Critics overwhelmingly praised God of War's story for its focus on character development, emotional depth, and exploration of Norse mythology. The troubled father/son dynamic between Kratos and Atreus was highlighted for its relatable and humanizing elements. While some critics expressed reservations about emotional moments, the majority found the story impactful and thought-provoking, making Kratos more relatable than ever. Overall, the story received widespread acclaim, with only a few dissenting opinions that did not detract from its overwhelmingly positive reception.

Critics rave about God of War's gameplay, praising its aggressive combat system, variety of weapons and abilities, and the addition of Atreus as a support character. Some critics mention minor issues like clunky camera and repetitive boss battles, but overall sentiment is highly positive. The game offers a satisfying and immersive experience with standout combat mechanics.

Critics overwhelmingly hail God of War's graphics as stunning, breathtaking, and visually astounding. The game's attention to detail, realistic characters, and immersive Norse mythology environments are lauded. While some reviewers note minor issues like perspective adjustments and occasional glitches, the consensus is that the game is a visual masterpiece that sets a new standard for excellence in gaming.

Critics rave about the exceptional sound design and music in God of War, praising its epic soundtrack, emotional depth, and strong voice acting. While some critics mention minor flaws like voice acting for non-playable characters, the overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive. The game's audio elements are lauded for enhancing the gameplay experience, with particular emphasis on the soundtrack's ability to evoke emotions and the impeccable voice work.

God of War's voice acting receives rave reviews from critics for standout performances by Sunny Suljic and Christopher Judge, bringing emotional depth and believability to the game. While some minor critiques exist, overall consensus praises the strong character portrayals and dynamic relationships, making it a notable highlight of the game.

Critics widely praised God of War for its top-notch technical performance on PlayStation 4 and PC, highlighting its seamless experience, smooth performance, and technological advancements like Nvidia DLSS. Minor issues like graphic flaws and frame rate drops were noted but did not overshadow the overwhelmingly positive reception of the game's technical prowess. Overall, God of War is hailed as a technically impressive and well-performing game across platforms.

God of War receives high praise for its replay value from critics, who highlight optional challenges, customization, and open-world elements that enhance multiple playthroughs. Critics note the game's Metroidvania-style exploration, backtracking, and optional content, providing a fulfilling experience for completionists. While some find the game's length overwhelming, others appreciate the depth and content it offers. Overall, God of War's engaging gameplay and hidden secrets make it a must-play for those seeking a rewarding and replayable experience.