7 Must-Play Games Like God of War in 2025

The 2018 God of War reboot and its sequel, God of War Ragnarök, redefined immersive storytelling in action-adventure gaming. While few titles can truly match their quality, several games capture similar elements that fans appreciate.

From visceral combat to rich Norse mythology explorations, here are seven exceptional alternatives to tide you over while waiting for Kratos' next adventure.

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice

Developer: Ninja Theory | Release Date: August 2017 | Platforms: Multiplatform

This psychological thriller shares God of War's Norse mythology setting and features similarly intense melee combat from an over-the-shoulder perspective. The game's innovative portrayal of mental health issues through Celtic warrior Senua's journey earned widespread acclaim, including a BAFTA for Best Performance.

The Last of Us Parts I & II

Sony's post-apocalyptic masterpiece excels in character development and emotional storytelling. Joel and Ellie's relationship parallels Kratos and Atreus' dynamic, exploring themes of protection and survival amidst chaos. The recent HBO adaptation further cemented its narrative excellence.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla

Ubisoft's Viking epic offers deep Norse mythology exploration with RPG mechanics that expand on God of War's foundation. Players control Eivor, encountering familiar mythological figures like Odin and Thor across England's sprawling open world and mythical realms.

Jotun

This indie gem presents Norse mythology through stunning hand-drawn art. While gameplay focuses more on puzzle-solving than combat, its epic boss battles against towering Norse giants will satisfy fans of God of War's memorable encounters.

Rise of the Tomb Raider

Crystal Dynamics' reboot trilogy shares God of War's balanced approach to combat, puzzles, and semi-open exploration. The Siberian setting and artifact-rich tombs provide similar environmental storytelling and Metroidvania-like progression.

Star Wars Jedi Series

Directed by God of War 3's Stig Asmussen, these titles feature comparable semi-open world design and satisfying melee combat (with lightsabers instead of Leviathan Axes). The sequel, Survivor, expands exploration with multiple interconnected planetary hubs.

The Walking Dead: Season 1

Telltale's emotional masterpiece matches God of War's narrative depth through Lee and Clementine's surrogate father-daughter relationship. Its choice-driven storytelling remains impactful despite simpler gameplay mechanics.

These titles each capture different facets that made God of War special - whether through combat, mythology, character development, or world design. While none fully replicate Sony Santa Monica's achievement, they offer compelling experiences for fans of narrative-driven action games.