Few games spark the kind of “buy the console just for one title” debate that God of War (2018) has kept alive for years. Seven years after its release, the action-adventure reboot by Santa Monica Studio still tops “best PS4 games” lists — and for newcomers finding a used console or a bargain disc, 2025 might actually be the smartest time to take the plunge. We’ll break down how the game holds up technically, how long it takes, how much it costs second-hand, and where it fits in the series timeline so you can decide if this is your next God of War PS4 purchase.
Release date: April 20, 2018 ·
Metacritic score: 94/100 ·
Average playtime (main story): 20-25 hours ·
Number of games in main series on PS4: 3 ·
Typical second-hand price (CeX, UK): £7 – £15 ·
Awards: Game of the Year 2018 (The Game Awards)
Quick snapshot
- Metacritic 94/100 (Wikipedia – game overview)
- Main story: 20-25 hours (Karak Reviews – playtime estimate)
- Three mainline entries on PS4 (Wikipedia – franchise list)
- Exact end date of PS4 support from Sony (Push Square – support report)
- Long-term second-hand pricing trends (Push Square – support report)
- Whether any remaining future cross-gen titles will appear (Push Square – support report)
- 2015: God of War III Remastered on PS4 (Wikipedia – remaster page)
- April 2018: God of War (2018) released (Wikipedia – remaster page)
- November 2022: Ragnarök released (Wikipedia – remaster page)
- 2023: Sony ended first-party PS4 game releases (Wikipedia – remaster page)
- PS4 support continues through at least 2025 for online and third-party
- Second-hand prices likely to drop further as PS5 install base grows
- God of War (2018) remains fully playable on PS5 via backward compatibility
Seven key specs, one pattern: God of War (2018) was built as an exclusive PS4 flagship and has since become a cross-platform benchmark.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Santa Monica Studio |
| Publisher | Sony Interactive Entertainment |
| Release date | April 20, 2018 |
| Platform | PlayStation 4 (also on Windows) |
| Genre | Action-adventure, hack and slash |
| Metacritic score | 94/100 based on 115 critic reviews |
| Average price (CeX, UK) | £7-15 for disc |
Is God of War a good PS4 game in 2025?
What makes God of War (2018) stand out
- A single-camera narrative that never cuts away – praised by Karak Reviews (game review channel) as “pushing the medium forward”.
- Combat reworked from the Greek-era hack-and-slash to a more deliberate over-the-shoulder style with the Leviathan Axe.
- World design blends linear story beats with light Metroidvania exploration in the Lake of Nine hub.
The pattern: the 2018 reboot traded spectacle for intimacy, and that bet earned it every major Game of the Year award that year.
How does it hold up technically on PS4
On a base PS4 the game runs at 1080p with a capped 30 frames per second, according to the same review. The PS4 Pro offers a 4K checkerboard mode at 30 fps and a performance mode that uncaps the frame rate at 1080p. Even at 30 fps, the animation quality and pacing make it feel smoother than many 60 fps titles – the frame-pacing is exceptionally consistent.
For anyone still on a launch PS4 in 2025, it runs without major slowdowns or bugs. The Windows port arrived in January 2022, but the PS4 version remains the reference point.
The implication: the 2018 game delivers a 94/100 experience on hardware that costs under £100 used, making it the single best value proposition on the platform.
How many God of War games are on PS4?
List of official God of War games on PS4
- God of War III Remastered (2015) – a remaster of the 2010 PS3 title, native 1080p/60 fps on PS4. (Wikipedia – remaster details)
- God of War (2018) – the soft reboot, exclusive to PS4 at launch, later ported to Windows.
- God of War Ragnarök (2022) – the direct sequel, released simultaneously on PS4 and PS5.
The catch: there is no remastered version of the original God of War (2005), God of War II, or the PSP titles on PS4. Those remain locked to PS2/PSP/PS3.
Are there remastered versions?
Only God of War III received a native PS4 remaster. The 2018 game is not a remaster – it is a brand-new built-from-scratch title. Neither the original God of War nor God of War II were ever ported to PS4. If you want to play the Greek-era games today, you need a PS3, PS Plus Premium streaming, or the PlayStation 3 versions.
The implication for PS4-only players: the series on Sony’s last-generation console is effectively a trilogy (III Remastered → 2018 → Ragnarök), with a clear narrative jump from Greek mythology to Norse mythology.
In which order should I play the God of War games on PS4?
Recommended chronological order (story continuity)
According to a popular chronology guide on YouTube (The Best Order to Play The God of War Series), the story-driven sequence is:
- God of War III Remastered (ends the Greek saga)
- God of War (2018) – soft reboot set years after III
- God of War Ragnarök (2022) – direct sequel
This order respects the narrative timeline because the 2018 game references events from the original trilogy, especially God of War III.
Recommended release order (if you want the full series experience)
The same guide recommends starting with the 2005 original if you can access a PS3 or streaming. On PS4 alone, release order matches the chronological list above – start with III Remastered, then 2018, then Ragnarök.
Why this matters: jumping straight into the 2018 game works – it was designed as a soft reboot – but you miss emotional callbacks to Kratos’s past that III Remastered sets up. For a new PS4 owner with limited time, starting with the 2018 game is absolutely fine; the story stands on its own.
Is God of War 2018 better than Ragnarok?
Story pacing and character development
Both games share the same Metacritic score of 94/100 (Wikipedia – Ragnarök reception), but critics and many players argue the 2018 entry has a tighter narrative arc. It focuses on Kratos and Atreus’s journey to scatter Faye’s ashes, a simple premise that allows for intimate character beats. Ragnarök, by contrast, has to resolve the larger Norse prophecy, which stretches the pacing in its middle act.
The trade-off: Ragnarök gives you more hours, more enemy types, and more open-ended exploration. The 2018 game gives you a more focused emotional core.
Combat system evolution
Ragnarök adds elemental shields, more Spartan Rage abilities, and the ability to swap weapons mid-combo. The 2018 game’s combat is simpler but no less satisfying – the Leviathan Axe throw-and-recall mechanic (like Mjölnir) is still the most iconic new mechanic of the generation.
For a budget-conscious buyer: the 2018 game costs a fraction of Ragnarök (around £7 used vs £25-35 for Ragnarök), and you get 90% of the same quality combat foundation.
What this means: if budget is the main constraint, the 2018 game delivers a near-identical experience for 70% less money.
How many hours is God of War PS4?
Main story completion time
The main story takes 20 to 25 hours for most players. A reviewer estimated the main playthrough at about 30 to 35 hours without additional content, depending on playstyle (Karak Reviews – playthrough time). Another 10 to 15 hours can be added for side quests, exploration, and collectibles.
- Main story only: 20-25 hours
- Main + extras: 30-35 hours
- 100% completion: 50+ hours (including all Valkyries, treasure maps, and Niflheim grind)
The pattern: God of War respects your time – the critical path is dense, and the optional content is genuinely rewarding, not filler.
Completionist run time
Reaching 100% requires defeating the optional Valkyrie Queen Sigrun, completing all realm tears, and clearing the Muspelheim and Niflheim trials. “HowLongToBeat” data shows approximately 50 hours for completionists. That’s 10-15 hours shorter than Ragnarök’s completionist run, which is a plus for players with less time.
The implication: a £7 disc delivers up to 50 hours of content, making the cost-per-hour roughly £0.14 for completionists.
Is the PS4 ending in 2026?
Sony’s official support timeline
Sony has not announced a firm end date for PS4 support. First-party game releases ended in 2023, but Sony continues to produce PS4 units for certain markets and maintains online services (PSN, cloud saves, multiplayer). Sony confirmed in October 2024 that PS4 will receive continued support through at least 2025 (Push Square – Sony support confirmation).
The catch: no new first-party exclusives are coming, but third-party games (like Call of Duty, EA Sports FC, and many indies) still release on PS4. This means a used PS4 and a cheap copy of God of War can still provide years of gaming.
Implications for God of War players
If the PS4 loses full online service in 2026, second-hand prices for the console and its games could drop further. For now, buying a used disc of God of War for £7 is a low-risk bet – even if the PS4 eventually loses feature support, the single-player mode is permanent.
Where can I buy God of War PS4 at the best price?
New vs second-hand pricing
New digital copies on the PlayStation Store typically cost between £15 and £20 during sales. Physical new copies from Amazon hover around £10 to £15. The cheapest reliable option is second-hand: CeX in the UK lists the disc version at around £7, with some stores pricing as low as £5 for the disc only (CeX UK – verified price snapshot).
A UK buyer picking up a used PS4 and God of War (2018) disc can start playing for under £100 total – less than the cost of two new PS5 games. For anyone on a strict budget, that’s the best value entry into the series.
CeX, Amazon, and local retailers
- CeX: £7-15 for disc, 2-year warranty on physical items.
- Amazon UK: £10-15 for new physical, £8-12 for used from third-party sellers.
- eBay: £5-10 for used discs, but no warranty – check seller ratings.
- PlayStation Store: digital price varies; often on sale for £15-20.
Why this matters: at these prices, God of War is one of the cheapest 10/10 experiences you can get on any platform in 2025. The cost-per-hour of entertainment works out to roughly £0.30 per hour for a 25-hour playthrough.
Buying a second-hand disc saves money but locks you out of digital conveniences like remote play and quick resume. If you own a PS5 with a disc drive, the disc version of God of War runs with even smoother frame rates via backward compatibility – a bonus worth mentioning.
God of War 2018 vs Ragnarök – direct comparison
Both games are masterpieces. Three key differences that affect your buying decision:
| Attribute | God of War (2018) | God of War Ragnarök |
|---|---|---|
| Metacritic | 94/100 | 94/100 |
| Main story length | 20-25 hours | 25-30 hours |
| Second-hand price (UK) | £7-15 | £25-35 |
| Combat variety | 1 weapon + shield | 2 weapons + elemental shields |
| PS4 Pro performance | 1080p uncapped or 4K checkpoint 30 fps | 1440p checkerboard 30 fps, with 60 fps mode on PS5 only |
| Narrative payoff | Self-contained father-son journey | Epic finale to Norse saga, requires context from 2018 |
The implication: if budget is the main constraint, start with the 2018 game. You get the same quality, 70% cheaper, and can decide later if Ragnarök is worth the upgrade.
Key specifications – God of War (2018) on PS4
Six technical details every buyer should know:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Resolution (base PS4) | 1080p |
| Frame rate (base PS4) | 30 fps capped |
| Resolution (PS4 Pro) | 4K checkerboard (30 fps) or 1080p uncapped |
| File size | ~45 GB (with patch) |
| HDR support | Yes |
| DualSense features (PS5) | Haptic feedback, adaptive triggers via backward compatibility |
| Languages | English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, etc. |
| Subtitles & text language | 13 languages |
Pros and cons of God of War (2018) on PS4
Upsides
- One of the best-written narratives in gaming history
- Technical performance is solid – consistent 30 fps even on base PS4
- Huge replay value with New Game Plus and Valkyrie boss fights
- Very cheap second-hand – best value title on the platform
- Runs perfectly on PS5 if you upgrade later
Downsides
- 30 fps may feel sluggish to players used to 60 fps shooters
- No PS5-native remaster – the 30 fps cap remains
- Combat is simpler than Ragnarök (only one main weapon)
- Side content (Niflheim, Muspelheim) can feel repetitive
- Needs ~45 GB of free storage
Which God of War should I play first – a step-by-step approach
Four simple steps for a limited-budget PS4 owner in 2025:
- Buy God of War III Remastered (second-hand ~£3-5) – 10 hours of Greek-era closure.
- Play God of War (2018) – the main event, 20-25 hours.
- Check if you want more after the story ends – if yes, buy Ragnarök disc (~£25-35).
- Optional: play the 2005 original via PS Plus Premium streaming for historical context.
The recommendation: start with the 2018 game directly (you lose almost nothing), then decide if you want the prequel context. For a new PS4 owner, skipping III Remastered and jumping straight into the reboot is the most rewarding path.
The pattern: a new PS4 owner can play the best entry first for £7 and decide later whether to invest in the rest of the series.
God of War PS4 timeline – key dates
- 2015 – God of War III Remastered released on PS4 (Wikipedia)
- April 2018 – God of War (2018) released on PS4 (Karak Reviews – release date)
- January 2022 – God of War (2018) released on Windows
- November 2022 – God of War Ragnarök released on PS4 and PS5
- 2023 – Sony ended first-party game releases for PS4
Confirmed facts vs what is unclear
Confirmed facts
- God of War (2018) is available on PS4
- Metacritic score is 94/100
- Main story time is 20-25 hours
- Three main God of War games are on PS4
- Second-hand price at CeX is around £7
What’s unclear
- Exact end date of PS4 support from Sony
- Long-term price trends for second-hand copies
- Whether future cross-gen games will still appear for PS4
What people are saying about God of War (2018)
God of War is a phenomenal effort by Sony Santa Monica and one that truly needs to be experienced by every PS4 player.
– God of War PS4 Review – “One of the Greatest Games of…” (YouTube review channel)
It’s a story worth experiencing, and it’s a great game.
– God of War Review for PS4 – “A Story Worth Experiencing” (review channel)
On base PS4, the game runs at 1080p and is capped at 30fps. The PS4 Pro offers a 4K checkerboard mode at capped 30fps and a performance mode with uncapped frame rates at 1080p.
– Karak Reviews – technical analysis
A fan discussion on GameFAQs noted that buying a PS4 just for God of War is expensive but potentially worthwhile if it leads to buying more games.
Final takeaway: is God of War (2018) worth buying on PS4 in 2025?
The decision for a new PS4 owner in 2025 is straightforward: God of War (2018) is a must-play title that costs less than a meal out, delivers 20-25 hours of outstanding gameplay, and requires no prior series knowledge. Its technical performance is still solid on the aging PS4 hardware, and the narrative remains unmatched in the action-adventure genre. For a buyer on a limited budget, the choice is clear: pick up a used disc for £7, play it, and if you love it, save for Ragnarök later. Any other order risks missing one of the best games of the generation.
Related reading: Can My PC Run It – Game Compatibility Check Guide 2025 · Playing Game on Blog PlayBattleSquare: Beginner Guide
Frequently asked questions
Is God of War (2018) suitable for beginners?
Yes. The combat tutorial is thorough, and the story is a soft reboot – you don’t need to have played earlier entries. The game’s difficulty settings (including a Story mode) make it accessible for newcomers.
Does God of War (2018) have a New Game Plus mode?
Yes. A free update in August 2018 added New Game Plus, letting you carry over all gear, skills, and enchantments into a second playthrough with tougher enemies.
Can I play God of War (2018) on PS5?
Yes. The PS4 disc and digital version are fully backward-compatible on PS5, with the added benefit of DualSense haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.
Is the God of War (2018) game on PS4 worth buying in 2025?
Absolutely. At a second-hand price of around £7-10, it offers one of the best cost-per-hour ratios in gaming. Metacritic score of 94 and universal critical acclaim confirm its quality.
What are the differences between God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök?
Ragnarök adds a second weapon (spear), more enemy variety, and a larger world. The 2018 game has a tighter narrative and costs 70% less. Both share a Metacritic score of 94.
How long does it take to complete God of War (2018) 100%?
Around 50+ hours for 100% completion, including all collectibles, side quests, Valkyrie bosses, and realm challenge trials.
Where can I find a complete God of War PS4 walkthrough?
Official guides are available on the PlayStation website, but community-written resources on Reddit (r/GodofWar) and IGN’s written walkthrough are widely recommended.
Freddie Harry Cooper Bennett is a staff writer for DailyPressUK.co.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Whitmore and UK Managing Editor Eleanor Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.