Does God of War Come on PS4? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, the God of War franchise is indeed available on the PlayStation 4 (PS4), but it’s not as straightforward as having every single title directly accessible. The availability varies across different games in the series. Let’s break it down. The critically acclaimed God of War (2018), often referred to as the “reboot,” is readily available on the PS4. Additionally, the stunning sequel, God of War Ragnarök, was released on both PS4 and PlayStation 5 simultaneously. This gives PS4 owners access to the most recent entries in Kratos’ saga. However, the older titles have a different story. God of War III has been remastered for the PS4, offering a fantastic way to experience that chapter of Kratos’ journey in stunning 1080p at 60fps. God of War I and II, originally released on the PlayStation 2, are not directly available as standalone games for the PS4. However, they can be accessed through the PlayStation Plus Premium subscription service via streaming. This means you are playing a streamed version of the PS3 versions of those games. There is no native download or way to directly play these older games on a PS4 without PlayStation Plus Premium. This nuanced situation means that while the latest major releases and the third main game are readily available, the earliest chapters in Kratos’ life are accessible through a subscription-based streaming service. Therefore, while the simple answer is yes, God of War comes on the PS4, the method depends on the specific game you are looking to play.
Availability of God of War Games on PS4
God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök
The 2018 God of War and its sequel, God of War Ragnarök, are both natively available on the PS4. You can purchase them physically as retail copies or digitally from the PlayStation Store. These titles were designed to run on the PS4 hardware, ensuring optimal performance and visuals for the console.
God of War III Remastered
God of War III received a remastered version for the PS4, taking advantage of the console’s capabilities to provide an improved visual experience, running at 1080p and a targeted 60fps. This version is available both digitally and as a physical copy. It represents a great way to experience the conclusion of the original trilogy, without requiring a PlayStation 3.
God of War I and II
The original God of War and God of War II are not available for direct purchase and download on PS4. To play these early entries in the series, you must be subscribed to PlayStation Plus Premium, which allows you to stream the PS3 versions of these games to your PS4. This is the only official way to experience these games on the PS4 platform.
PlayStation Plus Premium and Streaming
The PlayStation Plus Premium subscription is crucial for anyone looking to experience the entirety of the God of War saga on their PS4. This service provides access to a catalog of games from previous generations, which are streamed over an internet connection. While this provides access to classic titles like God of War I and II, it requires a stable, fast internet connection for smooth gameplay.
Performance of God of War on PS4
The performance of the God of War games on PS4 is quite strong. God of War (2018) has two main graphics options: “Favor Resolution” which runs at a locked 30fps between 1440p and 1656p and “Favor Performance” which drops the resolution to a minimum of 1080p and can run at an unlocked frame rate above 30fps. The base PS4 runs the game consistently at 1080p 30fps. God of War Ragnarök was also built to run optimally on PS4, meaning fans can enjoy the gameplay, although the PS5 version boasts superior graphics and performance. God of War III Remastered runs at a smooth 60 fps at 1080p resolution, providing an enhanced experience compared to its original PlayStation 3 counterpart. Streaming older titles through PlayStation Plus Premium might face performance variation depending on internet connection speed and quality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I play all God of War games on PS4?
No, not all God of War games are directly playable on PS4. God of War (2018), God of War Ragnarök, and God of War III Remastered are available to purchase and play directly. God of War I and II can be streamed via PlayStation Plus Premium.
2. Is God of War 1 and 2 available on PS4?
God of War 1 and 2 are not directly available on the PS4 for purchase or download. They can only be accessed through streaming via the PlayStation Plus Premium subscription service.
3. Can I download God of War 1 and 2 on PS4 with PlayStation Plus Premium?
No, PlayStation Plus Premium does not allow you to download and install these games. They are streamed via PS3 versions, meaning you need a strong internet connection to play.
4. Is God of War 3 on PS4?
Yes, God of War III has been remastered for the PS4, and is available to purchase and play. It is available both physically and digitally.
5. Which God of War games can I buy on PS4?
You can buy God of War (2018), God of War Ragnarök, and God of War III Remastered directly from the PlayStation Store or as physical copies.
6. Do I need a PS5 to play God of War Ragnarök?
No, **God of War Ragnarök** was released on both the **PS4 and PS5**. You can play it on your PS4 without needing to upgrade to a PS5.
7. Is God of War (2018) free on PS4?
No, **God of War (2018)** is not a free game. You must purchase it to play it. However, occasionally, there might be promotional events with free trials or downloads.
8. Is God of War Ragnarök free on PS4?
No, the full **God of War Ragnarök** game is not free. However, a **three-hour game trial** is sometimes offered to **PlayStation Plus Premium** subscribers.
9. What is PlayStation Plus Premium?
PlayStation Plus Premium is a subscription service that allows you to access a catalog of games from PlayStation’s history, which can be streamed to your PS4. This includes PlayStation 3 titles like God of War I and II.
10. Can I play God of War 1 without PlayStation Plus Premium?
No, **God of War 1 and God of War 2** cannot be played on PS4 without **PlayStation Plus Premium**. A subscription is required to stream the PS3 versions of these games.
11. Is God of War on PS4 better than on PS3?
The PS4 versions of God of War (2018), God of War Ragnarök, and God of War III Remastered offer better performance, enhanced graphics, and faster loading times compared to their original PS3 counterparts. Streaming via PlayStation Plus Premium might have inconsistent performance due to internet variability.
12. What is the file size for God of War Ragnarök on PS4?
**God of War Ragnarök** on PS4 has a large file size, approximately **118GB**, requiring significant storage space on your console.
13. What are the performance options for God of War (2018) on PS4?
God of War (2018) on PS4 has two options: “Favor Resolution,” which targets a higher resolution at 30 fps, and “Favor Performance,” which lowers resolution for a higher frame rate, though both are capped at 30fps on the original PS4 models.
14. Do I need to play previous God of War games before playing the 2018 version?
No, the **2018 God of War** is designed to be accessible to newcomers, although playing the older games adds to the experience of the series' overarching storyline and the older versions will provide important history and information to understand the game.
15. Can I play God of War on my old PS4?
Yes, **God of War (2018), God of War Ragnarök, and God of War III Remastered** are all playable on the original PS4 consoles. Older models may run at a slightly lower performance than the more recent versions of the console or the PS4 pro, but are still a great way to experience the games.