A decade has passed since Kratos’ bloody rampage across Olympus. The ghost of Sparta is a far cry from the rage-fueled warrior of God of War 3. Now, a grizzled father figure, Kratos finds himself in the wilds of Norse mythology, raising his son, Atreus. This dramatic shift demands a different approach to the game itself.

The most striking change is the visual overhaul. Compared to God of War 3, the graphics are a revelation. Sony’s first-party muscle flexes its might here, creating a stunning and open-ish action RPG environment. Gone are the claustrophobic corridors of Olympus. Instead, we explore breathtaking landscapes of Midgard and other realms, all rendered in glorious detail.

As someone who usually sticks to FIFA and WWE, I wasn’t exactly prepared for the depth of God of War. Jumping in on normal mode, my button-mashing ways quickly left me frustrated. The slow start, culminating in the first battle with Baldur, made me wonder if this wasn’t my kind of game.

However, a break and a return with a calmer head revealed the beauty of the design. Just as Kratos trains Atreus, the game trains the player. Paying attention to prompts and focusing on the story, a whole new world opened up.

My initial fear of child companions holding back the hero was quickly dispelled. Atreus held his own, and as the game progressed, I found myself depending on his archery skills and planning my strategies around his attacks. Some puzzles, however (looking at you Nornir Chests!), had me cautiously venturing online for help. Here’s a shoutout to the awesome Theradbrad, whose commentary made navigating those tricky situations a breeze.

Having only played the mobile God of War game, I was surprised to see Kratos wielding an axe. The iconic chained blades, I assumed, were his signature weapon. Little did I know, the arrival of the Blades of Chaos marked, for me, the true beginning of the game. The next week became a marathon of exploration, uncovering every nook and cranny of this incredible world.

With each story sequence grander than the last, I found myself captivated by the Norse lore and Kratos’ backstory. Finally finishing the game, the itch for more was insatiable. My self-imposed spoiler ban lifted, I dove headfirst into Norse mythology, Kratos’ history, and countless God of War videos.

This “first” RPG (unless House of the Dead counts, which is totally awesome!) became a turning point. God of War shattered my pre-conceived notions about gaming. It proved you don’t need to be a pro to succeed, the combat was oddly satisfying, and those boat ride conversations? Pure gold. This game doesn’t just introduce you to the world of God of War, it leaves you wanting more.

From non-gamer to believer, God of War fueled a year of amazing gaming experiences. This game is beautiful, inclusive, and surprisingly accessible. Picking up God of War 3 Remastered half a year later is a testament to its impact. From being a non-gamer to a half-decent player, this game taught me to expect great things from video games. If you own a PS4, PC, or have access to PlayStation Now, do yourself a favor and pick this one up. You’ll thank yourself later.

“Don’t be sorry, be better, boy.”