God of War is one of the most successful action franchises of all time, with its 2018 remake striving to reintroduce the series to a wider audience. Kratos was a fairly one-dimensional character during his exploits through Greek mythology, so seeing him evolve and ground himself via his interactions with Atreus and the Norse gods was a treat.
The God of War saga has never been more popular, with fans worldwide screaming for more thanks to the phenomenal success of the two Norse mythology-inspired editions. Unfortunately, the next phase in Kratos’ journey will likely be years away, but plenty of other wonderful games, like God of War, keep fans entertained.
So, as we wait for news on Kratos and Atreus’ future, here are the best titles God of War fans can enjoy, whether you come to the series for its visceral third-person action, brilliant world design, captivating narrative, or exploration of Norse mythology!
Why is God of War a Masterpiece?
Some of the best films of all time are those whose various strengths combine to form a coherent, captivating whole. The Shining, The Social Network, and Jaws are all wonderful examples of films made of strong separate elements that work together to create a fantastic work of art.
That is certainly true for God of War, where the background music boosts up story moments that flow effortlessly into an appealing action game time, allowing exploration and riddles by rewarding you with a deeper understanding of its characters and vast and gorgeous world.
God of War’s fish-out-of-Greek-water tale is a relentless maelstrom of emotions. Set in a new, Norse mythology-inspired universe, it stars recognizable but lovingly reinvented characters. It is framed by a single continuous camera view that never cuts away or shifts the attention away from the story’s heart: Kratos’ relationship with his young son, Atreus.
Even so, the plot has an unforgettable supporting cast, a stunning landscape that is consistently rewarding to explore, and highly exciting combat. God of War is a technological and narrative milestone. It’s a game that, up until now, would have been unthinkable.
How Does God of War Impact the Gaming Industry?
Santa Monica Studio’s God of War symbolizes the evolution of the video game industry. Unlike any other game, it presents the case for the legitimacy of games in art, storytelling, and entertainment.
God of War proves that the video game business can produce the absolute best in art, storytelling, and entertainment while providing gamers with the actual gameplay experience they love and want. Almost no part of God of War isn’t fantastic, and it proves the argument for video gaming better than any other game before it.
Since the debut of God of War, the world has seen numerous indie and AAA games use pseudo-Souls combat to varied degrees of success, most notably Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. It’s unlikely that this slow-paced method will completely replace the Arkham-based dance combat that has characterized the house aesthetics for AAA video games for more than a decade, as evident in Assassin’s Creed, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and many others.
But newer ones in this mold, such as Ghost of Tsushima and Wo Long, have taken cues from this trend in the action genre.
Whether you label it a “3D Metroidvania,” a hub structure, or a semi-open world, God of War 2018 proved to big-budget creators that a happy medium between a corridor crawl like the Uncharted games and the enormous expanse of an Elden Ring can be embraced!
God of War is a plot, visual fidelity, and gameplay masterpiece. But all good things must end, and if you’ve finished God of War Ragnarok, you should look into the following games that are similar to God of War.
Dante’s Inferno
A soul taken hostage, a lifetime of crimes, and an excursion into the pit of misery. Based on the enormously renowned classic poem, Dante’s Inferno sends you on an epic journey of retribution and salvation around the Nine Circles of Hell.
As a veteran of the Crusades, you are Dante, who must pursue Beatrice to try to liberate her soul from Lucifer’s control. You must fight increasingly ferocious and horrifying demons as your quest leads further into the depths of Hell. You must also confront your faults, a troubled family history, and terrible war crimes.
Developer: Visceral Games
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release date: February 4, 2010
➡️ Check it out on Xbox.
Darksiders II
When it comes to Norse Mythology, Darksiders II is similar to GOW. But it only touches the edges of Mythology and focuses more on Biblical History. It brings four different difficulty levels, several RPG aspects, and a leveling system that advances as you kill monsters and complete objectives.
Additionally, it has a tiered loot system connected to players and opponents that drop items like armor or weapons when killed. It also holds any loot discovered in chests. You can perform magic through necromancy and have two options for weapons: “light” (Scythes) or “heavy” (other). You may modify their gear and acquire new skills as the game develops, with skill points given after leveling up or completing certain tasks.
Developer: Vigil Games
Publisher: THQ Nordic
Release date: August 14, 2012
➡️ Check it out on Steam.
Bayonetta III
It took 8 years for Bayonetta to return, but it didn’t come empty-handed. Prepare for the newest and much anticipated third chapter of the action-packed adventure, bringing a level that exceeds anything the series has ever offered.
Discover brand-new gameplay features like Demon Slave, which gives Bayonetta complete authority over Infernal Demons to destroy foes, and Demon Masquerade, which sees Bayonetta unite with an Infernal Demon to wield even more potent magic power. More dynamic and “sadistic” action than ever is provided in Bayonetta 3.
Developer: PlatinumGames
Publisher: Nintendo Co.
Release date: October 28, 2022
➡️ Check it out on PlatinumGames.
Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow
If your GOW high has yet to wear off, explore Castlevania: Lords of Shadow. It’s a mixed bag of delights that hits all the boxes regarding plot, gameplay, and fantastic music. But it’s been dubbed a “God of War Clone” by some. Lords of Shadow employs the same mechanics as the original God of War franchise.
The gameplay is nearly identical. But it is the remarkable story that talks to you about Religion and Life that makes it stand out—the mechanics, particularly how Light and Dark Magic function, fit in with the tale intriguingly.
Developer: MercurySteam, Climax Studios
Publisher: KONAMI
Release date: October 5, 2010
➡️ Check it out on Steam.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
If you like God of War but want to scratch the itch left by FromSoftware Games, Sekiro will do the trick. While God of War has excellent plot, gameplay, and fighting, Sekiro outperforms it. The first half of God of War is fine, but the fun wears off when you get the best armor upgrades to face up against repeated adversaries in late-game situations.
However, Sekiro excels at adversary variety and hard combat throughout the game. Unlike God of War, the plot is simple, but it is presented in a visually appealing and distinctive manner.
Developer: FromSoftware
Publisher: Activision
Release date: March 22, 2019
➡️ Check it out on Steam.
Devil May Cry 5
In this brand-new installment of the outrageous action series of Devil May Cry 5, the Devil you know is back. Things will get downright devilish with this special blend of the series’ unearthly and unique characters and high-octane stylized action.
Devil May Cry 5, like GOW, has discrete linear map portions you unlock as you defeat demons and creatures. It focuses on what it does best: rapid, fluid, and furious combat that remains engaging even after a dozen hours. With its beautiful visuals, it often feels like a game from another era, and there’s no shortage of fun there!
Developer: CAPCOM Co., Ltd.
Publisher: CAPCOM Co., Ltd.
Release date: March 8, 2019
➡️ Check it out on Steam.
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice leverages every tool to maintain sensations of dread, anxiety, and fear: camera perspective, light, sound, aesthetics, and combat. There are no frightening monsters, jump scares, or classic horror fare.
Instead, it preys on something even more terrifying: human psychology, and it’s a huge success. Senua, like Kratos in God of War, embarks on a deadly adventure inspired by a deceased lover, set in a similarly mythology-rich Norse setting.
In a nutshell, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is a masterwork in the atmosphere, storyline, and the fusion of mechanical and conceptual design, something God of War lovers adore!
Developer: Ninja Theory
Publisher: Ninja Theory
Release date: August 8, 2017
➡️ Check it out on Steam.
Dark Souls III
With its most ambitious installment yet, DARK SOULS III, the highly acclaimed and genre-defining game, continues to push the envelope. Explore a cosmos filled with ever more enormous foes and surroundings as the fires die out and the earth crumbles.
Faster gameplay and increased battle ferocity will transport players into epic mood and gloom. Fans and new players will become engrossed in the game’s stunning visuals & rewarding gameplay. There are now only embers. Once more, be ready and embrace the darkness!
Developer: FromSoftware, Inc
Publisher: FromSoftware, Inc, Bandai Namco Entertainment
Release date: April 12, 2016
➡️ Check it out on Steam.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
The hack-and-slash game X-Men Origins: Wolverine is unquestionably the finest Wolverine game and the best X-Men game overall. X-Men Origins: Wolverine is a shamelessly entertaining video game, even though it doesn’t create the wheel.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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X-Men Origins: Wolverine - Uncaged Edition - Playstation 3 | $109.90 | Buy on Amazon |
Players are placed inside Wolverine’s continually deteriorating vest as he slaughters his way through swarms of mercenaries, Mutants, and robots. Origins: Wolverine’s action-packed story, which loosely adapts the much-maligned film of the same name, concentrates on spectacular set pieces that keep the player engaged in the enjoyable (albeit straightforward) fighting throughout the game.
Developer: Activision Inc
Publisher: Activision Inc
Release date: May 1, 2009
Rise of the Tomb Raider
Rise of the Tomb Raider combines stunning panoramas and puzzle-solving with a dash of third-person shooting. It has God of War’s semi-open-world design, with various Metroidvania-style locations where the levels circle back on themselves and increase as you continue.
There are hub worlds to explore, akin to God of War, and a traversal mechanism with a third-person camera perspective. The performances of Lara and the major antagonist overshadow the characterization of the cast members. Overall, Rise of the Tomb Raider gives gamers a substantial treat regarding the story, stunning aesthetics, and mind-boggling puzzle-solving minigames.
Developer: Crystal Dynamics, Feral Interactive
Publisher: Crystal Dynamics, Feral Interactive
Release date: November 10, 2015
➡️ Check it out on Steam.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order holds a galaxy-spanning adventure for you. The story-driven third-person action-adventure game by Respawn Entertainment is titled Jedi: fallen order. It is a narrative-driven adventure game that combines puzzle-solving, action, and exploration.
You play as a former Padawan who is running from the Empire. Awaits the galaxy – explore and re-travel to alien worlds that are both well-known to Star Wars and completely unknown. Feel the force – engage in the deliberate battle to assess your adversaries and choose the best course of action to attack with various potent Force powers and the famous lightsaber.
Developer: Respawn Entertainment
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release date: November 15, 2019
➡️ Check it out on Steam.
The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead by Telltale is on the opposite of the interaction spectrum: a choice-based point-and-click adventure game with scarce action scenes experienced through QTEs. Playing The Walking Dead is not the same as playing God of War. Rather it’s more about experiencing the emotional resonance of its characters and plot.
Consider the character of Lee Everett, a crook who got allotted a second shot at life in a world ruled by the undead. In a world turned into hell where corpses are reincarnated, and survivors would make everything to be safe, guarding an orphan girl named Clementine might be his sole chance at redemption.
You’ll be forced to make choices that are not only challenging but also call for a decision to be made nearly immediately. There is no time to think when the dead are banging on the door!
Developer: Telltale Games
Publisher: Skybound Games
Release date: April 24, 2012
➡️ Check it out on Steam.
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance returns four years following the events of Metal Gear Solid 4. It brings a dark and gritty pathway where you may hack & slash your way through the series’ trademark fast-paced and action-packed adventure.
Here your character is Raiden, hired by Maverick Security Consulting, Inc., an American PMC with offices in Colorado, to provide VIP protection, military training, and other services in a developing nation currently putting itself back together following a bloody civil war.
Whereas Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is a brief adventure, the fast-paced structure of the game ensures that it stays high on the intensity scale throughout the plot. This game is for individuals who don’t mind getting close to their adversaries as they slice through them in gratifying ways and mix in the occasional stealth element.
Developer: PlatinumGames
Publisher: KONAMI
Release date: February 19, 2013
➡️ Check it out on Steam.
Final Words
So, we have listed the games similar to God of War in terms of gameplay, deep storylines, and immersive settings. Whether you’re a lover of action-adventure games or just searching for something new, these titles will keep you entertained and challenged for hours until you hear news about Kratos and Atreus’ future!
And, if you’re a fan of the fantastical setting of God of War 2018, be sure to check out our list of the best fantasy games!
