God of War: Ragnarok, which still doesn't have an official title with this being opted by many fans, is on the horizon. Many fans are waiting eagerly for the next installment in the story of Kratos and his son Atreus. To help ease the wait and get a glimpse of what may be ahead for the franchise, those fans should check out some games available now as they get ready for the end of the world.
Players who have already invested in a PS5 already are waiting for an official release date for the sequel, even though it may be on PS4 as well, and generally, excitement surrounding God of War: Ragnarok is already high.
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God of War fans who already have a gaming PC or a Switch should definitely give Hades a try, as the Greek mythology influences that inspired the original God of War games are on full display in Hades. Players take control of Zagreus as he battles his way through hordes of enemies with brutal flair, reminiscent of Kratos himself. The isometric camera angles and controls are more in the vein of Diablo, but the fast-paced action is almost sure to satisfy any player looking for fun hack n' slash gameplay set in a world similar to that of God of War. Hades became very popular quickly, with many potential fans hoping to see Hades come to more platforms soon. While there are rumors of it coming to Xbox Game Pass, information about a PlayStation port is hard to find.
Hades is available on PC and Switch.
The PS4 exclusive Ghost of Tsushima is a game that almost anyone with a PS4 or PS5 should play if they haven't already, as the game is a gorgeous example of what Sony's platforms are capable of. While the gameplay loop is a fairly far cry from the God of War, Ghost of Tsushima features a combat system that many games could learn from. The battles out of stealth are quick, brutal, challenging, and satisfying. Both Tsushima and God of War had some of the best combat systems in the console generation, and fans of one are likely to enjoy the other.
Ghost of Tsushima is also a good example of the level of world-building that will come to be expected of the next-gen cycle, including God of War: Ragnarok. The game's world is rich, full of small details that breathe life into each landscape and huge set-piece moments that seem mythical even without the presence of gods or magical creatures. Ghost of Tsushima is full of hidden details that beg for more than one playthrough, and if fans of God of War haven't played it yet, they would do well to give it a shot.
Ghost of Tsushima is available on PS4.
Capcom's stylish action franchise also has a tone that's a far cry from that of God of War, but Devil May Cry's over-the-top gameplay inspired the original God of War games and many others. Devil May Cry 5 was a high point for the franchise, received well by fans and critics, and the story follows series mainstays Dante and Nero and newcomer V on a journey to defeat a new and powerful demon that's wreaking havoc.
Players who enjoy the oftentimes crazy combat of God of War who haven't played Devil May Cry 5 are almost sure to find something to like in its combat system. Each of the four (counting the return of Vergil in the PS5 Special Edition) playable characters have very different control styles with loads of new abilities to unlock and master, while the depth of the combat system is hard to exaggerate and was a large part of Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition becoming one of the best-reviewed PS5 titles of 2020. While the tone might not have the grim bent and underlying moral explorations of the PS4 God of War, fans of that series are likely to find something to enjoy in Devil May Cry 5.
Devil May Cry 5 is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
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The 2018 God of War was in some ways a reboot of the franchise: the overall tone of the game was more serious, tackling some themes that were more mature and handling storytelling in a more measured way. Kratos' transition to fatherhood was one of the most intriguing elements of that game and now has fans wondering if Ragnarok will feature a playable Atreus. However, it is still worth taking a step back to see the finale of the original trilogy in order to truly appreciate the move forward made by the PS4 title. God of War 3 took the lessons learned the from the first two titles and ramped those elements up to make what many fans at the time considered the best in the franchise.
God of War 3 told the final arc of Kratos' revenge against the gods and ultimately his father Zeus. The much younger Kratos begins the game with an assault on Mount Olympus, and the stakes are as high as they could be in the original trilogy of games, with the gameplay reflecting that. Players were left with many of the upgrades and equipment that Kratos had gathered in previous games like Icarus' Wings, a move many games do not make. The combat mechanics were expanded on and Kratos gained access to some fan-favorite weapons like the Hooks of Hades among many others.
God of War 3 is available on PS4.
When God of War released for PS4 back in 2018, it almost immediately garnered praise from fans and critics. The game is not perfect (as no game is) and some mistakes should be avoided in Ragnarok, but overall, it is widely regarded as one of the best games of the PS4's lifecycle. A more mature take on the storytelling, while still staying true to Kratos as a character, helps set up a game that sees the demigod pushed to his limits against the Norse pantheon and its mythical creatures. The changes to the older games' combat system creates something that feels fresh and unique in the space but faithful to the series' brutal roots. A large chunk of the excitement around Ragnarok is that it's not just another entry in the God of War franchise but a continuation of a new journey that many fans consider the series at its absolute best.
God of War: Ragnarok is slated for a 2021 release on PS5.
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