How Long Does It Really Take to Conquer God of War? A Deep Dive into Kratos’ Journey
So, you’re itching to embark on Kratos and Atreus’ epic journey through the Norse realms in God of War (2018), and the burning question is: How long will it take to finish? The answer, like the Midgard Serpent itself, is multifaceted. On average, a playthrough focused solely on the main story will take around 25-30 hours. However, if you’re a completionist yearning to see and do everything, brace yourself for a much longer adventure, potentially extending to 50+ hours.
The beauty of God of War lies in its blend of compelling narrative and engaging side content. Whether you prioritize the emotional core of the story or the thrill of exploration, your playtime will inevitably vary. Let’s break down the factors influencing your journey’s duration.
Factors Influencing Playtime
Several key elements dictate how long it will take you to experience God of War in its entirety:
- Difficulty Setting: Playing on higher difficulties, like “Give Me God of War,” will significantly increase playtime. Enemies are tougher, requiring more strategic combat and multiple attempts at challenging encounters. Lower difficulties will naturally speed up the process.
- Playstyle: Are you a seasoned action-adventure gamer who breezes through combat encounters, or do you prefer a more methodical approach? Your combat proficiency directly impacts how quickly you progress.
- Exploration and Side Quests: God of War offers a wealth of optional content, including side quests (Favors), exploration of hidden realms (Niflheim, Muspelheim), and collectible hunts. Engaging with these will substantially increase your playtime.
- Skill Level: Your overall gaming skill, experience with similar titles, and ability to adapt to God of War’s combat system all contribute to your playthrough duration.
- Rushing vs. Immersion: Some players prioritize completing the story as quickly as possible, skipping cutscenes and dialogue. Others savor the immersive experience, soaking in the Norse mythology and character development.
God of War: Ragnarok – A Note
It’s essential to distinguish this discussion from its sequel, God of War Ragnarok. While this article focuses specifically on the 2018 title, Ragnarok also boasts a substantial playtime, generally longer than its predecessor due to its larger scope and expanded content.
Breaking Down the Playtime
Here’s a more granular look at the estimated playtime based on different playstyles:
- Main Story Only (Easy/Normal Difficulty): 25-30 hours.
- Main Story + Some Side Quests (Normal Difficulty): 35-40 hours.
- Completionist Run (All Favors, Collectibles, Realms, Harder Difficulty): 50+ hours.
- Speedrun: Highly skilled players can complete the main story in under 10 hours, showcasing their mastery of the game mechanics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the playtime expectations for God of War:
1. Is God of War a long game?
Yes, God of War is considered a relatively long game for a single-player action-adventure title. A main story playthrough typically takes around 25-30 hours, and completionist runs can easily exceed 50 hours.
2. How long does it take to beat God of War on the hardest difficulty?
Beating God of War on “Give Me God of War” difficulty can significantly extend your playtime. Expect the main story to take 40+ hours, and a completionist run could reach 60-70 hours or even more, depending on your skill and patience.
3. What are Favors in God of War?
Favors are side quests offered by NPCs throughout the game world. Completing these rewards you with experience, resources, and valuable gear, adding depth to the overall experience and increasing playtime.
4. What are the optional realms in God of War, and how long do they take to complete?
The optional realms are Niflheim and Muspelheim. Niflheim features a procedurally generated maze where you collect resources, while Muspelheim offers a series of increasingly challenging combat trials. Completing both realms fully can add 10-15 hours to your playtime.
5. Are there any missable trophies/achievements that require multiple playthroughs?
No, God of War doesn’t have any missable trophies/achievements that strictly require multiple playthroughs. However, some trophies are easier to obtain on lower difficulties, and completing the game on “Give Me God of War” difficulty unlocks a specific trophy.
6. How much of God of War’s content is optional?
A significant portion of God of War’s content is optional. While the main story provides a compelling narrative, exploring the world, completing Favors, and tackling optional realms offer a substantial amount of additional gameplay.
7. Does God of War have a new game plus mode?
Yes, God of War features a New Game Plus mode. This allows you to replay the game with all your acquired gear and abilities, offering a fresh challenge and the opportunity to further upgrade your equipment.
8. How does the story pacing affect the playtime?
God of War features a well-paced story with a good balance of combat, exploration, and character development. The pacing generally keeps you engaged and motivated to progress, which can affect how long you spend in the game.
9. Is it worth exploring all the side content in God of War?
Absolutely! The side content in God of War is often just as compelling as the main story, offering unique challenges, rewarding loot, and deeper insights into the world and its characters. Exploring everything is highly recommended for a complete experience.
10. How does upgrading equipment affect playtime?
Upgrading Kratos’ and Atreus’ equipment is crucial for tackling tougher enemies and challenges. This requires collecting resources, which often involves exploration and completing side quests, thereby influencing playtime.
11. What is the “Valkyrie” challenge, and how does it impact playtime?
The Valkyries are optional, incredibly challenging boss encounters scattered throughout the realms. Defeating all of them is a significant undertaking that can add several hours to your playtime, especially on higher difficulties.
12. Does God of War have a post-game?
Yes, God of War has a post-game that allows you to continue exploring the world, completing any remaining Favors, and tackling optional challenges, such as the Valkyries.
13. How long does it take to platinum God of War?
Achieving the platinum trophy in God of War typically takes 40-50 hours, depending on your skill and efficiency. This requires completing almost all aspects of the game, including all Favors, exploration, and defeating the Valkyries.
14. What are some tips for speeding up my God of War playthrough?
To speed up your God of War playthrough, focus on the main story, skip unnecessary cutscenes, prioritize upgrading essential gear, and play on a lower difficulty. However, remember that rushing can diminish the overall experience.
15. Does God of War benefit learning and skill development?
Absolutely! God of War requires strategic thinking, problem-solving, and quick reflexes, fostering cognitive skills. The challenging combat encourages persistence and adaptation, valuable traits applicable beyond gaming. Exploring the mythology can also spark interest in history and culture. For more information on the intersection of games and learning, check out the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. The GamesLearningSociety.org focuses on the educational aspects of video games.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the time it takes to finish God of War is a personal journey. Whether you’re a seasoned Spartan warrior or a novice adventurer, embrace the challenge and immerse yourself in the captivating world. Don’t be afraid to explore, experiment, and adjust your approach to conquer the Norse realms at your own pace. The most important thing is to enjoy the experience!