How Long Does It Take To Finish a God of War Game? A Comprehensive Guide
So, you’re diving into the brutal and beautiful world of God of War, eh? Excellent choice! But before you start hacking and slashing your way through Norse mythology, you’re probably wondering: How long is this epic journey going to take? The answer, as with many things in life, isn’t a simple one. It depends on a few factors, primarily your play style and which game you’re tackling.
Generally speaking, if you’re just focusing on the main story, you can expect to spend anywhere from 20 to 30 hours on most God of War titles. However, if you’re a completionist aiming for that coveted 100%, prepare to invest 50 hours or more. This involves tackling side quests, exploring every nook and cranny of the game world, and mastering every challenge.
The older titles, like God of War 1, 2, and 3, tend to be shorter, often clocking in around 10-20 hours for a main story playthrough. The newer entries, particularly God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarok (2022), offer significantly more content, with main story playthroughs lasting around 25-35 hours and 100% completion runs potentially exceeding 60 hours.
Let’s break it down further to give you a clearer picture.
God of War Playtimes: A Detailed Look
Understanding the nuances of playtime requires considering different game versions and play styles.
Core Story Focus
If your primary goal is experiencing the narrative and following Kratos’ journey, you’re looking at a more streamlined experience. This involves primarily focusing on the main quests, which can significantly shorten your playtime.
Completionist Endeavors
For those aiming to achieve 100% completion, expect a much longer adventure. This includes completing all side quests, finding every collectible, mastering challenging combat encounters, and exploring every corner of the game world.
Individual Game Lengths
Here’s a brief rundown of estimated playtimes for various God of War games:
- God of War (2005): 20-25 hours (Main Story), 40-50 hours (Completionist)
- God of War II (2007): Similar to the first game, around 20-25 hours for the main story, and 40-50 hours for completionists.
- God of War III (2010): Slightly shorter, around 10-20 hours depending on skill level. Completionist runs around 30-40 hours.
- God of War (2018): 20.5 hours (Main Story), 51 hours (Completionist)
- God of War Ragnarok (2022): 25-30 hours (Main Story), 55-60 hours+ (Completionist)
Factors Influencing Playtime
Several elements can affect how long it takes you to finish a God of War game.
Difficulty Level
Playing on a lower difficulty setting will naturally shorten your playtime, as combat encounters become easier and less time-consuming. Higher difficulties demand more strategic gameplay and can significantly extend your overall playtime.
Playstyle
Are you a meticulous explorer, carefully examining every area for secrets and hidden items? Or are you more of a “run and gun” type of player, eager to progress through the story as quickly as possible? Your playstyle will heavily influence your overall playtime.
Experience with Action Games
If you’re a seasoned action game veteran, you’ll likely adapt to the combat system more quickly and progress through the game more efficiently. Newcomers to the genre may require more time to master the mechanics and overcome challenging encounters.
Side Content Engagement
The God of War games are packed with optional side quests and activities. Whether you choose to engage with this content will significantly impact your playtime. Side quests offer additional story elements, challenges, and rewards, but they also add hours to your overall playthrough.
Beyond the Story: Maximizing Your God of War Experience
While finishing the main story is a significant accomplishment, there’s so much more to discover in the world of God of War.
Exploration and Discovery
Take the time to explore the game world thoroughly. You’ll uncover hidden areas, secret treasures, and lore that enriches the overall experience. Don’t be afraid to stray off the beaten path and see what you can find.
Mastering Combat
Experiment with different combat styles, weapon combinations, and skill upgrades. The God of War combat system is deep and rewarding, and mastering its intricacies will enhance your enjoyment of the game.
Engaging with Lore
Immerse yourself in the rich mythology and lore of the God of War universe. Pay attention to the dialogue, examine the environments, and read the in-game texts. The more you learn about the world, the more you’ll appreciate the story and characters.
The Enduring Appeal of God of War
The God of War series has captivated players for years with its engaging stories, stunning visuals, and visceral combat. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to the franchise, there’s no denying the enduring appeal of these games. So, grab your axe, prepare for a challenging journey, and get ready to experience the epic world of God of War.
Understanding the time investment required allows you to plan your gaming sessions effectively and fully appreciate the depth and breadth of the God of War universe. Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination, so take your time, explore the world, and enjoy the ride.
Understanding how games engage and teach players is the subject of study for the Games Learning Society and its community of researchers. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About God of War Playtimes
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the playtime expectations for the God of War series:
1. How long is God of War 1 if I just focus on the main story?
Approximately 20-25 hours.
2. What’s the average completion time for God of War (2018)?
Around 20.5 hours for the main story, and about 51 hours for 100% completion.
3. Is God of War Ragnarok longer than God of War (2018)?
Yes, God of War Ragnarok generally takes longer, especially if you explore the side content. The main story can take 25-30 hours, and a complete playthrough could reach 60 hours or more.
4. How much storage space do I need for God of War 1?
God of War (2018) Requires around 70 GB of storage space.
5. How many endings does God of War have?
Technically, God of War (2018) has two endings, and you’ll need to do a bit extra to unlock the full conclusion.
6. Is Kratos a god or a demigod?
Kratos is a demigod by birth, being the son of Zeus. However, he later becomes a full-fledged god after killing Ares and taking his place as the God of War.
7. What are some things to do after finishing God of War Ragnarok?
Explore post-game content such as:
- Muspelheim Crucible challenges.
- Freeing the real Týr.
- Defeating Berserkers.
- Closing Draugr Holes.
- Fighting secret bosses.
- Collecting Bloom Flowers.
- Finding Kvasir poems.
- Discovering Dvalin’s Lost Pages.
8. Is God of War Ragnarok the end of the Norse saga?
According to the developer, Santa Monica Studio, God of War Ragnarok concludes the Norse saga for Kratos and Atreus.
9. Is God of War Ragnarok replayable?
Yes, but a late-game narrative reveal can impact replayability. While the story remains compelling, some aspects might feel less surprising on subsequent playthroughs.
10. How old is Kratos in God of War Ragnarok?
It’s estimated that Kratos is around 1,055 years old in God of War Ragnarok.
11. Which game won Game of the Year over God of War Ragnarok?
While God of War Ragnarok won several awards, Elden Ring took home the Game of the Year award at the DICE Awards.
12. How old is Atreus in God of War Ragnarok?
Atreus is 14 years old in God of War Ragnarok.
13. Can Kratos wield Mjolnir?
No, Kratos cannot wield Mjolnir in God of War Ragnarok.
14. How long does it take to complete all God of War games?
For just the main stories, about 72 hours. For completionist runs, approximately 126 hours.
15. What is the longest story game?
Among games with at least 10 main story times submitted, Library of Ruina tops the list at around 122 hours.