: loss of relevance. Kratos’ latest adventure takes risks by re-imagining what a God of War game is supposed to be, ultimately rewarding players with a wonderfully, refreshing take on the longstanding franchise. The changes in combat and perspective will admittedly be polarizing to series purists. If you get beyond that, though, God of War is not just the best game in the series, it’s one of the best games ever made, period. | Read review |
Saudi Gamer | عصام الشهوان | 10 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | This is a bigger, deeper and more mature God of War and one of the best reboots and a successful new beginning. A denser and richer world, a heftier and deeper fighting system and a multi-dimensional story, while maintaining the series’ stunning visuals and art direction, epic soundtrack, breathtaking cinematography and all the rage and violence. This is the logical next step and the massive leap the series required and deserved. | Read review |
Screen Rant | Rob Keyes | 5 / 5 stars | 04-20-2018 | It’s been worth the wait. | Read review |
SECTOR.sk | Matúš Štrba | 9 / 10 | 04-11-2018 | This isn’t the same God of War that you know for all these years. But it is definitely the best God of War game so far. | Read review |
Shacknews | Ozzie Mejia | 9 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | God of War was never the deepest experience, especially with what feels like limited enemy types. But the PlayStation 4 makes up for this in spades with an incredibly vast world and a heartwarming story. Beyond Kratos and Atreus, the game is filled with some surprisingly lovable characters. On top of that, finishing the main story doesn’t truly feel like the end. While previous games made it feel like treading old territory to find everything, the post-game in this God of War makes it feel like the world has truly opened up. | Read review |
Sirus Gaming | Carri Grant Raffy Abenoja | 9.6 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | God of War is so well-crafted, every scene is beautifully detailed. Even scary creatures have their own charm, making me hesitant to actually kill them with the gruesome finishing moves. God of War is one gorgeous game, from beginning to end. | Read review |
Skill Up | Ralph Panebianco | Recommended | 07-29-2018 | Remarkable by every metric. The game of the generation. | Read review |
Slant Magazine | Justin Clark | 4.5 / 5 stars | 04-12-2018 | God of War doesn’t so much suggest its ready-to-rumble predecessors as it does a more forgiving Dark Souls. | Read review |
Softpedia | Cosmin Vasile | 8.5 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | Despite these shortcomings, I believe the God of War series is in good hands, and I wouldn’t want anyone else touching it but Santa Monica Studio. Here is hoping greater times are coming to Midgard in the not so distant future. | Read review |
SomHráč.sk | Martin Kubeš | 99 / 100 | 04-12-2018 | The god of war is back at his peak performance. Don’t fear the series’ new direction and embark on an epic adventure. The new God of War is one of the highlights of this console generation. | Read review |
SpazioGames | Spaziogames | 9.5 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | Quote not yet available. | Read review |
Stevivor | Steve Wright | 8 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | God of War is a truly engrossing, enjoyable experience. | Read review |
TechnoBuffalo | Eric Frederiksen | 4.5 / 5 stars | 04-11-2018 | Instead of a tired, bored tale of vengeance, Sony has revived a god. | Read review |
TechRaptor | Samuel Guglielmo | 9.5 / 10 | 05-12-2018 | God of War goes all out in delivering a fantastic story, brutal combat, lovely visuals, and tons of content. This is easily a strong contender for one of the best games released this generation. | Read review |
Telegraph | Tom Hoggins | 5 / 5 stars | 04-11-2018 | One of the most gorgeous, spectacular and impactful blockbusters of the generation | Read review |
The Angry Joe Show | Joe Vargas | 9 / 10 | 04-26-2018 | Video Review | Read review |
The Digital Fix | Stephen Hudson | 10 / 10 | 04-30-2018 | With an exceptional story, brilliant acting, superb controls and gorgeous level design, God of War is a masterpiece and is easily the best title on the platform to date, and possibly the generation. | Read review |
The Games Machine | Ivan Conte | 9.7 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | God of War is the best thing happened to PlayStation 4 since Bloodborne. Nothing is out of place, nothing is ordinary. The art direction is amazingly inspired, the combat system is really deep and engaging, and everything on screen is, hands down, unlike anything else you ever saw on the PlayStation 4. Honestly, there’s no reason not to play this new masterpiece from Santa Monica Studio. | Read review |
The Jimquisition | Jim Sterling | Recommended | 04-22-2018 | Video Review | Read review |
TheSixthAxis | Jim Hargreaves | 8 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | A lot of what goes into God of War feels as though it was cherry-picked from the modern gaming zeitgeist. The semi-open world structure, loot system, and a much deeper narrative focus work well, but are all trends being pushed by most other big games. As a result, God of War can feel slightly homogenised in a way that some fans may find unappealing. Thankfully, a strong sense of setting and brutally satisfying combat help maintain that God of War identity. If it wasn’t made abundantly clear already, this is the first in what will most likely be a new trilogy for the God of War franchise, and this first instalment serves as a pretty great foundation. | Read review |
ThisGenGaming | Justin Oneil | 10 / 10 | 05-18-2018 | God of War is a truly special game and one that will last in my memory for a very long time. | Read review |
Too Much Gaming | Carlos Hernandez | 9 / 10 | 05-10-2018 | After playing all that the much-hyped game has to offer, I can now say that Santa Monica Studio has provided us with something that I didn’t think would work | Read review |
TrueGaming | عمر العمودي | 9 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | The God of War series needed a big change of direction and it got that for sure. The final product is an adventure that will not be forgotten for a long time. This is a new and different God of War and we love it. | Read review |
Twinfinite | Zhiqing Wan | 4 / 5 stars | 04-12-2018 | God of War certainly suffers from a lot of minor flaws that keep it from being a genuinely outstanding action-adventure title, but these feel like kinks that can be ironed out in time, perhaps when the next iteration in the series comes rolling around. Despite all my complaints about Atreus and the game’s imperfections, this is still an easy game to recommend to anyone with a PS4. God of War marks the glorious and bloody return of everyone’s favorite Spartan, and with the new dive into Norse mythology, there’s still plenty of adventures to look forward to as the series evolves. | Read review |
USgamer | Mike Williams | 5 / 5 stars | 04-12-2018 | This is how you do a reboot. After Kratos lost his way, Sony Santa Monica has set the God of War on a new path. A more measure, nuanced character, a great supporting cast, an excellent combat system, and some of the best graphics in the PlayStation 4 game to-date add up to a winner. | Read review |
VG247 | Kirk McKeand | Recommended | 04-12-2018 | There’s a scene in God of War where Kratos decapitates someone to free them from a magical cage within the mangled roots of a tree. | Read review |
VGChartz | Rex Hindrichs | 9 / 10 | 05-18-2018 | After years of legacy and increasing familiarity, the next chapter for a new generation has grown with its audience. | Read review |
VGN | Giovanni Marrelli | 9.5 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | Another masterpiece available exclusively on PS4, God of War is a new beginning for the saga from Sony Santa Monica Studios. A game that offers a deep story, a great combat system and lots of RPG mechanics that adds complexity and variety to the final experience. If you own a PS4, there is no doubt: God of War is a game that you don’t wanna miss. | Read review |
Video Chums | Tyler Hall | 9.5 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | The God of War series has undergone a fantastic transformation. | Read review |
VideoGamer | Alice Bell | 9 / 10 | 04-11-2018 | God of War achieves a very impressive balance between the epic and the mundane, between the ultra violent and the domestic. It’s undoubtedly the coolest and most interesting God of War to date. | Read review |
Washington Post | Christopher Byrd | Recommended | 04-12-2018 | A more nuanced Kratos makes the new ‘God of War’ a mighty success | Read review |
Wccftech | Kai Powell | 10 / 10 | 04-12-2018 | God of War proves that if there was anything that Kratos learned during his time in Grecian lands, it’s how to have a proper adventure. Now that he is a little bit older, wiser, and more experienced, it’s time for him to start to pass the torch on and become a family man. | Read review |
We Got This Covered | Shaan Joshi | 5 / 5 stars | 04-12-2018 | From its renewed focus on storytelling, to its stunningly gorgeous world and incredibly satisfying combat, God of War is nothing short of a masterpiece, one that sets a new bar for what can be accomplished in the world of AAA games. | Read review |
WellPlayed | Kieran Stockton | 10 / 10 | 04-29-2018 | God of War is a masterclass in AAA game design, hitting every benchmark of quality with an impressive confidence; an engaging narrative with interesting and relatable characters, combat that is challenging, rewarding, stylish and accessible, a richly detailed world full of content to explore and more visual splendour than you can poke a boomerang axe at, God of War is the complete package | Read review |
Game Info
Many years have passed since Kratos, Spartan warrior and former Greek God of War, took his vengeance against the Greek Gods, and he now lives with his young son Atreus in ancient Norway in the realm of Midgard. The game begins after the death of the Jötunn warrior Faye, Kratos’ second wife and Atreus’ mother, whose last request was for her ashes to be spread at the highest speak of the nine realms. Kratos and Atreus prepare a funeral pyre for her, mourn her death and soon go on a hunt as per Kratos’ desire. However much to Kratos’ disappointment, Atreus proves his incompetence and lack of focus, making Kratos reconsider taking Atreus in his journey. Kratos is soon attacked by a mysterious stranger with godlike powers, and who cannot feel anything physically. After seemingly killing him, Kratos reluctantly takes Atreus with him and begins their journey.
RELEASE DATES:
DEVELOPER(S):
- SIE Santa Monica Studio
PUBLISHER(S):
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
GENRES:
- Action, RPG
SERIES/FRANCHISE:
- God of War
GAME MODES:
- Single player
GAME ENGINE:
- -
DLC:
- -
BUNDLED IN:
- -
DIRECTOR(S):
- Cory Barlog
PRODUCER(S):
- Elizabeth Dahm Wang, Sean Llewellyn, Chad Cox, Eric Fong
DESIGNER(S):
- Derek Daniels
PROGRAMMER(S):
- Florian Strauss
ARTIST(S):
- -
WRITER(S):
- Matt Sophos, Richard Zangrande Gaubert, Cory Barlog
COMPOSER(S):
- Bear McCreary
GAME MODES:
- Single player
GAME ENGINE:
- n/a
DLC:
- n/a
BUNDLED IN:
- n/a
DIRECTOR(S):
- Cory Barlog
PRODUCER(S):
- Elizabeth Dahm Wang, Sean Llewellyn, Chad Cox, Eric Fong
DESIGNER(S):
- Derek Daniels
PROGRAMMER(S):
- Florian Strauss
ARTIST(S):
- n/a
WRITER(S):
- Matt Sophos, Richard Zangrande Gaubert, Cory Barlog
COMPOSER(S):
- Bear McCreary
People Also Like
Follow VSG on Instagram
Your go-to for the news, reviews and info you need from the gaming industry. Without access. Without favor. Without interference.