Is God of War 3 Free on PS Plus? Unveiling the Truth and Exploring the God of War Universe
The question of whether God of War 3 is free on PlayStation Plus is a common one among fans of the iconic franchise. The short answer is: it depends on your PlayStation Plus tier. While it’s not directly offered as part of the standard monthly games, God of War 3 Remastered is available to play for subscribers of PlayStation Plus Premium. This version is a beautifully rendered upgrade of the original PlayStation 3 title, optimized for newer consoles. It’s not free for all PS Plus subscribers, only those with Premium access. This means that not everyone will have access to play this classic without either a purchase or a premium subscription. For those eager to delve into Kratos’s past, understanding the nuances of PlayStation Plus access is crucial.
PlayStation Plus Tiers and God of War 3
Understanding the PlayStation Plus subscription tiers is essential to knowing what you can access. There are three tiers: Essential, Extra, and Premium.
Essential
The Essential tier grants you access to monthly downloadable games, online multiplayer capabilities, and exclusive discounts. However, the Essential tier does not include access to God of War 3 Remastered. This subscription level doesn’t give you access to the PS3 and classic games library required for the title.
Extra
The Extra tier builds upon the Essential tier by adding a library of downloadable PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games. While the catalog is substantial, God of War 3 Remastered is not part of this selection. Thus, even with the Extra tier, playing the remastered title requires an upgraded subscription.
Premium
The PlayStation Plus Premium tier provides the most comprehensive access, including all the benefits of the previous tiers plus a catalog of classic PlayStation, PS2, and PSP games, as well as a selection of PS3 titles available for streaming. It’s within this tier that God of War 3 Remastered resides. If you subscribe to PlayStation Plus Premium, you can stream or potentially download God of War 3 Remastered depending on the game’s availability in your region.
Where Else Can You Play God of War 3?
Beyond PS Plus Premium, there are other ways to experience the epic conclusion to the original trilogy:
PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 5
God of War 3 Remastered was released on PlayStation 4 and is also playable on PlayStation 5 via backward compatibility. This allows modern console owners to enjoy the game with improved graphics and performance. While you must purchase the game on disc or digitally on the PS Store to play on these consoles, it’s an alternative route if you don’t want a premium subscription.
Original PlayStation 3
The original release of God of War 3 is, of course, playable on the PlayStation 3 console. If you own an old PS3 and the physical copy of the game, you can play it in its original form. However, note that the graphics and performance will not be as good as the remastered version.
Is it Worth Playing God of War 3 in 2024?
Absolutely! God of War 3 Remastered holds up remarkably well, even by today’s standards. Its epic scale, fast-paced combat, and memorable boss fights make it a must-play for any action game fan. Although the game’s story might be secondary to its visceral action for some, experiencing the conclusion to the original God of War trilogy is essential for understanding Kratos’s overall character and his motivations leading into the more recent entries in the series. Even if you are familiar with the more recent God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarok, revisiting the events of the classic trilogy enriches your experience and provides vital backstory.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about God of War 3 and its availability, which will assist you in understanding the full picture of how, where and why it exists in PlayStation’s ecosystem:
1. When was God of War 3 originally released?
God of War III was released in North America on March 16, 2010, in Australia on March 18, in Europe on March 19, and in Japan on March 25. It was initially a PS3 exclusive.
2. What is God of War 3 Remastered?
God of War 3 Remastered is an enhanced version of the original game, released on PS4 in 2015. It features improved 1080p resolution and runs at 60 frames per second for smoother gameplay.
3. Is God of War 3 available on PC?
No, God of War 3 is not officially available on PC. To play it on a PC, you would need to use an emulator, which is not an ideal or sanctioned method for experiencing the game. The remastered version is not available on PC either.
4. Can you play the other God of War games with PS Plus?
Yes, there are several God of War games available on PS Plus across the various tiers. However, the specific games offered and the level of access depend on your chosen subscription tier. God of War (2018) is available for download for all PS Plus subscribers.
5. How many God of War games are on PS Plus?
Currently, there are five God of War games available on PS Plus across different tiers. The number of games can vary, so it’s always best to check the latest offerings in the PlayStation Plus catalog. As of today, God of War 3 remastered is a Premium title and God of War 2018 is a free title in the collection. God of War Ragnarok was also made available as part of a trial for Premium subscribers.
6. Is God of War (2018) free on PS Plus?
Yes, God of War (2018) is available to download and play for free for all PlayStation Plus subscribers, as it is part of the PlayStation Plus Collection. However, this collection of games is not available to claim from May 9th, 2023 so check before confirming access.
7. Can I play God of War 1 and 2 on PS4 or PS5?
Yes, you can play God of War 1 and 2 on PS4 and PS5 via PlayStation Now (now part of PlayStation Plus Premium). They are part of the classics catalog of the Premium tier.
8. Is God of War 3 worth playing in 2024?
Absolutely. Even today, God of War 3 is considered an outstanding action game with intense combat and epic battles. The remastered version enhances the experience, making it worth playing for both newcomers and fans of the original.
9. How old is Kratos in God of War 3?
In the events of God of War 3, Kratos is speculated to be around 1,000 years old, this would be after his transformation into a Ghost of Sparta and after serving the gods of Olympus for a long time, he has not reached the 1,055 years he is thought to be in the Ragnarok storyline.
10. Why was God of War (2018) free on PS Plus?
God of War (2018) was included in the PlayStation Plus Collection as a bonus for PS5 owners to introduce them to some of PlayStation’s most iconic games, but is still available to claim on any PS plus account from a PS4 or PS5 console.
11. Is God of War Ragnarok the last God of War game?
Santa Monica Studio has said that God of War Ragnarok is the end of the Norse saga for the God of War series, but it’s unclear what the future may hold for the franchise. As it stands, God of War is not planned to be spun into another trilogy.
12. How do I download PlayStation Plus games?
To download PS Plus games, navigate to the PlayStation Plus section on the PS4 or PS5 dashboard, select your desired game, and choose “Download.” Ensure you have an active subscription.
13. What resolution does God of War 3 Remastered run at?
God of War 3 Remastered runs at 1080p resolution with a smooth 60 frames per second on the PlayStation 4, enhancing visual fidelity and overall performance.
14. Is God of War 3 the end of the original trilogy?
Yes, God of War 3 is the final installment in the original God of War trilogy that began on PlayStation 2, and which featured Kratos battling the Greek Gods. It concludes the storyline started in 2005.
15. Can I play God of War 3 on Xbox?
No, God of War 3 and all other games in the God of War franchise are exclusively developed for the PlayStation ecosystem and cannot be played on an Xbox console.
Final Thoughts
While God of War 3 isn’t a freebie for all PlayStation Plus subscribers, it remains accessible through the Premium tier and as a standalone purchase. Its importance to the franchise’s history and its high-quality gameplay make it a must-experience title for fans of action games, whether you are new to the series or have been following it since its PS2 debut. By understanding the nuances of PlayStation Plus and your available options, you can immerse yourself in the epic conclusion of Kratos’s battle against the gods of Olympus. Enjoy the journey!