Yes—God of War (2018) is available on Windows PC and PlayStation 4, and the PS4 game can be played on PlayStation 5 through backward compatibility. The PS5 listing does not describe a separate native PS5 edition: it identifies the PS4 release as playable on PS5 and warns that some PS4 features may be absent. On PC, the game is sold through Steam and the Epic Games Store, with graphics, display, and control options that are not available on the console version.
Which platforms support God of War (2018)?
The platform answer depends on which game you mean. This article covers God of War released on April 20, 2018, not every entry in the franchise. PlayStation identifies that game as a PS4 title and separately lists a PC edition. Its PS4 product information says the game is playable on PS5, subject to the note that some PS4 features may be unavailable.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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God of War Ragnarök - PlayStation 5 | $37.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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God of War Ragnarök | $31.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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God of War | $23.68 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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God Of War Ragnarok | Launch Edition | PS5 Game (PlayStation 5) | Brand NEW | PS6 PS5 Upgrade Soon | $46.33 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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PS5 God of War: Ragnarok (Launch Edition) - For Playstation 5 | $48.90 | Buy on Amazon |
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| Platform | How the game is provided | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Windows PC | Digital edition through Steam or the Epic Games Store | Includes adjustable graphics, unlocked frame rates, ultra-wide support, DLSS and Reflex support, and customizable controls. |
| PlayStation 4 | PS4 edition, digital or physical | Original console release; launched April 20, 2018. |
| PlayStation 5 | The PS4 game running on PS5 compatibility | PlayStation says it is playable on PS5, but some PS4 features may be absent. The cited listing does not establish a separate native PS5 release. |
Therefore, a PS5 owner looking for this game should look for the PS4 edition and confirm the compatibility information for the relevant country store. A PC buyer should choose either of the two listed PC storefronts. Availability, pricing, and catalog listings can differ by region and can change after the dates covered by the cited product pages.
How the PS4 version works on PS5
Backward-compatible PS4 game, not a separately identified PS5 edition
The key distinction is easy to miss in store searches. The official information says the PS4 game is playable on PS5. That is a compatibility statement: your PS5 runs the PS4 release. It is not evidence that a separate, native PS5 edition exists for this 2018 game.
#1 Best Overall
- Feel your journey through the Norse realms, made possible by immersive haptic feedback and adaptive trigger functionality.
- Take advantage of multidirectional 3D Audio; hear enemies approaching from any direction. (3D audio with stereo headphones (analog or USB))
- Bask in the beautiful worlds you travel through, brought to life by precise art direction and arresting attention to detail.
- Switch between full 4K resolution at a targeted 30 frames per second, or dynamic resolution upscaled to 4K at a targeted 60fps. (4K resolution requires a compatible 4K TV or display)
What that means for a purchase
If you already own the PS4 game, check your PS5 game library or insert the PS4 disc (on a PS5 model with a disc drive) and follow the console’s installation instructions. If you are buying the game for a PS5, verify that the product page identifies the PS4 version and its PS5 compatibility before paying. A disc cannot be used on a digital-only PS5.
Feature caveat
PlayStation specifically warns that some PS4 features may be absent when the game is played on PS5. The listing does not enumerate every affected feature, so do not promise that every PS4 behavior, peripheral function, or menu option will be identical on both consoles. For a feature that matters to you, check the current regional PlayStation listing or the game’s support information before purchase.
What is different about the PC edition?
The PC release was announced for January 14, 2022. Santa Monica Studio described the port as an effort to use PC hardware for a high-performance presentation while retaining the game’s content. In practical terms, the PC edition gives you more control over image quality, frame rate, aspect ratio, and input devices than the fixed console versions.
Rank #2
Graphics and display options
- Graphics presets ranging from Low through Ultra, with the official page associating each preset with a target resolution and frame rate.
- Support for DLSS and Reflex on compatible hardware.
- Unlocked frame rates rather than a single console-defined cap.
- Ultra-wide display support.
- Adjustable visual settings so you can trade image quality for smoother performance.
These are supported features listed for the PC edition, not a guarantee that every graphics option will perform identically on every computer. Your processor, graphics card, memory, drivers, display, and background applications all affect the result.
Controls and controller interfaces
Mouse-and-keyboard bindings are customizable, and the PC edition supports gamepads. Santa Monica Studio’s support information identifies controller interface support for DualShock 4, DualSense, and Xbox Wireless Controller. It notes that third-party controllers use an unbranded Xbox interface. That means button prompts and feature behavior can differ according to the controller and connection method; do not assume that every controller exposes the same touchpad, motion, vibration, or other platform-specific function.
You can play with keyboard and mouse if you prefer direct aiming and rebinding, or connect a supported controller for an experience closer to the console versions. If a controller is not recognized correctly, test it through the storefront’s controller settings, connect it before launching the game, and check whether the game is displaying a generic Xbox-style layout.
Rank #3
Extra PC content
The PC support material also lists additional armor and shield cosmetic content. These are presentation or customization additions to the PC release; they do not change the platform answer or turn the game into a different story campaign.
Official PC performance targets and requirements
The PlayStation PC page presents several target configurations. They are the configurations shown on that page, rather than an independent modern hardware test. The page lists Windows 10 64-bit version 1809 and 70 GB of storage; the recommended configuration specifies an SSD. Because store pages and drivers can change, compare the current requirements shown by your chosen storefront with your own hardware before buying.
| Preset or level | Official target shown | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum | 720p at 30 frames per second on Low | Entry-level target; actual results depend on the rest of the system. |
| Recommended | 1080p at 30 frames per second on Original | The listed recommended configuration calls for an SSD. |
| High | 1080p at 60 frames per second | Higher image quality and refresh target than the recommended setting. |
| Performance | 1440p at 60 frames per second | Requires substantially more graphics capability than the lower presets. |
| Ultra | 4K at 60 frames per second | Highest listed target; treat it as a demanding configuration, not a promise for every PC. |
The table describes target combinations, not five guaranteed quality levels on one universal computer. A system that reaches 1080p/60 may not reach 4K/60, and enabling features such as DLSS changes the workload and image-quality trade-off. Check your graphics card’s supported features and the current PC listing before selecting a preset based only on its name.
Rank #4
- Those who break fate: Atreus seeks knowledge to help him understand the prophecy of "Loki" and what role he is to play in Ragnarök. Kratos must decide whether he will be chained by the fear of repeating his mistakes or break free of his past to be the father Atreus needs.
- Weapons of war : The Leviathan Axe, Blades of Chaos and Guardian Shield return alongside a host of new abilities for both Kratos and Atreus. As they take on gods and monsters from across the Nine Realms, Kratos's deadly Spartan skills will be tested like never before as he fights to protect his family.
- Explore the realms :Journey to dangerous and stunning landscapes and face a wide variety of enemy creatures, monsters and Norse gods as Kratos and Atreus search for answers and allies.
- Please note that this item is not for sale to people under the age of 18. By placing an order for this product, you declare that you are 18 years of age or older. This item must be used responsibly and appropriately.
Choosing the right version
Choose PC when adjustable performance matters
PC is the most flexible choice if you own suitable Windows hardware and want to adjust resolution, frame rate, visual quality, aspect ratio, or control bindings. It is also the only listed version with PC-specific options such as DLSS, Reflex, ultra-wide support, unlocked frame rates, and mouse-and-keyboard customization. The trade-off is setup responsibility: you must meet the requirements, maintain drivers, select settings, and troubleshoot hardware or controller conflicts.
Choose PS4 when you want the original console release
The PS4 edition is the game’s original console version and is available as a physical or digital PS4 title. It avoids PC configuration work and is the straightforward choice for a PS4 owner. If you plan to move to PS5, confirm the product page’s compatibility wording and keep the PS4/PS5 feature caveat in mind.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Choose the PS4 edition for a PS5 system
For PS5 players, the relevant evidence identifies the PS4 game as playable on PS5. This is useful if you already own a PS4 copy or find the PS4 edition in the store, but it should not be described as a native PS5 release. Verify whether your PS5 has a disc drive before purchasing a physical copy, and check the current store page for regional availability.
Best Value
- Venture through all Nine Realms towards the prophesied battle that will end the world.
- Vanquish Norse gods and monsters alike in fluid, expressive combat.
- Explore in wonder through stunning mythological landscapes.
- Feel your journey through the Norse realms, made possible by immersive haptic feedback and adaptive trigger functionality.
- Take advantage of multidirectional 3D Audio; hear enemies approaching from any direction.
PC installation and first-run checklist
- Confirm the edition. Select God of War (2018), not another franchise entry. The PC edition is listed on Steam and the Epic Games Store.
- Check the current requirements. Confirm Windows compatibility, available storage, and whether your system uses an SSD. Compare your graphics hardware with the target resolution and frame rate you want.
- Install from the selected storefront. Keep at least the listed 70 GB free, plus any space your operating system or updates require.
- Update the system. Install current graphics drivers and Windows updates that are compatible with your hardware before troubleshooting game performance.
- Choose an input method. Connect a DualShock 4, DualSense, Xbox Wireless Controller, another gamepad, or use keyboard and mouse. Rebind controls in the game’s settings if the default layout is unsuitable.
- Set a realistic target. Start with the preset closest to your monitor’s resolution and lower demanding options if frame rates are unstable. Use DLSS only when your graphics hardware supports it and the resulting image is acceptable to you.
- Verify display mode. If you use an ultra-wide monitor, select the appropriate aspect-ratio and display settings, then check cutscenes and menus for the presentation you expect.
Common points of confusion
“God of War” can refer to more than one game
The 2018 title is the one covered here. The franchise also contains other games with their own platform histories. A current franchise page may list a later entry on PC, PS4, and PS5; that does not change the platform facts for the 2018 game. Always read the release year and product title before purchasing.
PS5 compatibility is not the same as a PS5 version
A store label saying that a PS4 game is playable on PS5 tells you that the console can run the PS4 release. It does not, by itself, establish native PS5 rendering, a separate PS5 license, or a feature-complete PS5 edition. The official note about potentially missing PS4 features is why the distinction matters.
Performance targets are not independent benchmarks
The published 720p/30 through 4K/60 combinations are vendor-listed targets. They are useful for matching a computer to an intended setting, but they are not a guarantee for every model, driver version, display, or background workload. Treat them as planning guidance and consult the current store specification before purchase.
Historical context
Santa Monica Studio reported that God of War had sold through 19.5 million copies on PS4 as of August 2021. Communications Director Grace Orlady included that historical figure in the PlayStation Blog announcement published October 20, 2021, which also announced the January 14, 2022 PC launch. The sales number is a dated PS4 figure, not a current total across all platforms.
Quick Recap
Bottom line for each platform
- PC: Yes. Buy the PC edition through Steam or the Epic Games Store and match your hardware to the desired resolution and frame rate.
- PS4: Yes. The game launched on PS4 on April 20, 2018 and remains the original console release.
- PS5: Yes, as a compatible PS4 game. Do not assume this means a separate native PS5 edition, and remember that some PS4 features may be absent.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
