How Long to Beat God of War (2018)? Story, Extras and 100%

Plan on about 30.5 hours to finish the story of God of War, about 32.5 hours if you do some side content, and about 48 hours to get 100%, according to players on IGDB. So the journey of Kratos and Atreus is a big adventure, but not a 100-hour monster. Here is how that time breaks down and how to fit it into your evenings.

Story only: about 30.5 hours

Released in 2018 by Santa Monica Studio, this God of War takes Kratos into Norse mythology alongside his son Atreus. If you head straight for the ending along the main path, expect about 30.5 hours. The game is built as one continuous shot with no cuts, which makes it feel like a single long journey.

Your time will mostly depend on the difficulty you pick and how you handle combat. Some bosses can hold you up for a while on harder settings.

With side content: about 32.5 hours

The world opens up quickly around the Lake of Nine, with hidden chests, favors for the two dwarf blacksmiths and optional areas. Doing a good share of those, players finish in about 32.5 hours. Honestly, these detours are worth it: they make Kratos stronger and reveal the best stories about this world.

100%: about 48 hours

Doing everything takes about 48 hours. The big chunk is the Valkyries, very demanding optional bosses, plus the trials of Muspelheim and Niflheim. That is where the combat really shows what it can do, but you need to enjoy retrying.

What that means in evenings

At 2 hours a night, the story alone fits into about 15 evenings, roughly three relaxed weeks of weeknight play. The 100% run takes about 24 evenings. If you only play on weekends in long 4-hour sessions, the story wraps up in a little under two months of weekends.

Tips to go faster (or not miss the good stuff)

If you are short on time, lower the difficulty and skip the chests that need puzzle solving. But do not skip everything: the dwarves' favors and a few optional areas around the lake are among the best moments. Upgrade your Leviathan Axe and armor regularly, or the final fights become a chore.

What next? The sequel, God of War Ragnarök, picks up the story directly. To plan ahead, check how long God of War Ragnarök takes, or find more ideas in our games like God of War.

Verdict

At about 30.5 hours for the story, God of War can be finished without eating three months of your life. It is an ideal length for such a dense game: long enough to get attached to the duo, short enough to never drag.

FAQ

How long is God of War (2018) if you just do the story?

About 30.5 hours sticking to the main story, according to players on IGDB. That can shift depending on the difficulty you choose and how much time you spend exploring, even while staying on the main path.

Do I need to play the older God of War games first?

No, it is not required. The 2018 game switches mythology and tone, and it is built to welcome newcomers. Knowing Kratos's past adds weight to some scenes, but you will follow the story fine without it.

Is 100% in God of War hard?

Fairly, mostly because of the Valkyries, optional bosses that require a solid grasp of combat. The Muspelheim trials are also demanding. Expect about 48 hours in total to finish everything, with a good amount of retrying.