Rare is the game that's confident: uncompromising in its identity, unyielding in its cohesion and sense of self. Rarer still is the game that stays genuine and true while being so informed by its contemporaries.

It's very rare that a game grabs me this completely, but God of War is, without a doubt, an early contender for Game of the Year. It's flawless in its execution, and the new benchmark for action titles. Well done, Santa Monica Studios, and thanks for taking us on this entirely new adventure.

4K and gorgeous in every way; Heavily varied environments; Voiceovers and soundtrack are incredible; Combat is fast paced and engaging; Upgrade mechanics are a fantastic shot in the arm for the series; Surprisingly emotional and engaging storyline

Occasional hitch to framerate on loading

Almost every console has a defining game, one that comes to mind whenever you think about the platform. These are the Marios and Halos of the video game world, the exclusive games that sell systems.

Wonderfully developed world based on Norse mythology; Excellent main story with great characters; Tons of side content that further develops the lore and setting of the game; Excellent combat with engaging skill tree and combo system; Crafting is rewarding but optional; Textures are beautifully...

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One of PlayStation’s finest moments, Kratos has been reimagined for a new audience while keeping the best bits of what originally made him great.

An incredible spectacle of combat and action; Great characters; story and a beautifully realised semi-open world; So much to see; investigate and do

Upgrades are initially confusing; It’s not always clear if you have the right tool for an enemy or puzzle yet

This is a skull-smashing story about making mistakes and taking responsibility. While hacking and slashing their enemies, a father and son build bonds of love and loyalty. God of War is a minor masterpiece.

Whether you're cracking open a treasure chest or an ogre's skull, you'll find God of War is one of the prettiest games to ever grace the PlayStation 4. From the goriest kill animations to the postcard-perfect environments, the game is a retina-searing stunner on the same level of other recent PS4 exclusives like Horizon Zero Dawn and Uncharted 4. And while it sets the PS4 Pro firing on all cylinders, don't sweat it if you haven't upgraded to the new hardware – God of War will have no problem dropping your jaw on a standard system. Couple the eye-popping presentation with the game's phenomenal storytelling, combat, and character-moulding depth, and we expect to see God of War again when game of the year awards are handed out.

Fantastic father-son dynamic; Insanely satisfying combat; Rewarding progression system; Stunning visual presentation;

World navigation can be a bit confusing;

Fantastic father-son dynamic; Insanely satisfying combat; Rewarding progression system; Stunning visual presentation;

World navigation can be a bit confusing;

There's a very particular formula that the God of War series has followed since its original release in 2005. It was one of fast-paced hack and slash action with a healthy dose of big boss battles, quick time events and brutal, bloody combat.

In a setting that substitutes Greek gods with Norse mythology, joining the Ghost of Sparta on his venture to the peak of a sacred mountain is his young son, Atreus. And while the thought of seeing Kratos play a father figure in a God of War title seems a little outlandish at first, the connection...

It's not just Kratos' appearance and maturity that's changed, but so has the God of War formula. Everything has grown up and with it you're left with an unforgettable adventure that will stay with you long after you put the controller down.

Beautifully told and personal story; Wonderful world design; Immersive Soundtrack; Fun and engaging combat system

Backtracking; but that's nitpicking