Sometime after the end of the Olympian Gods, Kratos, former Greek God of War, had settled down with Faye, and fathered a child, Atreus. With Faye however dying, the father must fulfill her last request to scatter her ashes at the highest peak in the land of Midgard. while reluctant to bring his son along, a encounter with a stranger forces the duo to leave.

god of War 2018 is a soft reboot of the series, following 3's ending. Kratos, sporting a bear and a new axe as his main weapon, the gameplay has changed drastically. Instead of it being more action, the story is more personal and linear at times, but also having a metroidvania-style to it. Certain parts of the game are closed off at first, but as you progress you can collect and explore the areas, now having more to them.

The game encourages exploration, and it shows best with the crafting mechanic to make new forms of armor and weapon upgrades. Upgrading your weapons and armor with materials from slain enemies or in chests can help you survive, as you are now bound by levels. To grow stronger you must craft and upgrade the armors you make, each time you can socket them with enchantments that further augment your strengths and powers. further adding to it is Atreus, who acts as your source to solve puzzles with, and is key narratively. From shooting enemies, translating the lore tabs and runes all over the world, and the cheerful demeanor he brings to the beautiful yet bleak world, helps bring the story to life.

As i said, unlike the vengeance filled quest in the previous games, this one has you scatter the ashes of Faye, simple, but the game does not make ti easier. From draugr, monsters, dragons, and even iconic creatures and figures from Norse mythology, your adventure will take you across the world and encountering figures from the Norse pantheon, from obscure, others iconic, and a few surprise visits from people from the Norse mythology. Not only that but you can explore the nine realms themselves. From the haunting beauty of Alfheim, the cold desolate Nifelheim, and even the scorching Muspelheim, the game throws everything out and has plenty more to explore.

The game is full of challenges and quests, some must be completed later when you are stronger, and others can be simple or complex spanning multiple realms. Then there is the true grand challenge,f acing the corrupt Valkyries, who are some of the toughest enemies in the game. Each having their own attack patterns and moves, it's safe to say that you're in for hell if you aim to face these ladies. The rewards are worth it however, and culminate in a truly difficult fight for the ages.

The story itself is a personal one, as Kratos and Atreus both must travel to scatter Faye's ashes. during which Kratos mush come to terms with who and what he was, trying to grow into a better man and train his son for the reality of the world. Meanwhile Atreus is excited to explore the world, but must learn to overcome hazards and obstacles and discover his own calling in the world. the story is engaging and fluid, with Atreus and Kratos changing over the course. by the end, I loved my time with the duo and am looking forward to the next game, if the stinger was anything to go by. the ending was heartfelt, somber, and had some surprises that shocked me and threw a lot of scenes into new light.

If you want to play the game, do it, it's fun, addicting and a blast to play, and enjoy the ride and journey, take your time, and have fun.