View source for God of War (2018 video game)

{{Short description|Action-adventure game}}
{{Good article}}{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}{{Use American English|date=November 2012}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = God of War
| image = God of War 4 cover.jpg
| alt = Cover art featuring Kratos and his son Atreus
| developer = [[Santa Monica Studio]]{{efn|Windows version ported by Jetpack Interactive}}
| publisher = [[Sony Interactive Entertainment]]
| director = [[Cory Barlog]]
| producer = {{Unbulleted list|Yumi Yang|Elizabeth Dahm Wang|Sean Llewellyn|Chad Cox|Eric Fong}}
| designer = Derek Daniels
| programmer = Florian Strauss
| writer = {{Unbulleted list|Matt Sophos|Richard Zangrande Gaubert|Cory Barlog}}
| composer = [[Bear McCreary]]
| series = ''[[God of War (franchise)|God of War]]''
| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[Windows]]}}
| released = {{Unbulleted list|'''PlayStation 4'''|April 20, 2018|'''Windows'''|January 14, 2022}}
| genre = [[Action-adventure]], [[hack and slash]]
| modes = [[Single-player]]
}}
'''''God of War'''''{{efn|Colloquially referred to as ''God of War 4'', ''God of War IV'',<ref name="GodofWar4"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/feature/a813161/god-of-war-4-ps4-trailer-release-date-price-gameplay/|title=God of War 4 PS4 trailers, release date, price, gameplay and everything we know so far|date=March 24, 2017|last1=Loveridge|first1=Sam|last2=Mahboubian-Jones|first2=Justin|publisher=[[Hearst Magazines UK]]|work=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=June 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413185255/https://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/feature/a813161/god-of-war-4-ps4-trailer-release-date-price-gameplay/|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/new-god-of-war-trailer-e3-2017/|title=In The New 'God of War 4' Trailer, Kratos Is Old, Grizzled, And As Brutal As Ever|date=June 13, 2017|last=Wagner|first=Jayce|publisher=Designtechnica Corp.|work=[[Digital Trends]]|access-date=June 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413185407/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/new-god-of-war-trailer-e3-2017/|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> ''God of War PS4'',<ref name="single-player-only"/><ref name="nomultiplayer"/> or ''God of War 2018''<ref name="annoying"/>}} is a 2018 [[action-adventure game]] developed by [[Santa Monica Studio]] and published by [[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] for the [[PlayStation 4]]. It is the eighth installment in the [[God of War (franchise)|''God of War'' series]], the eighth chronologically, and the sequel to 2010's ''[[God of War III]]''. A port to [[Windows]] was released in 2022, marking the series' debut on [[personal computers]].
Unlike previous games, which were loosely based on [[Greek mythology]], this installment is loosely inspired by [[Norse mythology]], with the majority of it set in ancient [[Scandinavia]] in the realm of [[Midgard]]. For the first time in the series, there are two protagonists: [[Kratos (God of War)|Kratos]], the former Greek God of War who remains the only [[playable character]], and his young son, [[Atreus (God of War)|Atreus]]. Following the death of Kratos's second wife and Atreus's mother, Faye, the two embark on a journey to fulfill her request that her ashes be spread at the highest peak of the [[Norse cosmology|nine realms]]. Kratos keeps his [[God of War (franchise)#First era (Greek mythology)|troubled past]] a secret from Atreus, who is unaware of his [[Demigod|divine nature]]. Along their journey, they come into conflict with monsters and [[List of Germanic deities|gods of the Norse world]].
Described by creative director [[Cory Barlog]] as a reimagining of the franchise, a major [[gameplay]] change is that Kratos makes prominent use of a magical [[battle axe]]; his signature [[Dual wield|double-chained blades]] serve as an alternative method of combat. ''God of War'' also uses an [[Virtual camera system#Interactive|over-the-shoulder free camera]], with the game in [[One-shot film|one shot]], as opposed to the [[Virtual camera system#Fixed|fixed cinematic camera]] of the previous entries. The game also includes [[role-playing video game|role-playing game]] elements, and Kratos's son Atreus provides assistance in combat. The majority of the original game's development team worked on ''God of War'' and designed it to be accessible and grounded. A separate short [[text-based game]], ''[[A Call from the Wilds]]'', was released in February 2018 through [[Facebook Messenger]] and follows Atreus on his first adventure. Three days before ''God of War''{{'}}s release, a smartphone companion app called ''Mímir's Vision'' was made available, providing additional information about the game's Norse setting.
''God of War'' received universal acclaim from critics for its story, world design, art direction, music, graphics, combat system, and characters, in particular the dynamic between Kratos and Atreus. Many reviewers felt it had successfully revitalized the series without losing the core identity of its predecessors. It was named [[List of Game of the Year awards|Game of the Year]] by numerous media outlets and award shows, and has been cited as among the [[greatest video games ever made]]. The game also performed well commercially, selling over 5 million units within a month of its release and 23 million units sold by November 2022, making it one of the [[best-selling PlayStation 4 games]] and the best-selling game in the series. A [[novelization]] was released in August 2018, followed by [[God of War (Dark Horse Comics)|a prequel comic series]] published from November 2018 to June 2021, while a [[live-action]] television series is in development for [[Amazon Prime Video]]. A sequel, ''[[God of War Ragnarök]]'', was released for the PlayStation 4 and [[PlayStation 5]] in November 2022, and for Windows in 2024.
==Gameplay==
''God of War'' is a [[Third-person (video games)|third-person]] [[action-adventure]] video game. It features an [[Virtual camera system#Interactive|over-the-shoulder free camera]] (a departure from the previous installments which featured a [[Virtual camera system#Fixed|fixed cinematic camera]], with the exception of 2007's [[2D computer graphics|two-dimensional]] [[side-scroller]] ''[[God of War: Betrayal|Betrayal]]'').<ref name="GS-E32016"/> Cinematographically, the game is presented in a [[One shot (film)|continuous shot]], with no [[camera cut]]s or [[loading screen]]s.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bratt|first1=Chris|title=God of War director explains why entire game has no camera cuts|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-06-21-god-of-war-director-explains-why-the-entire-game-has-no-camera-cuts|access-date=April 13, 2018|work=[[Eurogamer]]|publisher=[[Gamer Network]]|date=June 21, 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413194731/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-06-21-god-of-war-director-explains-why-the-entire-game-has-no-camera-cuts|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> Although the previous main installment, ''[[God of War: Ascension|Ascension]]'' (2013), introduced [[multiplayer]] to the series, this installment is [[single-player]]-only.<ref name="single-player-only">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-ps4-doesnt-include-multiplayer-wont-be-/1100-6441104/|title=God of War PS4 Doesn't Include Multiplayer, Won't Be Kratos's Last Game|date=June 21, 2016|last=Paget|first=Mat|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=June 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413193804/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-ps4-doesnt-include-multiplayer-wont-be-/1100-6441104/|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> Regarding the level structure, creative director [[Cory Barlog]] said "it's open, but it is not an [[open world]]."<ref name="newgameplay"/> Due to its openness, a [[fast travel]] feature is unlocked later in the game.<ref name="GIquestions">{{cite AV media |people=[[Cory Barlog|Barlog, Cory]]; Hanson, Ben|date=February 2, 2018|title=Answering God Of War's Lingering Questions|medium=[[YouTube]]|language=en|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViaCWvqwUwU|access-date=February 4, 2018|publisher=[[Game Informer]], [[GameStop]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413190025/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViaCWvqwUwU|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> Swimming, an ability in previous games, was cut;<ref name="GIp38"/> players instead use a boat to traverse bodies of water.<ref name="GIquestions"/> Unlike previous games, which allowed players to jump freely at any time, jumping can now only be done at designated areas, such as at a rock face or ledge. Throughout the game, players battle [[Norse mythology|Norse mythological]] foes, like [[Dökkálfar and Ljósálfar|dark elves]], [[wulver]]s, and [[draugr]]s,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/videos/god-of-war-the-lost-pages-of-norse-myth-rise-of-th/2300-6441090/|title=God Of War – The Lost Pages Of Norse Myth: Rise Of The Draugr|date=September 27, 2017|last=Kulasingham|first=Gajan|work=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=February 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413194834/https://www.gamespot.com/videos/god-of-war-the-lost-pages-of-norse-myth-rise-of-th/2300-6441090/|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> as well as [[Gullveig]] and the [[revenant]]s, beings warped by [[seiðr]] magic, among many others.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/videos/god-of-war-the-lost-pages-of-norse-myth-manifestat/2300-6441135/|title=God Of War – The Lost Pages Of Norse Myth: Manifestation Of The Revenant|date=September 29, 2017|last=Kulasingham|first=Gajan|work=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=February 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413194940/https://www.gamespot.com/videos/god-of-war-the-lost-pages-of-norse-myth-manifestat/2300-6441135/|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> [[Valkyrie]]s appear as optional secret [[boss battles]] throughout the six playable locations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=God of War Valkyrie Locations and Hidden Chambers - God of War (2018) Wiki Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/god-of-war-2018/God_of_War_Valkyrie_Locations_and_Hidden_Chambers |access-date=May 5, 2023|website=IGN |date=April 25, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=May 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505010604/https://www.ign.com/wikis/god-of-war-2018/God_of_War_Valkyrie_Locations_and_Hidden_Chambers |url-status=live }}</ref> Among the many [[side quest]]s, players can free the imprisoned [[dragon]]s [[Fáfnir]], [[Ótr|Otr]], and [[Regin]]n—[[Dwarf (mythology)|dwarves]] who were turned into dragons—in addition to battling one called Hræzlyr, a story-based boss battle.<ref name="GIquestions"/><ref name="exploration"/>
[[File:God of War (2018) Leviathan Axe gameplay.gif|thumb|left|upright=1.5 | A [[GIF]] showing [[Kratos (God of War)|Kratos]] throwing the Leviathan Axe to magically freeze an enemy [[draugr]] in place, allowing Kratos to easily attack it. The in-game [[Head-up display (video gaming)|HUD]] can be seen in the bottom left and right corners. The left shows information for Kratos, such as his [[Health (gaming)|health]] and what [[runic]] attacks are equipped. The right shows similar information for [[Atreus (God of War)|Atreus]].|alt=A GIF that shows the character Kratos throwing his weapon, the Leviathan Axe, at an enemy, magically freezing it in place. Important character information is shown in both bottom corners.]]
The player controls the character [[Kratos (God of War)|Kratos]] in [[Combo (video gaming)|combo-based combat]] and [[Puzzle video game|puzzle game]] elements. The [[gameplay]] is vastly different from previous games, as it was completely rebuilt.<ref name="newgameplay">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-god-of-war-set-after-third-game-wont-be-open-w/1100-6440887/?ftag=GSS-05-10aaa0a|title=New God of War Set After Third Game, Won't Be Open World|date=June 14, 2016|last=Paget|first=Mat|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=June 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413194345/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-god-of-war-set-after-third-game-wont-be-open-w/1100-6440887/?ftag=GSS-05-10aaa0a|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> A major change is that Kratos no longer uses his signature [[Dual wield|double-chained blades]], the Blades of Chaos, as his default weapon. Instead, he uses a magical [[battle axe]] called the Leviathan Axe,<ref name="axeorigin">{{cite web|url=https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2017/12/13/god-of-war-podcast-details-the-origin-of-the-leviathan-axe/|title=Latest God of War Podcast Episode Details the Origin of the Leviathan Axe|date=December 13, 2017|last=Henges|first=Elizabeth|publisher=[[CraveOnline]]|work=[[PlayStation LifeStyle]]|access-date=December 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413195038/https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2017/12/13/god-of-war-podcast-details-the-origin-of-the-leviathan-axe/|archive-date=April 13, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> which is infused with ice elemental [[Magic (gaming)|magic]]. The axe can be thrown at enemies and magically summoned back to his hand, similar to [[Thor]]'s hammer [[Mjölnir]]. Larger enemies have precision targets which stun the enemy if hit. The weapon can also be thrown at objects in the game world to freeze or move mechanisms, or trigger damaging explosions, until returned to Kratos's hand. The axe has standard light and heavy attacks. Over time, it can be upgraded with [[runes]] to allow for light and heavy magical "runic" attacks. This provides players with a variety of options to cater to their own play style.<ref>{{harvnb|ref=GIcoverstory|Juba|2018|pp=40–41}}</ref> Another new weapon that Kratos utilizes is the collapsible Guardian Shield, which appears as a [[vambrace]] on his left forearm when not in use. The shield can be used offensively or defensively, similar to the [[Golden Fleece]] in previous games.<ref name="E32017"/> Kratos also utilizes hand-to-hand combat, a feature originally introduced in ''Ascension''.<ref name="GS-E32016"/> The Blades of Chaos, infused with fire elemental magic, are acquired later in the game via a plot device and perform in a similar manner as in previous installments—they are a pair of blades [[Chain weapon|attached to chains]] that can be swung around in various maneuvers. The weapon can also be upgraded with magical runic attacks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/god-of-war-4-blades-of-chaos/|title=How Kratos Gets The Blades of Chaos Back in God of War 4|date=April 21, 2018|last=Little|first=Riley|work=[[Screen Rant]]|publisher=Valnet, Inc.|access-date=November 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119091900/https://screenrant.com/god-of-war-4-blades-of-chaos/|archive-date=November 19, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
As in the earlier games, there is a "Rage" ability, this one called Spartan Rage. Like in previous games, the Rage ability has a meter that gradually fills during combat. With this ability, Kratos uses powerful bare-handed attacks, as opposed to weapons, to greatly damage enemies. The game also features [[role-playing video game|role-playing game]] (RPG) elements.<ref name="GS-E32016"/><ref name="GIp41">{{harvnb|ref=GIcoverstory|Juba|2018|p=41}}</ref> There are crafting resources for the player to find that allow them to create new or upgrade existing armor with better [[Experience point#Perks|perks]].<ref name="MadeMeCare"/> Players also accumulate a currency called Hacksilver, a key component in crafting and purchasing new [[Item (gaming)|items]]. [[Experience point]]s (XP) are used for learning new combat skills.<ref name="GIp41"/> Throughout the game world, players find chests containing random items, such as enchantments for improving armor and weapons, as well as the Hacksilver currency. There are also two special items, [[Iðunn]]'s [[Golden apple|Apples]] and [[Drinking horn|horns]] of Blood Mead, which increase Kratos's maximum [[Health (gaming)|health]] and Rage, respectively. These meters are replenished by [[Power-up#Health and life reserves|green]] and [[Power-up#Ammunition and power reserves|red orbs]] dropped by downed foes and found throughout the game world. For the magical runic attacks, instead of collecting blue orbs to replenish the ability (like in the previous games), there is a [[Glossary of video game terms#cooldown|cooldown]] timer for each ability.<ref name="p42-43">{{harvnb|ref=GIcoverstory|Juba|2018|pp=42–43}}</ref>
[[Quick time event]]s have changed from previous games.<ref name="newgameplay"/> Enemies display two meters above their heads, one for health (the color of which indicates the enemy's difficulty) and the other for stun. Filling the stun meter helps to defeat more difficult enemies. When the stun meter is full, a grab prompt will appear. Depending on the enemy, Kratos may rip them in half or grab them and throw them into other enemies, among other possible outcomes.<ref name="GIp42">{{harvnb|ref=GIcoverstory|Juba|2018|p=42}}</ref> Although the game is played entirely as Kratos,<ref name="SegmentNext"/> there are times when the player may choose to passively control his son, [[Atreus (God of War)|Atreus]]. One button is dedicated to Atreus, and its use depends on the context. For example, if the player needs assistance, they can look at an enemy and press the button, and Atreus will shoot an arrow at the enemy.<ref name="TakeKratosSeriously">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-ps4-director-on-the-challenge-of-making/1100-6440945/|title=God of War PS4 Director on the Challenge of Making People Take Kratos Seriously|date=June 15, 2016|last=Hussain|first=Tamoor|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=June 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413193941/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-ps4-director-on-the-challenge-of-making/1100-6440945/|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> Over the course of the game, Atreus helps in combat, traversal, exploration, and puzzle-solving. When facing a large number of enemies, he distracts the weaker ones as Kratos fights the stronger ones.<ref name="MadeMeCare">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/14/e3-2016-god-of-war-made-me-care-about-the-series-for-the-first-time|title=E3 2016: God of War Made Me Care About The Series For The First Time|date=June 14, 2016|last=Sliva|first=Marty|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|work=[[IGN]]|access-date=June 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413195831/https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/14/e3-2016-god-of-war-made-me-care-about-the-series-for-the-first-time|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> If too many enemies gang up on Atreus, he is briefly stunned, but he cannot be knocked out or killed. Atreus also acquires new skills, armor, and runic attacks, as well as special light and shock arrows for his bow. Atreus's runic attacks summon different spectral animals with different abilities. For example, one summons a pack of wolves that attacks enemies, while another summons the squirrel [[Ratatoskr]], who will dig up health and rage orbs.<ref name="p42-43"/>
==Synopsis==
===Setting===
While the [[God of War (franchise)#First era (Greek mythology)|first seven games]] were loosely based on [[Greek mythology]], this installment is loosely inspired by Norse mythology, taking place after ''[[God of War III]]'' (2010).<ref name="WCCF"/> Six of the [[Norse cosmology|nine realms of Norse mythology]] can be explored. Predating the [[Vikings]],<ref name="TakeKratosSeriously"/><ref name="Egypt"/> most of the game takes place in ancient [[Scandinavia]] in the realm of [[Midgard]], which is inhabited by humans and other creatures. It is the same realm in which the Greek world existed. As more dangerous creatures began appearing, many humans fled. Other realms visited as part of the story include [[Alfheim]], the mystical home of the [[Dökkálfar and Ljósálfar|light and dark elves]]; [[Helheim]], the icy land of the dead; and [[Jötunheim]], the mountainous land of the [[Jötunn|Giants]]. Optional explorable realms include [[Niflheim]], a realm of poisonous fog with a maze-like structure of rewards; and the fire realm [[Muspelheim]], featuring the six Trials of Muspelheim—completing each trial grants rewards and advances Kratos and Atreus closer to the top of a large volcano, facing off [[Göndul]], one of the nine [[Valkyrie]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=God of War Valkyrie Locations and Hidden Chambers - God of War (2018) Wiki Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/god-of-war-2018/God_of_War_Valkyrie_Locations_and_Hidden_Chambers |access-date=May 5, 2023|website=IGN |date=April 25, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=May 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505010604/https://www.ign.com/wikis/god-of-war-2018/God_of_War_Valkyrie_Locations_and_Hidden_Chambers |url-status=live }}</ref> Access to the other three realms—[[Asgard]], home of the [[Æsir]] gods; [[Vanaheim]], home of the [[Vanir]] gods; and [[Svartalfheim]], home of the dwarves—has been blocked by [[Odin]], the ruler of Asgard and the Æsir gods.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/guides/383529-god-of-war-unlock-realms|title=God of War How to Unlock Realms|date=April 19, 2018|last=Faulkner|first=Jason|work=[[Game Revolution]]|publisher=[[CraveOnline]]|access-date=April 25, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426171355/https://www.gamerevolution.com/guides/383529-god-of-war-unlock-realms|archive-date=April 26, 2018}}</ref> At the center of the realms is the [[Trees in mythology|mythical tree]] [[Yggdrasil]], which connects each realm. Although each realm is a different world, they exist simultaneously in the same space. Travel to and from realms can be done by using the [[Bifröst]] from a root of Yggdrasil contained within Týr's Temple at the center of the Lake of the Nine. The temple was created by its namesake, [[Týr]], a peaceful God of War who traveled to other lands and learned about their mythologies; it was told that Odin had him killed as he believed Týr was secretly aiding the Giants and would try to overthrow him.<ref name="WCCF"/>
===Characters===
{{main|Characters of God of War}}
The game's protagonists are Kratos (now voiced by [[Christopher Judge]]) and his young son Atreus ([[Sunny Suljic]]). Kratos is a warrior originally from [[Sparta]] who became the Greek God of War and is a son of [[Zeus]]. After ending up in ancient Scandinavia following his [[God of War (franchise)#First era (Greek mythology)|war against Olympus]], he met his second wife, [[Laufey (mythology)|Laufey]] (addressed as Faye (Deborah Ann Woll)), who died from an unknown cause shortly before the start of the game. She bore their son, Atreus, who at the start of the game does not know about Kratos's past or his divine nature but can hear other beings' thoughts. The main antagonist is the Æsir god [[Baldur]] ([[Jeremy Davies]]), the half-brother of [[Thor]], whose sons [[Modi and Magni]] ([[Nolan North]] and [[Troy Baker]], respectively) assist him. Baldur's parents are Odin, the Allfather and King of the Æsir, and the Vanir goddess [[Freya]] ([[Danielle Bisutti]]), the former Queen of the Valkyries. Freya tried leaving Odin after he began corrupting her Vanir magic, but he in turn stripped her of her Valkyrie wings, banished her to Midgard, and cast a spell on her that prevented her from causing harm to others and from leaving the realm. She then hid her identity under an alias, the Witch of the Woods. To protect her son from a prophecy that foretold his death, Freya cast a spell of immortality on Baldur, which also prevented him from feeling pain or pleasure. The effects of the spell caused Baldur to greatly resent his mother. The only thing capable of harming him was [[mistletoe]], a fact which Freya kept secret.<ref name="btva">{{cite web|url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/God-of-War-2018/|title=God of War (2018)|work=Behind The Voice Actors|publisher=Inyxception Enterprises|access-date=November 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112043517/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/God-of-War-2018/|archive-date=January 12, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Other characters include [[Mímir]] ([[Alastair Duncan (actor, born 1958)|Alastair Duncan]]), who claims to be the smartest man alive, and the Huldra Brothers—[[Brokkr|Brok]] (Robert Craighead) and [[Sindri (mythology)|Sindri]] ([[Adam J. Harrington]])—dwarves who appear at various points in the world and assist Kratos and Atreus by forging new gear. Weapons forged by the Huldra Brothers, including Thor's hammer Mjölnir, were used by the Æsir gods. They also forged Kratos's Leviathan Axe, which originally belonged to Faye, who also gifted Kratos her Guardian Shield.<ref name="axeorigin"/> The spirit of the Greek goddess [[Athena]] ([[Carole Ruggier]]){{efn|Carole Ruggier had previously voiced Athena in the original ''[[God of War (2005 video game)|God of War]]'' (2005) and ''[[God of War II]]'' (2007), but was replaced by Erin Torpey in subsequent games.}} makes a cameo appearance, and Zeus ([[Corey Burton]]){{efn|Corey Burton reprised the role, having previously voiced Zeus in ''[[God of War II]]'' (2007), ''[[God of War III]]'' (2010), and ''[[God of War: Ascension]]'' (2013).}} appears to Kratos as an illusion in Helheim.<ref name="btva"/>
===Plot===
Many years after defeating the [[Olympian gods]],{{efn|As depicted in ''[[God of War III]]'' (2010)}} Kratos lives with his son Atreus in Midgard and is often abrasive towards him. After cremating the body of Faye, Kratos is confronted by a stranger with godly powers. The two battle and Kratos seemingly kills the stranger, after which Kratos and Atreus begin their journey to honor Faye's last wish: to scatter her ashes at the highest peak in the nine realms. Along the way, they encounter the kindly Witch of the Woods, who recognizes Kratos's godhood.
Kratos and Atreus find their path blocked by impenetrable black mist; the Witch instructs them to travel to Alfheim and secure its magical light to extinguish the mist. Successful, they reach Midgard's peak and overhear a conversation between the stranger—revealed to be Baldur—and his nephews, Modi and Magni, as well as the imprisoned Mímir. After they leave, Kratos and Atreus confront Mímir, who reveals the highest peak is actually in Jötunheim, but the Giants have blocked travel there. Knowing of another passage, Mímir instructs Kratos to behead him and have his head revived by the Witch of the Woods, whom, upon resurrection, he reveals to be the goddess Freya. Kratos's longstanding hatred of gods causes him to distrust her, but both Freya and Mímir warn him he must tell Atreus about his true nature.
Kratos, Atreus, and Mímir are attacked by Modi and Magni. After Kratos kills Magni, Modi flees but later ambushes the trio. Kratos fends him off, but Atreus collapses, overcome by illness due to the contradiction of a god believing himself to be mortal. Freya instructs Kratos to retrieve the heart of a specific troll in Helheim; however, his frost-based Leviathan Axe is useless in the icy realm. Kratos returns home to unearth his old weapons, the fiery Blades of Chaos, and is haunted by Athena's spirit. After retrieving the heart, he has a haunting vision of Zeus. Freya revives Atreus, and Kratos tells him they are gods. Atreus becomes increasingly arrogant and, against Kratos's orders, murders a weakened Modi, who was beaten by Thor for not avenging Magni. At Midgard's peak, Kratos and Atreus are ambushed by Baldur, resulting in Jötunheim's portal being destroyed. Their battle descends to Týr's Temple, and the group ends up in Helheim.
Atreus makes amends with Kratos. They learn of Freya and Baldur's familial relationship and the spell of invulnerability she cast on him. Returning to Midgard, Mímir realizes another way to reach Jötunheim, but needs his missing eye. After obtaining it, the group are attacked by Baldur once more, but Freya intervenes to protect her son. Baldur is pierced by Atreus's mistletoe arrow, breaking Freya's spell. Baldur is defeated and attempts to strangle Freya, causing Kratos to kill him. A grief-stricken Freya vows to avenge Baldur's death, blaming it on Kratos, and leaves with Baldur's corpse. Kratos tells Atreus about his own past and how he killed his own father. Atreus laments this cycle of violence, and Kratos tells him they should not repeat the mistakes of their predecessors, including those made by Kratos himself.
Kratos and Atreus reach Jötunheim. They find an abandoned temple with a mural depicting their adventures, showing that the Giants, renowned for their gift of prophecy, had foretold their journey. They discover Faye was a Giant who had decided to stay in Midgard, making Atreus half Giant, half god. Their fight with Baldur is shown, revealing he sought Faye the whole time under orders from Odin, unaware she was dead and Atreus was referred to as [[Loki]] by his mother and the Giants. Kratos chooses to ignore a covered mural depicting what appears to be him dying in Atreus's arms. They fulfill their promise and spread Faye's ashes at the peak. Afterward, Kratos reveals to Atreus that his given name was that of a compassionate Spartan comrade. Returning to Midgard, they retrieve Mímir, who warns them Baldur's death has caused the three-year-long [[Fimbulwinter]] to begin nearly a century earlier than prophesized, meaning [[Ragnarök]] is soon to follow.
In a secret ending, Kratos and Atreus, along with Mímir, return home and slumber. Atreus has a vision of [[God of War Ragnarök|Thor arriving at the end of Fimbulwinter to confront them]].
==Development==
[[File:God of war 2018 santa monica team gdc 2019.jpg|thumb|right|alt= Photograph of the ''God of War'' developers at the 2019 Game Developers Choice Awards | The [[Santa Monica Studio]] team behind ''God of War'' at the 2019 [[Game Developers Choice Awards]]]]
Development on the next ''God of War'' began in 2014. This was confirmed by [[Santa Monica Studio]]'s creative director, Cory Barlog, at the inaugural [[PlayStation Experience]] on December 6 that year, where Barlog said the game was in very early development and that it would not be a prequel but possibly a reboot.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-god-of-war-in-development-at-sony-santa-monica/1100-6424051/ |title=New God of War in Development at Sony Santa Monica |date=December 6, 2014 |last=Maiberg |first=Emanuel |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |work=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=December 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323072539/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-god-of-war-in-development-at-sony-santa-monica/1100-6424051/ |archive-date=March 23, 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref> In April 2016, concept art was leaked that showed images of Kratos in the world of Norse mythology, a concept originally considered by series creator [[David Jaffe]] after Kratos eliminated the Greek gods.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/4/5/11366326/god-of-war-4-concept-art-kratos-norse-mythology |title=Rumored God of War concept art shows Kratos tackling Norse mythology |date=April 5, 2016 |last1=McWhertor |first1=Michael |last2=Good |first2=Owen |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=April 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419115429/https://www.polygon.com/2016/4/5/11366326/god-of-war-4-concept-art-kratos-norse-mythology |archive-date=April 19, 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref> The game's official announcement came at the [[2016 Electronic Entertainment Expo]] (E3) with a gameplay demo that confirmed the setting. The demo showed a fully bearded Kratos teaching his son how to hunt. The pair also battled a [[troll]]. The end of the demo showed the title ''God of War'' and confirmed it was in development for the [[PlayStation 4]] (PS4).<ref name="GodofWar4">{{cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/god-war-4-kicks-off-sony-e3-2016-press-conference-1565263|title=God of War 4 kicks off Sony E3 2016 press conference|date=June 13, 2016|last=Skipper|first=Ben|work=[[International Business Times]]|access-date=June 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413194600/https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/god-war-4-kicks-off-sony-e3-2016-press-conference-1565263|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref><ref name="GS-E32016">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-revealed-for-ps4-at-e3-2016/1100-6440819/|title=God of War Revealed for PS4 at E3 2016|date=June 13, 2016|last1=Newhouse|first1=Alex|last2=Crossley|first2=Rob|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=June 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413194458/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-revealed-for-ps4-at-e3-2016/1100-6440819/|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> The E3 announcement also confirmed that Barlog had returned to the series as game director for the new installment. Since the [[God of War (2005 video game)|original 2005 game]], Barlog had been a major contributor in the development of the series, previously most notably as the director of ''[[God of War II]]'' (2007); this installment was his fifth ''God of War'' game.<ref name="TakeKratosSeriously"/>
Barlog said the game was titled ''God of War'' with no numeral or subtitle because, although it was a continuation of the series, "we ... [reimagined] everything."<ref name="WCCF"/><ref name="SegmentNext"/> Head of Santa Monica Studio, Shannon Studstill, and Barlog said that [[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] had to be convinced to do another ''God of War'' game as many people at Sony wanted the series to "sleep and rest" due to the lackluster response to the previous game, ''Ascension''.<ref name="GIp45">{{harvnb|ref=GIcoverstory|Juba|2018|p=45}}</ref> In explaining why Barlog was brought back, Studstill said he knew the series very well, "and bringing in someone that understands that history is the respect the franchise deserves."<ref name="GIp38">{{harvnb|ref=GIcoverstory|Juba|2018|p=38}}</ref> Barlog responded, "You gotta know the rules to break the rules."<ref name="GIp38"/> Series creator David Jaffe was also considered but was unavailable.<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Hanson, Ben; Juba, Joe|date=January 5, 2018|title=Exclusive God Of War Studio Visit Impressions|medium=[[YouTube]]|language=en|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxXBNjq_BBM|access-date=February 1, 2018|publisher=[[Game Informer]], [[GameStop]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112043516/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxXBNjq_BBM|archive-date=January 12, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In explaining the transition from Greek mythology to Norse mythology, Barlog said: "It's kind of this [[Anno Domini|BC–AD]] change over kind of thing. We're moving and starting from zero and kind of moving forward on that."<ref name="WCCF"/><ref name="SegmentNext">{{cite web|url=https://segmentnext.com/2016/06/14/first-details-on-god-of-war-ps4-game-same-storyline-but-new-gameplay/|title=First Details on God of War PS4 Game; Same Storyline But New Gameplay|date=June 13, 2016|last=Lillah|first=Sarmad|publisher=SegmentNext.com|access-date=June 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413200101/https://segmentnext.com/2016/06/14/first-details-on-god-of-war-ps4-game-same-storyline-but-new-gameplay/|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> In adapting the Norse myths, Barlog said there were many different translations and interpretations, and the writing team read the ''[[Prose Edda]]'' to learn how the myths were translated and told. Just like they did with Greek mythology in the previous games, they found ways to parallel path things from the Norse myths to fit their story.<ref>{{cite AV media|people=[[Cory Barlog|Barlog, Cory]]|date=March 5, 2018|title=God of War - Behind the Myths: An Interview with Cory Barlog <nowiki>|</nowiki> PS4|medium=[[YouTube]]|language=en|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxyEcgv34Rk|access-date=November 5, 2022|publisher=[[PlayStation]], [[Sony Interactive Entertainment]]|archive-date=November 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105051432/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxyEcgv34Rk|url-status=live}}</ref> Before settling on Norse mythology, [[Egyptian mythology]] was also considered. Barlog said that half of the team was for it, but because Egypt has "a lot more about civilization – it's less isolated, less barren", he decided on the Norse setting to keep the game focused on Kratos. Barlog explained further: "Having too much around distracts from that central theme of a stranger in a strange land."<ref name="Egypt">{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-06-15-god-of-war-team-considered-setting-the-new-game-in-egypt|title=God of War team considered setting the new game in Egypt|date=June 15, 2016|last=Bratt|first=Chris|work=[[Eurogamer]]|publisher=[[Gamer Network]]|access-date=June 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413200511/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-06-15-god-of-war-team-considered-setting-the-new-game-in-egypt|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> To explain why Kratos was now in the Norse world, Barlog said that different cultures' belief systems coexisted, but they were "separated by geography", suggesting that Kratos traveled from [[Ancient Greece|Greece]] to Norway ([[Scandinavia]]) after the conclusion of ''God of War III''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-god-of-war-why-kratos-is-in-norse-mythology-no/1100-6441051/?ftag=GSS-05-10aaa0a&linkId=25746674|title=New God of War: Why Kratos Is in Norse Mythology Now|date=June 20, 2016|last=Paget|first=Mat|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=June 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413200657/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-god-of-war-why-kratos-is-in-norse-mythology-no/1100-6441051/?ftag=GSS-05-10aaa0a&linkId=25746674|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> Clarifying the conclusion of that game, Barlog said that Kratos did not destroy what was believed to be the entire world, but only the portion ruled over by the Greek pantheon.<ref name="GIquestions"/> Barlog also said the newer game predated the Vikings, taking place in the time when their gods walked the Earth.<ref name="TakeKratosSeriously"/><ref name="Egypt"/>
Most of the development team that worked on the original ''God of War'' worked on the new installment.<ref name="WCCF"/> They claimed they matched the new gameplay with the same level of accessibility as the previous installments.<ref name="newgameplay"/> It was confirmed that the game would not feature any morality system or branching story; all players have the same story experience. The developers also confirmed that some of the more controversial minigames found in previous entries (such as one featuring sex) would not return.<ref name="WCCF"/> The enemy count was increased to up to 100 enemies on-screen, although this limit is never approached; ''God of War III'' and ''Ascension'' had up to 50.<ref name="WCCF">{{cite web|url=https://wccftech.com/god-wars-original-team-working-new-game-no-branching-story-confirmed/|title=God Of War Original Team Is Working On New Game, 100 Enemies On Screen Confirmed And More|date=June 24, 2016|last=De Meo|first=Francesco|publisher=WCCF Tech|access-date=July 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413200254/https://wccftech.com/god-wars-original-team-working-new-game-no-branching-story-confirmed/|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> Some gameplay characteristics such as jumping, swimming, and instant-death [[platform game|platforming challenges]] found in the previous installments were cut because of the camera being closer to Kratos.<ref name="GIp38"/> Although the previous installment, ''Ascension'', introduced multiplayer to the series, the team decided to forgo it and focus on the single-player experience.<ref name="nomultiplayer">{{cite web|url=https://attackofthefanboy.com/news/e3-2016-god-war-ps4-wont-multiplayer-mode/|title=E3 2016: God of War PS4 Won't Have A Multiplayer Mode|date=June 18, 2016|last=Seeto|first=Damian|work=Attack of the Fanboy|publisher=Modern Media Group|access-date=February 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413194058/https://attackofthefanboy.com/news/e3-2016-god-war-ps4-wont-multiplayer-mode/|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> In changing the gameplay, Studstill said, "I felt like, in order to reinvent, we really needed to turn a lot of things around."<ref>{{harvnb|ref=GIcoverstory|Juba|2018|p=36}}</ref> With regard to the camera change, Barlog said they wanted a more intimate and player-controlled experience.<ref name="newgameplay"/>
The entire game can be played in a single shot with no camera cuts; there are no loading screens and no [[Fade (lighting)|fades to black]] between gameplay and cutscenes.<ref name="MadeMeCare"/> Barlog said about forty percent of the team did not originally agree with this decision due to the increased work and production to implement the feature,<ref name="Polygon Camera"/> especially since this was the first time that a one-shot technique was being used for a [[Video game graphics#3D|three-dimensional]] [[AAA game]]. This meant Barlog had no examples to show if this would work or was a good idea.{{efn|Games like ''[[Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain]]'' (2015) and ''[[Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice]]'' (2017), both in development around the same time as ''God of War'', utilized similar one-shot techniques.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hardcoregamer.com/news/god-of-war-director-cory-barlog-praises-hideo-kojima-mgs-influence/298727/|title=God of War Director Cory Barlog Praises Hideo Kojima, MGS Influence|date=May 10, 2018|last=Riaz|first=Adnan|work=Hardcore Gamer|access-date=February 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210071535/https://hardcoregamer.com/news/god-of-war-director-cory-barlog-praises-hideo-kojima-mgs-influence/298727/|archive-date=February 10, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>}} After the game was finished and the team got to play through it, Barlog said they finally understood his vision and said it was a feature they should use from now on.<ref name="Polygon Camera">{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/4/23/17263016/god-of-war-playstation-4-camera-single-shot|title=God of War's camera was a huge risk that paid off|date=April 23, 2018|last=Kuchera|first=Ben|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|access-date=December 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227133056/https://www.polygon.com/2018/4/23/17263016/god-of-war-playstation-4-camera-single-shot|archive-date=December 27, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Barlog had originally pitched the idea for a one-shot camera while he was at [[Crystal Dynamics]] working on 2013's ''[[Tomb Raider (2013 video game)|Tomb Raider]]'', but he was turned down. Sony, however, was much more supportive of Barlog's creative ideas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/god-of-war-director-originally-pitched-one-shot-camera-idea-for-tomb-raider|title=God of War Director Originally Pitched One-Shot Camera Idea for Tomb Raider|date=March 22, 2018|last=Oxford|first=Nadia|work=[[USgamer]]|access-date=December 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227133107/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/god-of-war-director-originally-pitched-one-shot-camera-idea-for-tomb-raider|archive-date=December 27, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Furthermore, Barlog and lead level designer Rob Davis were also influenced by the ''[[Resident Evil]]'' series, particularly ''[[Resident Evil 4]]''{{'}}s "combination of poised camera exploration and scavenging" and ''[[Resident Evil 7]]''{{'}}s "strong vision" from a team making "bold decisions, and actually hav[ing] the audience follow them." Barlog noted how there was initial disagreement over the camera distance. He wanted it close whereas the combat team wanted it further away, like the ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' and ''[[Batman: Arkham]]'' games; he eventually convinced the team to go with a close camera.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Makuch |first1=Eddie |title=God of War PS4 Director Explains Why They Changed The Combat And More |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-ps4-director-explains-why-they-changed-/1100-6458259/ |access-date=May 30, 2019 |work=[[GameSpot]] |date=April 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530211324/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-ps4-director-explains-why-they-changed-/1100-6458259/ |archive-date=May 30, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Explaining Kratos's axe, lead gameplay designer Jason McDonald, who had worked on the series since the original game, said the axe was chosen because they wanted a more grounded direction for the game. Initially, they were unsure how to make it unique. After they came up with the concept of throwing the axe and having it return to Kratos, "things started to fall into place."<ref name="developingaxe">{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/1/15/16894114/god-of-war-kratos-ax-combat|title=Here's how God of War is different with Kratos ax|date=January 15, 2018|last=Sarkar|first=Samit|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|access-date=February 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413200913/https://www.polygon.com/2018/1/15/16894114/god-of-war-kratos-ax-combat|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> McDonald said that combat with the axe was a little slower than with the Blades of Chaos, "but it's just as fluid and just as brutal as it's ever been."<ref name="developingaxe"/> Barlog took inspiration from ''[[Dark Souls]]'' (2011), which influenced the game's combat system, particularly its gameplay loop and strategic decision-making,<ref>{{cite web|title=God of War's New Combat System Explained|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_JNQKlA57k|website=[[YouTube]]|publisher=[[PlayStation]]|date=March 19, 2018|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418073325/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_JNQKlA57k|archive-date=April 18, 2018}}</ref> as well as the game's approach to storytelling.<ref>{{cite magazine|title="It Has to Be Personal" Says 'God of War' Creative Director Cory Barlog|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/features/it-has-to-be-personal-says-god-of-war-creative-director-cory-barlog-w488948|last=Davison|first=John|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=June 20, 2017|access-date=May 1, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501161717/https://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/features/it-has-to-be-personal-says-god-of-war-creative-director-cory-barlog-w488948|archive-date=May 1, 2018}}</ref> In addition, designers Anthony DiMento and Luis Sanchez revealed how ''God of War''{{'}}s level design and exploration were influenced by ''[[Bloodborne]]'' (2015). They wanted to "just have the world breathe a little bit" and expand upon player discovery by including "micro-loops where you're unlocking paths, unlocking shortcuts" that gave purpose.<ref>{{cite magazine|title='God of War' Level Design Inspired by 'Bloodborne'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/news/god-of-war-level-design-inspired-by-bloodborne-w518527|date=March 29, 2018|last=Fogel|first=Stefanie|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=May 15, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515184739/https://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/news/god-of-war-level-design-inspired-by-bloodborne-w518527|archive-date=May 15, 2018}}</ref> DiMento said that a team dedicated to focusing on the game's exploration was formed. One challenge was creating quests in a world that did not have [[non-playable characters]] outside of the core narrative. DiMento said, "I set out to create a quest giver that was light-weight, but also flexible enough to be used in multiple locations, while providing a varied suite of quest activities." This resulted in the "wayward spirits" (ghosts with ties to the world) found throughout the game. Having the spirits tell their stories "made [the world] feel more alive". The developers ended up with a four-tiered system for side quests: the top-tier quests were from the characters Brok and Sindri, the next level from wayward spirits, then treasure maps and artifacts, and the bottom tier were milestones, such as killing all of [[Odin's ravens]]. Brok and Sindri's quests were made into [[Dungeon crawl|dungeons]] while the others were used for exploration. The developers also had to find the reasons that would motivate Kratos to undertake these quests. For Brok and Sindri, it was to obtain more powerful gear, but for the wayward spirits, it was because of Atreus's naiveté and kind-hearted nature, as well as opportunities for Kratos to teach him life lessons.<ref name="exploration">{{cite web|url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2018/12/05/how-santa-monica-studios-nailed-exploration-in-god-of-war/|title=How Santa Monica Studio Nailed Exploration in God of War|date=December 5, 2018|last=DiMento|first=Anthony|work=[[PlayStation.Blog]]|publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]]|access-date=December 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217154733/https://blog.us.playstation.com/2018/12/05/how-santa-monica-studios-nailed-exploration-in-god-of-war/|archive-date=December 17, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
Unlike the previous games, Santa Monica did not make a demo specifically for public release. Barlog explained that doing so would have delayed the game by a couple of months.<ref name="Nopublicdemo">{{cite web|url=http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2016/10/13/god-of-war-demo-ps4-pro/|title=God of War Designed for Standard PS4, Won't Have a Demo|last=Treese|first=Tyler|date=October 13, 2016|publisher=[[CraveOnline]]|work=[[PlayStation LifeStyle]]|access-date=February 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413201034/http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2016/10/13/god-of-war-demo-ps4-pro/|archive-date=April 13, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> He also confirmed the game was built for the standard PlayStation 4<ref name="Nopublicdemo"/> but would "benefit from the power" of the [[PlayStation 4 Pro]], which was released a few months after ''God of War'' was announced.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=corybarlog|author=Cory Barlog|author-link=Cory Barlog|number=787432956474327040|date=October 15, 2016|title=oh we will benefit from the power of the Pro, for sure. You just dont need a pro to get the experience we intend.|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6yemtcH9u?url=https://twitter.com/corybarlog/status/787432956474327040|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> Players with a Pro have the option to favor resolution or favor performance when playing the game. Favoring resolution runs the game in 4K with [[checkerboard rendering]] at a target frame rate of 30 [[frames per second]] (fps), while the performance option runs the game at [[1080p]] and targets 60fps.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/4/12/17227946/god-of-war-ps4-pro-60fps-4k-1080p|title=God of War's 4K resolution mode isn't the best way to play|date=April 12, 2018|last=Sarkar|first=Samit|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|access-date=November 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114155518/https://www.polygon.com/2018/4/12/17227946/god-of-war-ps4-pro-60fps-4k-1080p|archive-date=November 14, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In late December 2016, Barlog confirmed the game was playable from start to finish,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-god-of-war-ps4-game-reaches-very-exciting-mile/1100-6446477/|title=New God of War PS4 Game Reaches "Very Exciting Milestone"|date=December 22, 2016|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]]|work=[[PlayStation.Blog]]|access-date=December 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413201913/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-god-of-war-ps4-game-reaches-very-exciting-mile/1100-6446477/|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> and later said its story would take 25–35 hours to complete (significantly more than the previous four main installments, which each took an average of 10 hours to complete).<ref name="longgame">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-ps4-will-take-25-35-hours-to-complete/1100-6455531/|title=God Of War PS4 Will Take 25–35 Hours To Complete|date=December 8, 2017|last=Newhouse|first=Alex|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=December 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413194153/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-ps4-will-take-25-35-hours-to-complete/1100-6455531/|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref>
A new trailer was shown at [[E3 2017]], featuring new gameplay, [[Cutscene|cinematics]], and characters. In it, Kratos is shown using a shield offensively and defensively. At one point, Kratos finds a Greek vase with himself on it, wielding his infamous double-chained blades. During the trailer, an unnamed woman warns Kratos about the Norse gods, as they knew what he did to the Greek gods, while a pair of wolves are also shown. The trailer ends with Kratos and Atreus encountering the [[Jörmungandr|World Serpent]]. Atreus is able to translate its request to help the pair. It was confirmed that the game would release in early 2018.<ref name="E32017">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2017-new-god-of-war-trailer-released-release-da/1100-6450844/|title=E3 2017: New God Of War Trailer Released, Release Date Set For Early 2018|date=June 12, 2017|last1=Pereira|first1=Chris|last2=Fillari|first2=Alessandro|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=June 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413195439/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2017-new-god-of-war-trailer-released-release-da/1100-6450844/|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> Until the game's launch, Santa Monica included a section on the ''God of War'' website titled "The Lost Pages", detailing some of the lore of ''God of War''{{'}}s Nordic world.<ref name="axeorigin"/> In January 2018, the game's release date was confirmed for April 20, 2018. A trailer was also released that showed that the mythological character Mímir would have a role in the game.<ref name="releasedate">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2018/01/23/god-of-war-will-release-in-april.aspx|title=God Of War Releases On April 20|last=Juba|first=Joe|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|publisher=[[GameStop]]|date=January 23, 2018|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413202026/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2018/01/23/god-of-war-will-release-in-april.aspx|archive-date=April 13, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''God of War'' [[went gold]] on March 22.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-ps4-has-gone-gold/1100-6457615/|title=God Of War PS4 Has Gone Gold|date=March 22, 2018|last=Knezevic|first=Kevin|work=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=March 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413202316/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-ps4-has-now-gone-gold/1100-6457615/|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref>
===Characterization===
[[File:Christopher Judge 2014.jpg|thumb|right|upright|alt= A photograph of actor Christopher Judge; he did the voice and cinematic motion capture for Kratos in the game. | [[Christopher Judge]] does the voice and cinematic [[motion capture]] for [[Kratos (God of War)|Kratos]] in the game, replacing longstanding voice actor [[Terrence C. Carson|T.C. Carson]], who had voiced Kratos since the [[God of War (2005 video game)|original 2005 game]] and also did the motion capture for him in 2013's ''[[God of War: Ascension|Ascension]]''.]]
During early development, there was talk of having a different protagonist for the game. Some of the team said that Kratos was "annoying" and felt Kratos's story had run its course. Barlog said it took a lot of convincing to keep Kratos.<ref name="annoying">{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-06-26-cory-barlog-discusses-almost-cutting-kratos-from-god-of-war-2018|title=Cory Barlog discusses almost cutting Kratos from God of War 2018|date=June 26, 2019|last=Evans-Thirlwell|first=Edwin|work=[[Eurogamer]]|publisher=[[Gamer Network]]|access-date=July 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629043919/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-06-26-cory-barlog-discusses-almost-cutting-kratos-from-god-of-war-2018|archive-date=June 29, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Referencing the [[Nintendo]] character [[Mario]] and the [[Mario (franchise)|''Mario'' games]], Barlog said that like Mario, "Kratos is intrinsically tied" to the ''God of War'' series.<ref name="TakeKratosSeriously"/> In regard to the new changes, Barlog said that:
{{Blockquote|I knew I didn't want to simply reboot the franchise, starting over with a retelling of the origin story. I wanted to reimagine the gameplay, give players a fresh perspective and a new tactile experience while delving deeper into the emotional journey of Kratos to explore the compelling drama that unfolds when an immortal demigod makes a decision to change.<ref name="Kratoschange"/>}}
Barlog explained that Kratos had to change his cycle of violence and learn to control his rage. He said Kratos had made many bad decisions, which led to the destruction of [[Mount Olympus|Olympus]]. He wanted to know what would happen if Kratos made a good decision. The birth of Barlog's own son influenced the idea of Kratos's character change.<ref name="Kratoschange">{{cite web|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2016/06/13/first-look-santa-monica-studios-new-god-of-war-on-ps4/|title=First Look: Santa Monica Studio's New God of War on PS4|date=June 13, 2016|last=Barlog|first=Cory|author-link=Cory Barlog|publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]]|work=[[PlayStation.Blog]]|access-date=June 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413202516/https://blog.us.playstation.com/2016/06/13/first-look-santa-monica-studios-new-god-of-war-on-ps4/|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> The canceled live-action [[Star Wars#Live-action series|''Star Wars'' television series]] was also an influence; back on his days working at [[LucasArts]], Barlog had been allowed to visit [[Skywalker Ranch]] and read some scripts written by writers of ''[[The Shield]]'' and ''[[24 (TV series)|24]]'' planned for the show, particularly starring [[Emperor Palpatine]] in an emotional and sympathetic [[origin story]] that depicted his fall into villainy after being wronged by a heartless woman.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/06/20/god-of-war-director-cory-balrog-says-that-sonys-violent-series-is-growing-up-with-the-industry/|title=God of War director Cory Barlog says that Sony's violent series is growing up with the industry|date=June 20, 2016|last=Minotti|first=Mike|publisher=[[VentureBeat]]|access-date=June 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413202418/https://venturebeat.com/2016/06/20/god-of-war-director-cory-balrog-says-that-sonys-violent-series-is-growing-up-with-the-industry/|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> The bond between Kratos and his son is at the heart of the game. Barlog said, "This game is about Kratos teaching his son how to be a god, and his son teaching Kratos how to be human again."<ref name="MadeMeCare"/> Referencing the [[Marvel Comics]] character [[Hulk]], Barlog said that in regards to Kratos, "We've already told the story of The Hulk. We want to tell the story of [Bruce] Banner now."<ref name="MadeMeCare"/> One of their goals was to make Kratos "a more nuanced and interesting character."<ref name="GIp44">{{harvnb|ref=GIcoverstory|Juba|2018|p=44}}</ref> In changing the narrative focus, Studstill said, "I think we inherently knew the franchise needed to evolve in that emotional beat and be something meatier for the older generation of gamers."<ref name="GIp44"/>
Christopher Judge, best known as [[Teal'c]] from ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'', replaced [[Terrence C. Carson]] as the voice of Kratos; Carson had voiced Kratos since the original ''God of War''. Commenting on the change, Carson said, "Sony went in a new direction."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-god-of-war-does-not-feature-original-kratos-vo/1100-6440925/?ftag=GSS-05-10aaa0a|title=New God of War Does Not Feature Original Kratos Voice Actor|date=June 15, 2016|last=Paget|first=Mat|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=June 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413202827/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-god-of-war-does-not-feature-original-kratos-vo/1100-6440925/?ftag=GSS-05-10aaa0a|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> Carson later explained that he understood the reason for the actor change and that Judge's casting made sense for what Sony was wanting to do. He also said that losing acting jobs is part of the business, but he did feel a lack of respect as he was not contacted by anyone at Sony to be informed of the change.<ref>{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohW0A_qEPjI|title=TC Carson on Voicing 'Kratos" in 'God of War' 1-3, Why He Got Replaced (Part 6)|date=December 31, 2020|author=[[DJ Vlad]]|work=VladTV|publisher=[[YouTube]]|time=3:15–5:16|access-date=January 4, 2021|archive-date=February 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202160858/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohW0A_qEPjI|url-status=live}}</ref>
In explaining the actor change, Barlog said that the way the previous games were made, they were able to have someone else do the [[motion capture]] instead of the voice actor. Although Carson had done the motion capture for Kratos in ''Ascension'', Barlog said the actor change was made because of the type of camera work they wanted to do. For the new camera work, they needed someone who was closer to Kratos's size to do the motion capture along with a child. Carson was unsuitable for this because he was much shorter than Kratos, who is over {{Convert|6|ft|cm|abbr=out}} tall: "Offsetting [Carson's height] for the size of a child, it turned out it was going to be almost impossible to try and actually shoot them and go in and redo the animations."<ref name="NewVO">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/god-war-4-ps4-game-hinges-bond-2-new-actors-1043888|title='God of War' Hinges on the Bond of Its 2 New Actors|date=September 29, 2017|last=Shanley|first=Patrick|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=February 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413191831/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/god-war-4-ps4-game-hinges-bond-2-new-actors-1043888|archive-date=April 13, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Judge was chosen because he was {{convert|6|ft|3|in|cm|abbr=out}} and had the build of a professional football player. He was also chosen because of the chemistry with his then-10-year-old co-star Sunny Suljic, whose opinion was also sought in making the decision; out of all the auditions, he liked Judge the most. The two bonded well, and Judge described his time with Suljic as time he had missed with his own children. In stepping into the role of Kratos, Judge took it as an opportunity to add something new to the character. He researched the character and Carson's performance but decided not to imitate it. Since Santa Monica was going in a new direction, he decided to start fresh. Judge was thrown off when he first read the script, saying it "was a real script," and not just "a way to get into battles," which is why he decided to take the role.<ref name="NewVO"/> He said, "it was really this great story of this relationship and this crazy mythology."<ref name="NewVO"/> While Judge did all of Kratos's motion capture for the cinematic scenes, stuntman Eric Jacobus did Kratos's combat motion capture; Jacobus was found by ''God of War''{{'}}s animators on [[YouTube]]. Instead of going directly to Santa Monica to audition, he recorded and submitted an audition tape and was hired immediately.<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Jacobus, Eric|date=March 28, 2018|title=God of War – How to Fight Like Kratos, PS4|medium=[[YouTube]]|language=en|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKuc73DSscs|access-date=May 11, 2018|publisher=[[PlayStation]], [[Sony Interactive Entertainment]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505014815/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKuc73DSscs&app=desktop|archive-date=May 5, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Former [[WWE]] wrestler [[Shad Gaspard]] also performed some of the motion capture for Kratos; Gaspard's body was digitally scanned as the model for Kratos's new look in the game.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=Shadbeast|author=[[Shad Gaspard]]|number=989923203366600704|date=April 27, 2018|title=I did know 😜 now so does the rest of the world 🤣 such an honor and a privilege to be part of this game and play this character that I've always loved. Thank you @rafagrassetti and #GodOfWar team at @santamonicastudio|access-date=January 1, 2021}}</ref>
During E3 2016, ''[[GameSpot]]'' mistakenly reported that Kratos's son's name was Charlie, which Barlog laughingly denied.<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Shuman, Sid; [[Cory Barlog|Barlog, Cory]]; [[Judge, Christopher]]|date=June 14, 2016|title=God of War – E3 2016 LiveCast|medium=[[YouTube]]|language=en|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar59w0yrA_E|access-date=June 15, 2016|publisher=[[PlayStation.Blog]], [[Sony Interactive Entertainment]]|time=13:35|quote='''Shuman:''' Does the son have a name by the way? '''Barlog:''' Uh, GameSpot says it's Charlie. '''Shuman:''' Charlie? '''Barlog:''' Charlie! [laughs] I don't know where that came from. '''Shuman:''' That's fun. [laughs] '''Barlog:''' Charlie, right? [looks at Judge] Did you leak that? '''Judge:''' I did. [laughs]|ref=LiveCast|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413191912/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar59w0yrA_E|archive-date=April 13, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> As a nod to this, the giant turtle above Freya's house in the game was named Chaurli.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thegamer.com/god-of-war-atreus-trivia/|title=God of War: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Atreus|date=February 21, 2021|last=Roxl|first=Rhett|work=TheGamer|access-date=November 15, 2022|archive-date=November 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116003659/https://www.thegamer.com/god-of-war-atreus-trivia/|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2017, after a fan downloaded the ''God of War'' [[overture]] and saw the track's details that read, "An introduction to Kratos and Atreus", Barlog confirmed on [[Twitter]] that Atreus was in fact the son's name.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/01/13/god-of-war-kratos-sons-name-revealed|title=God of War: Kratos' Son's Name Revealed|date=January 13, 2017|last=Osborn|first=Alex|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|work=[[IGN]]|access-date=January 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413203249/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/01/13/god-of-war-kratos-sons-name-revealed|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> Barlog said Atreus was unaware that Kratos was a [[demigod]] and did not know about his past.<ref name="single-player-only"/> They did not reveal details of Atreus's mother before the release because she was a critical part of the story.<ref name="WCCF"/> Barlog said that during gameplay, Atreus would be "like magic, an additional combat resource, and [the player is] training him and teaching him."<ref name="TakeKratosSeriously"/> The developers said Atreus would not be a burden during gameplay.<ref name="axeorigin"/> The team experimented with several different approaches for Atreus to ensure he was an empowering presence. Barlog said he did not want the game to be an [[escort mission]] wherein the [[Artificial intelligence in video games|artificial intelligence]] causes a problem for the player. Their goal was for Atreus to enhance Kratos's capabilities without becoming a liability. This resulted in the developers having Atreus act freely unless the player uses a button to issue specific commands to him.<ref name="GIp42"/> Atreus was also designed to call out enemy locations during combat. Since the camera is closer to Kratos, some enemies might be difficult for the player to see. Lead gameplay designer Jason McDonald said that it took a lot of iterations with the enemies and Atreus to make it all work together.<ref name="developingaxe"/>
Early in development, it was suggested that Atreus be cut, or his role significantly reduced because of the many developmental challenges and their costs. Barlog stated the game could have worked without Atreus, but it would have been completely different, likening it to the 2013 film ''[[All Is Lost]]''. Barlog said that with just Kratos, it would have been "one character who talks to himself occasionally, but generally, it will be very silent and everyone will talk in [[old Norse]], so that you won't understand anything anybody's saying."<ref name="NoAtreus"/> After hearing Barlog's case, Sony gave him the freedom to incorporate Atreus. Lead level designer Rob Davis also noted that Atreus allowed for "significant gameplay and storytelling opportunities that might not otherwise [have been] possible."<ref name="NoAtreus">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-ps4-almost-didnt-have-one-of-its-best-m/1100-6458294/|title=God Of War PS4 Almost Didn't Have One Of Its Best, Most Important Characters|date=April 17, 2018|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|work=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=May 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422051552/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-ps4-almost-didnt-have-one-of-its-best-m/1100-6458294/|archive-date=April 22, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> After ''God of War'' was revealed at E3 2016, it drew comparisons to [[Naughty Dog]]'s ''[[The Last of Us]]'' (2013), a game that also featured a father-child type story and gameplay. Barlog felt it was "fantastic" to be compared to that game and found it odd that some people considered the similarities a negative thing. Although he did not directly state they were influenced by ''The Last of Us'' in developing ''God of War'', he did say, "I think we're all inspired by each other."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamingbolt.com/to-be-compared-to-the-last-of-us-is-fantastic-says-god-of-war-director|title=To Be Compared to The Last of Us is Fantastic, Says God of War Director|date=May 25, 2018|author=Pramath|work=GamingBolt.com|access-date=December 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217154616/https://gamingbolt.com/to-be-compared-to-the-last-of-us-is-fantastic-says-god-of-war-director|archive-date=December 17, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> He did, however, use ''The Last of Us'' as an example to show the development team how an in-game companion could work without the game becoming an escort mission.<ref name="annoying"/>
===Soundtrack===
{{Infobox album
| name         = God of War (PlayStation Soundtrack)
| type         = Soundtrack
| artist       = [[Bear McCreary]]
| cover        =
| border       = yes
| alt          =
| released     = {{Start date|2018|04|20}}
| recorded     =
| venue        =
| studio       =
| genre        = [[Contemporary classical music]]
| length       = 1:19:00
| label        = [[Sony Classical Records]]
| producer     =
| prev_title   =
| prev_year    =
| next_title   =
| next_year    =
}}
''God of War (PlayStation Soundtrack)'' was released on April 20, 2018, by [[Sony Classical Records]]. It was composed by [[Bear McCreary]], who is best known for his work on television shows like ''[[Battlestar Galactica (2004 TV series)|Battlestar Galactica]]'' and ''[[The Walking Dead (TV series)|The Walking Dead]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/14/e3-2016-new-god-of-war-announced/|title=E3 2016: New God of War Announced|date=June 14, 2016|last=Davis|first=Justin|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|work=[[IGN]]|access-date=June 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413204155/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/14/e3-2016-new-god-of-war-announced/|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> McCreary was called into Santa Monica Studio in November 2014 to meet with music producers Peter Scaturro and Keith Leary to discuss "a secret project"; McCreary had previously collaborated with Scaturro and Leary on 2011's ''[[SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs]]''. Ideas of folk music, mythology, Nordic ethnic instruments, vocal writing, and classical thematic development were discussed; McCreary correctly guessed that the discussions were about a new ''God of War''. McCreary met with Barlog early on to discuss his narrative vision for the game. After meeting with him, McCreary felt the franchise was in good hands because ''God of War II'', which Barlog also directed, was his favorite installment.<ref name="McCrearyblog"/>
During the initial discussions, McCreary realized he needed to compose completely new music for the game and not reuse any previous music from the series.<ref name="Spotify"/> He said that although he loved those games, he "would not describe them as emotionally dynamic."<ref name="Revolver"/> Based on his memory of the earlier games' music, however, he was inspired by their sounds, such as "deep choirs, pounding drums, and shrieking brass", and reinvented them for the Nordic setting.<ref name="Spotify"/> To ensure the music represented the setting, McCreary spent months researching and listening to Viking folk music,<ref name="Revolver">{{cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/culture/god-war-how-viking-folk-music-inspired-audacious-new-games-soundtrack|title='God of War': How Viking Folk Music Inspired "Audacious" New Game's Soundtrack|date=April 24, 2018|last=Winkie|first=Luke|work=[[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]]|publisher=Project M Group LLC|access-date=November 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112043503/https://www.revolvermag.com/culture/god-war-how-viking-folk-music-inspired-audacious-new-games-soundtrack|archive-date=January 12, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> which resulted in him using "exotic instrumentation and languages from various Northern European folk traditions."<ref name="Spotify"/> He also wanted the score to be huge and varied, "full of peaks and valleys, tiny incantations and gigantic set pieces."<ref name="Revolver"/> The main Kratos theme in particular features low orchestral instruments, an [[Icelandic music|Icelandic]] choir, deep male vocals, powerful female vocals (in particular [[Faroe Islanders|Faroese]] singer [[Eivør Pálsdóttir]]), folk percussion, and Nordic stringed instruments, like the [[nyckelharpa]] and [[hurdy gurdy]].<ref name="McCrearyblog"/> The track "Witch of the Woods" uses a renaissance and baroque instrument called a [[viola da gamba]], which is an ancestor of the modern [[cello]]. The Stranger's theme, found in the track "Deliverance", uses a [[Hardanger fiddle]].<ref name="Themes"/>
The first theme composed for the game was "Memories of Mother". McCreary said the theme itself was not originally for Atreus's mother Faye, but for Kratos himself. His initial drafts were different variations of this melancholy tune. After the game had gone into full production, McCreary and the development team realized it was "too sad and lyrical to represent Kratos." McCreary stepped away from this theme and focused on writing a new one, or what he called the Kratos Theme, which he felt was more representative of the character: "masculine, relentless, and badass".<ref name="Spotify">{{cite web|url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2018/04/13/how-bear-mccreary-composed-god-of-wars-soundtrack-out-today-on-spotify/|title=How Bear McCreary Composed God of War's Soundtrack, Out Today on Spotify|date=April 13, 2018|author=McCreary, Bear|work=[[PlayStation.Blog]]|publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]]|access-date=November 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112043503/https://blog.us.playstation.com/2018/04/13/how-bear-mccreary-composed-god-of-wars-soundtrack-out-today-on-spotify/|archive-date=January 12, 2019|url-status=live|author-link=Bear McCreary}}</ref> He spent several months working with Barlog, Scaturro, Leary, Sony music director Chuck Doud, and the rest of the development team to make this new theme. McCreary described it as "arguably one of my most structurally satisfying and catchy melodies."<ref name="McCrearyblog">{{cite web |url=https://bearmccreary.com/god-of-war-at-e3/ |title=God of War at E3 |date=June 27, 2016 |last=McCreary |first=Bear |author-link=Bear McCreary |access-date=September 1, 2023 |website=BearMcCreary.com |archive-date=August 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827154553/https://bearmccreary.com/god-of-war-at-e3/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After further scoring, McCreary realized that Faye would require a theme, and his original one was "exactly [what] I needed." This melody was woven throughout several scenes and is featured as prominently in the game as Kratos's theme.<ref name="Spotify"/> The three-note Kratos theme is most obviously heard in the title track, "God of War".<ref name="Themes">{{cite web|url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2018/05/08/the-themes-of-god-of-war/|title=The Themes of God of War|date=May 8, 2018|author=McCreary, Bear|work=[[PlayStation.Blog]]|publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]]|access-date=November 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005021835/https://blog.us.playstation.com/2018/05/08/the-themes-of-god-of-war/|archive-date=October 5, 2018|url-status=live|author-link=Bear McCreary}}</ref>
When it was decided that ''God of War'' would be revealed at E3 2016, Sony wanted McCreary to perform his original score with a live orchestra at the press conference. McCreary opened the show with the new main theme before the unveiling of ''God of War'' and performed the gameplay demo's music live during the presentation.<ref name="McCrearyblog"/> On January 13, 2017, a live recording from E3 2016 of ''God of War''{{'}}s overture was released for a limited time free of charge. Barlog released the overture as a thank you to fans for ''God of War''{{'}}s E3 2016 trailer reaching fifteen million views on YouTube.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2017/01/download_god_of_wars_live_e3_2016_overture_for_free|title=Download God of War's Live E3 2016 Overture for Free|date=January 13, 2017|last=Barker|first=Sammy|publisher=[[Gamer Network]]|work=[[Push Square]]|access-date=January 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413192640/http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2017/01/download_god_of_wars_live_e3_2016_overture_for_free|archive-date=April 13, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Release==
The game was released worldwide on April 20, 2018, for the PlayStation 4.<ref name="releasedate"/> In addition to the standard base game, there were three special editions: the Stone Mason Edition, the Collector's Edition, and the Digital Deluxe Edition. The Stone Mason Edition was only available in the United States and Canada and came with several physical items, including: the base game in a SteelBook case, a {{convert|9|in|adj=on}} statue of Kratos and Atreus created by Gentle Giant, {{convert|2|in|adj=on}} carvings of the Huldra Brothers, a horse, and a troll, an exclusive [[lithograph]], a cloth map, a [[stonemason]]'s ring, and a keychain of Mímir's head that talks. There was a variety of [[downloadable content]] (DLC), including an exclusive shield skin, as well as an armor set and another shield skin for Kratos, a PlayStation 4 dynamic theme, a digital artbook, and ''[[God of War (comics)|God of War]]'' #0 by [[Dark Horse Comics]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-ps4s-collectors-edition-revealed-comes-/1100-6456168/|title=God Of War PS4's Collector's Edition Revealed, Comes With An Epic Statue Of Kratos And More|date=January 18, 2018|last=Faller|first=Patrick|work=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=January 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119120050/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-ps4s-collectors-edition-revealed-comes-/1100-6456168/|archive-date=January 19, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Collector's Edition came with many of the same items, minus the ring, the keychain, the carvings of the horse and troll, and the exclusive shield skin. The Digital Deluxe Edition came with all the digital content, minus the exclusive shield skin. U.S. and Canadian customers also received a Kratos and Atreus [[Award pin|pin]] for pre-ordering the Digital Deluxe Edition. Pre-orders at select retailers received three skins for Kratos's shield. Pre-orders from [[GameStop]] or [[EB Games]] also received the "Luck of Ages XP Talisman", granting increased XP and Hacksilver gains and increased ability to trigger perks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2018/01/23/god-of-war-out-april-20-on-ps4/|title=God of War Out April 20 on PS4|date=January 23, 2018|author=Barlog, Cory|work=[[PlayStation.Blog]]|publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]]|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413203647/https://blog.us.playstation.com/2018/01/23/god-of-war-out-april-20-on-ps4/|archive-date=April 13, 2018|author-link=Cory Barlog}}</ref>
In addition to the special editions of the game, a Limited Edition PlayStation 4 Pro bundle was available the same day as the game's release. The bundle included the standard base game, a PlayStation 4 Pro console decorated with the runes on Kratos's axe, and a similarly themed [[DualShock 4]] controller with the ''God of War'' logo.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-ps4-pro-bundle-unveiled-by-sony/1100-6457190/|title=God of War PS4 Pro Bundle Unveiled by Sony|date=April 13, 2018|last=Pereira|first=Chris|work=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=April 13, 2018|archive-date=February 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207121355/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-ps4-pro-bundle-unveiled-by-sony/1100-6457190/|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, an official [[Tabletop game|tabletop]] [[card game]] titled ''God of War: The Card Game'' was released by [[CMON Limited]] on October 25, 2019. Created by Alexandru Olteanu and Fel Barros, players take on the role of the [[Norns]], the [[Fates]] of Norse mythology, as they try to prevent Ragnarök with different combinations of characters and events from the game, providing many variations to completing the card game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cmon.com/news/cmon-announces-god-of-war-the-card-game|title=CMON Announces God of War: The Card Game|date=April 16, 2019|work=[[CMON Limited]]|access-date=January 8, 2023|archive-date=January 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108122138/https://cmon.com/news/cmon-announces-god-of-war-the-card-game|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://cmon.com/news/god-of-war-the-card-game-developer-q-a|title=God of War: The Card Game Developer Q&A|date=May 9, 2019|work=[[CMON Limited]]|access-date=January 8, 2023|archive-date=January 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108122139/https://cmon.com/news/god-of-war-the-card-game-developer-q-a|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/God-of-War--The-Card-Game-Now-Available|title=God of War: The Card Game Now Available|date=October 28, 2019|author=Polar_Bear|work=Tabletop Gaming News|publisher=BV Software|access-date=January 8, 2023|archive-date=January 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108122138/https://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/God-of-War--The-Card-Game-Now-Available|url-status=live}}</ref>
Prior to launch, Barlog confirmed that ''God of War'' would not have [[microtransaction]]s, a feature that had become prominent with other games and criticized.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-wont-have-microtransactions-says-direct/1100-6457222/|title=God Of War Won't Have Microtransactions, Says Director|date=March 8, 2018|last=Knezevic|first=Kevin|work=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=March 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318065527/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-wont-have-microtransactions-says-direct/1100-6457222/|archive-date=March 18, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> He also confirmed that the game would not have post-release DLC, like an [[expansion pack]]. He said he had pitched an idea for DLC, "but it was too ambitious". His idea was similar in scope to that of ''[[The Last of Us: Left Behind]]'' (2014) and ''[[Uncharted: The Lost Legacy]]'' (2017), large standalone expansions for ''The Last of Us'' (2013) and ''[[Uncharted 4: A Thief's End]]'' (2016), respectively. He said it would have been too big to be DLC, warranting its own standalone release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-dlc-idea-scrapped-for-being-too-ambitio/1100-6464263|title=God Of War DLC Idea Scrapped For Being "Too Ambitious"|date=January 9, 2019|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|work=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=June 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623213101/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-dlc-idea-scrapped-for-being-too-ambitio/1100-6464263/|archive-date=June 23, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
Post-launch, Santa Monica supported the game with [[Patch (computing)#Video games|patch updates]] to address [[software bug]]s. As well, the developers added new features along with these free updates. A Photo Mode was released as part of update patch 1.20 on May 9, 2018. It allows players to take customized in-game screenshots. Players can adjust the field of view, depth of view, filters, borders, the visibility of characters, and the ability to change the facial expressions of Kratos and Atreus.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2018/05/09/photo-mode-comes-to-god-of-war-today/|title=Photo Mode Comes to God of War Today|date=May 9, 2018|last=Shroff|first=Jeet|work=[[PlayStation.Blog]]|publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]]|access-date=May 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512044655/https://blog.us.playstation.com/2018/05/09/photo-mode-comes-to-god-of-war-today/|archive-date=May 12, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> A [[New Game Plus]] mode was released as part of update patch 1.30 on August 20, 2018. To access the mode, players must have completed the game at any difficulty level. The mode itself can be played at any difficulty, but enemies are at a higher level with new maneuvers. All obtained items carry over to New Game Plus, and there are new resources to further upgrade gear, which also have new rarity levels. The option to skip cutscenes was also added.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2018/06/11/first-details-new-game-mode-in-god-of-war/|title=First Details: New Game+ Mode in God of War|date=June 11, 2018|last=Kaufman|first=Aaron|work=[[PlayStation.Blog]]|publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]]|access-date=June 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612190911/https://blog.us.playstation.com/2018/06/11/first-details-new-game-mode-in-god-of-war/|url-status=live|archive-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/08/08/god-of-war-new-game-release-date-announced-details-revealed|title=God of War New Game+ Release Date Announced, Details Revealed|date=August 8, 2018|last=Gilyadov|first=Alex|work=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|access-date=August 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809132103/http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/08/08/god-of-war-new-game-release-date-announced-details-revealed|archive-date=August 9, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2018/08/god_of_war_patch_1_30_adds_new_game_plus_out_now_on_ps4|title=God of War Patch 1.30 Adds New Game +, Out Now on PS4|date=August 20, 2018|last=Ramsey|first=Robert|work=[[Push Square]]|publisher=[[Gamer Network]]|access-date=August 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821094212/http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2018/08/god_of_war_patch_1_30_adds_new_game_plus_out_now_on_ps4|url-status=live|archive-date=August 21, 2018}}</ref> In November 2020, the [[PlayStation 5]] (PS5) launched and is [[backwards compatible]] with PlayStation 4 games; these games see a performance boost when playing on the PS5. To further enhance the playing experience of ''God of War'' on the PS5, Santa Monica released an enhancement update on February 2, 2021, allowing the game to be played at 60 fps with checkerboard-rendered 4K resolution.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.techradar.com/news/god-of-war-ps5-update-makes-one-of-the-best-ps4-games-even-better|title=God of War PS5 update makes one of the best PS4 games even better|date=February 2, 2021|last=Vjestica|first=Adam|work=[[TechRadar]]|access-date=February 4, 2021|archive-date=February 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203064950/https://www.techradar.com/news/god-of-war-ps5-update-makes-one-of-the-best-ps4-games-even-better|url-status=live}}</ref>
As part of Sony's larger efforts to port their first-party exclusive games to [[Windows]], Santa Monica Studio announced in October 2021 that ''God of War'' would be released for Windows on January 14, 2022. The port, handled by Jetpack Interactive with supervision by Santa Monica, includes additional graphic options support for Windows, including [[Nvidia]]'s [[Deep Learning Super Sampling]] (DLSS) technology and ultra-widescreen support. This in turn marks the first main entry in the series to release on a non-PlayStation platform.<ref name="psblog windows">{{cite web | url = https://blog.playstation.com/2021/10/20/god-of-war-2018-is-coming-to-pc/ | title = God of War (2018) is coming to PC | first = Grace | last = Orlady | date = October 20, 2021 | access-date = October 20, 2021 | work = [[PlayStation Blog]] | archive-date = October 20, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211020161747/https://blog.playstation.com/2021/10/20/god-of-war-2018-is-coming-to-pc/ | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/amp/news/god-of-war-pc-version-developer/|title=God of War for PC Isn't Being Developed by Santa Monica Studio|date=October 25, 2021|last=Moore|first=Logan|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]|publisher=Valnet Inc.|access-date=October 26, 2021|archive-date=October 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026101319/https://comicbook.com/gaming/amp/news/god-of-war-pc-version-developer/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Santa Monica's Matt DeWald, they had considered what options they could use to port their games to Windows, particularly as they used a non-standard game engine, and worked closely with Jetpack to determine the scope and technical issues associated with the port.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/22883541/god-of-war-pc-port-interview | title = HOW GOD OF WAR'S IMPRESSIVE PC PORT CAME TO LIFE | first = Sam | last = Byford | date = January 14, 2022 | access-date = January 14, 2022 | work = [[The Verge]] | archive-date = January 14, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220114143857/https://www.theverge.com/22883541/god-of-war-pc-port-interview | url-status = live }}</ref>
===''God of War: A Call from the Wilds''===
'''''God of War: A Call from the Wilds''''' is a [[text-based game]] playable through [[Facebook Messenger]]. To help further promote ''God of War'', Sony partnered with [[Meta Platforms|Facebook]] to develop the [[play-by-web]] game, which released on February 1, 2018. Completing the game unlocks downloadable concept art. The short story follows Atreus on his first adventure in the Norse wilds. After archery training and learning runes with his mother, Atreus ventures into the wilderness after telepathically hearing the voice of a dying deer; he finds it covered in blood and stays with it during its final moments. A couple of draugr appear and Atreus attempts to fight them but is injured. He is saved by his father, Kratos, who was out hunting. The two then battle a revenant before returning home.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/02/01/god-of-war-facebook-text-adventure-explores-atreus-past|title=God of War Facebook Text Adventure Explores Atreus' Past|date=February 1, 2018|last=Gilyadov|first=Alex|work=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|access-date=February 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413203931/http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/02/01/god-of-war-facebook-text-adventure-explores-atreus-past|archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/heres-how-to-play-god-of-war-early-in-official-text-adventure-form/|title=Here's how to play God of War early (in official text adventure form)|date=February 2, 2018|last=Sheridan|first=Connor|work=[[GamesRadar+]]|access-date=February 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413192310/https://www.gamesradar.com/heres-how-to-play-god-of-war-early-in-official-text-adventure-form/|archive-date=April 13, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2018/02/01/glimpse-into-atreus-past-in-god-of-war-text-adventure.aspx|title=Glimpse Into Atreus' Past In God Of War Text Adventure|date=February 1, 2018|last=Thurmond|first=Joey|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|publisher=[[GameStop]]|access-date=February 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413192352/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2018/02/01/glimpse-into-atreus-past-in-god-of-war-text-adventure.aspx|archive-date=April 13, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===''God of War: Mímir's Vision''===
'''''God of War: Mímir's Vision''''' is a smartphone companion app that was released on April 17, 2018, for [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] devices. Using [[Alternate reality game|alternate reality]], it provides a background for the Norse setting of ''God of War''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.playstation.mimirsvision&hl=en_US&gl=US|title=God of War &#124; Mimir's Vision – Apps on Google Play|website=play.google.com|access-date=October 20, 2021|archive-date=September 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910020327/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.playstation.mimirsvision&hl=en_US&gl=US|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/god-of-war-mimirs-vision/hands-on-with-god-of-war-mimirs-vision-on-ios-and-android/|title=Hands-on with God of War: Mimir's Vision on iOS and Android|date=June 14, 2018|last=Mundy|first=Jon|work=[[Pocket Gamer]]|publisher=Steel Media Ltd|access-date=October 25, 2022|archive-date=October 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026012659/https://www.pocketgamer.com/god-of-war-mimirs-vision/hands-on-with-god-of-war-mimirs-vision-on-ios-and-android/|url-status=live}}</ref>
===''Raising Kratos''===
'''''Raising Kratos''''' is a YouTube documentary of Santa Monica Studio's five-year process in making the game, showing the "herculean effort" that went into reviving the franchise. The documentary was announced on April 20, 2019, the one year anniversary of the game's launch, and was released the following month on May 10.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rhode|first=Scott|date=April 20, 2019|title=Announcing Raising Kratos, a God of War Documentary|url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2019/04/20/announcing-raising-kratos-a-god-of-war-documentary/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518133530/https://blog.us.playstation.com/2019/04/20/announcing-raising-kratos-a-god-of-war-documentary/|archive-date=May 18, 2019|access-date=May 10, 2019|work=[[PlayStation.Blog]]|publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kent|first=Emma|date=May 10, 2019|title=God of War's feature length behind-the-scenes documentary is here|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-05-10-god-of-wars-exclusive-behind-the-scenes-documentary-is-here|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510133616/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-05-10-god-of-wars-exclusive-behind-the-scenes-documentary-is-here|archive-date=May 10, 2019|access-date=May 10, 2019|work=[[Eurogamer]]|publisher=[[Gamer Network]]|language=en}}</ref>
=== Tie-in books ===
==== ''The Art of God of War'' ====
{{Infobox book
| name              = The Art of God of War
| title_orig        =
| translator        =
| image             =
| caption           =
| author            = Evan Shamoon
| illustrator       =
| cover_artist      =
| country           = United States
| language          = English
| series            = ''[[God of War (franchise)|God of War]]''
| genre             =
| publisher         = [[Dark Horse Comics]]
| release_date      = April 24, 2018
| media_type        = [[Hardcover]], [[E-book]]
| isbn              = 978-1506705743
}}
''The Art of God of War'' is a book collecting various pieces of artworks created for the game during its development. It was written by Evan Shamoon and published by Dark Horse Comics on April 24, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|last=Polo|first=Susana|date=April 20, 2018|title=See how Kratos became 'grounded' in The Art of God of War|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/4/20/17261724/art-of-god-of-war-ps4-book-preview|access-date=August 24, 2020|website=Polygon|language=en|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627070037/https://www.polygon.com/2018/4/20/17261724/art-of-god-of-war-ps4-book-preview|url-status=live}}</ref>
==== ''God of War – The Official Novelization'' ====
{{Infobox book
| name              = God of War – The Official Novelization
| title_orig        =
| translator        =
| image             =
| caption           =
| author            = James M. Barlog
| illustrator       =
| cover_artist      =
| country           = United States
| language          = English
| series            = ''[[God of War (franchise)|God of War]]''
| genre             = [[Action (fiction)|Action]], [[Adventure fiction|Adventure]]
| publisher         = [[Titan Publishing Group|Titan Books]]
| release_date      = August 28, 2018
| media_type        = [[Paperback]], [[Audiobook]]
| isbn              = 978-1-78909-014-7
}}
An official novelization of the game, written by Cory Barlog's father, James M. Barlog, was released on August 28, 2018, by [[Titan Books]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2018/05/29/god-of-war-novelization-written-by-cory-barlogs-father-available-to-pre-order/|title=God of War Novelization Written by Cory Barlog's Father, Available to Pre-Order|date=May 29, 2018|last=Wood|first=Chandler|work=[[PlayStation LifeStyle]]|publisher=[[CraveOnline]]|access-date=August 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821160343/http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2018/05/29/god-of-war-novelization-written-by-cory-barlogs-father-available-to-pre-order/|url-status=live|archive-date=August 21, 2018}}</ref> An [[audiobook]] version is also available, narrated by Alastair Duncan, who voiced Mímir in the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2018/08/29/god-of-wars-mimir-narrates-the-games-audiobook-adaptation/|title=God Of War's Mimir Narrates The Game's Audiobook Adaptation|date=August 29, 2018|author=Jenni|work=[[Siliconera]]|publisher=[[Twitch Interactive]]|access-date=September 3, 2018|archive-date=August 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827154554/https://www.siliconera.com/god-of-wars-mimir-narrates-the-games-audiobook-adaptation/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The novel retells the events of the game, but unlike the series' previous two novels, this one closely follows the source material with a few notable exceptions. The game never revealed how or why Kratos ended up in ancient Norway, or how much time had passed since the ending of ''God of War III'', but the novel gives some indication. Kratos chose to leave ancient Greece to hide his identity and change who he was.<ref>{{harvnb|ref=GoW2018novel|Barlog|2018|p=34}}</ref> At some point after leaving Greece, he battles some wolves and is saved by a cloaked female figure, presumably Faye.<ref>{{harvnb|ref=GoW2018novel|Barlog|2018|p=22}}</ref> Later, during their journey, Kratos, Atreus, and Mímir see a mural with the wolves [[Sköll]] and [[Hati Hróðvitnisson|Hati]]. This causes Kratos to have a flashback to the initial battle and makes him wonder if they dragged him to this new land and if so, why.<ref>{{harvnb|ref=GoW2018novel|Barlog|2018|p=250}}</ref> There was also some [[retconning]]; at the end of ''God of War III'', Kratos had the Blades of Exile, but this novel says he had the Blades of Chaos after killing Zeus. It is also mentioned that he tried several times to get rid of the blades, but by fate they kept returning to him. (For example, he threw them off a cliff, but they washed up on shore near him.) Sometime after ending up in Norway, he decided to hide them under his house and never use them again. This moment was said to have occurred 50 years before the start of the current story. When Kratos does recover the Blades of Chaos, he hears [[Pandora]]'s speech about hope from ''God of War III''.<ref>{{harvnb|ref=GoW2018novel|Barlog|2018|pp=224–225}}</ref>
In the game, Kratos sees one last image on the mural in Jötunheim. It seemingly shows Atreus holding Kratos's dead body, but in the novel, this mural is partially broken and does not show the corpse that Atreus is holding.<ref>{{harvnb|ref=GoW2018novel|Barlog|2018|p=340}}</ref> Brok and Sindri also reveal why they made the Leviathan Axe for Faye; she had come to them as the last Guardian of Jötnar and needed a weapon to protect her people. The Huldra Brothers crafted the Leviathan Axe for her to be Mjölnir's equal. Mímir also mentioned that Faye, or rather Laufey the Just, thwarted many of the Æsir's plans, including freeing slaves, and Thor could never find her.<ref>{{harvnb|ref=GoW2018novel|Barlog|2018|p=347}}</ref> Kratos's Guardian Shield is never mentioned, and Modi does not ambush the three, resulting in Atreus falling ill; Atreus instead falls ill shortly after their first encounter when Kratos kills Magni.<ref>{{harvnb|ref=GoW2018novel|Barlog|2018|loc=chpt. 34–35}}</ref>
====''God of War'' (comic book series)====
A four-issue comic series titled ''God of War'' was published monthly from November 2018 to February 2019 by Dark Horse Comics. Written by [[Chris Roberson (author)|Chris Roberson]] with art by Tony Parker, the miniseries takes place shortly before the events of the game. Issue #0 was included digitally in the game's collector's editions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/dark-horse-god-of-war-prequel-comic/|title=Dark Horse Comics Announces God of War Prequel Series|date=August 14, 2018|last=Zachary|first=Brandon|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]|publisher=Valnet, Inc.|access-date=November 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110040439/https://www.cbr.com/dark-horse-god-of-war-prequel-comic/|archive-date=November 10, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2018/11/09/read-2-pages-of-the-upcoming-god-of-war-prequel-comic/|title=Read 2 Pages of the Upcoming God of War Prequel Comic|date=November 9, 2018|last=Roberson|first=Chris|work=[[PlayStation.Blog]]|publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]]|access-date=November 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109230920/https://blog.us.playstation.com/2018/11/09/read-2-pages-of-the-upcoming-god-of-war-prequel-comic/|archive-date=November 9, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> A second four-issue series from Dark Horse titled ''God of War: Fallen God'' was published monthly from March to June 2021—it was originally to begin publication in June 2020 but was delayed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. Taking place before the first series, ''Fallen God'' covers the timespan from ''God of War III'' to the beginning of the first comic series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/dark-horse-god-of-war-fallen-god/|title=Dark Horse Announces New God of War Comic Series|date=March 22, 2020|last=Patterson|first=Adreon|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]|publisher=Valnet Inc.|access-date=December 15, 2022|archive-date=December 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216025056/https://www.cbr.com/dark-horse-god-of-war-fallen-god/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thegamer.com/god-of-war-fallen-god-comic-2021-release-date/|title=God Of War: Fallen God Comic Gets New 2021 Release Date|date=January 4, 2021|last=Dastoor|first=Vaspaan|work=TheGamer|access-date=December 15, 2022|archive-date=December 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216025053/https://www.thegamer.com/god-of-war-fallen-god-comic-2021-release-date/|url-status=live}}</ref> Both series were collected as [[Trade paperback (comics)|trade paperback]]s in May 2019 (Volume 1) and December 2021 (Volume 2), respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=48303259|title=God of War TPB (2019-2021 Dark Horse) By Chris Roberson comic books|work=mycomicshop.com|publisher=Lone Star Comics|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226135035/https://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=48303259|url-status=live}}</ref>
==== ''God of War: B Is for Boy'' ====
{{Infobox book
| name              = God of War: B Is for Boy
| title_orig        =
| translator        =
| image             =
| caption           =
| author            = Andrea Robinson
| illustrator       = Romina Tempest
| cover_artist      =
| country           = United States
| language          = English
| series            = ''[[God of War (franchise)|God of War]]''
| genre             =
| publisher         = Insight Editions
| release_date      = September 1, 2020
| media_type        = [[Hardcover]]
| isbn              = 978-1-68383-889-0
}}
''God of War: B Is for Boy'' is an "ABC [[Children's literature|storybook]] for adults" in which the story of the game is retold in an abridged format with illustrations. The title comes from Kratos referring to Atreus as "boy" for most of the game. It was written by Andrea Robinson, with the illustrations being provided by Romina Tempest. It released on September 1, 2020, by Insight Editions.<ref>{{cite web|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|date=July 6, 2020|title=God of War has been adapted into a children's book (for adults)|url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/7/6/21314934/god-of-war-b-for-boy-abc-storybook-insight-editions|access-date=August 24, 2020|website=Polygon|language=en|archive-date=August 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831110346/https://www.polygon.com/2020/7/6/21314934/god-of-war-b-for-boy-abc-storybook-insight-editions|url-status=live}}</ref>
==== ''God of War: Lore and Legends'' ====
{{Infobox book
| name              = God of War: Lore and Legends
| title_orig        =
| translator        =
| image             =
| caption           =
| author            = Rick Barba
| illustrator       =
| cover_artist      =
| country           = United States
| language          = English
| series            = ''[[God of War (franchise)|God of War]]''
| genre             =
| publisher         = [[Dark Horse Comics]]
| release_date      = September 9, 2020
| media_type        = [[Hardcover]], [[E-book]]
| isbn              = 978-1506715520
}}
''God of War: Lore and Legends'' is a tome that recreates Atreus's journal from the game. The book features expanded lore that was written in collaboration with the writing team of the game. It was written by Rick Barba and published by Dark Horse Comics on September 9, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=God of War: Lore and Legends HC :: Profile :: Dark Horse Comics|url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/3004-711/God-of-War-Lore-and-Legends-HC#prettyPhoto|access-date=September 9, 2020|website=www.darkhorse.com|archive-date=October 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006135838/https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/3004-711/God-of-War-Lore-and-Legends-HC#prettyPhoto|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 94/100 (PS4)<ref name="MC">{{cite Metacritic |id=god-of-war |type=game |vgtype=playstation-4 |title=God of War (2018) |access-date=February 15, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413233335/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/god-of-war |archive-date=April 13, 2018 }}</ref><br/>93/100 (PC)<ref name="MC_PC">{{cite Metacritic |id=god-of-war |type=game |vgtype=pc |title=God of War (2018) |access-date=January 12, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220112165012/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/god-of-war/critic-reviews |archive-date=January 12, 2022 }}</ref>
| Destruct = 10/10<ref name="Destructreview">{{cite web |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=April 12, 2018 |url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-god-of-war-ps4--497165.phtml |title=Review: God of War (PS4) |work=[[Destructoid]] |publisher=[[Enthusiast Gaming]] |access-date=April 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413192716/https://www.destructoid.com/review-god-of-war-ps4--497165.phtml |archive-date=April 13, 2018 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>
| EGM = 9.5/10<ref name="EGMreview">{{cite magazine |last=Plessas |first=Nick |date=April 12, 2018 |url=http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/god-of-war-review/ |title=God of War review |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=EGM Media, LLC |access-date=April 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413205051/http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/god-of-war-review/ |archive-date=April 13, 2018 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>
| GI = 9.75/10<ref name="GIreview">{{cite magazine |last=Juba |first=Joe |date=April 12, 2018 |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/god_of_war/b/playstation4/archive/2018/04/12/god-of-war-ps4-review-game-informer.aspx |title=Reaching A Higher Summit – God Of War – PlayStation 4 |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |publisher=[[GameStop]] |access-date=April 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414001239/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/god_of_war/b/playstation4/archive/2018/04/12/god-of-war-ps4-review-game-informer.aspx |archive-date=April 14, 2018 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>
| GameRev = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="GameRevreview">{{cite web |last=Faulkner |first=Jason |date=April 12, 2018 |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/381919-god-of-war-review-an-olympian-feat |title=God of War Review – An Olympian Feat |work=[[Game Revolution]] |publisher=[[CraveOnline]] |access-date=April 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413205243/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/381919-god-of-war-review-an-olympian-feat |archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref>
| GSpot = 9/10<ref name="GSpotreview">{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Peter |date=April 12, 2018 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/god-of-war-review-divine-bloodshed/1900-6416893/ |title=God of War Review: Out With The Old, In With The New |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=April 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413205354/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/god-of-war-review-out-with-the-old-in-with-the-new/1900-6416893/ |archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref>
| GRadar = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="GRadarreview">{{cite web |last=Hurley |first=Leon |date=April 12, 2018 |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/god-of-war-review/ |title=God of War review: "I don't think it's possible to overstate just how good this is" |work=[[GamesRadar+]]  |access-date=April 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412212047/https://www.gamesradar.com/god-of-war-review/ |archive-date=April 12, 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
| GB = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="GBreview">{{cite web |last=Ryckert |first=Dan |date=April 13, 2018 |url=https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/god-of-war-review/1900-782/ |title=God of War Review |work=[[Giant Bomb]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=April 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414091709/https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/god-of-war-review/1900-782/ |archive-date=April 14, 2018 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>
| IGN = 10/10<ref name="IGNreview">{{cite web |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |date=April 12, 2018 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/04/12/god-of-war-review |title=God of War Review |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |access-date=April 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413205736/http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/04/12/god-of-war-review |archive-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref>
| Poly = 10/10<ref name="Polygonreview">{{cite web |last=Plante |first=Chris |date=April 12, 2018 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/4/12/17226486/god-of-war-review-ps4-2018 |title=God of War review |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |access-date=April 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414011719/https://www.polygon.com/2018/4/12/17226486/god-of-war-review-ps4-2018 |archive-date=April 14, 2018 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>
| USG = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Williams |first=Mike |date=April 13, 2018 |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/god-of-war-review |title=God of War review |work=[[USgamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |access-date=April 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413193212/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/god-of-war-review |archive-date=April 13, 2018 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[The Guardian]]''
| rev1Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=MacDonald |first=Keza |date=April 12, 2018 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2018/apr/12/god-of-war-review-violent-vengeful-and-more-brilliant-than-ever |work=[[The Guardian]] |title=God of War review – violent, vital and more brilliant than ever |access-date=April 14, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414011719/https://www.theguardian.com/games/2018/apr/12/god-of-war-review-violent-vengeful-and-more-brilliant-than-ever |archive-date=April 14, 2018 }}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]''
| rev2Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="Telegraph">{{cite news|last=Higgins|first=Tom|title=god-war-ps4-review-one-gorgeous-spectacular-impactful-blockbusters|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/reviews/god-war-ps4-review-one-gorgeous-spectacular-impactful-blockbusters/|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=April 23, 2018|access-date=December 3, 2020|archive-date=May 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522074355/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/reviews/god-war-ps4-review-one-gorgeous-spectacular-impactful-blockbusters/|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
=== Reviews ===
''God of War'' received "universal acclaim" from critics, according to [[review aggregator]] website [[Metacritic]],<ref name="MC"/> tying it with the original ''God of War'' for the highest score in the franchise.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/god-of-war/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 | title = God of War for PlayStation 2 Reviews | work = [[Metacritic]] | publisher = [[CBS Interactive]] | access-date = May 27, 2019 | archive-date = February 15, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100215031111/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/godofwar | url-status = live }}</ref> It has the fourth-highest score of all-time for a PlayStation 4 game, and the highest score for an original, non-[[High-definition remasters for PlayStation consoles|remastered]] PlayStation 4 exclusive.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/all/ps4/filtered?sort=desc|title=Best PlayStation 4 Video Games of All Time|work=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=April 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413184552/http://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/all/ps4/filtered?sort=desc|archive-date=April 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> It was the highest rated PlayStation 4 game of 2018 until the release of ''[[Red Dead Redemption 2]]'' in October, which pushed ''God of War'' to second.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/year/ps4/filtered?sort=desc|title=Best PlayStation 4 Video Games for 2018|work=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=April 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413210029/http://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/year/ps4/filtered?sort=desc|archive-date=April 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> It is also tied with the [[Xbox One]] version of ''[[Celeste (video game)|Celeste]]'' for the second-highest score of 2018 regardless of platform.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/year/all/filtered?sort=desc|title=Best Video Games for 2018|work=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=April 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413031428/http://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/year/all/filtered?sort=desc|archive-date=April 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> ''God of War'' received particular praise for its art direction, graphics, combat system, music, story, use of Norse mythology, characters, and cinematic feeling. Many reviewers felt it had successfully revitalized the series without losing the core identity of its predecessors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-ps4-reviews-roundup-updated/1100-6458186/|title=God Of War PS4 Reviews Roundup|work=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416012619/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-ps4-reviews-roundup-updated/1100-6458186/|archive-date=April 16, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=April 15, 2018}}</ref>
The story was well praised. Nick Plessas of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' (''EGM'') said the story's most memorable moments were the interactions between Kratos and Atreus. He also noted, "there is often some comic relief to be found when Kratos's curtness and Atreus's charming naivety collide."<ref name="EGMreview"/> He felt the presence of Atreus showed a side to Kratos not seen before, and that Kratos had evolved emotionally: "The rage and pain of his past is in constant conflict with his desire to spare his son from it, which comes across in even the most subtle actions and words, demonstrating the effort he is putting in." Plessas said Atreus's character was similarly complex. He commented it is easy for child characters "to succumb to a number of annoying child archetypes," but Atreus is more like a young man who is doing his best in an adult world.<ref name="EGMreview"/> ''[[Game Informer]]''{{'}}s Joe Juba similarly praised the story, particularly the relationship between Kratos and Atreus: "The interactions of Kratos and Atreus range from adversarial to compassionate, and these exchanges have ample room to breathe and draw players in." Juba said that Kratos conveys more character than in any previous game.<ref name="GIreview"/> Peter Brown of ''GameSpot'' felt that although Kratos and Atreus were enjoyable, it was Mímir who stole the show. He also said that regardless of which character the player meets, the cast of ''God of War'' is "strong, convincing, and oddly enchanting."<ref name="GSpotreview"/> Writing for ''[[Game Revolution]]'', Jason Faulkner praised Santa Monica for creating a sequel that new players would be able to understand without having played any of the previous games, while at the same time providing story references to those past games that returning fans would appreciate. Speaking of the relationship between Kratos and Atreus, Faulkner wrote that, "Watching the two grow throughout their journey is incredibly rewarding," equating it to that of [[Ellie (The Last of Us)|Ellie]] and [[Joel (The Last of Us)|Joel]] from ''The Last of Us'' or [[Lee Everett|Lee]] and [[Clementine (The Walking Dead)|Clementine]] from [[Telltale Games]]'s ''[[The Walking Dead (video game series)|The Walking Dead]]''.<ref name="GameRevreview"/>
In terms of the game's combat system, Plessas said that unlike previous games, which often relied on the player to use many combos in a sequential fashion, this game is "more about individual moves strung together in response to the assortment of enemies being fought." Although that difference may be small, he said that the independent attacks of the axe "feature benefits and drawbacks players will need to understand and master to be as effective as possible." Furthermore, although the axe is "conceptually simple", it is "mechanically fascinating". It "succeeds as both a versatile means of dismembering foes and as a key element in puzzle solving." He felt the axe and all of its features was "distinctly rewarding to use" and that it had more versatility than all of the weapons in many other games.<ref name="EGMreview"/> Juba said the Leviathan Axe is "a well-balanced and entertaining tool of destruction." He liked how it "emphasizes a more calculated style of combat; instead of zoomed-out, combo-driven encounters, Leviathan makes you a tactician." He also enjoyed how the combat system gradually unfolded through the course of the game; although seemingly restrictive at first, he noted players will be rapidly alternating between weapons and skills.<ref name="GIreview"/> While some reviewers greatly enjoyed the ability to call the Leviathan Axe back to Kratos's hand,<ref name="GIreview"/><ref name="IGNreview"/> Chris Carter of ''[[Destructoid]]'' felt it got old after a while.<ref name="Destructreview"/> Atreus's implementation was praised; Plessas said Atreus is "surprisingly useful" and that he "lands in the perfect spot on the spectrum between independence and reliance."<ref name="EGMreview"/> Faulkner noted that, "The interplay between Kratos ax, fists, and shield, and Atreus's bow makes for an impressive fighting system."<ref name="GameRevreview"/> Despite its different approach to combat, compared to the previous games, ''[[GamesRadar+]]''{{'}}s Leon Hurley felt the game was "every bit as brutally unflinching as previous games."<ref name="GRadarreview"/>
Writing for ''[[Polygon (magazine)|Polygon]]'', Chris Plante praised the camerawork as a technical marvel, noting the seamless nature of the game shifting from cinematic back to the gameplay.<ref name="Polygonreview"/> Juba said the decision to shift the camera closer to Kratos "[proved] immensely rewarding during big moments by giving [the player] an intimate view."<ref name="GIreview"/> Faulkner, however, claimed "it can be difficult to control the camera and keep a bead on the enemies you're fighting."<ref name="GameRevreview"/> In his review for ''[[IGN]]'', Jonathon Dornbush felt the intimacy of the camera makes all the emotions "more real and impactful."<ref name="IGNreview"/> Speaking of the game's visuals, Faulkner said the game looks amazing, "and with 4K and [[High dynamic range|HDR]] this game goes a step beyond what even games like ''[[Horizon Zero Dawn]]'' showed us was possible on this platform."<ref name="GameRevreview"/> Brown noted that "''God of War'' is a technical and artistic showcase. It is without a doubt one of the best-looking console games ever released."<ref name="GSpotreview"/> Dan Ryckert of ''[[Giant Bomb]]'' claimed that games like ''Uncharted: The Lost Legacy'' and ''Horizon Zero Dawn'' "made great cases for a PS4 Pro and a 4K television, but ''God of War''{{'}}s visuals are a bigger selling point than anything I've seen on Sony's platform to date."<ref name="GBreview"/>
Despite the game's grandeur, Plessas felt that the boss fights "do not hit quite the same frequency as they did in the past few games." However, the few boss fights in the game "do the series proud".<ref name="EGMreview"/> As to the vast world of ''God of War'', Faulkner said that, "The great thing about the exploration in ''God of War'' is that you can participate in it as little or as much as you want." He said an excellent design decision is that during main plot points, the game keeps the player on task, while in between, the player can explore, allowing ''God of War'' "to have the best of both worlds".<ref name="GameRevreview"/> Plessas noted that although the puzzles require thought, they were not "hair-pullingly" difficult as some were in previous games.<ref name="EGMreview"/> Juba also found that the puzzles were not too challenging, saying they were fun.<ref name="GIreview"/>
Plessas felt that the RPG elements present in the game make this installment "unique" compared to previous entries. He said the game allows players to "specialize Kratos to meet the specific task at hand, or develop a build that best suits a preferred playstyle." Although this did not make the game easier, he felt it did make it more manageable.<ref name="EGMreview"/> Juba noted that although this type of upgrading "may be less exciting" compared to previous games where Kratos just learns new moves, it still "provides a powerful incentive to explore."<ref name="GIreview"/> Ryckert was disappointed by this type of customization. He felt the presentation was "half-baked" and that some materials were confusing as there was little explanation given for their use. He did, however, say it was "cool" to see new armor on Kratos.<ref name="GBreview"/>
In terms of flaws, Plessas said that "''God of War'' is so good that its most egregious failing is not letting fans play more of it", as New Game Plus was not an option at the time of the review.<ref name="EGMreview"/> Juba said that "''God of War''{{'}}s momentum rarely falters, and when it does, the inconvenience is brief." One example he gave was the map, saying that although players have freedom to explore, it can be difficult to track Kratos's position. He also felt the fast-travel system was "weirdly cumbersome" and that it opens up too late in the game.<ref name="GIreview"/> Although he enjoyed these features, Faulkner noted some players may dislike that ''God of War'' has a lack of player agency, and players have to explore the majority of the game on foot or by boat since the fast-travel feature is unlocked late in the game.<ref name="GameRevreview"/> Brown felt that if anything in ''God of War'' was a letdown, it was the final fight against Baldur: "He's great from a narrative standpoint, unraveling in a manner that changes your perspective, but it's the fight itself that leaves you wanting. There are plenty of big boss battles and tests of skill throughout the course of the game, yet this fight doesn't reach the same heights, and feels like it was played a little safe."<ref name="GSpotreview"/> Hurley said his only criticism was that, "You can occasionally find yourself unsure if you're doing something wrong, or don't have the right equipment yet."<ref name="GRadarreview"/>
===Sales===
During its release week in the United Kingdom, ''God of War'' became the fastest-selling entry in the franchise, selling 35% more physical units than ''God of War III''.<ref>{{cite web|title=God of War is already the biggest series launch in the UK|url=https://www.vg247.com/2018/04/23/god-of-war-is-already-the-biggest-series-launch-in-the-uk/|work=VG247|date=April 23, 2018|publisher=[[Gamer Network]]|access-date=April 23, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423233622/https://www.vg247.com/2018/04/23/god-of-war-is-already-the-biggest-series-launch-in-the-uk/|archive-date=April 23, 2018}}</ref> The game remained at the top of the all format sales chart for six consecutive weeks through April and May, setting a record for a PlayStation 4 exclusive having the most consecutive weeks at number one.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Khan |first1=Zarmena |title=God of War Retains Its Crown in May's UK Retail Charts, Detroit: Become Human Off to a Good Start |url=http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2018/06/02/god-of-war-sales-success-continues-uk-retail/ |publisher=[[CraveOnline]] |work=[[PlayStation LifeStyle]] |date=June 2, 2018 |access-date=June 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180610025635/http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2018/06/02/god-of-war-sales-success-continues-uk-retail/ |archive-date=June 10, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> It sold 46,091 units in its first week on sale in Japan, which placed it at number two on the sales chart.<ref>{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=April 25, 2017 |url=https://gematsu.com/2018/04/media-create-sales-4-16-18-4-22-18 |title=Media Create Sales: 4/16/18 – 4/22/18 |publisher=Gematsu |access-date=April 25, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425194023/https://gematsu.com/2018/04/media-create-sales-4-16-18-4-22-18 |archive-date=April 25, 2018 }}</ref> The game sold over 3.1 million units worldwide within three days of its release, making it the fastest-selling PlayStation 4 exclusive at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/god-war-ps4-fastest-selling-exclusive/|title=God of War Sold More Copies in 3 Days Than Horizon Did in 2 Weeks|work=[[Screen Rant]]|date=May 3, 2018|publisher=Valnet, Inc.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504010446/https://screenrant.com/god-war-ps4-fastest-selling-exclusive/|archive-date=May 4, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=May 3, 2018}}</ref> The game was the fastest-selling game of the month of its release and contributed to the PlayStation 4 being the best-selling console of that month.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ps4-outsells-xbox-one-and-switch-in-us-april-sales/1100-6459134/|title=PS4 Outsells Xbox One And Switch In US April Sales; Best-Selling Games Revealed|first=Eddie|last=Makuch|date=May 22, 2018|work=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=May 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523031529/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ps4-outsells-xbox-one-and-switch-in-us-april-sales/1100-6459134/|archive-date=May 23, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In total, the game sold over 5 million units in its first month, with 2.1 million in digital sales.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/05/25/god-of-war-sales-top-5-million-in-the-first-month|title=God of War Sales Top 5 Million in the First Month|first=Shabana|last=Arif|date=May 25, 2018|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|work=[[IGN]]|access-date=January 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112043441/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/05/25/god-of-war-sales-top-5-million-in-the-first-month|archive-date=January 12, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/2018/05/24/fortnite-god-of-war-april-digital-sales/|title=Fortnite made $296 million in April and God of War sold 2.1M digital units|date=May 24, 2018|work=VG247|publisher=[[Gamer Network]]|access-date=January 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112043441/https://www.vg247.com/2018/05/24/fortnite-god-of-war-april-digital-sales/|archive-date=January 12, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> By May 2019, the game had sold over 10 million units worldwide, making it the best-selling game in the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/IR/library/presen/irday/pdf/2019/GNS_E.pdf|title=Sony IR Dat 2019 Game & Network Services Segment|date=May 21, 2019|publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]]|access-date=May 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521063835/https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/IR/library/presen/irday/pdf/2019/GNS_E.pdf|archive-date=May 21, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ca.ign.com/articles/2019/05/21/god-of-war-sales-have-passed-10-million|title=God of War Sales Have Passed 10 Million – IGN|date=May 21, 2019|last=Bankhurst|first=Adam|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|work=[[IGN]]|language=en-US|access-date=May 21, 2019|archive-date=October 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020011044/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/05/21/god-of-war-sales-have-passed-10-million|url-status=live}}</ref> By August 2021, total sales of the game had exceeded over 19.5 million units, making it the [[best-selling PlayStation 4 game]].<ref name="psblog windows"/> By March 2022, the Windows version had sold 971,000 units, giving a total of over 20.4 million units sold.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony Group Portal - Business Segment Briefings 2022 |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/IR/library/presen/irday/ |access-date=September 29, 2022 |website=www.sony.com |archive-date=September 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929043222/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/IR/library/presen/irday/ |url-status=live }}</ref> By November 2022, the game had sold 23 million units.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/IR/library/presen/er/pdf/22q2_sonyspeech.pdf |title=Q2 FY2022 Consolidated Financial Results |date=November 1, 2022 |access-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102003904/https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/IR/library/presen/er/pdf/22q2_sonyspeech.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Accolades===
''God of War'' won [[List of Game of the Year awards|Game of the Year]] awards from several [[gaming publications]], including [[British Academy Games Awards]],<ref name="Bafta goty"/> ''[[The Blade (Toledo, Ohio)|The Blade]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/peach-weekender/2018/12/20/god-of-war-rules-over-2018-video-games/stories/20181220008|title=God of War rules over 2018 video games|work=The Blade|access-date=December 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221133011/https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/peach-weekender/2018/12/20/god-of-war-rules-over-2018-video-games/stories/20181220008|archive-date=December 21, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> [[CNET]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/videos/the-best-games-of-2018-cnets-top-picks/|title=The best games of 2018 - CNET's Top Picks|date=December 17, 2018|work=[[CNET]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=December 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221025352/https://www.cnet.com/videos/the-best-games-of-2018-cnets-top-picks/|archive-date=December 21, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Destructoid'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-s-award-for-overall-best-game-of-2018-goes-to--535232.phtml|title=Destructoid's Best game of 2018 goes to...|work=[[Destructoid]]|publisher=[[Enthusiast Gaming]]|date=December 21, 2018|access-date=December 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112043441/https://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-s-award-for-overall-best-game-of-2018-goes-to--535232.phtml|archive-date=January 12, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> [[22nd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards|D.I.C.E. Awards]],<ref name="dice goty"/> ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-games-2018-far/|title=Best games of 2018|work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|date=December 13, 2018 |access-date=December 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220231426/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-games-2018-far/|archive-date=December 20, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'',<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/gaming/the-best-games-of-2018/#1-god-of-war|title=The best games of 2018|date=December 10, 2018|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=December 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220230622/https://ew.com/gaming/the-best-games-of-2018/#1-god-of-war|archive-date=December 20, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> [[G1 (website)|G1]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://g1.globo.com/pop-arte/games/noticia/2018/12/20/os-10-games-que-marcaram-2018-a-disputa-entre-red-dead-redemption-2-e-god-of-war.ghtml|language=pt|title=Os 10 games que marcaram 2018: A disputa entre Red Dead Redemption 2 e God of War|work=[[G1 (website)|G1]]|publisher=[[Grupo Globo]]|date=December 20, 2018|access-date=December 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220104539/https://g1.globo.com/pop-arte/games/noticia/2018/12/20/os-10-games-que-marcaram-2018-a-disputa-entre-red-dead-redemption-2-e-god-of-war.ghtml|archive-date=December 20, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> [[The Game Awards 2018|The Game Awards]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thegameawards.com/awards/|title=The Game Awards 2018 Winners|publisher=[[The Game Awards]]|date=December 7, 2018|access-date=December 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221230047/https://thegameawards.com/awards/|archive-date=December 21, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Game Developers Choice Awards]],<ref name="gdcagoty"/> ''Game Informer'',<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2019/01/08/game-informers-best-of-2018-awards|title=Game Informer's Best of 2018 awards|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|publisher=[[GameStop]]|date=January 8, 2019|access-date=January 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109015730/https://www.gameinformer.com/2019/01/08/game-informers-best-of-2018-awards|archive-date=January 9, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Game Revolution'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/features/468009-top-50-best-games-of-2018-ps4-pc-switch-xbox-one/5|title=Game Revolution's Top 50 games of 2018|work=[[Game Revolution]]|publisher=[[CraveOnline]]|date=December 20, 2018|access-date=December 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221041823/https://www.gamerevolution.com/features/468009-top-50-best-games-of-2018-ps4-pc-switch-xbox-one/5|archive-date=December 21, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> ''GamesRadar+'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-games-2018/3/?region-switch=1545460333|title=Best games of 2018|work=[[GamesRadar+]]|date=December 22, 2018|access-date=December 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223073526/https://www.gamesradar.com/best-games-2018/3/?region-switch=1545460333|archive-date=December 23, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> ''IGN'',<ref name="IGNGOTY2018"/> [[Nerdist]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nerdist.com/best-video-games-2018-red-dead-redemption-2-god-of-war-spider-man-super-smash-bros/|title=Best video games of 2018|work=[[Nerdist]]|publisher=[[Legendary Entertainment|Legendary Digital Entertainment]]|access-date=December 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222035035/https://nerdist.com/best-video-games-2018-red-dead-redemption-2-god-of-war-spider-man-super-smash-bros/|archive-date=December 22, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> [[New York Game Awards]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Here Are All Of The New York Game Awards Winners! |url=https://nygamecritics.com/2019/01/23/here-are-all-of-the-new-york-game-awards-winners/ |date=January 23, 2019 |publisher=New York Videogame Critics Circle |language=en |access-date=May 30, 2020 |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806075241/https://nygamecritics.com/2019/01/23/here-are-all-of-the-new-york-game-awards-winners/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Polygon'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/best-games-2018/2018/12/21/18149534/god-of-war-game-of-the-year-2018|title=God of War is the best game of 2018|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|date=December 21, 2018|access-date=December 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221213215/https://www.polygon.com/best-games-2018/2018/12/21/18149534/god-of-war-game-of-the-year-2018|archive-date=December 21, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Push Square]]'',<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barker |first1=Sammy |title=Game of the Year 2018: #1 - God of War |url=http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2019/01/game_of_the_year_2018_1_-_god_of_war |work=[[Push Square]] |date=January 2019 |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |access-date=January 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101162119/http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2019/01/game_of_the_year_2018_1_-_god_of_war |archive-date=January 1, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Slant Magazine]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/features/article/the-25-best-video-games-of-2018/P5|title=The 25 best video games of 2018|work=[[Slant Magazine]]
| date=December 13, 2018 |access-date=December 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222034231/https://www.slantmagazine.com/features/article/the-25-best-video-games-of-2018/P5|archive-date=December 22, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'',<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/5455710/best-video-games-2018/|title=Best Video Games of 2018|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|publisher=USA, LLC|access-date=December 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130095014/http://time.com/5455710/best-video-games-2018/|archive-date=November 30, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/features/video-game-of-the-year-2018-1203092610/amp/|title=The Best Video Games of 2018: Norse Gods, Cowboy Criminals, Mech Pilots|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=December 26, 2018|access-date=December 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227085024/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/features/video-game-of-the-year-2018-1203092610/amp/|archive-date=December 27, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and VideoGamer.com.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.videogamer.com/audio/videogamers-game-of-the-year-2018|title=VideoGamer's Game of the Year 2018|website=videogamer.com|date=December 26, 2018|access-date=December 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227230241/https://www.videogamer.com/audio/videogamers-game-of-the-year-2018|archive-date=December 27, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The game was named among the best games of the 2010s by ''Areajugones'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://areajugones.sport.es/videojuegos/los-mejores-juegos-de-la-decada-para-ps4-xbox-one-switch-y-pc/|title=Los mejores juegos de la decada para PS4, Xbox One, Switch y PC|work=Areajugones|language=es|date=December 22, 2019|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112153557/https://areajugones.sport.es/videojuegos/los-mejores-juegos-de-la-decada-para-ps4-xbox-one-switch-y-pc/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[BuzzFeed]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/andyneuenschwander/20-best-video-games-of-the-2010s|title=The 20 Best Video Games Of The Decade, Ranked|date=December 9, 2019|work=BuzzFeed|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-date=September 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925204532/https://www.buzzfeed.com/andyneuenschwander/20-best-video-games-of-the-2010s|url-status=live}}</ref> ''GameSpew'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespew.com/2019/12/the-50-best-games-of-the-decade-10-1/|title=The 50 Best Games of the Decade|work=GameSpew|date=December 13, 2019|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001232507/https://www.gamespew.com/2019/12/the-50-best-games-of-the-decade-10-1/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''GamesRadar+'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/decade-best-games-2010-2019/4/|title=The 100 best games of the decade|work=GamesRadar+|date=December 12, 2019|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112042403/https://www.gamesradar.com/decade-best-games-2010-2019/4/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Gaming Age'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gaming-age.com/2019/12/gaming-ages-games-of-the-decade-20-1/|title=Gaming Age's Games of te Decade|date=December 10, 2019|work=Gaming Age|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112153558/https://gaming-age.com/2019/12/gaming-ages-games-of-the-decade-20-1/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''GamingBolt'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamingbolt.com/top-30-best-games-of-the-decade-part-2|title=Top 30 Best Games of the Decade|work=GamingBolt|date=December 21, 2019|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112153600/https://gamingbolt.com/top-30-best-games-of-the-decade-part-2|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'',<ref name="Decade THR">{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/20-best-games-decade-1258724/item/mass-effect-2-games-decade-1258732 |title=The Best Games of the Decade |last1=Beresford |first1=Trilby |last2=Fanelli |first2=Jason |last3=Heltzel |first3=Natalie |last4=Keeley |first4=Pete |last5=Newby |first5=Richard |last6=Parker |first6=Ryan |last7=Vincent |first7=Brittany |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]  |date=December 6, 2019 |access-date=December 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209002604/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/20-best-games-decade-1258724/item/mass-effect-2-games-decade-1258732 |archive-date=December 9, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''IGN'',<ref name="IGN Decade">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQwp93Xw-8Q|title=The Best Games of the Decade (2010-2019)|work=IGN|date=December 31, 2019|access-date=January 15, 2020|archive-date=January 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108085543/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQwp93Xw-8Q&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref> Metacritic,<ref name="Decade MC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/feature/best-videogames-of-the-decade-2010s |title=The Best Video Games of the Decade (2010-19), According to Game Critics |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=December 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208051915/https://www.metacritic.com/feature/best-videogames-of-the-decade-2010s |archive-date=December 8, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Slant Magazine]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/features/the-100-best-video-games-of-the-2010s/|work=Slant Magazine|title=The 100 Best Video Games of the 2010s|date=December 30, 2019|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-date=January 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200117062618/https://www.slantmagazine.com/features/the-100-best-video-games-of-the-2010s/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.tv/features/stuff-decade-25-best-games|title=Stuff of te Decade: The 25 best games|work=Stuff|date=December 29, 2019|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-date=January 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113052714/https://www.stuff.tv/features/stuff-decade-25-best-games|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[VG247]]''.<ref name="Decade VG247">{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/2019/11/27/best-video-games-of-the-decade-the-top-50-games-from-2010-2020-ranked/ |title=The best video games of the decade – the top 50 games from 2010-2010, ranked |work=[[VG247]] |publisher=videogaming247 Ltd. |date=November 27, 2019 |access-date=December 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130175800/https://www.vg247.com/2019/11/27/best-video-games-of-the-decade-the-top-50-games-from-2010-2020-ranked/ |archive-date=November 30, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was voted as the winner of IGN's Best Video Game of All Time.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bankhurst|first=Adam|date=September 9, 2021|title=God of War Is the Winner of ''IGN''{{'}}s Best Video Game of All Time Bracket|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/ign-best-video-game-of-all-time-bracket-vote-finale-results-winners-god-of-war|access-date=November 20, 2021|website=IGN|archive-date=November 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120190729/https://www.ign.com/articles/ign-best-video-game-of-all-time-bracket-vote-finale-results-winners-god-of-war|url-status=live}}</ref>
The game was nominated for Game of the Show, Best PlayStation 4 Game, and Best Action Game at ''IGN''{{'}}s Best of E3 2016 Awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/14/best-of-e3-2016-awards?page=1|title=Best of E3 2016 Awards|date=June 14, 2016|author=IGN's E3 Crew|work=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|access-date=July 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622202613/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/14/best-of-e3-2016-awards?page=1|archive-date=June 22, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> It won the award for Game of the Year, Best PlayStation 4 Game, Best Action-Adventure Game, Best Art Direction, and Best Story at ''IGN''{{'}}s Best of 2018 Awards.<ref name="IGNGOTY2018">{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/12/10/best-game-of-the-year-2018?read | title = Best Game of the Year 2018 | work = [[IGN]] | publisher = [[Ziff Davis]] | date = December 10, 2018 | access-date = December 21, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181221230818/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/12/10/best-game-of-the-year-2018?read | archive-date = December 21, 2018 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/12/10/best-playstation-4-game-2018?read | title = Best PlayStation 4 Game of 2018 | work = [[IGN]] | publisher = [[Ziff Davis]] | date = December 10, 2018 | access-date = December 21, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181221230925/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/12/10/best-playstation-4-game-2018?read | archive-date = December 21, 2018 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="IGN2018">{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/12/10/best-action-adventure-game-2018 | title = Best Action-Adventure Game of 2018 | work = [[IGN]] | publisher = [[Ziff Davis]] | date = December 10, 2018 | access-date = December 21, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181221231135/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/12/10/best-action-adventure-game-2018 | archive-date = December 21, 2018 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/12/10/best-video-game-story-2018 | title = Best Video Game Story of 2018 | work = [[IGN]] | publisher = [[Ziff Davis]] | date = December 10, 2018 | access-date = December 21, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181221230706/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/12/10/best-video-game-story-2018 | archive-date = December 21, 2018 | url-status = live }}</ref> It was a runner-up for Best Graphics,<ref name="IGN2018"/> and was nominated for Best Music.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/12/10/best-video-game-music-2018 | title = Best Video Game Music of 2018 | work = [[IGN]] | publisher = [[Ziff Davis]] | date = December 10, 2018 | access-date = December 21, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181221231014/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/12/10/best-video-game-music-2018 | archive-date = December 21, 2018 | url-status = live }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|-
! scope="col"|Year
! scope="col"|Award
! scope="col"|Category
! scope="col"|Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable"|Ref.
|-
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | 2016
| [[Game Critics Awards]] 2016
| Special Commendation for Graphics
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/2016winners.html | title = Best of E3 2016 (winners) | work = [[Game Critics Awards]] | access-date = July 6, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032924/http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/winners.html?sf30398241=1 | archive-date = December 1, 2017 | url-status = live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Golden Joystick Awards]]
| Most Wanted Game
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/golden-joystick-awards/news/a807943/golden-joystick-awards-2016-voting-now-open-to-the-public/ | title = Golden Joystick Awards 2016 voting now open to the public | first = Sam | last = Loveridge | date = September 15, 2016 | work = [[Digital Spy]] | publisher = [[Hearst Communications]] | access-date = September 4, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170228140939/http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/golden-joystick-awards/news/a807943/golden-joystick-awards-2016-voting-now-open-to-the-public/ | archive-date = February 28, 2017 | url-status = live}}</ref>
|-
| [[The Game Awards 2016]]
| Most Anticipated Game
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/articles/all-the-2016-game-awards-nominees/1100-6445481/ | title = All the 2016 Game Awards Nominees | first = Eddie | last = Makuch | date = November 16, 2016 | access-date = November 16, 2016 | work = [[GameSpot]] | publisher = [[CBS Interactive]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161124010129/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/all-the-2016-game-awards-nominees/1100-6445481/ | archive-date = November 24, 2016 | url-status = live}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 2017
| Golden Joystick Awards
| Most Wanted Game
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web | url = https://bestinslot.co/golden-joystick-awards-2017-nominees/ | title = Golden Joystick Awards 2017 Nominees | first = Eri | last = Gaito | date = November 13, 2017 | work = Best in Slot | access-date = September 21, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190112043432/https://bestinslot.co/golden-joystick-awards-2017-nominees/ | archive-date = January 12, 2019 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
|-
| [[The Game Awards 2017]]
| Most Anticipated Game
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="vg247">{{cite web | url = https://www.vg247.com/2017/11/14/the-game-awards-2017-goty-nominees-include-wolfenstein-2-horizon-zero-dawn-pubg-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-more/ | title = The Game Awards 2017 GOTY nominees include: Wolfenstein 2, Horizon: Zero Dawn, PUBG, Zelda: Breath of the Wild, more | first = Stephanny | last = Nunneley | date = November 14, 2017 | access-date = November 15, 2017 | work = [[VG247]] | publisher = [[Gamer Network]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180413193459/https://www.vg247.com/2017/11/14/the-game-awards-2017-goty-nominees-include-wolfenstein-2-horizon-zero-dawn-pubg-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-more/ | archive-date = April 13, 2018 | url-status = live}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="23" style="text-align:center;" | 2018
| rowspan="2" | [[The Independent Game Developers' Association]] Awards
| Best Action and Adventure Game
| {{won}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web | url = http://tiga.org/news/tiga-announces-games-industry-awards-2018-finalists | title = TIGA Announces Games Industry Awards 2018 Finalists | first = Suzi | last = Stephenson | date = September 19, 2018 | work = [[The Independent Game Developers' Association]] | access-date = September 21, 2018 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20180922010642/http://tiga.org/news/tiga-announces-games-industry-awards-2018-finalists | archive-date = September 22, 2018 | url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://tiga.org/awards/2018-winners | title = 2018 Winners | work = The Independent Game Developers' Association | date = November 1, 2018 | access-date = November 2, 2018 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20181103110952/http://tiga.org/awards/2018-winners | archive-date = November 3, 2018 | url-status = live}}</ref>
|-
| Best Audio Design
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[9th Hollywood Music in Media Awards]]
| Original Score - Video Game
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.hmmawards.com/2018-music-in-visual-media-nominations/ | title = 2018 Music in Visual Media Nominations | work = [[Hollywood Music in Media Awards]] | access-date = November 14, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181017001851/https://www.hmmawards.com/2018-music-in-visual-media-nominations/ | archive-date = October 17, 2018 | url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.hmmawards.com/2018-hmma-winners/ | title = 2018 HMMA WINNERS | work = [[Hollywood Music in Media Awards]] | date = November 14, 2018 | access-date = November 15, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181115112925/https://www.hmmawards.com/2018-hmma-winners/ | archive-date = November 15, 2018 | url-status = live}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="5" | [[2018 Golden Joystick Awards]]
| Best Storytelling
| {{won}}
| rowspan="5" style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/news/golden-joysticks-2018-nominees-announced-voting-open-now/ | title = Golden Joysticks 2018 nominees announced, voting open now | first = Tom | last = Hoggins | date = September 24, 2018 | newspaper = [[The Daily Telegraph]] | access-date = September 24, 2018 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20181008021037/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/news/golden-joysticks-2018-nominees-announced-voting-open-now/ | archive-date = October 8, 2018 | url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.tomsguide.com/us/golden-joystick-awards-ultimate-game-of-the-year,news-28386.html | title = Golden Joystick Awards: Vote for Ultimate Game of the Year | first = Michael | last = Andronico | date = October 26, 2018 | work = [[Tom's Guide]] | publisher = [[Purch Group]] | access-date = November 14, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181114100612/https://www.tomsguide.com/us/golden-joystick-awards-ultimate-game-of-the-year,news-28386.html | archive-date = November 14, 2018 | url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesradar.com/golden-joystick-awards-2018-winners/ | title = Golden Joystick Awards 2018 winners: God of War wins big but Fortnite gets Victory Royale | first = Connor | last = Sheridan | date = November 16, 2018 | work = [[GamesRadar+]] | publisher = [[Future plc]] | access-date = November 16, 2018 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20181116184649/https://www.gamesradar.com/golden-joystick-awards-2018-winners/ | archive-date = November 16, 2018 | url-status = live}}</ref>
|-
| Best Video Design
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Audio Design
| {{won}}
|-
| PlayStation Game of the Year
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Ultimate Game of the Year]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="8" | [[The Game Awards 2018]]
| [[The Game Award for Game of the Year|Game of the Year]]
| {{won}}
| rowspan="8" style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/13/18092186/game-awards-2018-nominees-show-date-start-time | title = The Game Awards 2018 nominees led by God of War, Red Dead Redemption 2 | first = Michael | last = McWhertor | date = November 13, 2018 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] | publisher = [[Vox Media]] | access-date = November 14, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181118173632/https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/13/18092186/game-awards-2018-nominees-show-date-start-time | archive-date = November 18, 2018 | url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/game-awards-tga/2018/12/6/18130000/the-game-awards-winners-2018 | title = The Game Awards 2018: Here are all the winners | first = Christopher | last = Grant | date = December 6, 2018 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] | publisher = [[Vox Media]] | access-date = December 7, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181207114102/https://www.polygon.com/game-awards-tga/2018/12/6/18130000/the-game-awards-winners-2018 | archive-date = December 7, 2018 | url-status = live}}</ref>
|-
| Best Game Direction
| {{Won}}
|-
| Best Narrative
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Art Direction
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Score/Music
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Audio Design
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Performance <small>(Christopher Judge)</small>
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Action/Adventure Game
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="7" | [[Gamers' Choice Awards]]
| Fan Favorite Game
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="7" style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamerschoice.tv/index.aspx | title = 2018 Gamers' Choice Awards | work = [[Gamers' Choice Awards]] | publisher = [[CBS]] | date = December 9, 2018 | access-date = January 4, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190103210647/http://www.gamerschoice.tv/index.aspx | archive-date = January 3, 2019 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://file770.com/2018-gamers-choice-awards-nominees/ | title = 2018 Gamers' Choice Awards Nominees | first = Mike | last = Glyer | date = November 19, 2018 | work = File 770 | access-date = January 4, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190112043428/http://file770.com/2018-gamers-choice-awards-nominees/ | archive-date = January 12, 2019 | url-status = live}}</ref>
|-
| Fan Favorite Action Game
| {{nom}}
|-
| Fan Favorite Single Player Gaming Experience
| {{nom}}
|-
| Fan Favorite Character of the Year
| {{nom}}
|-
| Fan Favorite Male Voice Actor <small>(Christopher Judge)</small>
| {{won}}
|-
| Fan Favorite Male Voice Actor <small>(Jeremy Davies)</small>
| {{nom}}
|-
| Fan Favorite Female Voice Actor <small>(Danielle Bisutti)</small>
| {{nom}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="42" |2019
|[[46th Annie Awards]]
| Character Animation in a Video Game
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web | url = https://variety.com/2018/film/news/incredibles-2-ralph-annie-awards-nominations-1203077216/ | title = 'Incredibles 2,' 'Ralph Breaks the Internet' Top Annie Awards Nominations | first = Terry | last = Flores | date = December 3, 2018 | work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]  | access-date = December 7, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181218230247/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/incredibles-2-ralph-annie-awards-nominations-1203077216/ | archive-date = December 18, 2018 | url-status = live}}</ref>
|-
| [[17th Visual Effects Society Awards]]
| Outstanding Visual Effects in a Real-Time Project
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web | url = https://variety.com/2019/artisans/awards/visual-effects-society-nominations-avengers-infinity-war-1203108109/ | title = Avengers,' 'Lost in Space,' 'Ready Player One' Lead Visual Effects Society Nominations | first = Kristopher | last = Tapley | date = January 15, 2019 | work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]  | access-date = January 17, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190115234530/https://variety.com/2019/artisans/awards/visual-effects-society-nominations-avengers-infinity-war-1203108109/ | archive-date = January 15, 2019 | url-status = live}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="12" | [[22nd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards]]
| [[D.I.C.E. Award for Game of the Year|Game of the Year]]
| {{won}}
| rowspan="12" style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-spider-man-lead-dice-awards-heres-all-t/1100-6464345/ | title = God Of War, Spider-Man Lead DICE Awards; Here's All The Nominees | first = Eddie | last = Makuch | date = January 10, 2019 | work = [[GameSpot]] | publisher = [[CBS Interactive]] | access-date = January 11, 2019 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20190112075455/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-spider-man-lead-dice-awards-heres-all-t/1100-6464345/ | archive-date = January 12, 2019 | url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="dice goty">{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/02/14/god-of-war-wins-game-of-the-year-at-dice-awards-dice-2019 | title = God Of War Wins Game Of The Year At Dice Awards - Dice 2019 | first = Colin | last = Stevens | date = February 13, 2019 | work = [[IGN]] | publisher = [[Ziff Davis]] | access-date = February 14, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190214143458/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/02/14/god-of-war-wins-game-of-the-year-at-dice-awards-dice-2019 | archive-date = February 14, 2019 | url-status = live}}</ref>
|-
| [[D.I.C.E. Award for Adventure Game of the Year|Adventure Game of the Year]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Animation|Outstanding Achievement in Animation]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction|Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Character|Outstanding Achievement in Character]] <small>(Atreus)</small>
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Character|Outstanding Achievement in Character]] <small>(Kratos)</small>
| {{won}}
|-
| [[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Game Design|Outstanding Achievement in Game Design]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction|Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition|Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design|Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Story|Outstanding Achievement in Story]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement|Outstanding Technical Achievement]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Writers Guild of America Awards 2018]]
| Outstanding Achievement in Videogame Writing
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.wga.org/news-events/news/press/2019/writers-guild-awards-screenplay-and-videogame-writing-nominations-announced | title = 2019 Writers Guild Awards Screenplay and Videogame Writing Nominations Announced | work = [[Writers Guild of America West]] | date = January 7, 2019 | access-date = January 11, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190213123622/https://www.wga.org/news-events/news/press/2019/writers-guild-awards-screenplay-and-videogame-writing-nominations-announced | archive-date = February 13, 2019 | url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://variety.com/2019/film/news/wga-awards-2019-winners-1203141993/ | title = WGA Awards 2019 Winners | first = Dave | last = McNary | date = February 17, 2019 | work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | access-date = February 18, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190218201923/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/wga-awards-2019-winners-1203141993/ | archive-date = February 18, 2019 | url-status = live}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="8" | [[SXSW Gaming Awards]]
| Video Game of the Year
| {{won}}
| rowspan="8" style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web | url = https://gaming.sxsw.com/news/2019/2019-sxsw-gaming-awards-finalists/ | title = Here Are Your 2019 SXSW Gaming Awards Finalists! | first = Logan | last = Trent | date = February 11, 2019 | work = [[South by Southwest]] | access-date = February 15, 2019 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20190214234206/https://gaming.sxsw.com/news/2019/2019-sxsw-gaming-awards-finalists/ | archive-date = February 14, 2019 | url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2019/03/17/sxsw-gaming-awards-winners-2019/#/slide/1 | title = God of War Takes Home 'Game of the Year' at SXSW 2019 Gaming Awards | first = Zarmena | last = Khan | date = March 17, 2019 | publisher = [[CraveOnline]] | work = PlayStation LifeStyle | access-date = March 17, 2019 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20190318141404/https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2019/03/17/sxsw-gaming-awards-winners-2019/%23/slide/1 | archive-date = March 18, 2019 | url-status = live}}</ref>
|-
| Excellence in SFX
| {{nom}}
|-
| Excellence in Animation
| {{nom}}
|-
| Excellence in Gameplay
| {{nom}}
|-
| Excellence in Technical Achievement
| {{nom}}
|-
| Excellence in Narrative
| {{nom}}
|-
| Excellence in Visual Achievement
| {{won}}
|-
| Excellence in Design
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="6" | [[19th Game Developers Choice Awards]]
| [[Game Developers Choice Award for Game of the Year|Game of the Year]]
| {{won}}
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/platform/amp/2019/1/4/18168931/gdc-choice-awards-2019-nominees-red-dead-redemption-2-spider-man-god-of-war-celeste | title = Red Dead Redemption 2 tops list of Game Developers Choice nominees | first = Owen S. | last = Good | date = January 4, 2019 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] | publisher = [[Vox Media]] | access-date = January 6, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190105145410/https://www.polygon.com/platform/amp/2019/1/4/18168931/gdc-choice-awards-2019-nominees-red-dead-redemption-2-spider-man-god-of-war-celeste | archive-date = January 5, 2019 | url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="gdcagoty">{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-wins-game-of-the-year-at-gdc-awards/1100-6465743/ | title = God of War wins Game of the Year at GDC Awards | first = Eddie | last = Makuch | date = March 20, 2019 | work = [[GameSpot]] | publisher = [[CBS Interactive]] | access-date = March 21, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190321093148/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-wins-game-of-the-year-at-gdc-awards/1100-6465743/ | archive-date = March 21, 2019 | url-status = live}}</ref>
|-
| Best Audio
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Design
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Narrative
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Technology
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Game Developers Choice Award for Best Visual Art|Best Visual Art]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="10" | [[15th British Academy Games Awards]]
| [[British Academy Games Award for Best Game|Best Game]]
| {{won}}
| rowspan="10" style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web | url = https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/british-academy-games-awards-2019-nominees-1203163369/ | title = 'God of War,' 'Red Dead 2' Lead BAFTA Game Awards Nominations | first = Stefanie | last = Fogel | date = March 14, 2019 | work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]  | access-date = March 14, 2019 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20190314185010/https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/british-academy-games-awards-2019-nominees-1203163369/ | archive-date = March 14, 2019 | url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="Bafta goty">{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-47817730 | title = God of War wins best game at Bafta Awards | first1 = Chris | last1 = Fox | first2 = Zoe | last2 = Kleinman | date = April 4, 2019 | work = [[BBC]] | access-date = April 4, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190405162942/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-47817730 | archive-date = April 5, 2019 | url-status = live}}</ref>
|-
| Artistic Achievement
| {{nom}}
|-
| Audio Achievement
| {{won}}
|-
| [[British Academy Games Award for Game Design|Game Design]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Music
| {{won}}
|-
| Narrative
| {{won}}
|-
| [[British Academy Games Award for Performer|Performer]] <small>(Christopher Judge)</small>
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[British Academy Games Award for Performer|Performer]] <small>(Danielle Bisutti)</small>
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[British Academy Games Award for Performer|Performer]] <small>(Jeremy Davies)</small>
| {{won}}
|-
| [[British Academy Games Award for Performer|Performer]] <small>(Sunny Suljic)</small>
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[2019 Webby Awards]]
| Best Music/Sound Design
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/23/18511329/2019-webby-awards-all-the-winners | title = Here are all the winners of the 2019 Webby Awards | first = Shannon | last = Liao | date = April 23, 2019 | work = [[The Verge]] | publisher = [[Vox Media]] | access-date = April 24, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190423233428/https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/23/18511329/2019-webby-awards-all-the-winners/ | archive-date = April 23, 2019 | url-status = live}}</ref>
|-
| [[American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers|ASCAP Composers' Choice Awards]]
| 2018 Video Game Score of the Year
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.ascap.com/news-events/awards/2019/composers-choice | title = Vote in the 2019 ASCAP Composers' Choice Awards! | work = [[American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers]] | date = April 2, 2019 | access-date = April 22, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190406183606/https://www.ascap.com/news-events/awards/2019/composers-choice | archive-date = April 6, 2019 | url-status = live}}</ref>
|-
| 2019 [[Nebula Award]]s
| [[Nebula Award for Best Game Writing|Game Writing]]
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web | url = https://nebulas.sfwa.org/award-year/2018/ | title = 2018 Nebula Awards® | work = [[Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America]] | date = May 18, 2019 | access-date = February 28, 2020 | archive-date = November 28, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191128175713/https://nebulas.sfwa.org/award-year/2018/ | url-status = live }}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" |2022
| rowspan="2" |[[The Steam Awards]]
|Game of the Year
|{{Nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fragen |first=Jordan |date=2023-01-03 |title=The Steam Awards 2022 announces winners |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/the-steam-awards-2022-announces-winners/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101021750/https://venturebeat.com/games/the-steam-awards-2022-announces-winners/ |archive-date=2024-01-01 |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|Outstanding Story-Rich Game
|{{Won}}
|}
{{Clear}}
== Sequel ==
{{main|God of War Ragnarök}}
Following ''God of War''{{'}}s announcement in mid-2016, Barlog confirmed that it would not be Kratos's last game.<ref name="single-player-only"/> He also said that after the Norse era, future games could see the series tackling [[Egyptian mythology|Egyptian]] or [[Maya mythology]],<ref name="GIp45"/> and although the 2018 installment focused on Norse mythology, it alluded to the fact there are other mythologies co-existing in the world.<ref>{{cite AV media|people=[[Cory Barlog|Barlog, Cory]]; Studstill, Shannon|date=January 9, 2018|title=Norse and Beyond: Expanding God of War's Mythology|medium=[[YouTube]]|language=en|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzW2sBmR5CQ&t=15s|access-date=February 1, 2018|publisher=[[Game Informer]], [[GameStop]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413190910/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzW2sBmR5CQ&t=15s|archive-date=April 13, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Barlog also said he liked the idea of having different directors for each game, as had happened with the Greek era, and that although he might not direct another ''God of War'', he would still be at Santa Monica to work on future games.<ref name="GIquestions"/>
A sequel, ''[[God of War Ragnarök]]'', was officially announced at the PlayStation 5 Showcase event in September 2020 and was originally scheduled to be released in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hernandez|first=Patricia|date=September 16, 2020|title=God of War sequel coming to PS5 in 2021|url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/9/16/21440391/god-of-war-ps5-sequel-ragnarok|access-date=September 17, 2020|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|language=en|archive-date=September 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920181229/https://www.polygon.com/2020/9/16/21440391/god-of-war-ps5-sequel-ragnarok|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the game was delayed, in part, due to the COVID-19 pandemic,<ref>{{cite web|title=Hermen Hulst Q&A: What's Next for PlayStation Studios|url=https://blog.playstation.com/2021/06/02/hermen-hulst-qa-whats-next-for-playstation-studios/#sf246401757|last=Shuman|first=Sid|date=June 2, 2021|access-date=June 2, 2021|website=[[PlayStation.Blog]]|publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]]|archive-date=June 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603203837/https://blog.playstation.com/2021/06/02/hermen-hulst-qa-whats-next-for-playstation-studios/#sf246401757|url-status=live}}</ref> and released worldwide on November 9, 2022, for both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5,<ref name="release-date-confirmed">{{Cite web |date=July 6, 2022 |title=God of War Ragnarök launches November 9, new CG trailer revealed |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2022/07/06/god-of-war-ragnarok-launches-november-9-new-cg-trailer-revealed/ |last=Orlady |first=Grace |access-date=July 6, 2022 |work=[[PlayStation.Blog]] |publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] |language=en-US |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706130541/https://blog.playstation.com/2022/07/06/god-of-war-ragnarok-launches-november-9-new-cg-trailer-revealed/ |url-status=live }}</ref> marking the first cross-gen release in the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/god-of-war-gow-ragnarok-ps5-ps4-sales-record/|title=God of War Ragnarok Reportedly Sets New Franchise Record|date=November 13, 2022|last=Moore|first=Logan|work=[[ComicBook.com]]|publisher=[[Paramount Global]]|access-date=November 15, 2022|archive-date=November 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115035605/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/god-of-war-gow-ragnarok-ps5-ps4-sales-record/|url-status=live}}</ref> Barlog stepped down as game director and became a producer and creative director, while Eric Williams, who had worked on every previous game in the series, assumed the role of game director. Taking place three years after the 2018 installment, ''Ragnarök'' concluded the Norse era of the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-ragnarok-ending-the-norse-saga-after-two-games-is-like-the-lord-of-the-rings-box-set-barlog-says/1100-6496283/|title=God Of War Ragnarok Ending The Norse Saga After Two Games Is Like The Lord Of The Rings Box Set, Barlog Says|date=September 16, 2021|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|work=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[Red Ventures]]|access-date=December 13, 2021|archive-date=December 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214020209/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-ragnarok-ending-the-norse-saga-after-two-games-is-like-the-lord-of-the-rings-box-set-barlog-says/1100-6496283/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Television series==
In March 2022, it was reported that a [[live action]] television series was said to be in development at [[Amazon Prime Video]] by [[Mark Fergus]], [[Hawk Ostby]], and [[Rafe Judkins]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=March 7, 2022 |title='God of War' TV Series Adaptation Eyed By Prime Video |url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/god-of-war-tv-series-prime-video-playstation-amazon-studios-1234959867/ |access-date=March 7, 2022 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |language=en-US |archive-date=May 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526080655/https://deadline.com/2022/03/god-of-war-tv-series-prime-video-playstation-amazon-studios-1234959867/ |url-status=live }}</ref> During an investor briefing that May, [[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] president Jim Ryan confirmed that a ''God of War'' television series was in development for Prime Video.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-horizon-series-netflix-god-of-war-amazon-gran-turismo-tv|title=Sony Announces Horizon Series for Netflix, God of War Series for Amazon, and a Gran Turismo Show|date=May 26, 2022|last=Dinsdale|first=Ryan|work=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|access-date=May 26, 2022|archive-date=May 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526143217/https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-horizon-series-netflix-god-of-war-amazon-gran-turismo-tv|url-status=live}}</ref> The series was officially ordered in December 2022 and is being produced by [[Sony Pictures Television]] and [[Amazon Studios]] in association with [[PlayStation Productions]], and it will premiere on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Executive producers include Barlog, PlayStation Productions's Asad Qizilbash and Carter Swan, Santa Monica Studio's Yumi Yang, and [[Vertigo Entertainment]]'s [[Roy Lee]], with Santa Monica Studio's Jeff Ketcham serving as a co-executive producer. The series will adapt the Norse era, beginning with the events of the 2018 installment.<ref name="Prime-production">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/12/god-of-war-adaptation-playstation-video-game-series-order-prime-video-1235198842/|title='God Of War' Adaptation Of PlayStation Video Game Gets Prime Video Series Order|date=December 14, 2022|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|access-date=December 14, 2022|archive-date=December 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214180431/https://deadline.com/2022/12/god-of-war-adaptation-playstation-video-game-series-order-prime-video-1235198842/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Amazon Studios's Head of Television, Vernon Sanders, assured that the series would stay true to the game. Implying that there could be multiple seasons, Sanders said that the "emotional core" of the first season, and series as a whole, would be the father-and-son story.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/god-of-war-series-source-material-vernon-sanders-comments/|title='God of War' Series Will Be "True to Source Material" Says Amazon Studios' Vernon Sanders [Exclusive]|date=December 19, 2022|last=Villei|first=Matt|work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|publisher=Valnet, Inc.|access-date=December 21, 2022|archive-date=December 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220235247/https://collider.com/god-of-war-series-source-material-vernon-sanders-comments/|url-status=live}}</ref> Qizilbash stated that they would apply the same amount of care that they did with [[The Last of Us (TV series)|the television adaptation]] of ''The Last of Us'', stating that they would be telling the whole story of the game, as without the time constraints of a film, they have multiple episodes to be able to tell the story.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/god-of-war-horizon-tv-show-the-last-of-us-similar-playstation-productions/|title=God of War and Horizon TV Producer Claims Shows Will Be Similar to The Last of Us|date=April 21, 2023|last=Onder|first=Cade|work=[[ComicBook.com]]|publisher=[[Paramount Global]]|access-date=May 23, 2023|archive-date=April 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422091841/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/god-of-war-horizon-tv-show-the-last-of-us-similar-playstation-productions/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The series was originally being written by Fergus and Ostby, with Judkins serving as showrunner, who were all also going to be executive producers.<ref name="Prime-production"/> By January 2024, writing was underway.<ref name="WritingBegins">{{Cite web |last=Barnhardt |first=Adam |date=January 8, 2024 |title=Sony Shows Gravity Rush Movie, Updates on God of War and Horizon Shows |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-shows-gravity-rush-movie-updates-on-god-of-war-and-horizon-shows |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109045325/https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-shows-gravity-rush-movie-updates-on-god-of-war-and-horizon-shows |archive-date=January 9, 2024 |access-date=January 8, 2024 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> In October, however, it was reported that while multiple scripts for the first season had been completed and although both Sony and Prime gave praise, Fergus, Ostby, and Judkins left the project as the studios wanted to start over and go in a different direction.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/god-of-war-sony-executive-producers-depart-new-writers-joining-1236118075/|title='God Of War': Sony And Amazon Starting Over On Series After Departure Of EPs Rafe Judkins, Hawk Ostby & Mark Fergus|date=October 17, 2024|last=Rice|first=Lynette|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|access-date=October 17, 2024}}</ref> Prolific creator and showrunner [[Ronald D. Moore]] was then hired on as the series writer, showrunner, and as an executive producer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=October 22, 2024 |title='God Of War': Ronald D. Moore Boards Amazon Series As New Showrunner |url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/god-of-war-ronald-d-moore-amazon-series-showrunner-1236122550/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241022220902/https://deadline.com/2024/10/god-of-war-ronald-d-moore-amazon-series-showrunner-1236122550/ |archive-date=October 22, 2024 |access-date=October 22, 2024 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]}}</ref>
==Notes==
{{Notelist}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
===Works cited===
*{{cite book|last=Barlog|first=James M.|title=God of War – The Official Novelization|edition=1st|series=[[God of War (franchise)|God of War]]|date=August 28, 2018|publisher=[[Titan Books]]|location=United States|isbn=978-1-789-09014-7|ref=GoW2018novel}}
*{{cite magazine|last=Juba|first=Joe|date=February 2018|issue=298|title=Worshipping at New Altars: How Sony is Reinventing God of War|pages=34–45|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|location=[[Minneapolis]], [[Minnesota]]|publisher=[[GameStop]]|ref=GIcoverstory}}
==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
*{{Official website|https://godofwar.playstation.com/}}
*[https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/god-of-war-ps4/ U.S. PlayStation portal]
*{{IMDb title|id=5838588|title=God of War}}
* {{MobyGames|/god-of-war_}}
* {{Metacritic game}}
{{God of War}}
{{Santa Monica Studio}}
{{Navboxes|title=Game of the Year awards|list=
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