God of War Ragnarök was one of the most anticipated games of 2022, and its November release didn't disappoint. Pulling in an astounding 94 Metascore, Santa Monica Studio has once again demonstrated it knows how to craft a genre-defining game filled with brutal combat, nuanced storytelling, and some of the best graphics in all of gaming.

Ragnarök picks up a few years after the original God of War, with Kratos and his son, Atreus, setting out across the nine Norse realms to stop a cataclysmic event from unfolding. They encounter a variety of Norse-inspired enemies (and allies) along the way — and it helps to have played its predecessor to gain a better appreciation for Ragnarök's story. It also helps to go in without any spoilers, as there are plenty of twists to keep things interesting.

Whether you're a series newcomer or longtime fan, just about everyone should be able to appreciate Ragnarök's visceral combat system. The Leviathan Axe is once again Kratos' preferred tool, allowing him to hack away at enemy limbs and rack up impressive combos in the blink of an eye. There are plenty of other weapons to unlock on the journey (along with a deep upgrade system to enhance your existing arsenal), and this diversity of gear adds a fun layer of strategy to each encounter.

God of War Ragnarök is one of the best games of 2022. And once you've rolled credits, it'll be hard to replace in your gaming lineup. Thankfully, there are a handful of titles cut from the same cloth that offer a similar experience.

Here are 10 games like God of War Ragnarök to play next, listed by Metascore.

Grand Theft Auto V (PS4)

Metascore: 97
Best for: Fans of open-world chaos
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Grand Theft Auto V is an open-world crime game that sees you pulling off a series of unbelievable heists. You'll be trading axes and magic for guns and grenade launchers, but there are several similarities between GTA and God of War. For one, both are filled with heaps of violent action and incredibly polished combat systems. There's also a great story at the heart of the adventure that — despite some of its high-flying antics — is surprisingly grounded. Once you wrap up the solo campaign, there's an immensely popular multiplayer mode that offers hundreds of hours of additional fun.

"It's funny, well written, good looking, has great music and will keep you busy for months." — CalmDownTom

Elden Ring (PS5)

Metascore: 96
Best for: Fans of punishing action games
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Elden Ring is an unforgiving action RPG that isn't for the faint of heart. It pits you against some of the most challenging bosses in all of gaming, and it's not unheard of to face off against the same enemy dozens of times before finally emerging victorious. But if you stick with it, you'll be treated to one of the most captivating games in recent memory. Combat is brutal yet responsive and strategic, the world is absolutely teaming with points of interest, and its sparse narrative will introduce you to a cast of well-designed (and memorable) characters. As long as you don't mind a challenge, Elden Ring is a game that can't be missed.

"Deep, wide, and absolutely packed with adventure, Elden Ring's immense, deadly open world is nothing short of game-changing." — God is a Geek

The Last of Us Part II (PS4)

Metascore: 93
Best for: Fans of emotional narratives
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The heart-wrenching journey of Ellie and Joel continues in The Last of Us Part II, this time with Ellie taking the reins as its lead character. But despite the change of perspective, this sequel is just as impactful as its predecessor. You'll engage in tense, stealth-based combat as you work through one of the best narratives in gaming. Each character is brought to life with impeccable graphics and painstaking motion capture performances, which only serve to elevate an already great game to new heights. If you have a PS5, the experience is even more enthralling, as it has been updated to include better graphics and improved frame rates.

"As clichéd as it may sound, Naughty Dog has reached a new, seemingly unreachable level of narrative design." — CD-Action

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End (PS4)

Metascore: 93
Best for: Fans of summer blockbusters
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Uncharted 4 plays out like a bombastic action movie. Whether you're barreling down narrow streets in a car chase, leaping from skyscrapers, or diving into forgotten ruins, Uncharted 4 is filled with exciting moments and a constant sense of wonder. Thankfully, the title didn't skimp out on fun gameplay in favor of cool setpieces, as its cover-based shooting and agile parkour mechanics are among the best in its class. Mix in a handful of memorable characters, a tight script, and beautiful graphics, and it's easy to see why the game earned such a high Metascore.

"A landmark title that anyone remotely interested in interactive storytelling should invest in." — Easy Allies

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (PS4)

Metascore: 92
Best for: Fans of mature RPGs
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The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an epic RPG filled with political intrigue, horrific monsters, and visceral combat. It follows the eponymous witcher, Geralt, as he tracks down a mysterious Child of Prophecy and quickly gets wrapped up in a world-saving quest. When you're not slicing through enemies or exploring the gorgeous landscape, you'll get to make big decisions that'll impact how your story unfolds. Like God of War Ragnarök, The Witcher 3 deals with mature topics and doesn't pull any punches. There's no need to have played the first two before diving in, although longtime fans will have a deeper appreciation for all the twists and turns.

"Its shockingly cohesive world is as beautiful as it is demanding, and it's packed full of mature content that throws you from one emotional response to the next." — Push Square

Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition (PS5)

Metascore: 89
Best for: Fans of fast-paced combat
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Fast, stylish, and filled with adrenaline-pumping combat sequences, Devil May Cry is all about action. It follows a group of characters fending off a demon invasion, and they've got an arsenal of powerful weapons at their disposal. Each character also comes with their own unique skills, which mixes up the action and forces you to rethink your strategy. Regardless of which character you're controlling, you'll be treated to frantic third-person combat that'll put your reflexes to the test. The Special Edition is the best way to experience the chaos, as you'll gain access to enhanced graphics and an improved framerate.

"Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition makes a great game even better with a new character, new modes, and overhauled visuals for next-gen consoles." — GameSkinny

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (PS5)

Metascore: 89
Best for: Fans of incredible characters and storytelling
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Although it's called a remake, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade only tells a portion of the original story. Square Enix decided to elaborate on the early Midgar storyline, which allows you to dive deeper into the story of Cloud and his motley crew. Beyond an intricate narrative and slick graphics, you'll have access to a variety of combat styles that let you play the game as a fast-paced action title or a slow, strategic, turn-based game. You'll also be treated to a new quest line featuring Yuffie Kisaragi as she attempts to infiltrate the Shinra Electric Power Company.

"Packed with technical improvements and a superb single player expansion, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade further cements its spot as one of the greatest remakes in gaming history." — Shindig

Horizon Forbidden West (PS5)

Metascore: 88
Best for: Fans of sci-fi adventures
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Aloy's journey continues in Horizon Forbidden West, which takes her to a new land filled with formidable new enemies, powerful new weapons, and dozens of friendly new faces. Much of the gameplay from its predecessor returns, including its tactical combat — which has you scanning enemies for weak points before engaging. In between combat, you'll be clambering around ruins and mountaintops as you unravel a mystery that could impact the entire world. If you ever get tired of the main quest, you can venture off in any direction to take on hundreds of side missions or try your hand at upgrading (and crafting) gear.

"Horizon Forbidden West pulls players along on a breathtaking journey — one so lifelike and human it's almost unbelievable just how good it really is." — GamesHub

Bayonetta 3 (Switch)

Metascore: 87
Best for: Fans of stylized, arcade action
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As far as action games are concerned, they don't get much more stylish than Bayonetta 3. Vivid colors, striking enemy designs, and explosive special effects will grace your screen throughout the entirety of its 16-hour runtime. The game boasts a fast combat system to coincide with its energetic graphics, with Bayonetta capable of pulling huge combos and zipping between enemies without breaking a sweat. And while combat might be the main draw, fans of the series will be treated to an intriguing storyline — albeit one that had players split on its conclusion.

"Over-the-top in every possible way, and I get the feeling newcomers and long-time fans of the series will appreciate that." — Siliconera

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice (PS4)

Metascore: 81
Best for: Fans of visceral combat and nuanced storylines
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Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is every bit as brutal as God of War. You'll take on the role of Senua as she dives into Viking Hell and tries to rescue the soul of her lover from the goddess Hela. Combat is largely composed of adrenaline-pumping melee encounters, with Senua hacking opponents to bits with a wide variety of deadly attacks and unique abilities. You'll also get to solve some challenging puzzles and interact with memorable NPCs that'll guide you along on your quest. A sequel, Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, is expected to continue the emotional journey within the next few years.

"Its combat mechanics and puzzles are strong, but its true strengths lies with its ability to tell a story and craft a world that differentiates itself from other titles out there." — Gamer.no