PlayStation 4 Critic Reviews

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 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 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.