Summary
- Kratos' journey through the God of War series showcases a compelling story of redemption driven by rage and vengeance.
- Each game in the series refines the combat system, offering players a variety of weapons, magic, and abilities for engaging battles.
- God of War Ragnarok continues the saga with enhanced combat options, including the return of the Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos, and introduces the Draupnir Spear for more versatility in combat.
Kratos' epic adventures across the God of War series have been a joy to experience. The crunchy and visceral combat of this series shines, as players use a litany of weapons and brutal takedowns to ensure that their enemies rue the day they decided to go against the God of War.
Covered in the ashes of his family, Kratos is constantly reminded of his failures, pushing him to new heights as he uses his rage and anger to fuel him in battle. His adventures in Norse mythology help him accept the mistakes in his past, as he becomes stronger and more competent than ever before. These changes are reflected in the God of War series' combat, which has evolved along with Kratos' character, beginning with violent hack-and-slash excess and becoming something more personal, and more brutal, later on.
5 God Of War
The First Game Set The Foundation For An Amazing Combat System
God of War
- Released
- March 22, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Hack and Slash
Ever since fans got their hands on the Blades of Chaos in 2005's God of War, there was no turning back. Unleashing a wave of powerful attacks as Kratos never got old as players got accustomed to this Spartan's moves as his arsenal slowly expanded.
Players could also rely on powerful magic to manage battles when they were outnumbered, while some abilities were perfect for one-on-one battles against the game's titanic bosses. This ensured that combat felt varied and kept players engaged as they experienced the epic story and cut down the many enemies that stood in Kratos' way.
4 God Of War 2
Polished The Combat Considerably
God of War II
- Released
- March 13, 2007
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Action
God of War 2 essentially polished the mechanics from the first game to make everything from movement to combat feel better than ever. While players had access to four weapons, just like its predecessor, everything from the classic Blades of Chaos to the epic power boasted by the Blade of Olympus felt great to use.
Kratos had access to more magical attacks and could crowd-control multiple enemies more efficiently. The boss fights were incredible in this game and forced players to stay on top of their game in these gory battles that took no prisoners.
3 God Of War 3
Battles Are A Gory, Cinematic Spectacle
God of War III
- Released
- March 16, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
With the jump to a new generation, fans wondered whether God of War 3 would live up to their lofty expectations. By improving the visuals and making combat more varied than ever, the final chapter in the Greek trilogy was a homerun for Kratos, who swore revenge on the Olympians and decided to revive the Titans in a bid to enact his will.
God of War Ragnarok: The Hardest Boss Fights, Ranked By Difficulty
God of War Ragnarok has over 50 bosses to keep players on their toes through Kratos and Atreus's journey. These are some of the hardest to defeat.
While he was betrayed by the very people he saved, Kratos only used this to fuel his rage as he tore down everything the Gods had built. He battled using six potent weapons, while various magical attacks and relics ensured that gameplay would be varied and enhanced Kratos' options in tough combat scenarios.
2 God Of War (2018)
The Norse Duology Debut Boasts Excellent Combat
God of War
- Released
- April 20, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
The 2018 God of War reboot had a lot of work to do if it was to witness a modicum of the same success as the original series. Kratos' one-dimensional character was fine back in the day, but it was clear that this rage-fuelled god needed to change if he could resonate with modern gamers. His struggles with fatherhood were a great way to humanize him, and fans were glad to see that he didn't lose his edge in combat.
Santa Monica's Sci-Fi Game Can Shake Things Up By Doing the Exact Opposite of Intergalactic
In order to differentiate itself from Intergalactic, Santa Monica Studio's rumored sci-fi game should take the complete opposite approach to combat.
The Leviathan Axe felt great to control in the early stages, with a steady stream of relics and upgrades ensuring that Kratos could tackle high-level enemies and exploit their weaknesses to the Leviathan's ice element. However, it was clear to Kratos, after a point, that he would need to call upon the power of the Blades of Chaos once again to thrive in combat. It's a cathartic moment that pays homage to Kratos' past, letting him use a varied moveset where he swings the blades like the days of old and makes enemies pay for enraging him as he pummels them into oblivion.
1 God Of War Ragnarok
A Step Up From Its Predecessor Gives Players More Options In Combat
God of War Ragnarok
- Released
- November 9, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
The personal story of 2018's God of War set the stage for an epic sequel where Ragnarok was dawning on the world. Kratos and Atreus must figure out a way to stop this apocalyptic event, gathering allies and facing off against fierce enemies. God of War Ragnarok's combat was largely similar to its predecessor, but a wealth of changes ensured that fans would love Kratos' enhanced options in battle.
The Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos both come back with enhanced movesets and more Runic Attacks. Along with this, many fans were pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of the Draupnir Spear, which came with an impressive moveset of its own and let players wield the power of lightning to smite their foes in combat.
God of War Setting Wish List
The God of War games reference several yet-unseen myths, which opens up the series to several interesting paths forward.