God of War (2018) | CheckpointDB

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Cinematic Action-Adventure Survival

IGDB rating94 / 100

Main storyNot recorded

Released2018

PlatformsPC (Microsoft Windows) · PlayStation 4

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Overview

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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.

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Spotlight on God of War (2018)

story-forwardgenre gatewaycomfort replaysystems-heavyMelancholicTensePower fantasy

A spectacular, cinematic masterpiece of narrative-action design. God of War merges brutal, exceptionally satisfying physical combat with a mature, emotionally resonant father-son story, set inside an stunning Norse sandbox.

God of War (2018) is a spectacular, cinematic action-adventure that masterfully transitions the chaotic hack-and-slash franchise into a mature, deeply personal father-son journey. You play as Kratos, navigating the hostile, Norse mythological realm of Midgard with his young son Atreus. The game's primary mechanical marvel is the Leviathan Axe—a heavy melee weapon that can be hurled to freeze environmental gear puzzles and recalled in real-time with an exceptionally satisfying, physical rumble. Combat is close-quarters and visceral, utilizing a tight over-the-shoulder camera, parry-shields, and Kratos' fists, supported by Atreus' bow summons to distract enemies. Exploration is semi-open and organic: the 'Lake of Nine' acts as a central hub where the water levels recede over time, revealing massive new ruins, secret bosses (Valkyries), and hidden challenges. The game's defining visual achievement is its continuous, uninterrupted single-camera shot, which never cuts or loading-screens throughout the entire 30-hour campaign.

Strengths

Flawless, physics-based Leviathan Axe recall mechanics
Phenomenal continuous single-camera visual shot
Deep, visceral close-quarters combat systems

Caveats

Minimal boss variety in the mid-game
Clunky and slow menu navigation for armor upgrades

Context

Developed by Sony Santa Monica, directed by Cory Barlog, and released in 2018. It won Game of the Year at The Game Awards (beating Red Dead 2 in a legendary race), received universal critical acclaim, and stands as one of the best-selling and most critically respected PlayStation exclusives in history.

Why It Belongs

God of War (2018) is a masterclass in modern reboot execution. By taking a historically flat, angry action protagonist and grounding him in a mature, fatherhood narrative without sacrificing the brutal weight of the combat, it created a premier AAA milestone.

Player Fit

Superb for players who enjoy high-fidelity action combat, cinematic over-the-shoulder storytelling, satisfying physics puzzle loops, and Norse mythology. Purists looking for the high-speed, floaty combos of the original PS2/PS3 hack-and-slash games, or players seeking pure unguided open sandboxes will find the linear mission paths polarizing.

Play ifyou want visceral close-quarters combat, satisfying axe-throwing physics puzzles, and a cinematic Norse father-son story.

Skip ifyou want floaty, fast PS2-style combos, dislike heavily scripted cinematic pacing, or prefer completely unguided sandboxes.

Entry Strategy

The absolute perfect starting point for modern action fans. While it honors Kratos' Greek history, the story is entirely standalone in the Norse setting and acts as a superior starting point over the older entries.