God of War (2018)

🎮 Steam ⏳ 35 hours ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Norse Mythology & Fatherhood #

This God of War franchise entry tells a deeply personal yet grand tale set within Norse mythology. The MC continues to be Kratos, once the rage-driven Spartan warrior, is now portrayed as a more complex character, struggling with fatherhood and his violent past while guiding his young son, Atreus, on a perilous journey. The storytelling is one of the game’s strongest points. It seamlessly blends large-scale mythological encounters with intimate, emotional moments. The single-camera perspective, where the entire game plays out without visible cuts, keeps you immersed in both action and narrative, making every scene feel personal and immediate.

Kratos and Atreus’ Bond #

Kratos’s relationship with Atreus grows naturally as the game progresses, giving weight to their journey beyond just combat. Playing this feels like playing something like The Last of Us, the dynamic between the two characters is very similar. On the gameplay side, combat is brutal, satisfying, and layered. The Leviathan Axe, with its recall mechanic, feels incredibly impactful and is versatile in both melee and ranged encounters. As you progress, upgrades and new abilities add depth, allowing for varied strategies against different enemy types.

Metroidvania Elements & Combat #

You can even feel light metroidvania elements since most of the maps are linked, and have a hub area that you can come back to, in order to explore more, or to find new paths. The mix of heavy, deliberate strikes with responsive dodging and parrying creates a combat system that feels both methodical and rewarding. The art direction already shines with breathtaking landscapes, detailed character models, and dynamic lighting, but the technical enhancements make it feel like a current-generation title. Exploration leans toward a semi-open design.

Semi-Open World Exploration #

While not fully open-world, the game features hubs and side paths that reward curiosity with lore, puzzles, and optional boss fights. These side activities add depth without overwhelming you, though those seeking true open-world freedom may find the structure a bit constrained. If there’s a criticism, it’s that the pacing can feel deliberate, especially early on, with tutorials and narrative buildup taking center stage before combat fully opens up. Some backtracking also occurs later in the game, which may not appeal to everyone. However, these are minor compared to the overall polish and narrative depth.

Pacing and Structure Critique #

A standout for me are the optional content with very difficult combat sequences, similar to previous titles of the franchise. But this time, it has been escalated to insanity in comparison, being one of the most difficult combat sequences that I’ve played on a Hack’N Slash videogame. Overall, it is both a technical triumph and a storytelling landmark. It successfully reinvents the series while staying true to its roots in visceral action. With its emotional narrative, refined combat. It’s a must-play for anyone who enjoys cinematic single-player adventures, and there is no excuse for fans of the franchise not to play this, despite it being very different from the previous entries.