Pros
- Mature father-son story redefines Kratos
- Tight over-the-shoulder combat with Leviathan Axe depth
- One-shot camera technical marvel holds up
- PC port excellent with ultrawide support
Cons
- RPG systems light vs true RPGs
- Backtracking in world design late game
- Some puzzle repetition
God of War (2018) reinvented Kratos for the PlayStation 4 era — swapping Greek spectacle for intimate Norse mythology and fatherhood. Santa Monica Studio's reboot remains a template for character-driven action games. This God of War review covers July 2026: combat, PC port quality, and how it pairs with Ragnarok for newcomers.
What Is God of War (2018)?
God of War is a third-person action-adventure following Kratos and his son Atreus after the death of Faye. They journey to scatter her ashes from the highest peak in the realms, crossing gods, monsters, and Kratos's violent past. Combat uses the Leviathan Axe, shield, Spartan Rage, and runic abilities in continuous over-the-shoulder presentation — no camera cuts in main story scenes.
Official screenshot — Santa Monica Studio (Steam)
The PC release (2022) brought DLSS, ultrawide, and mod support. PlayStation players often buy both 2018 and Ragnarok in bundles now.
Core Gameplay Loop
- Explore hub-connected realms via boat and mystical gates
- Fight encounters combining axe throws, melee combos, and Atreus support
- Collect resources to upgrade gear, runes, and skills
- Solve environmental puzzles and optional Valkyrie super-bosses
- Advance linear story with optional side content
Atreus grows from liability to combat partner — mechanics evolve mid-game, keeping fights fresh.
Combat System
The Leviathan Axe's recall mechanic defines combat rhythm — throw, recall, stun, finishers. Shields offer varied parry styles; runic attacks add burst. Difficulty settings and accessibility options welcome action fans who avoid soulslike tension.
Optional Valkyrie fights provide hardest content — mechanical exams rewarding build optimization.
Story and Presentation
Kratos's restraint versus Atreus's curiosity drives emotional beats. The single-camera presentation during story scenes still impresses — performances from Christopher Judge and Sunny Suljic land because the game earns quiet moments between violence.
World and exploration — Santa Monica Studio (Steam)
Narrative connects directly to God of War Ragnarok — play 2018 first for full impact.
Performance and PC Port
PC runs smoothly at 1440p/4K with modern GPUs. DualSense features on PS5 enhance immersion; PC players use Xbox or DualSense controllers for best feel. Load times minimal on SSD across platforms.
Systems and performance — Santa Monica Studio (Steam)
Compare presentation craft with Hellblade 2 for cinematic action-adventure fans.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Emotional story payoff | RPG depth limited |
| Excellent combat feel | Puzzle reuse |
| Technical artistry | Side content backtracking |
| Strong PC port | Valkyries optional spike |
FAQ
Play before Ragnarok?
Absolutely — direct narrative continuation.
How long?
Main story ~25–30 hours; 100% longer with Valkyries.
Similar titles?
Black Myth Wukong for melee mastery; Indiana Jones for adventure pacing.
Verdict
God of War (2018) remains essential — a rare reboot that deepens iconography instead of erasing it. Buy before Ragnarok if you missed the generation.
Score: 9.4/10 — Essential
