In an announcement on the PlayStation blog, Cory Barlog, creative director at Sony Santa Monica Studios, revealed the official release date for God of War: April 20. It’s coming exclusively to PlayStation 4. To celebrate the release date, Sony released a lengthy new story trailer (above).
“There has been a long journey just to reach this point, so it’s a little bittersweet to think that we are only a few months away from that journey finally coming to an end,” wrote Barlog. “While I am sad, I am also excited because it means everyone will get their hands on this crazy adventure we have been crafting for nearly five years!”
God of War represents a significant departure for the action-adventure series that originally debuted on PlayStation 2 in 2005. Kratos is older, bearded, and accompanied by his son Atreus. Atreus is an ally during combat and exploration, able to use his bow to defeat weaker enemies. Kratos also no longer possesses his signature chain-blades, instead wielding a magical axe and foldable shield.
All previous God of War games have taken place around Greek Mythology, but this one features a Norse Mythology setting and monsters.
God of War was initially announced during E3 2016. The previous God of War game, God of War: Ascension, released in 2013 for the PlayStation 3.
If you pre-order God of War you’ll get three legendary shield skins for Kratos. Pre-ordering at a GameStop (or EB Games) to receive the Luck of Ages XP Talisman. A Collector’s Edition includes a 9″ statue of Kratos and Atreus along with some digital goodies. A Stone Mason Edition has all that plus some more physical goodies.
God of War will release April 20 on PlayStation 4. It’s been rated M for Mature by the ESRB for Intense Violence, Language, and Blood and Gore.
