God of War vs God of War: Chains of Olympus
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
God of War is an action-adventure game developed by SIE Santa Monica Studio. The game follows Kratos, a Spartan warrior, and his son Atreus as they journey through the Norse wilderness to spread their wife and mother's ashes from the highest peak in the realms. Along the way, they encounter various gods and monsters from Norse mythology.
Set before the original God of War, Chains of Olympus follows Kratos on a perilous quest to save Olympus from a vengeful god. The game blends brutal combat with epic storytelling, delivering a compact yet unforgettable mythological saga. The handheld classic brings cinematic set‑pieces, challenging puzzles, and massive boss encounters to a tight, action‑packed experience that still feels fresh for modern players.
- Engaging combat mechanics
- Immersive storytelling
- Stunning visuals and sound design
- Deep character progression
- Engaging mythological storyline
- Tight, responsive combat system
- Impressive boss designs
- Rich upgrade variety
- Some players may find the game's pace too slow
- Limited character customization options
- No multiplayer mode
- Limited open‑world exploration
- Short overall campaign length
- Occasional camera issues during platforming
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataGod of War (2018) is the safer, higher-rated modern default offering deep progression and a cinematic Norse adventure, while Chains of Olympus serves as a shorter, cheaper, hack-and-slash prequel option.
Key differences
- •Price and Value: God of War is priced at an MSRP of $59.99 with a critic score of 96, whereas God of War: Chains of Olympus costs $19.99 with an 88 critic score.
- •Combat and Weaponry: God of War features the Leviathan Axe and Atreus's bow, while Chains of Olympus features the iconic Blades of Chaos, Blade of Artemis, and Bow of Apollo.
- •Platform Availability: God of War is playable on PlayStation 4, PC, and PlayStation 5; the specific platforms for Chains of Olympus are not specified.
- •Story Setting and Scope: God of War explores the Norse wilderness as a full-length game with deep character progression, whereas Chains of Olympus is a prequel adventure with a short overall campaign length and limited open-world exploration.
Gameplay & fun factor
God of War offers engaging combat with the Leviathan Axe and puzzles, while Chains of Olympus features tight hack-and-slash combat with the Blades of Chaos.
Platform availability
God of War is available on PlayStation 4, PC, and PlayStation 5; platforms for Chains of Olympus are not specified.
Price & value
Chains of Olympus is cheaper at an MSRP of $19.99 compared to God of War's $59.99 price tag.
Multiplayer / co-op
Both titles are single-player experiences with no multiplayer mode.
Content & replayability
God of War features deep character progression and Norse wilderness exploration, whereas Chains of Olympus has a short overall campaign length.
Difficulty & accessibility
Not specified in the provided facts regarding specific difficulty modes or accessibility settings for either title.
Graphics & performance
God of War highlights a cinematic experience with stunning visuals and sound design, while Chains of Olympus uses dynamic camera angles and quick-time events.
Choose God of War if…
Players wanting a modern, deep, high-rated cinematic Norse adventure with the Leviathan Axe.
Choose God of War: Chains of Olympus if…
Gamers looking for a shorter, budget-friendly prequel featuring fast-paced hack-and-slash combat with the Blades of Chaos.
Common questions
How much do these games cost?
God of War has an MSRP of $59.99, while God of War: Chains of Olympus has an MSRP of $19.99.
Do either of these games feature multiplayer?
No, both God of War and God of War: Chains of Olympus are single-player games with no multiplayer mode.
What weapons do you use in each game?
In God of War you use the Leviathan Axe and Atreus's bow, while in Chains of Olympus you use the Blades of Chaos, Blade of Artemis, and Bow of Apollo.