7 Games Like God of War Worth Playing in 2025

Jordan Sirani

Updated Sun, December 3, 2023 at 8:00 AM UTC

7 Games Like God of War Worth Playing in 2025

2018's God of War and its sequel, God of War Ragnarok, raised the bar for immersive, narrative-rich action-adventure games. And so naturally, comparing a game to God of War sets it up for failure and, in turn, sets you up for disappointment.

But there are plenty of games that should scratch your GoW itch. So, we've rounded up our top picks right here. These games don't necessarily exceed the bar set by Sony Santa Monica Studio, rather they share and successfully implement notable design and/or gameplay characteristics found in the recent God of War games.

So, as we await news on the future of Kratos and Atreus, these are seven games God of War fans may enjoy, whether you come to the series for its visceral third-person combat, inspired world design, compelling narrative, and/or exploration of Norse mythology.

Check out 2023's God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla DLC for more God of War.

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice

Sena wields a sword against enemies with flames behind them — Image credit: Ninja Theory

For fans of God of War's combat, Norse setting/mythological exploration, and/or story.

Like Kratos in God of War (2018), Senua embarks on a perilous journey motivated by a deceased lover — a journey set within a similarly mythology-rich Norse world. Senua's journey takes her to Ninja Theory's iteration of Helheim, a mythological realm that will be familiar to those who played God of War, with appearances from shared characters like Garmr and Surtr. Like Kratos, Senua even carries and communicates with a decapitated head that swings from her hip.

As for the gameplay, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice and God of War share visceral third-person combat played from a tight, over-the-shoulder perspective. Cinematically, both games effectively employ a continuous, one-shot approach in service of elevated immersion.

Each character-driven narrative is bolstered by an excellent performance: Melina Joergens (Senua) and Christopher Judge (Kratos) each won Best Performance at The Game Awards, in 2017 and 2022, respectively.

For more Hellblade action, be sure to also check out the sequel, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 .

The Last of Us Parts 1 & 2

Developer:Naughty Dog | Publisher:Sony | Release Date: Remastered Part 1 : September 2, 2022; Part 2 : June 19, 2020 | Platforms: Part 2 : PS5, PS4; Part 1 : PS5, PS4, PS3, PC | Review:IGN's The Last of Us Part 1 review and The Last of Us Part 2 review

For fans of God of War's story, immersive world, and/or cinematic qualities.

The Last of Us doesn't share a lot in common with God of War from a setting or moment-to-moment gameplay perspective, though they can both be placed under the umbrella of thoughtfully designed, story-rich, technically marvelous, Sony-developed third-person action-adventure games. It's a genre Sony and its first-party studios have mastered over the last two console generations, and no games embody that mastery more than God of War and The Last of Us Part 1 and 2 .

The best-in-class narratives in both series are driven by well-written characters and the emotionally complex relationships they share. Those who enjoyed the father-son dynamic of Kratos and Atreus will likely enjoy the parent-child-like dynamic of Joel and Ellie, as both games pair a morally questionable protector archetype with a vulnerable, wise-cracking teenager, and task the former with guiding the latter through a world of death and deceit.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla

A viking warrior wields dual axs — Image credit: Ubisoft

For fans of God of War's Norse setting/mythological exploration, combat, and/or RPG mechanics.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla took Ubisoft's flagship series to Northern Europe against the backdrop of Norse mythology. Many characters from the Nine Realms will be familiar to God of War players, including Odin, Loki, Thor, Freya/Freyja, and Tyr.

Valhalla's bloody, melee-weapon-based combat may appeal to God of War fans, while those who enjoy GoW's RPG elements will find even more of the genre's mechanics baked into Valhalla — skill tree, loot, side activities galore, and stat-affecting armor that can be upgraded through resource gathering and crafting.

See more games like Assassin's Creed if you liked Valhalla.

Jotun

A large viking towers over a small character — Image credit: Thunder Lotus Games

Developer:Thunder Lotus Games | Publisher:Thunder Lotus Games | Platforms:PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Wii U, PC, Mac, Linus, Stadia | Review:IGN's Jotun review

For fans of God of War's Norse mythology and/or boss fights.

Jotun offers a visually different exploration of Norse mythology. It trades the realistic graphics of God of War for beautifully hand-drawn environments and characters, including iterations of Jormungar, Thor, Freya, Mimir, and Odin.

Jotun is a slower game than God of War, built largely on exploration and light puzzle-solving, though it's capable of ramping up the intensity with well-designed, challenging boss fights against massive Norse giants.

Rise of the Tomb Raider

undefined — Image credit: Square Enix/Microsoft Studios

Developer:Crystal Dynamics | Publisher:Square Enix/Microsoft Studios | Release Date:November 10, 2015 | Platforms:PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, Mac | Review:IGN's Rise of the Tomb Raider review

For fans of God of War's semi-open-world design.

Rise of the Tomb Raider most notably shares God of War's semi-open-world design, presenting players with multiple Metroidvania-like areas in which the levels circle back on themselves and expand as you progress. This design is well suited for games that balance combat, puzzles, and exploration, which Rise of the Tomb Raider and God of War do exceptionally well.

Tomb Raider relies more on ranged combat, though its third-person perspective will be comfortable for God of War fans, as will Rise's snowy setting and character-driven narrative.

See our guide to playing the Tomb Raider games in order .

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order & Survivor

Cal wields a lightsaber — Image credit: EA

Developer:Respawn Entertainment | Publisher:EA | Release Date: Fallen Order : November 15, 2019; Survivor : April 28, 2023 | Platforms: Survivor : PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC; Fallen Order : PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, PC | Review:IGN's Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order review and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor review

For fans of God of War's semi-open-world design and/or combat.

For those who love the semi-open-world design detailed above, we also recommend Respawn's Star Wars Jedi games. Like God of War, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Survivor are built around several explorable hubs with areas gated by progression-based abilities.

GoW fans may also enjoy Jedi's satisfying, melee-based third-person combat and inspired, challenging boss fights. The two series also share the secret sauce for a successful action-adventure game: engaging moment-to-moment gameplay within an immersive world propelled by rewarding exploration and a compelling story.

This overlapping DNA is partially the result of a shared lineage; both Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Survivor were directed by Stig Asmussen, who directed God of War 3 for Sony Santa Monica before joining Respawn.

See our picks for the best Star Wars games of all time.

The Walking Dead: Season 1

Developer: Telltale Games | Publisher: Telltale Games | Release Date: April 24, 2012 | Platforms:PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Mobile | Review: IGN's The Walking Dead: The Game review

For fans of God of War's story.

Telltale's The Walking Dead lives on the opposite end of gaming's interactivity spectrum: It's a choice-based point-and-click adventure game with sparse action sequences experienced through QTEs. Playing The Walking Dead is nothing like playing God of War; experiencing it — the emotional resonance of its characters and story — is.

Over five episodes, The Walking Dead's first season tells one of the most memorable stories in games. Like God of War (and The Last of Us), you play as a gruff man in search of redemption tasked with protecting and educating a precocious child in the midst of apocalyptic destruction. Lee and Clem are not blood, but their relationship quickly takes on the parent-child dynamic that fills the heart of God of War's narrative.

Don't agree with our picks? Let us know your favorite games like God of War in the comments!

And, if you're new to the God of War series, check out our breakdown of the series' chronology to discover the best way to play the God of War games in order or sort through our roundup of every IGN God of War review .

The God of War series kicked off with a bang in 2005, and has been going (mostly) strong ever since. Check out the verdicts and scores to every God of War review IGN has ever published.

Reviewed by: Ivan Sulic
Date: March 18, 2005
The platforming elements need to take hints from Sands of Time and the puzzles could do with a little more thought and a little less block pushing. Everything else is nearly perfect.

Reviewed by: Chris Roper
Date: February 12, 2007
God of War II may in fact be the best action game ever made. It outdoes the original God of War in every way, even if only by a tiny bit as the first was so good to begin with. It's an evolutionary step rather than a revolutionary leap, but it has basically perfected the formula that the original set up. If you own a PlayStation 2 (or PS3) and don't mind excessive amounts of blood, you absolutely must play this game. If you don't own a PS2, find someone who does and sit yourself down in front of their TV for 12 or so hours as you'll otherwise be missing out on one of gaming's most intense and engaging experiences available.

Reviewed by: Levi Buchanan
Date: June 27, 2007
When I saw Kratos being recast as the hero of a 16-bit-style side-scroller, I raised an eyebrow out of curiosity. Would the essence of this badass come through on the smallest screen? The answer is a resounding – and bloody – yes. He rips it up with his chain swords, tearing mythic monsters limb from limb just like the PS2 games, splattering crimson across column after column. Have no fear, this is no watered-down God of War experience. It's the real deal third game in the killer franchise and if you are any kind of God of War fan, you'll put aside whatever grudge you might have against mobile gaming and seek out this download ASAP.

Reviewed by: Chris Roper
Date: February 18, 2008
God of War: Chains of Olympus is a stellar achievement on the PSP. It plays perfectly into the franchise's storyline and offers up the same level of intense action as its console counterparts. It's also the best looking title on the system, without question. Engaging from start to finish, Chains of Olympus is a mandatory purchase for anyone who owns a PSP and doesn't mind getting a little blood on their hands.

Reviewed by: Chris Roper
Date: November 13, 2009
The God of War Collection is now the definitive way to play the original two PlayStation 2 titles, and for folks who somehow never owned a PS2 and who don't have a backwards-compatible PlayStation 3, this marks the first time that they've been able to play them. At $40 for two of the best action games ever made, and the perfect precursors to next March's God of War III, this is a collection that you shouldn't pass up.

Reviewed by: Chris Roper
Date: March 8, 2010
God of War III is a great end to Kratos' console trilogy. It's not perfect, with some uneven storytelling and progression here and there, but it's still a fantastic overall package. The combat is stellar once again, it's bloodier than ever, and it is at times the best looking game ever released. I still think God of War II is the best in the trilogy, but Sony Santa Monica did a great job closing up Kratos' journey for revenge.

Reviewed by: Nicole Tannerr
Date: October 25, 2010
Unbelievably, the developers at Ready at Dawn managed to top what they did with Chains of Olympus, delivering a longer, deeper, and more graphically beautiful game than even they thought was originally possible. Ghost of Sparta is, without a doubt, one of the best games available for the PSP. Just when I thought I had Kratos figured out, I've been given insight into another piece of his past that makes his anger much more understandable. The path less traveled as far as characters and locations makes Ghost of Sparta a very significant chapter in Kratos' story. There's nothing hugely different about the gameplay, but there really didn't need to be. Combat works perfectly, and while I could have stood a bit more challenge in the puzzle department, that's basically the same as saying I could have used a bit more chocolate sauce on my totally awesome delicious dessert.

Reviewed by: Greg Miller
Date: August 29, 2011
God of War Origins collects two of the best PSP games and gives them all the PS3 treatment -- HD visuals, 3D options, Trophies and DualShock controls. It also acts as a time lapse experiment for players to get a really good look at how a developer evolves from one game to another. If you haven't played these titles before – and even if you have – recommending God of War Origins is easy.

Reviewed by: Alex Simmons
Date: March 14, 2013
Ascension is an enjoyable game, but one that doesn't quite live up to the pedigree of its predecessors. The story, which promised so much by revealing a more emotional side to Kratos, stumbles along and is so flimsy it's almost incidental. The combat has been refined and is therefore as satisfying as ever, but the lack of any really memorable set-pieces – combined with its tiresome reliance on carbon copy battles against waves of exactly the same enemy – result in a game that is at times spectacular but all too often forgettable. Kratos fanatics will no doubt revel in the challenge it presents, especially the grueling Trials of Archimedes, but there's no escaping the fact Ascension is the weakest in the series.

Reviewed by: Meghan Sullivan
Date: July 13, 2015
God of War 3 was an impressive feat for its day, and it still impresses today in God of War 3 Remastered. Its beautiful graphics are prettier than ever, and a higher frame rate adds more fluidity to the action. The story will be confusing to newcomers, as it picks up right in the middle of the saga, but the exciting combat and epic set pieces hold up exceptionally well.

Read the Full God of War Review
Reviewed by: Jonathon DornbushDate: July 13, 2015
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.

Jordan Sirani covers games, shows, and movies as a freelance writer for IGN.

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