Summary

  • God of War Ragnarok solidifies itself as one of the series' best with its expanded story and immersive Norse mythology.
  • Lies of P offers a challenging and mythology-inspired journey with Pinocchio as the unlikely hero.
  • Alan Wake 2 combines mind-bending horror and detective mystery, with reliance on music and mythology in the storytelling.

2018's God of War not only marked a turning point for the series, but the game soon solidified itself as one of the series' best. A few years later, God of War Ragnarok came for that throne with its exciting new realms, an expanded story full of meaningful side quests, and even more appearances from characters prominent in Norse mythology.

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Ragnarok also has an excellent way of balancing its cinematic moments with the more pronounced RPG-oriented combat, while still delivering all-around satisfying character arc developments. Though it's tough to match all of its masterful qualities, some games you’ll find come very close.

Updated on September 22, 2024, by Dennis Moiseyev: God of War Ragnarok has officially launched on PC to join its 2018 predecessor and other PlayStation titles in their new home. Once you finish the next chapter of Kratos and Atreus' journey, you naturally might want to consider playing something close to it in gameplay and aesthetics. Here are some more games to check out after you part with the Norse realms.

19 Final Fantasy 16

Final Fantasy 16

Action RPG Systems 4.5/5 10.0/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 88/100 Critics Rec: 91% Released June 22, 2023 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Square Enix Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine Proprietary Engine
Where to play Close

WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
Cross-Platform Play Final Fantasy 16 does not support cross platform multiplayer Cross Save yes Franchise Final Fantasy Steam Deck Compatibility yes Platform(s) PC, PS5 How Long To Beat 36 Hours X|S Optimized no Metascore 88 Powered by Expand Collapse

Another terrific PS5 video game storyline that's also now available on PC is Final Fantasy 16, and it would make an excellent companion to God of War Ragnarok. It takes the series in a more adult, Game of Thrones-inspired direction with its themes. Though even heavier on the RPG elements, the gameplay and spectacle-based battles are also quite cinematic and visually striking.

Like all the games in this series, Final Fantasy 16 features a lengthy storyline that includes plenty of cutscenes. The narrative centers on a new protagonist, Clive Rosfield, who's faced a betrayal and is now seeking revenge on an Eikon known as Ifrit. You have a wolf here too named Torgal, there's likewise excellent voice acting and performances, and Clive has plenty of allies behind him on his quest.

18 Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Action-Adventure Soulslike Sci-Fi 3.5/5 8.5/10 Released April 28, 2023 ESRB T For Teen due to Mild Language, Violence Developer(s) Respawn Entertainment Publisher(s) Electronic Arts Engine Unreal Engine 4 Franchise Star Wars Platform(s) PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S How Long To Beat 20 Hours X|S Optimized Yes File Size Xbox Series 134 GB (May 2024) Powered by Expand Collapse

From Norse mythology to the mythology of Star Wars, you certainly won't be disappointed by this pick if you enjoyed God of War Ragnarok. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor has pretty much all the similar qualities of the aforementioned game – tough challenging boss fights and mini-bosses, expansive planetary locations that can be treated like the different Norse realms, and getting to know your companions better through missions.

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The story is likewise compelling and beautifully character-driven, with even a character twist and betrayal that's not too different from the one in Ragnarok. There's plenty to explore and collect, the action here allows Cal to use blasters with lightsaber stances, there's more detailed customization, and the combat animations now include dismemberment, if you desire that M-rated feel of GoW.

17 The Last Of Us Part 2 Remastered

The Last Of Us Part II Remastered

Action-Adventure Released January 19, 2024 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs Developer(s) Naughty Dog Publisher(s) Sony Interactive Entertainment Engine Proprietary Engine Franchise The Last of Us Platform(s) PlayStation 5 Metascore 90 Powered by Expand Collapse

Like God of War Ragnarok, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered comes with its own freely available roguelike mode at launch called No Return. So, if you like Valhalla, you'll feel right at home with No Return, minus the story aspect, as it's more objective and survival-based. And aside from this, there are other similarities present in both games.

In Ragnarok, Atreus is more mature and sets off on his own path, putting his relationship with his father Kratos on thin ice. That's really the same terms Joel and Ellie are on throughout The Last of Us Part 2, and then a certain death will send Ellie spiraling toward revenge. You'll likewise play multiple characters, have companions, and experience a graphically amazing world that's full of brutal horrors.

16 Black Myth: Wukong

Black Myth: Wukong

Action RPG 4.0/5 8.4/10 Released August 20, 2024 ESRB M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Violence Developer(s) Game Science Publisher(s) Game Science Engine Unreal Engine 5 Steam Deck Compatibility Unknown Platform(s) PlayStation 5, PC How Long To Beat 39 hours Powered by Expand Collapse

Mythology and Soulslikes once again join forces in Black Myth: Wukong. Instead of being an angry and conflicted demigod son of Zeus, you're the Monkey King himself, Sun Wukong, from Journey to the West (here referred to as the 'Destined One'). It's an excellent follow-up to the seamless hack-and-slash combat and stunning visuals of God of War Ragnarok, and this game is even crafted in Unreal 5.

As typical of its genre, Black Myth: Wukong will feature plenty of boss fights throughout its world, each one more challenging than the next. However, if you've bested Valkyries, Berserkers, and Norse gods in battle, you shouldn't have any issue with tackling the enemies this title will throw at you.

15 Lies Of P

Lies of P

Soulslike 4.0/5 Released September 19, 2023 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Violence Developer(s) Round8 Studio, Neowiz Publisher(s) Neowiz Engine Unreal Engine 4 Platform(s) PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One How Long To Beat 20 Hours X|S Optimized Yes File Size Xbox Series 35 GB (November 2023) Metascore 84 Powered by Expand Collapse

God of War Ragnarok has fully evolved the God of War series into a Soulslike style, upping the amount of main and side boss battles in the game as well as their difficulty. A far greater challenge is presented by the bosses around the puppet-infested and Petrification-diseased land of Krat in Lies of P, where the unlikely hero Pinocchio is tasked with eradicating them.

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What Norse mythology is to God of War Ragnarok, Pinocchio's mythology from Collodi's original story is to Lies of P, with many references scattered throughout the storytelling. And if you enjoy listening to Mimir's head at Kratos' side (literally), Gemini the talking cricket joins Pinocchio on the ghastly adventure inside a lamp attached to P's belt.

14 Alan Wake 2

Alan Wake 2

Survival Horror 5.0/5 10.0/10 Released October 27, 2023 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language Developer(s) Remedy Entertainment Publisher(s) Epic Games Engine Northlight Engine Franchise Alan Wake Platform(s) PC, PS5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X How Long To Beat 17 Hours Metascore 90 Powered by Expand Collapse

Tone and atmosphere-wise, God of War Ragnarok and Alan Wake 2 couldn't be any further apart. Alan Wake 2 is a mind-bending survival horror writer's journey mixed with detective mystery that distorts fiction and reality with some truly terrifying jumpscares and level-altering mechanics. God of War is Kratos and Atreus' journey to stop Ragnarok across the nine realms.

What they do share in common, however, is the reliance on music and Norse mythology in the storytelling. The Old Gods of Asgard return with some new hits, including a live-action musical level, and there's lots of Norse lore to be discovered. Plus, if you enjoyed collecting the Easter egg-filled Kvasir's poems, you'll appreciate Alan's manuscript pages.

13 Hades And Hades 2

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Hades

Action RPG Roguelite Released September 17, 2020 ESRB T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence Developer(s) Supergiant Games Publisher(s) Supergiant Games Engine Proprietary Engine Franchise Hades Steam Deck Compatibility Verified Platform(s) PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Switch, PC How Long To Beat 23 Hours Metascore 93 Powered by Expand Collapse

If playing God of War Ragnarok's Valhalla DLC sparked your interest in the roguelike genre and left you wanting more out of Greek mythology, since it brought back many references to the Greek saga, Hades is the perfect choice for a follow-up game. Instead of the gruff, rage-filled brute Kratos, you play Hades' more chill son Zagreus.

Zagreus is on a quest to leave the underworld and find his mother, but Hades' forces will relentlessly pummel him and send him back to the beginning countless times, each do-over allowing Zagreus to unlock different abilities and new weapons in procedurally generated areas. The art style and dialogue will likewise compel you to keep progressing.

Hades 2

Hades 2 follows the same format as the original, only the gameplay gets more witchy. Here you play as Zagreus' younger sister, Melinoe, who's a chthonic nymph training under Hecate, goddess of witchcraft. While it has the same gorgeous art and design, the main enemy is now Chronos, you have new Greek myths and characters, as well as plenty of new features available.

12 Marvel's Spider-Man 2

Marvel's Spider-Man 2

Open-World Action-Adventure Superhero 4.5/5 10.0/10 Released October 20, 2023 ESRB T For Teen Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Violence Developer(s) Insomniac Games Publisher(s) Sony Interactive Entertainment Engine Insomniac Engine v.4.0 Cross-Platform Play no Cross Save no Franchise Spider-Man Steam Deck Compatibility Unknown Platform(s) PlayStation 5, PC How Long To Beat 17 hours X|S Optimized no Metascore 90 Powered by Expand Collapse

If PlayStation hasn't already demonstrated enough, it knocks video game sequels out of the park. And that's none the more true than with Marvel's Spider-Man 2. This game now allows you to seamlessly switch between Miles Morales and Peter Parker in an expanded New York as their stories intertwine in the larger narrative, kind of like Kratos and Atreus' situation.

In addition to the two Spider-Men, the sequel game sees the return of familiar characters and web-slinging mechanics but also introduces plenty of new villains from the comics and suits and abilities. As God of War Ragnarok tends to get emotional at times, so can the story of Spider-Man 2 amidst all the beat 'em up, symbiote action.

11 Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3

RPG 5.0/5 25 9.4/10 Released August 3, 2023 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Larian Studios Publisher(s) Larian Studios Engine Divinity 4.0 Multiplayer Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op Cross-Platform Play Full cross-platform play. Cross Save Full cross-platform progression. Franchise Baldur's Gate Number of Players 1-4 Split Screen Orientation Vertical Only Steam Deck Compatibility Verified Platform(s) PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, macOS How Long To Beat 100+ Hours X|S Optimized yes Metascore 96 Local Co-Op Support 1-2 Players Powered by Expand Collapse

While God of War Ragnarok is the longest entry in the series and has plenty for you to do, especially with the free Valhalla expansion now available, it's still no match for the amount of story content and RPG fun you'll have playing Baldur's Gate 3. The scale and ambition of the narrative design, choice-driven consequences, and world-building are unparalleled to anything else in gaming!

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Utilizing a turn-based CRPG design that adapts the mechanics of the fantasy TTRPG Dungeons & Dragons, Baldur's Gate 3 is filled with so many NPCs and hidden questlines throughout each of its three acts that it will constantly keep you coming back to it. And if you enjoy the creatures, spells, abilities, and combat Ragnarok has to offer, BG3 is even more imaginative and detailed.

10 Shadow Of The Tomb Raider

Shadow of the Tomb Raider

Adventure Released September 14, 2018 ESRB M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language Developer(s) Eidos Montreal Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine Foundation Engine Franchise Tomb Raider Platform(s) PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One How Long To Beat 12.5 Hours Metascore 82 Powered by Expand Collapse

While Kratos and Atreus are bracing for the inevitable Ragnarok, Lara Croft has a Mayan apocalypse of her own to prevent in the third installment of the re-imagined Tomb Raider series. Shadow of the Tomb Raider follows Lara’s journey through the harsh jungles of Central and South America as she aims to be one step ahead of Trinity in acquiring the ancient Box of Ix Chel that would trigger the devastation.

It's fair to say that every new Tomb Raider game that's come out so far has been nothing short of amazing, with its stunning graphics and exhilarating action sequences that never cease to captivate you. However, Shadow, like Ragnarok, surpasses its predecessors because it introduces new mechanics and side quest activities over more traditional linear storytelling.