The God of War series has been with us since 2005, giving players an opportunity to slide into the shoes of permanently angry Kratos.
The angry Spartan had plenty of reasons to take out his fury on Greek gods, and we were there for every strike and every ludicrously violent finisher QTE. The original trilogy is a true PlayStation classic, with its roaring storyline, Devil May Cry-inspired combat, and tight gameplay.
In 2018 the series enjoyed a soft reboot, moving Kratos from Greece to Scandinavia, where he not only has to deal with Norse gods, but also with the responsibilities of being a father. GoW 2018 was extremely warmly received, and not only did it earn a sequel, but also a PC port.
That said, there’s a finite number of Gow of War games, and you might be looking for something similar to the series. Below we present 10 games that have something in common with God of War (either the originals or the soft reboot), be it setting, similar gameplay, or even just the pure satisfaction. Without further ado, let’s take a look at ten…
| Game | Release | Genre | Developer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Darksiders Warmastered Edition | 2010-09-23 | Adventure | Vigil Games |
 | Devil May Cry 5 Standard Edition | 2019-03-08 | Action | Capcom Development Division 1 |
 | Bayonetta | 2017-04-11 | Action & Shooter | PlatinumGames |
 | Hellblade Senuas Sacrifice | 2017-08-08 | Adventure | Ninja Theory |
 | The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim Special Edition | 2016-10-27 | Adventure | Bethesda Game Studios |
 | Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order | 2019-11-15 | Adventure | Respawn Entertainment |
 | Monster Hunter Rise | 2022-01-12 | Action | Capcom Development Division 2 |
 | Titan Quest Anniversary Ragnarok Dlc | 2017-11-17 | RPG | Pieces Interactive |
 | Assassins Creed Odyssey Standard Edition | 2018-10-05 | Action | Ubisoft Quebec |
 | Metal Gear Rising Revengeance | 2014-01-09 | Action & Shooter | PlatinumGames |
 | Drakensang | 2009-02-27 | Adventure | Radon Labs |
 | Kingdoms Of Amalur Re Reckoning Fate Edition | 2020-09-08 | Action | 38 Studios |
Darksiders series
| Release: | 2018-11-27 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Gunfire Games |
There’s a lot that connects and God of War, but first and foremost is probably the level of violence that War engages in regularly. There’s so much blood spilled that the game tracks it by volume, and the finishers unleashed by War, the protagonist, upon the bosses are brutal and very satisfying. Combat is a bit rarer here than it tends to be in GoW, but it’s satisfying and makes you feel truly mighty.
Outside of slashing demons and angels alike with your (potentially) fiery blade, you’ll spend a lot of time in exploration. Dungeons reward you with useful tools which are useful both in dungeons and in the quasi-open world between them, full of hard-to-reach areas hiding useful secrets. Darksiders lived to see three more games in the series, so there is plenty to play if you enjoy the first one.
| Key features |
|---|
|
Devil May Cry 5
| Release: | 2019-03-08 |
| Genre: | Action |
| Developer: | Capcom Development Division 1 |
Before God of War became a third-person immersive father-and-son journey it was a brutal character action series taking strong gameplay inspiration from the Devil May Cry series. DMC has evolved over nearly two decades, and its latest installment, Devil May Cry 5 is perhaps the easiest to recommend if you’re looking for something reminiscent of the classic God of Wars.
There are all the best things: lengthy, spectacular combos, plenty of enemies to dispose of, and three (four with a DLC) characters to play as. Each character has a different playstyle and different weapons at their disposal. There’s also a satisfying story, even if you’re new to the series. There isn’t much brutality, however, unless you count the challenges of higher difficulties.
| Key features |
|---|
|
Bayonetta
| Release: | 2017-04-11 |
| Genre: | Action & Shooter |
| Developer: | PlatinumGames |
To stay in the same genre for a bit, let’s talk about Bayonetta. Created by the man behind DMC, the series about a bold witch has more of what people loved about Devil May Cry. Plenty of high-octane, combo-filled action and tons of fantastical enemies to punch, kick, and shoot. The bestiary is closer to Darksiders’ biblical denizens, but instead of apocalypse, we get old grudges and nasty meddling.
The Bayonetta series (up to three installments as of 2022) isn’t as grim-faced and brutal as God of War, but it offers plenty of intense gameplay which will delight anyone who enjoyed the hack and slashing of the GoW trilogy. Meanwhile, fans of Kratos’ Norse adventures with his son might take solace in knowing that the original Bayonetta game features a child character attached to the protagonist.
| Key features |
|---|
|
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
| Release: | 2017-08-08 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Ninja Theory |
If you enjoyed the presentation of God of War 2018 and its Norse motifs then Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice should be right up your alley. The tone and atmosphere are very different, however. The eponymous character, Pict warrior Senua, plagued by visions goes on a journey to Hel, a Norse afterlife, hoping to save the soul of her lover. Unfortunately, physical challenges are the least of her troubles.
Senua suffers from a form of psychosis manifesting as Furies whispering potentially poisonous advice in her ear during both exploration and combat. If you happen to be playing in headphones the experience can be disturbingly immersive. Hellblade is an exceptional action game with real depth and plenty of research attached to it, all presented through exceptional action and voicework.
| Key features |
|---|
|
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
| Release: | 2021-11-11 |
| Genre: | RPG |
| Developer: | Bethesda Game Studios |
Before the arrival of 2018’s God of War Skyrim was the first’s most prominent Norse-themed video game. What it lacks in a well-paced, tightly directed story it more than makes up for with a huge open-world filled to the brim with all kinds of points of interest. As a fantasy sandbox, Skyrim gives plenty of room to various playstyle, not limited to different kinds of swords you use in combat.
If you fancy yourself a rogue, there’s a competent stealth system and secret organizations committed to theft and assassination. You may also devote yourself to the study of alchemy or create powerful enchanted weapons and armor after forging them at a smithy. There are also dragons to kill, including one that aspires to the World Eater title, and even a civil war you’ll get to take part in.
| Key features |
|---|
|
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
| Release: | 2019-11-15 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Respawn Entertainment |
For a change of theme, let’s take a look at Jedi: Fallen Order. A complete shift of style, from Scandinavian inspirations to a galaxy far away. Fallen order is a fantastic third-person action game with a strong narrative arc. While it doesn’t feature a snarky kid for you to protect, you do get a helpful droid, which should count for something, since the journey ahead is long and dangerous.
Exploration in Fallen Order takes a lot of hints from the Metroidvania games, with access to certain areas being locked behind abilities you gain later in the story. At the same combat, an integral part of the experience, it a tense third-person experience with emphasis on parrying and dodging, reminiscent of FromSoftware’s Sekiro. That said, it’s still easily punchy and satisfying enough to be on this list.
| Key features |
|---|
|
Bloodborne
| Release: | 2015-03-24 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | FromSoftware |
Created by FromSoftware of the Souls fame, Bloodborne is significantly more bloodthirsty than the studios’ previous work. Although the setting and mood are vastly different, if it’s challenging, the tight combat you are looking for after playing GoW 2018 Bloodborne is absolutely worth checking. Inspired by Lovecraftian horror BB is as much a tight action RPG as a scary, nerve-wracking experience.
While lacking the inverse kinematics-powered punchiness of GoW, Bloodborne’s combat system is intense and encourages an aggressive playstyle. The story involves becoming a Hunter of twisted monster plaguing the streets of a nightmarish city of Yharnam and dealing with old cults and entities hidden from the sight of the sane and ignorant. Can your Hunter survive the nightmarish scenario?
| Key features |
|---|
|
Titan Quest
| Release: | 2016-08-31 |
| Genre: | RPG |
| Developer: | Iron Lore Entertainment |
Titan Quest is a complete change of playstyle: from a dynamic character action game to an isometric hack’n’slash in the vein of Diablo or Sacred. Despite that, if it’s ancient Greek mythology you’re interested in, then Iron Lore Entertainment’s game should be right up your alley. As a heroic mortal, you’re given a chance to earn power and might enough to carve a bloody path through mythic hordes.
TQ features a great, flexible progression system, tons of loot, and plenty of exciting combat. The story is mostly a pretext, but it involved saving the gods from Titans running rampant again. A far cry from Kratos’ anti-theistic crusade, but a good enough reason to make your mark on populations of monsters. The story even reaches other parts of the world, including ancient China.
| Key features |
|---|
|
Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey
| Release: | 2018-10-05 |
| Genre: | Action |
| Developer: | Ubisoft Quebec |
Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey should check off many boxes related to God of War. The game takes place in ancient Greece, and features a surprising number of mythological creatures, here said to be made by the ancient aliens, Isu. Odyssey is also a very competent third-person action game with more than a little combat, which in turn might spark the interest of fans of the 2018 GoW.
As the Misthios (Kassandra or Alexios, your choice) you’ll explore the map, take on plenty of quests from numerous NPCs, and discover the secrets of your lineage. Combat improves on Assassin’s Creed: Origins, and offers an impactful, engaging mix of melee and ranged combat, boosted by diverse equipment. There’s also a progression tree split into three branches: hunter, warrior, and assassin.
| Key features |
|---|
|
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
| Release: | 2014-01-09 |
| Genre: | Action & Shooter |
| Developer: | PlatinumGames |
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is a spin-off from the long-running, esteemed Metal Gear Solid series, but instead of a Snake, it’s about a cyber sword master Raiden. The story is a high-octane, cyber-augmented, nano-powered ride, but the most important feature of Revengeance is the incredibly satisfying melee combat, including the unprecedented and unsurpassed Blade Mode.
See, Raiden’s regular attacks are already deadly and effective, but with the Blade Mode the cyberninja can slice through virtually anything, from watermelons to giant robot limbs. You have almost full control over the direction, and many objects can be cut into thin pieces if you’re precise enough. It’s fully different from God of War 2018’s inverse kinematics, but still wonderfully satisfying.
| Key features |
|---|
|
Be the force of destruction you were meant to be
That concludes our list of console and PC games like God of War. Sometimes the similarity of obvious, sometimes it’s more obscured by aesthetics or presentations, but it’s alsways there. And, most importantly,.all these games are absolutely worth playing after GoW or maybe even to get in the fighting mood before God of War PC arrives.