God of War
Excellent game is dark, violent, and for adults.
Parents say
Based on 16 reviews
Kids say
Based on 40 reviews
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this game.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this is an extremely violent game (cut scenes show severed and exploding heads, spears thrust through enemy throats, and buckets of blood). There are topless goddesses and an implied group sex scene. Also, the game centers around a complicated protagonist, a ruthless Spartan warrior haunted by his past actions.
Community Reviews
Report this review
God og war review
Report this review
What’s It About?
In GOD OF WAR, players control Kratos, a warrior and commander of one of the most feared platoons of the Spartan army. He pledges allegiance to Ares, but is double-crossed -- and he vows to make Ares pay for the countless people he's killed in the god's name. Top-notch combat features dozens of special fighting moves and inventive magic skills allow players to turn enemies to stone with the power of the Gorgon or throw Zeus' lightening bolts. Puzzles require some inventive thinking, asking players to assess the environment for clues and solutions, and the platform elements require good timing and jumping skills to navigate creative settings like the Cliffs of Madness and the depths of Hades.
Is It Any Good?
Based on the library of Greek mythology, Sony's action platformer takes a really great idea and stretches it to its limits -- both in terms of high-quality gaming and stomach-turning violence. The result is a beautiful, compelling game that is, sadly, too graphic for even the most mature teens.
The game's creativity serves a dark, amoral hero who lives in a world of explosive gore and relentless brutality. The game shows no restraint when it comes to violence. Additionally, Kratos's total disregard for the innocents that share his world is very hard to accept, even though the game goes to great lengths to explain the reasons for his brutality. Add to that a casual sexual encounter with a pair of women and you have a game that's wholly inappropriate for kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether Kratos's ends justify his vicious means. Do you agree with him, or is there something troubling about this view? He kills innocent people; is this ever an acceptable thing to do?
Game Details
- Platform: PlayStation 2
- Available online?: Not available online
- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
- Release date: March 22, 2005
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- ESRB rating: M
- Last updated: November 4, 2015
Our Editors Recommend
-
Okami HD
Stunning adventure feels like an art painting come to life.
-
Shadow of the Colossus
Dark, brooding masterpiece is best for teens.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate