The iconic God of War series, particularly the 2018 reboot and its sequel, God of War Ragnarok, have set a new standard for immersive, narrative-driven action-adventure gaming. While it's challenging to match the excellence of these titles, there are several games that capture the essence of what makes God of War special. These games may not surpass the bar set by 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 on Kratos and Atreus's journey, here are seven games that God of War fans might find appealing, whether drawn to the series for its intense third-person combat, richly detailed world design, compelling storytelling, or its deep dive into Norse mythology.

For those looking to extend their God of War experience, don't miss out on the 2023 God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla DLC.

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice

Image credit: Ninja Theory
Developer: Ninja Theory | Publisher: Ninja Theory | Release Date: August 8, 2017 | Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC | Review: IGN's Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice review

**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 journey driven by loss, navigating through a mythology-rich Norse world. Her path leads her to Ninja Theory’s rendition of Helheim, a familiar realm for God of War players, complete with shared characters like Garmr and Surtr. Senua, much like Kratos, also carries a decapitated head, adding a unique twist to her journey.

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice mirrors God of War's visceral third-person combat and employs a continuous, one-shot cinematic approach to enhance immersion. Both games are elevated by stellar performances, with Melina Juergens (Senua) and Christopher Judge (Kratos) winning Best Performance at The Game Awards in 2017 and 2022, respectively.

For more, explore the sequel, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2.

The Last of Us Parts 1 & 2

Image credit: Sony
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.**

While The Last of Us series may differ in setting and gameplay from God of War, both fall under the category of meticulously crafted, story-rich, technically impressive Sony-developed third-person action-adventure games. These games exemplify Sony's mastery in the genre over the last two console generations.

The compelling narratives in both series are driven by complex characters and their emotionally charged relationships. Fans of the father-son dynamic between Kratos and Atreus will appreciate the similar bond between Joel and Ellie, where a morally ambiguous protector guides a witty, vulnerable teen through a world fraught with danger.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Image credit: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal | Publisher: Ubisoft | Release Date: November 10, 2020 | Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4/5, Xbox One, PC, Stadia, Luna | Review: IGN’s Assassin’s Creed Valhalla review

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

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla immerses players in Northern Europe's Norse mythology, featuring familiar deities such as Odin, Loki, Thor, Freya, and Tyr. The game's melee-based combat and extensive RPG elements, including a skill tree, loot system, and upgradeable armor, should resonate with God of War enthusiasts.

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

Jotun

Image credit: Thunder Lotus Games
Developer: Thunder Lotus Games | Publisher: Thunder Lotus Games | Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Wii U, PC, Mac, Linux, Stadia | Review: IGN’s Jotun review

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

Jotun presents a visually distinct take on Norse mythology with its hand-drawn art style, featuring characters like Jormungandr, Thor, Freya, Mimir, and Odin. While it's slower-paced, focusing on exploration and puzzles, Jotun ramps up with intense boss battles against massive Norse giants, offering a unique challenge to God of War fans.

Rise of the Tomb Raider

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 mirrors God of War's semi-open-world approach, with interconnected areas that expand as you progress, reminiscent of Metroidvania games. This design supports a balanced mix of combat, puzzles, and exploration. Though more focused on ranged combat, its third-person perspective and snowy settings should feel familiar to God of War players.

For a complete experience, see our guide on playing the Tomb Raider games in order.

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order & Survivor

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.**

The Star Wars Jedi series, like God of War, features explorable hubs with progression-gated areas. Fans of God of War's combat will appreciate the satisfying, melee-based third-person action and challenging boss fights in Fallen Order and Survivor. Both series excel in delivering engaging gameplay within immersive worlds driven by exploration and storytelling, partly due to shared creative DNA with Stig Asmussen, who directed God of War 3 before leading these Star Wars titles.

Discover more with our list of 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 vastly different gameplay experience, focusing on choice-based point-and-click adventure with minimal action. However, its narrative depth and emotional impact echo those of God of War. Over five episodes, Season 1 delivers a memorable story, paralleling God of War with its focus on a gruff protagonist seeking redemption and protecting a young companion amidst chaos.

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

New to the God of War series? Check out our guide on the best way to play the games in order, and explore every IGN God of War review to get the full picture.

Every God of War Review

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