Quick Verdict: God of War (2018) is the better pick if you want the franchise’s Norse reinvention and origin story at a lower price. God of War Ragnarök is the better pick if you want the larger-scale, most critically decorated conclusion, with triple-weapon combat and a free bundled roguelite mode. God of War costs $49.99 on Steam, Ragnarök costs $59.99, and both already have their own “how to get it free” guide linked below.
God of War and God of War Ragnarök are both Santa Monica Studio’s reinvention of Kratos as a Norse-era father figure, but one is the origin story and the other is the larger, more decorated conclusion. This guide breaks down where each one wins.
God of War vs Ragnarök at a Glance
| Category | God of War (2018) | God of War Ragnarök |
| Release Date | PS4 April 20, 2018; PC January 14, 2022 | PS4/PS5 November 9, 2022; PC late 2024 |
| Price on Steam | $49.99 | $59.99 |
| Developer | Santa Monica Studio, Jetpack Interactive (PC port) | Santa Monica Studio |
| Publisher | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Sony Interactive Entertainment / PlayStation PC |
| Critic Score | 93 Metascore, 94 on OpenCritic | 94 on PS5, 90 on PC |
| Awards | Game of the Year, The Game Awards 2018; BAFTA Best Game 2019 | Best Narrative, The Game Awards 2022 |
| Weapons | Single weapon, the Leviathan Axe | Triple weapon: Leviathan Axe, Blades of Chaos, and Draupnir Spear |
| Best For | Players who want the franchise’s Norse reinvention and origin story | Players who want the larger-scale, most critically decorated conclusion |
Story and Scope
God of War follows a still-young Atreus and Kratos on a deeply personal quest across the Nine Realms, running roughly 20.5 hours for the main story. God of War Ragnarök picks up with a teenage Atreus for a larger-scale conclusion as the actual Ragnarök approaches, a story ambitious enough to win Best Narrative at The Game Awards 2022. Edge: God of War Ragnarök, for the larger scope and specifically recognized narrative achievement.
Combat System
God of War builds its combat around a single weapon, the Leviathan Axe, paired with genuine RPG progression through skill trees and gear upgrades. God of War Ragnarök adds two more weapons, the returning Blades of Chaos and the new Draupnir Spear, giving players meaningfully more combat variety across the entire campaign. Edge: God of War Ragnarök, for significantly more combat variety across three distinct weapon types.
Content and Replay Value
God of War offers roughly 20.5 hours for the main story and about 51 hours for full completion, including optional Valkyrie boss fights. God of War Ragnarök bundles in the free Valhalla roguelite mode at no extra cost, a genuinely different repeatable structure built around escalating runs through Kratos’s memories. Edge: God of War Ragnarök, for the added Valhalla mode giving real post-story replay value.
Critical and Community Reception
God of War holds a 93 Metascore and a 94 on OpenCritic, remarkably consistent scores across review aggregators. God of War Ragnarök holds a 94 on PS5 but a slightly lower 90 on PC, alongside a Very Positive Steam rating from over 14,000 reviews and more than 15 million copies sold. Edge: God of War (2018), for a marginally higher and more consistent critic score specifically on the platform this guide covers.
Access and Availability
God of War was a free monthly PlayStation Plus title back in June 2022, a one-time window that has since closed for new claimants. God of War Ragnarök joined the PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium catalog in January 2025 and remains there currently, though catalog titles can rotate out over time. Edge: God of War Ragnarök, for being accessible through an active PS Plus catalog subscription right now, rather than a closed one-time window.
Price and Value
God of War costs $49.99 on Steam. God of War Ragnarök costs $59.99, though it bundles in the free Valhalla DLC on top. Edge: God of War (2018), for the lower entry price.
Which One Should You Play First?
- Want to experience the Norse saga in story order and understand Kratos and Atreus’s origin: start with God of War (2018).
- Want the larger-scale, most critically decorated conclusion with triple-weapon combat: start with God of War Ragnarök.
- Working with a tighter budget: start with God of War (2018), which costs $10 less.
- Currently have PS Plus Extra or Premium and want to try before buying on PC: start with God of War Ragnarök, currently in the catalog.
Overall Verdict
God of War remains the more affordable, tightly focused entry point into Kratos and Atreus’s Norse saga, backed by consistently excellent critic scores and a genuine BAFTA win. God of War Ragnarök costs more but delivers a larger, more decorated conclusion, with triple-weapon combat and the free Valhalla mode adding real extra value. If you’re new to the reboot, start with God of War for the origin story at a lower price. If you’ve already played the first game or want the definitive, most acclaimed entry, Ragnarök is worth the extra cost.
Get Both For Less
Both games already have their own dedicated guide on this site covering legitimate ways to get them below full Steam price. Read How To Get God of War Free and How To Get God of War Ragnarök Free for the full breakdown of both routes.
FAQ
Which is better, God of War (2018) or God of War Ragnarök?
God of War Ragnarök is the better pick for scale, combat variety, and its Best Narrative-winning story. God of War (2018) is the better pick for a tighter, more affordable entry point with consistently excellent critic scores. Neither is objectively better, they work well together as a two-part story.
Do I need to play God of War before Ragnarök?
Yes, it’s strongly recommended. Ragnarök picks up directly from the events of the 2018 game, and its emotional weight depends on the father-son relationship built throughout the first game.
Which is cheaper, God of War or Ragnarök?
God of War (2018) is cheaper at $49.99 compared to Ragnarök’s $59.99.
Does Ragnarök include any bonus content?
Yes. The PC version bundles in the free Valhalla roguelite mode at no extra cost, offering a repeatable structure distinct from the main story campaign.
Is God of War Ragnarök on PS Plus?
Yes. It joined the PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium catalog on January 21, 2025, though catalog titles can rotate out over time, so it’s worth checking current availability.
