God of War

95%
Game Brain Score Based on 229,121 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
God of War Game Cover
God of War is a phenomenal effort by Sony Santa Monica, one that needs to be experienced by every PS4 player out there.
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In "God of War," Kratos, once a god-killing force, now lives in the world of Norse gods and monsters, seeking to survive and teach his son Atreus to do the same. This reimagining combines satisfying combat, epic scale, and a poignant narrative, as Kratos, a father again, must control his rage and mentor his son. Together, they embark on a personal quest filled with brutal Norse wilds and unexpected threats.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 229,121 reviews
story21 positive mentions
stability3 negative mentions
  • Exceptional combat mechanics and RPG elements that enhance gameplay.
  • Stunning visuals and a beautifully crafted world filled with engaging side quests.
  • A deeply emotional story that explores the father-son dynamic, making Kratos a relatable character.
  • Some boss fights are underwhelming and lack the epic scale expected from the series.
  • The story could have been more satisfying, with certain plot points feeling forced.
  • Minor technical issues such as framerate dips and a confusing upgrade system detract from the overall experience.
  • story34 mentions

    The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its engaging and emotionally resonant narrative, strong character development, and integration with gameplay. However, some critics noted pacing issues and a lack of depth in certain plot elements, suggesting that while the story is compelling, it could have been further refined. Overall, the game is recognized for its beautiful world-building and the way it intertwines storytelling with action and exploration.

    • “Unexpectedly thoughtful storytelling, a truly epic and memorable adventure set in the gorgeous world of Norse mythology, wholly satisfying combat and exploration.”
    • “This is a sprawling single-player epic with an abundance of secrets and a storyline that keeps you hooked from start to finish.”
    • “God of War showcases what can be done when time is taken with the periphery as well as the main story.”
    • “The story could have been better, even though God of War was never about the story.”
    • “While many of the plot elements are a bit forced at times, the characters themselves are well written and performed very naturally.”
    • “The pacing issues hurt the story, and the convoluted resource system detracts from the overall experience.”
  • graphics19 mentions

    The graphics of the game have been universally praised, with reviewers highlighting stunning visuals, gorgeous environments, and exceptional attention to detail that enhance the overall experience. Many noted the game's ability to depict Norse mythology beautifully and described it as a technical marvel, despite minor graphical glitches. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's immersive storytelling and engaging gameplay.

    • “God of War goes all out in delivering a fantastic story, brutal combat, lovely visuals, and tons of content.”
    • “Gorgeous graphics, strong writing, fun gameplay, stunning environments, masterful overall experience.”
    • “An absolute technical marvel in terms of visuals, with a beautiful world to explore.”
    • “Minor graphical glitches with DLSS.”
    • “No new features or additions aside from graphical settings.”
    • “Eye-watering visuals.”
  • gameplay13 mentions

    The gameplay in God of War is widely praised for its excellent combat mechanics, deep RPG elements, and engaging boss fights, all set within a beautifully crafted world filled with meaningful side quests. Players appreciate the emotional depth added by the father-son dynamic, as well as the game's stunning visuals and customization options. Overall, the gameplay experience is described as fun, immersive, and a significant evolution of the series.

    • “The Leviathan axe is so badass, and combat is fun for the most part. World and level designs are fantastic. Side quests are meaningful and add a lot to the game’s story and lore. Incredible attention to gameplay details.”
    • “With a stunning soundtrack and many gameplay systems to sink your teeth into, there’s something here for everyone and a game that will keep you engrossed for many hours.”
    • “Impeccable presentation, the father-son dynamic enhances combat and makes Kratos surprisingly relatable, convincing writing that humanizes the extraordinary supporting cast, Kratos' agility and deep repertoire of techniques make him more fun to control than ever, Midgard is fantastic to look at and filled with worthwhile side quests, expertly transforms and builds upon the series' established gameplay.”
  • emotional7 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its deeply resonant narrative, focusing on a heartwarming father-son relationship that drives the storyline. Players appreciate the complex characters and the emotional growth experienced throughout the journey, complemented by stunning visuals and engaging combat mechanics. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to evoke strong feelings while delivering a thrilling and immersive experience.

    • “Kratos’ new beginning is masterfully written, emotionally resonant, and a thrilling challenge.”
    • “God of War follows Kratos and his son Atreus as they take on a journey of emotional growth and closure.”
    • “Deep, visceral, and intuitive combat, heartwarming and complex father/son story, memorable characters, vast world to explore.”
  • optimization7 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game is praised as one of Sony's best PC ports, delivering a visually stunning experience with engaging combat and stellar performances. However, some users report occasional performance dips and stuttering, particularly in specific areas, indicating that while the game is well-optimized, it is not without its minor issues.

    • “It also helps that this is so far, Sony's best port to PC in terms of optimization.”
    • “+ fantastic character performances, + well designed world filled with great writing and interesting lore, + vast amount of side quests to keep you entertained after finishing, + visually stunning, vibrant environments”
    • “Despite some slight performance issues, God of War not only lands on PC well but also proves to be a much more natural fit for the platform than any other PS4 exclusive so far.”
    • “Performance can inexplicably dip on occasions.”
    • “Stuttering around the Lake of the Nine and when transitioning to certain areas.”
  • music5 mentions

    The music in the game is consistently praised for its epic quality and emotional depth, complementing the stunning visuals and engaging gameplay. Reviewers highlight the incredible voice acting and varied soundtrack, which enhance the overall immersive experience. Overall, the music significantly contributes to the game's captivating atmosphere and storytelling.

    • “amazing voice acting and epic music”
    • “voiceovers and soundtrack are incredible”
    • “With a stunning soundtrack and many gameplay systems to sink your teeth into, there’s something here for everyone and a game that will keep you engrossed for many hours.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Users report experiencing minor graphical glitches when using DLSS, indicating some stability issues in that specific feature. Overall, the game's stability appears to be generally acceptable, but these glitches may affect the experience for some players.

    • “There are minor graphical glitches when using DLSS.”
    • “The game frequently crashes, making it nearly unplayable.”
    • “I experienced several bugs that disrupted my gameplay experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Critic Reviews

93% average critic score

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