God of War

Cory Barlog and his team achieved what many thought impossible – despite having changed almost everything Santa Monica managed to preserve that elusive spark that makes God of War game feel like a God of War game. They created one of the defining titles of the current generation and a technical marvel whose stunning beauty in motion words cannot describe. And there’s one more thing. Barlog’s touching reaction to his masterpiece’s scores shows that even in the world of huge budgets, micropayments, loot boxes and sales forecasts there still is a place for artists who pour their hearts into their work. We need someone to remind us of that once in a while. [06/2018, p.38]

God of War shines with sincerity. It is a true and great masterpiece featuring amazing storytelling and a strong desire to develop its heroes throughout an incredible and generous adventure.

It has been a long time since a game has gripped me like God of War. It's the type of game that when you sit down to play it, hours pass by in the blink of an eye. It's the type of game that you can't put down; you always want to do just one last task. And it's the type of game that when you aren't playing it, you're thinking about playing it. Addictive, engrossing and compelling; it's epic, that's what it is.

With an exceptional story, brilliant acting, superb controls and gorgeous level design, God of War is a masterpiece and is easily the best title on the platform to date, and possibly the generation.

Like Tomb Raider before it, God of War has managed to keep something of its heritage while grounding its previously inaccessible main character and filling the whole experience with depth and feeling.

This brutally violent mythological adventure was the last place I ever thought I’d find deep, meaningful ruminations on what it is to be a father, and the sacrifices involved. God of War is brilliant in ways I never thought games could be. That it’s also perhaps the most highly polished game I’ve ever played, with unsurpassed presentation and mechanics, is actually secondary to the fact that it generated in me the kind of childlike awe I haven’t experienced in decades. I have been writing about video games for almost 20 years now, and in all that time I have never given any game a perfect score. Until now.

Plain and simple, God of War is one of the best games ever. Good luck to the other Game-of-the-Year contenders. The next generation is here.

The best comparison to be made is that Sony Santa Monica took a blockbuster, popcorn action flick and made it an Oscar contender, without sacrificing any of the series’ central DNA. God of War is one of this generation’s crowning achievements and is up there with some of Sony’s best.

God of War joins as the main star of Sony's arsenal of successful exclusive games and there is no doubt that every gamer with a PlayStation 4 system must play it.

God of War is a genre redefining epic, a triumph for SCI Santa Monica, and the single best reason to own a PS4 in 2018.

It’s a triumph in storytelling and design, making it one of the most exceptional experiences gaming has ever seen.

God of War is an absolute marvel of a game, a visual feast filled with immersive gameplay that is one of the must-play titles of 2018.

The new God of War, with its remarkable visuals, living world, superb combat mechanics and mature narration marks the beginning of a new era for the franchise and, dare we say, single player gaming altogether.

Kratos’ new beginning is full of heart, loaded with action and is easily one of the best games of this generation.

I couldn’t help but think of how Santa Monica took the best of GoW as a franchise and melded it beautifully with the most distinguishable designs of other modern games to create something with an immensely potent synergy.

Perhaps most importantly, I didn’t know how much more ground could be covered with Kratos as a character. The new Nordic mythology obviously gives Sony Santa Monica plenty of new material to play with, but it’s the new Kratos that’s responsible for the game’s most striking evolution...God of War grew up, and the result is the best entry in the series.

God of War is that rare game that manages to reinvent itself while still maintaining what made its predecessors such delights to play...A triumph, and well worth your time. Now grab your axe and get chopping.

God of War is the perfect trifecta of innovative gameplay, gorgeous visuals and engrossing narrative. It’s a game that grabbed me from its opening moments and had me holding my breath for almost 30 hours...This is a beautiful game and one of the most engaging experiences I’ve ever had. Unlike previous God of War entries, this is one game that I will be thinking about for many, many years to come.

Whether we're talking about the exploration, combat system, or the story, God of War is nothing short of a masterpiece.

Once mastered, God of War’s combat is one of the most rewarding I have tried in a long time. Kratos becomes a hurricane of death and destruction, blocking, shield bashing, slicing, dicing, spinning around and throwing his axe at an enemy further away, while pummeling closer monsters with punches and kicks, and then recalling the weapon to catch two more draugr in the back, before going in for one of the several spectacular finishers. It’s fast, complex, addictive, and exhilarating, but I never once felt like I wasn’t in control.

A tribute to the Fumito Ueda will delight the veterans of the original game same as introduce this classic to the newcomers, who are not tuned on a nostalgic note. An ideal opportunity to improve your video game education and a wonderful experience in the same time. Some clumsy controls and occasionally stubborn camera can’t ruin the great experience.

Despite the non-numerical title suggesting a complete do-over, God of War is thrillingly different. This is more redemption than reinvention, though there is plenty of that too, as Sony Santa Monica levy the weight of Kratos’ past in one of the most gorgeous, spectacular and impactful blockbusters of the generation.

It is rare to play a game so accomplished in everything it sets out to do. God of War is a standard-setter both technologically and narratively. It is a game that, until recently, would have been impossible.

This is how you do a reboot. After Kratos lost his way, Sony Santa Monica has set the God of War on a new path. A more measure, nuanced character, a great supporting cast, an excellent combat system, and some of the best graphics in the PlayStation 4 game to-date add up to a winner.

God of War is, in a single word, holistic. Every aspect is excellent on its own, but more importantly, it all serves and accentuates the larger vision. Some die-hard fans may fear this isn’t really God of War. I suppose they’re right. It’s even better.

It's possibly the best example of what the PS4 has to offer, and I feel like it's going to be one of those games that instantly comes to mind when they think of this console generation...The graphics, sound, combat, world, and plot all come together to make an exquisite package that is a prime example of why games are art and God of War is right up there with the best films and novels when it comes to storytelling. If you have a PlayStation 4, you should play God of War. If you don't have one, you should consider getting one to play this game.

One of PlayStation’s finest moments, Kratos has been reimagined for a new audience while keeping the best bits of what originally made him great.

God of War doesn’t just feel like the next step for the franchise, but for the entire video game industry. Phenomenal visuals, rewarding exploration, and a deep, nuanced combat system contribute to an epic adventure that should be experienced by every human on earth. Santa Monica Studio is taking us all to Valhalla.

God of War is one of those rare titles that define the console generation. Kratos’ fighting has been refined to its very best and the lands of Midgard are filled with wonders of all manner to explore and defeat. It’s been nearly the entire lifespan of the PlayStation 4 console since Kratos has seen new adventure but the wait has been worth it. Santa Monica Studio’s journey is still far from over, but they’ve once again shown why Kratos is one of gaming’s greatest anti-heroes.

From its renewed focus on storytelling, to its stunningly gorgeous world and incredibly satisfying combat, God of War is nothing short of a masterpiece, one that sets a new bar for what can be accomplished in the world of AAA games.

God of War is, simply put, the best PS4 game I have played in the console’s lifecycle. I can’t stop thinking about its world and characters. I had so much fun exploring it and taking on its combat. I wanted more, and the game delivers. After having hesitations about the direction I thought the game was going, I am thrilled to report that all of my concerns were nullified within the first hour of the game. This is the true evolution of the series, and quite possibly the best game of the year. Well at least so far.

God of War has amazed us from the narrative standpoint as well as with its incredible graphics. The new adventures of Kratos redefines the beat’em all genre, and makes the game the best exclusive on the PS4 since its inception.

God of War is an epic reboot of an epic franchise. The evolution of Kratos could have gone horribly wrong. Instead, Santa Monica Studio has given the franchise the treatment it deserves. This new narrative tone has heart, and serves to make Kratos much more relatable in his new role as protector, while remaining as brutal as past installments. Reworked and improved combat options make for an enjoyable and customizable experience, and phenomenal audiovisual performance ensures that each trip to the mythical lands before the Vikings is a wonderfully grisly experience. God of War is a must-buy experience well worth the wait.

God of War is a special game. This reimagining of the famous PlayStation franchise elevates the series in unexpected ways, without forgetting the core tenets that made Kratos a fan-favourite to begin with. This is a sprawling single player epic with an abundance of secrets and a storyline that keeps you hooked from start-to-finish. While it borrows liberally from other action adventure greats, its unique combat and outstanding artistic direction separate it from its immediate peers. A truly impressive achievement.

God of War is the best example of how you should manage the beginning of a new era for an established brand, in every entertainment media. It’s the pinnacle of Sony’s will to promote creative freedom for its first party studios. It’s a melting pot made of old school video game elements and technical mastery, a great script and revolutionary ideas.

God of War is an astonishing achievement in the series, a magnificent and deep game that plays quite differently but greatly and succeeds in absolutely every aspect. The action is great, the exploration is great, the story is great, the characters - who are remarkably played - are great, the setting is wonderful, the music is truly special: players can't turn their back on this absolute work of art.

It’s very rare that a game grabs me this completely, but God of War is, without a doubt, an early contender for Game of the Year. It’s flawless in its execution, and the new benchmark for action titles. Well done, Santa Monica Studios, and thanks for taking us on this entirely new adventure.

One of the best games on PS4, and one of the best games of this generation. A masterpiece.

I expected great action from God of War, and it delivers that handily. But I didn’t expect it to be a thrilling journey in which every aspect of it complements the others to form what is nothing short of a masterpiece. It’s a game in which Kratos, a previously one-note character, becomes a complex father, warrior, and monster, embattled both on the field and within his own heart about how to treat his son; one in which the world opens up and shifts, offering rewards in both gameplay and knowledge of its lore that I treasured with each accomplishment. The obvious care that went into crafting its world, characters, and gameplay delivers by far the most stirring and memorable game in the series.

God of War is back with one of the most rewarding experiences on the PlayStation 4 to date.

Sony Santa Monica has made it clear that there’s more story to tell, and I hope the exact same team is able to tell it.

God of War is an excellent game that has evolved with great quality in every aspect. The game feels more mature, profound and solid than we have ever seen in the saga. Its gameplay is still dynamic and its story will keep us in the edge of our seats from beginning to end. However, it lacks magic in some moments and has a few repetitive bosses, which does not allow this game to reach the perfect score.

In conclusion, the game has a very good score, thanks to its excellent graphical quality, its impeccable sound and its very entertaining dynamics of gameplay. Both fans and new players of God of war will be pleased to see that the game offers a universe of mythology that offers one of the best gaming experiences that has come to the PlayStation 4.

At first, we were skeptical about the prospect of open world in God of War, but Santa Monica Studio managed to avoid the typical pitfalls. Here, you won’t find a list of watchtowers to visit, outposts to clear, swarms of respawning enemies to kill. Not to mention that side-quests are far better than typical “kill 10 somethings” stuff. [Issue#229, p.38]

God of War has a far grander scale than either Horizon Zero Dawn or The Last of Us and tugs on different emotional heartstrings while still making you care about the cast. This is the best incarnation of Kratos yet and one of the finest experiences on the PlayStation 4.

This is a God of War game, and it’s f.cking brilliant. It has old-school game-design coupled lovingly alongside a modern storytelling tilt, and it marries the two in a contemporary and meaningful way. And playing on PS4 Pro on a setup like my Samsung QLED 65” Q8C with HDR, it just screams quality.

God of War is all you can ask from a new game in a franchise; very high production values, charismatic characters and satisfying combat, visceral with no lack of action. However, this is accompanied by a very well-told story, excellent animation, a very interesting new universe, fun gameplay and a partner that develops a very promising personality. You can feel the dedication and care that Santa Monica Studio put into every frame of this game. Despite going in a new direction, God of War somehow manages to feel familiar and it is a worthy beginning of a new saga that surely has a lot to give us in the future.

Kratos’ reinvention serves as a narrative hook, but it also parallels the series’ evolution as a whole; where God of War once relied on bombast and bloodlust, now it leaves space for strategy and nuance. It still has superb action and plenty of jaw-dropping moments, but it supports them with a new level of depth and maturity. God of War learns from its past while clearing an exciting path for the future, and emerges as one of the best games of this generation.

PlayStation boasts a new and wonderful exclusive that will be difficult to match and, of course, it seems that it gives way to a new saga within the wonderful universe of Kratos. It is not enough to be ambitious. The most important thing is to know how to land those ambitions.

God of War is a successful reboot of one of the most brutal hack-and-slash action games, and it's remarkable, fun and still uber-violent. The core gameplay has changed significantly, and Santa Monica did take a risk that won't appeal to some orthodox God of War fans. But all in all it turns out that those new game mechanics are so well-crafted and of course it's great progress.

God of War is the best thing that has happened to PlayStation 4 since Bloodborne. Nothing is out of place, nothing is ordinary. The art direction is amazingly inspired, the combat system is really deep and engaging, and everything on screen is, hands down, unlike anything else you have ever seen on the PlayStation 4. Honestly, there's no reason not to play this new masterpiece from Santa Monica Studio.

Every single aspect in God of War works perfectly in order to create a violent, yet moving masterpiece. Probably the best looking game on current gen consoles and a deep story, whose only weak point is that we get the feeling that the best is yet to come.

God of War is a true revolution to the franchise. The heartwarming dynamic between Kratos and Atreus is even more intense because of the fluid camera that shows action, drama and silence in an incredible way.

Where most games excel in one single area, God of War manages to deliver on every front, providing players with one of the best experiences we’ve seen so far this generation.

A few insignificant nitpicks aside, this is a prime example of a modern slasher, a crown jewel of this genre, a new definitive killer app for PlayStation 4.

God of War is one of the most sublimely constructed action games of all time. It may lack a little of Souls' depth, but this is more than made up for with bombastic appeal, setpiece variety, and top-tier storytelling.

God of War has never been so good.

God of War is the fourth "main" game in the franchise, but in so many aspects is also a first and by far a better game than the rest of them. Good story, great gameplay and fantastic voice acting make GoW something really special.

God of War takes everything good about the franchise and elevates it. Almost every aspect is polished to a fine sheen, with a particular standout being the world itself, and the new emphasis on telling a mature and meaningful story that explores remarkably complex themes. God of War sets a new bar for storytelling and world building in games, and transforms Kratos from a one note character to a fascinating man with a story worth hearing. If you have a PS4, this is a must have title.

The Gods here are more human then they've ever been, and there's something as captivating about that as there was about the larger-than-life absurdity of characters like Poseidon and Hades in the original series. God of War works for what it keeps and works for what it changes. It's a foundation for a series that's suddenly a tentpole once again.

Santa Monica has achieved to modernize, expand and rescue all what did God of War a great experience. It mixes a more technical and refined combat with a narrative sensitivity that enrich the saga. One of the most complete and shocking experience in the year so far.

God of War has changed. This new Nordic chapter transforms the series into an impressive action/adventure, allowing us to rediscover the value of exploration. Yet the soul of God of War is still intact: and emerges, in all its imperious power, during the brutal fights and the violent clashes. As the main story progresses and the optional contents unfolds, God of War affirms itself as one of the most dense, surprising and rich adventure of the last three generations. It overwhelms the market with a force that leaves you speechless.

God of War is one of the best action game of this generation. Everything is at the right place, the combat-system is extremely engaging and the story is super. A game that brings new life to a series that obviously had something more to tell.

The God of War series has undergone a fantastic transformation. I'll miss the fixed camera and tales of revenge that previous titles provided but this new evolution makes for a far superior and profound experience. It's one of the best games of this generation.

In God of War, story and gameplay unite for a gripping, memorable journey with unerring focus. Kratos’ new beginning is masterfully written, emotionally resonant, and a thrilling challenge.

A fascinating story, sublime mechanics, and a beautiful world come together in an experience that is about as confident of a step forward as the God of War series could make.

This is a skull-smashing story about making mistakes and taking responsibility. While hacking and slashing their enemies, a father and son build bonds of love and loyalty. God of War is a minor masterpiece.

The new God of War brings back Kratos in a superb fashion. Santa Monica studio should do the same for a potential sequel and I won’t be able to worry about my favorite hero. The game is bold in introducing some radical changes to the series’ formula but if you stop looking back you’ll know – this is an excellent game in every way.

God of War isn’t just a great God of War game, it’s the best so far. Sony Santa Monica has clearly put love into this latest title of the series and has given both longtime fans and newcomers a monumental gaming achievement. Put your fears to rest – yes, Kratos is getting older, but even after all this time, he’s better than ever.

Kratos returns with an epic action adventure that redefines some aspects the series but keeps its essence intact.

The worlds are beautiful, the combat system is fun throughout, and the story remains exciting. It's a successful overhaul. God of War manages the balancing act between modern action RPG and classic feel.

God of War's new story and gameplay mechanics make for a fresh start for the series, and it succeeds. This new adventure of Kratos turns into an epic adventure with Atreus.

God of War is a new beginning for Kratos, a different game, but still one of the best entries in the series and one of the best games of this generation.

If both Uncharted 4 and The Last of Us are the ten out of ten benchmarks for the action-adventure genre, then God of War sits just below them.

God of War is one of those games that comes along every now and then which you just have to give it a go. It is enchantingly beautiful, has a well written story, great characters and convincing combat. It would have been perfect if only God of War would have just a bit more of the overwhelming boss fights it sparsely throws at you.

Of all the iterations of Kratos I've seen over the lifetime of the God of War series, Old Man Kratos is probably my favorite. His newest adventure might not have quite the same wall-to-wall bombast as the ones that came before, but he's added a new dimension to his personality. He can only stay Old Testament-angry for so long, and the table is definitely set for more installments. There's more to explore now in this new corner of mythology, and it'll be compelling to see if he burns everything to the ground or finds an even higher place to go.

God of war is an example of a great reboot. Intense and violent as its predecessors, the new combat mechanics, point of view and nordic mythology are solid arguments to declare it one of the best PS4 exclusives. And amazing starting point for the future of the series.

An excellent, essential update of a PlayStation icon. Kratos has never been more relevant or relatable. [June 2018, p.72]

Forget any fears you had. Kratos makes a truly triumphant return in what proves to be his best game yet. Every change - the addition of Atreus included - is for the better, while every non-negotiable tradition is perfected. [Issue#149, p.74]

God of War is nothing short of sensational. It improves on the best aspects of the previous entries in the franchise while also providing a fresh take on what should feel like a tired and worn series by now. Truly essential gaming if you love great gameplay, narrative and stellar presentation.

It's a game of two halves, God of War. For the first dozen or so hours you may find yourself frustrated by the slow levelling up, a bewildering map system, and perplexing storyline stuffed with gated areas and treasures. Stick with it, though; the more you do, the more of the realms you'll open... and that's where the fun REALLY begins... Like Kratos, this game gets better with time. [Issue#200, p.70]

God of War isn’t a perfect game, but it’s exactly the kind of reinvention the series needed. This game is a must own. If you own a PlayStation 4 and are even remotely interested, you owe it to yourself to pick it up.

That the gorgeous visuals as well as the revamped fighting mechanics would deliver, was foreseeable. But I wouldn’t have thought possible, that story and direction would reach these heights from beginning to end. An inventive reimagination of one of Sony’s most durable heroes.

Judged as a pure technical showpiece, as a demonstration of art design, or as a work of popular entertainment the new God of War succeeds mightily.

God of War feels ambitious in the best kind of way: the messy kind. It’s not afraid to get its hands dirty digging at something it thinks is interesting, while knowing it might not find it at that moment. It’s fine with not telling you everything, or with dialing back on the usual tropes of loud music, brutal violence, and hamfisted emotional manipulation.

God of War feels like a breath of fresh air, thanks to a reimagined world and some deeper customization features. But at the root of the game is the classic God of War combat, slightly less gory but only slightly less grisly. Tearing monsters apart bare-handed is just as much of a rush as it ever was. And that's good, because even if it's time to grow up, it's okay not to change too much.

In crafting a thoughtful fable about a man contending with surpassing his sins to keep them from his child, the new God of War has already transcended its bloody roots.

God of War achieves a very impressive balance between the epic and the mundane, between the ultra violent and the domestic. It's undoubtedly the coolest and most interesting God of War to date.

Kratos is back and he brought his son. The setting is new as are most of the aspects of the game. You get to wreak havoc in a stunning open world full of new enemies and other surprises. The Norse gods better hide!

The beloved God of War franchise certainly makes a sharp turn. But not for the worse, as this game packs all the looks, terrific gameplay and memorable characters needed to make it a true, frost-riddled gem.

A top-to-bottom revamp of the whole God Of War franchise that matches thrilling, if slightly shallow, combat and exploration with some impressively trenchant storytelling.

God of War is the new technical benchmark on the console and it's a concrete step forward for the series in terms of gameplay, narrative structure and lore. We're not so sure about its combat system and its lack of enemy variety.

Kratos is no longer seeking revenge, but rather redemption. He feels multidimensional for the first time. As a dad, I sometimes found myself rooting for and even identifying with him on a gut level, especially as I watched him make some obvious parenting mistakes.

God Of War is a cinematic masterpiece that manages to reinvent and push an already fantastic series to new heights. Barring some pacing issues in its narrative, Sony Santa Monica has breathed new life into Kratos and the God of War series, and I can't wait to see what's next.

Kratos has returned in a beautiful new adventure. Forget all previous iterations, this game sets the new franchise standard in which story, combat and exploration are expertly interwoven in spectacular fashion. The game looks and plays stellar while the voice acting is of mind-blowing quality. Atreus is a great addition and together with the new approach to gameplay the latest PlayStation 4 God of War game feels like a breath of fresh air. An unmissable must-play.

The developers took the series in a new direction focusing more on cinematics while still providing a satisfying amount of action. The resulting mix of beautiful visuals, emotional story and engaging gameplay makes God of War as epic as it ever was.

God of War tells a wonderful tale through a beautiful spectrum speckled with more than a few drops of the blood of your enemies. It’s a shame, then, that boss fights have fallen by the wayside at every level to become terribly monotonous – but if that’s the cost of what Santa Monica has built, it’s certainly a price worth paying...The ending isn’t as grand I’d hoped for, but the setting up of a sequel makes up for this – and there’s still plenty left to do in the Lake of Nine. God of War is the best in the series.

God of War on the PlayStation 4 has taken me completely by surprise. As a game that follows on from the old games, but somehow turns it completely on its head and makes it a world worth investing time into feels almost like a miracle. It is one of those games that takes Norse mythology as a core idea and treats it with respect, while also integrating it seamlessly into the story and making it important to the narrative. I have a newfound interest in learning more about Norse mythology, and it truly makes a game special when it encourages the player to learn more beyond the scope of the game itself.

While there's still gore and violence by the corpse-load, this cinematic adventure feels far more reminiscent of the father-daughter relationship in The Last of Us than the testosterone-soaked Devil May Cry challenger the franchise started as.

God of War is a fantastic game in every way imaginable. It offers an amazing world, balanced combat and an emotional story - this is one of the best PS4 exclusives.

God of War is an exhilarating, beautiful action game that turns one of PlayStation's biggest icons into a character you can care about.

In many ways God of War is what the series has always been. It's a spectacular action game with epic set pieces, big-budget production values, and hard-hitting combat that grows more feverish and impressive as you progress. What may surprise you is how mature its storytelling has become. Like Kratos, God of War recalls the past while acknowledging the need to improve. Everything new it does is for the better, and everything it holds onto benefits as a result. Kratos is no longer a predictable brute. God of War is no longer an old-fashioned action series. With this reboot, it confidently walks a new path that will hopefully lead to more exciting adventures to come.

Vengeance may not be what Kratos seeks anymore, but that has done little to stop the God of War franchise. Santa Monica Studios have successfully transplanted the Ghost of Sparta to a new world with a new mythology and given the formula the revamp it needed.

God of War very effectively achieves its mission to be a good reboot of the saga and a good sequel. Each one of the days of the five years of development of this new delivery is evident in the great values of production in each one of the sections, materializing perfectly in the constant sequence plane. Perhaps we only regret not having been presented with something truly original mechanically and not a mixture of ingredients that we have seen in other titles.

God of War has seen considerable changes across the board from previous games in the series, but almost all of them feel like they were for the better.

Thoughtful in both its presentation and its mechanics, to simply say God of War surpasses the games that came before it would not do it justice. It takes a dormant franchise, one that’s worse for wear, and uses that baggage to create one of the most compelling experiences we’ve played in a long time.

God of War is definitely good, but some aspects lack a certain depth that will make them interesting enough to turn it into a great game. There's a very meaningful armor and weapon upgrade system that allows you to increase your power level to make fights easier, but many of the skills you unlock throughout your journey feel absolutely useless.

God of War is a breathtaking adventure with lots to offer to hardcore gamers. It’s a good game that could have been great with a refined story, better characters and more variety in its combats.

The real star is the fluid combat, realistic visuals, and the rousing set-pieces. It is unclear how far the PlayStation 4's architecture is being pushed, but it wouldn't be surprising if God of War is pushing it to its absolute limit because there is never a moment when it does not look stunning. There is a so much to like that the weaker aspects get drowned out and easily ignored and pulling that off is no easy feat.

Sure, the prospect of spending 30 hours with gaming's grumpiest anti-hero and his bratty kid might not sound like fun, but by the time the pair have finally completed their exhilarating, exhausting journey, you'll be delighted you joined them. [June 2018, p.104]

God of War's reboot is a triumph...Our few complaints – and there are very few – would be that the boat sections add little to the actual gameplay other than a cumbersome way to explore the world. Meanwhile, upgrading Kratos' gear sometimes means battling some eye-wateringly tiny text and over-complicated power-ups.

God of War takes a classic franchise and reshapes it into the modern fold. The end result is a dramatic, polished, visually impressive and somewhat by-the-numbers PS4 blockbuster that slots along nicely beside the other exclusives in the console's library. It has plenty of content and fairly robust combat to entertain newcomers, while fans of the original games will likely enjoy the second half of the adventure a bit more.

Sony Santa Monica has turned its established formula on its head and created a core loop and setting with tremendous potential.

Though it isn’t perfect, the game excels at nearly everything it sets out to do. Full of genuine surprises, thrilling action, and emotionally grounded in almost every moment, this God of War is easily the best entry in a long series that had no right to reinvent itself so well.

A lot of what goes into God of War feels as though it was cherry-picked from the modern gaming zeitgeist. The semi-open world structure, loot system, and a much deeper narrative focus work well, but are all trends being pushed by most other big games. As a result, God of War can feel slightly homogenised in a way that some fans may find unappealing. Thankfully, a strong sense of setting and brutally satisfying combat help maintain that God of War identity. If it wasn't made abundantly clear already, this is the first in what will most likely be a new trilogy for the God of War franchise, and this first instalment serves as a pretty great foundation.

Despite all my complaints about Atreus and the game's imperfections, this is still an easy game to recommend to anyone with a PS4. God of War marks the glorious and bloody return of everyone's favorite Spartan, and with the new dive into Norse mythology, there's still plenty of adventures to look forward to as the series evolves.