7 God of War Alternatives to Play in 2025

The 2018 release of *God of War* and its sequel, *God of War Ragnarok*, have set a high standard for immersive, narrative-driven action-adventure games. Comparing any game to these masterpieces might seem daunting, but there are several titles that can satisfy fans of the series. These games may not surpass the achievements of Sony Santa Monica Studio, but they share and effectively implement key design and gameplay elements found in the recent *God of War* titles. As we eagerly await further developments in the saga of Kratos and Atreus, here are seven games that *God of War* enthusiasts might find appealing, whether drawn to the series for its intense third-person combat, richly designed worlds, compelling narratives, or exploration of Norse mythology.

*For more *God of War* content, don't miss out on the 2023 *God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla* DLC.*

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice

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

Much like Kratos in *God of War* (2018), Senua embarks on a perilous journey driven by the loss of a loved one, set within a richly detailed Norse world. Her path leads her through Ninja Theory’s rendition of Helheim, a realm familiar to *God of War* players, featuring characters like Garmr and Surtr. Echoing Kratos, Senua also carries a decapitated head that she converses with, adding a unique twist to her journey.

The gameplay in *Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice* mirrors the visceral third-person combat of *God of War*, viewed from a tight, over-the-shoulder perspective. Both games utilize a continuous, one-shot cinematic approach to enhance immersion. The character-driven narratives are elevated by stellar performances, with Melina Juergens (Senua) and Christopher Judge (Kratos) each winning **Best Performance at The Game Awards** in 2017 and 2022, respectively.

For more adventures with Senua, be sure to check out the sequel, *Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2*.

The Last of Us Parts 1 & 2

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

While *The Last of Us* may not share the same setting or immediate gameplay mechanics as *God of War*, both fall under the category of meticulously crafted, story-rich, technically impressive, Sony-developed third-person action-adventure games. Sony and its first-party studios have honed this genre over the past two console generations, with *God of War* and *The Last of Us* series epitomizing this excellence.

The narratives in both series are driven by well-developed characters and their emotionally complex relationships. Fans of the father-son dynamic between Kratos and Atreus will appreciate the similar parent-child bond between Joel and Ellie, where a morally ambiguous protector guides a sharp-witted teenager through a treacherous world.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

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

*Assassin’s Creed Valhalla* transports Ubisoft’s iconic series to Northern Europe, steeped in Norse mythology. Familiar characters from the Nine Realms, such as Odin, Loki, Thor, Freya/Freyja, and Tyr, will resonate with *God of War* players. The game's melee combat, characterized by its brutality, may appeal to fans of *God of War*, while those who enjoy the RPG elements will find an even richer experience in *Valhalla*, with a comprehensive skill tree, loot system, numerous side activities, and upgradeable armor through resource gathering and crafting.

*Explore more games like Assassin's Creed if you enjoyed Valhalla.*

Jotun

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

*Jotun* offers a unique take on Norse mythology, featuring hand-drawn art that contrasts with the realistic graphics of *God of War*. The game includes interpretations of Jormungandr, Thor, Freya, Mimir, and Odin. While *Jotun* is slower-paced, focusing on exploration and light puzzle-solving, it ramps up the intensity with challenging boss battles against massive Norse giants.

Rise of the Tomb Raider

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

*Rise of the Tomb Raider* shares *God of War*'s semi-open-world design, featuring multiple Metroidvania-like areas that loop back on themselves and expand as you progress. This design is ideal for games that blend combat, puzzles, and exploration, a balance that both *Rise of the Tomb Raider* and *God of War* achieve masterfully. Although *Tomb Raider* focuses more on ranged combat, its third-person perspective and snowy settings will feel familiar to *God of War* fans, as will its character-driven narrative.

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

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order & Survivor

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

Fans of *God of War*'s semi-open-world design will also appreciate Respawn’s *Star Wars Jedi* series. Both *Fallen Order* and *Survivor* feature explorable hubs with areas unlocked by progression-based abilities. *God of War* enthusiasts may also enjoy the satisfying melee combat and challenging boss fights in the *Star Wars Jedi* games. Both series share the essential elements of a successful action-adventure game: engaging gameplay, immersive worlds, rewarding exploration, and compelling stories.

This shared DNA is partly due to a common lineage; both *Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order* and *Survivor* were directed by Stig Asmussen, who previously directed *God of War 3* for Sony Santa Monica before joining Respawn.

*Discover 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* offers a different kind of interactivity, being a choice-based point-and-click adventure with minimal action sequences driven by QTEs. While the gameplay differs significantly from *God of War*, the emotional depth of its characters and story resonates similarly. Over five episodes, *The Walking Dead* Season 1 delivers one of the most memorable narratives in gaming. Like *God of War* (and *The Last of Us*), you play as a gruff protagonist seeking redemption, tasked with safeguarding and mentoring a young child amidst apocalyptic chaos. The bond between Lee and Clem, though not biological, mirrors the parent-child dynamic central to *God of War*'s narrative.

If you're new to the *God of War* series, explore our guide on the series' chronology to find the best way to play the *God of War* games in order, or browse through our collection of every IGN *God of War* review.

Every God of War Review

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