God of War vs God of War III
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.
God of War III concludes the saga of Kratos, the Spartan warrior turned god‑slayer, as he battles the Olympian pantheon in a visually stunning, cinematic adventure. The game delivers brutal combat, massive set‑piece battles, and a mythic story that pushes the limits of the PlayStation 3 hardware. With a single‑player focus, the title blends hack‑and‑slash action with puzzle platforming, offering a deep narrative experience steeped in Greek mythology. Its high‑octane combat, epic boss fights, and breathtaking set pieces have earned it critical acclaim and a place among the greatest console games of its generation.
- Engaging combat mechanics
- Immersive storytelling
- Stunning visuals and sound design
- Deep character progression
- Stunning visual fidelity for its generation
- Deep, myth‑based storyline
- Varied and satisfying combat system
- Epic, memorable boss encounters
- Some players may find the game's pace too slow
- Limited character customization options
- No multiplayer mode
- Linear level design limits exploration
- High difficulty spikes may frustrate newcomers
- No multiplayer or co‑op options
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataBoth games cost $59.99 and share a 96 critic score, but God of War III concludes the original Greek trilogy on PS3 with linear hack-and-slash action, while the 2018 God of War offers a Norse-setting reboot with broader platform support including PC.
Key differences
- •Setting and Mythology: God of War III focuses on Greek mythology and a battle against Zeus and Poseidon, whereas the 2018 God of War moves to Norse mythology featuring Kratos and Atreus exploring the Norse wilderness.
- •Combat and Weapons: God of War III utilizes the Blades of Athena for combo-based hack-and-slash attacks, while the 2018 game features the Leviathan Axe and Atreus's bow with character progression upgrades.
- •Platform Availability: God of War III is exclusive to the PlayStation 3, whereas the 2018 God of War is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC (Microsoft Windows).
- •Pacing and Exploration: God of War III features linear level design with intense pacing, whereas some players may find the 2018 game's pace too slow alongside its wilderness exploration.
Gameplay & fun factor
Both earned a 96/100 critic score with engaging, satisfying combat systems and epic boss encounters.
Platform availability
Available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC, whereas God of War III is limited to PlayStation 3.
Price & value
Both games share the same MSRP of $59.99 as a one-time paid purchase.
Multiplayer / co-op
Both titles are strictly single player with no multiplayer or co-op options.
Content & replayability
God of War III features unlockable challenge modes and difficulty settings to extend replayability.
Difficulty & accessibility
God of War III features high difficulty spikes that may frustrate newcomers, while the 2018 game's pace is noted as potentially too slow.
Graphics & performance
The 2018 game features stunning visuals and sound design across PS4, PS5, and PC, whereas God of War III utilizes the PS3 Cell processor.
Choose God of War if…
Gamers wanting a Norse-setting cinematic adventure with PC or modern PlayStation support and character progression.
Choose God of War III if…
Action gamers wanting a linear, epic conclusion to the original Greek mythology trilogy on PS3.
Common questions
Do both games cost the same?
Yes, both God of War III and God of War have an MSRP of $59.99 as paid, one-time purchases.
Can I play these games with friends in multiplayer?
No, both titles are single player only and do not feature multiplayer or co-op modes.
Which platforms can I play the 2018 God of War on?
It is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC (Microsoft Windows).