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Entertainment • Video Game

God of War (2018)

God of War is a 2018 action-adventure video game developed by Santa Monica Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment for PlayStation 4.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

God of War is a 2018 action-adventure video game developed by Santa Monica Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment for PlayStation 4. It is a soft reboot of the series, following Kratos and his son Atreus on a journey through Norse mythology. The game was released on April 20, 2018.

Development and release

God of War was developed by Santa Monica Studio and released by Sony Interactive Entertainment for PlayStation 4 on April 20, 2018. It was promoted through trailers and walkthroughs before launch.

Gameplay

The game changed the series' presentation with a third-person over-the-shoulder camera and a more grounded combat system. It also added role-playing-style progression and companion-based gameplay with Atreus.

Story and setting

The game follows an older Kratos in the world of Norse mythology rather than the Greek mythological settings of earlier entries. The central journey is shared with his son Atreus, making fatherhood a major theme.

Series position

God of War is a sequel to God of War III and is often described as a soft reboot because it reimagines the franchise while continuing Kratos's story.

Key facts

  • The game is commonly referred to as "God of War 4," though its official title is simply God of War.
  • It shifted the series toward Norse mythology after earlier entries focused on Greek mythology.
  • Gameplay uses an over-the-shoulder camera and includes role-playing elements.
  • The game is single-player only and follows Kratos and his son Atreus.
  • It was developed by Santa Monica Studio and released on PlayStation 4 in 2018.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may know the game through its PlayStation 4 release and its later Windows availability, which expanded access beyond console players.

Frequently asked questions

Is God of War (2018) the same as God of War 4?
Yes. "God of War 4" is a common informal name for God of War (2018), but it was not the official title.
Who developed God of War (2018)?
It was developed by Santa Monica Studio.
When was God of War (2018) released?
It was released on April 20, 2018.
What platform was it originally released on?
It launched on PlayStation 4.
What mythology does the game use?
The game is set in Norse mythology.
Is the game multiplayer?
No. It is a single-player game.

References

  1. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guK3VZ97iqI
    Supports: Official cinematic trailer listing the release date as April 20, 2018, and the platform as PS4.
  2. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0u_kAWLJOA
    Supports: Official story trailer describing Kratos, Atreus, and the Norse setting, with April 20, 2018 release information.
  3. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lALdDD9jink
    Supports: Description identifying the game as a third-person action-adventure title developed by Santa Monica Studio for PS4, with gameplay changes and single-player focus.
  4. Amazon — https://www.amazon.com/God-War-Playstation-4/dp/B01GW8XOY2
    Supports: Product listing for God of War on PlayStation 4, including age rating and performance details.
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GOW4
    Supports: Disambiguation showing that 'GOW4' may refer to God of War (2018) or Gears of War 4, and noting the common shorthand.