For 20 years, God of War has been one of the most influential action games ever made. As the God of War 20th Anniversary arrives, it’s the perfect time to look back at how this series redefined cinematic combat, storytelling, and character-driven action. The original 2005 release set the stage with brutal, fast-paced combat and unforgettable boss fights. Kratos became a gaming icon, tearing through Greek mythology with pure rage and unmatched strength.
The series continued to grow, with God of War II and God of War III pushing action gameplay to new heights. The spectacle of facing gods like Zeus and Poseidon, the tight combo-driven combat, and the sheer scale of destruction made these games stand out. God of War: Ascension explored Kratos’ past, adding multiplayer for the first time, while handheld entries like Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta expanded the lore with new stories and combat mechanics.
A New Era and Lasting Legacy
Then, in 2018, the series took a bold new direction. Instead of another cycle of vengeance, Kratos faced something even greater—fatherhood. The shift from relentless destruction to a personal, emotional journey made God of War more than just an action game. God of War Ragnarök built on that foundation, refining the combat, deepening the story, and bringing Kratos’ journey full circle.
The impact of this series can’t be overstated. Its influence is everywhere, from combat systems in modern action games to how developers approach storytelling in single-player experiences. God of War has continued to push the industry forward, balancing technical excellence with deeply personal narratives.
Now, as the series reaches this milestone, PlayStation is celebrating in style. Whether you’ve been with Kratos since the beginning or joined during his Norse saga, there’s plenty to look forward to. A free update for God of War Ragnarök brings new in-game content, while exclusive merchandise, artwork, and digital collectibles let fans celebrate this moment in their own way.
Dark Odyssey Collection – Free Ragnarök Update
To kick off the God of War 20th Anniversary celebrations, God of War Ragnarök is getting a free update on March 20. This update includes the Dark Odyssey Collection, a new set of armour and weapon appearances inspired by the original God of War.
The Dark Odyssey Armor Set gives Kratos a striking new look with black and gold armour, paying tribute to a classic God of War II skin. Atreus and Freya also get matching Dark Odyssey outfits, bringing a unified style to the trio.
Along with the new armour, the update introduces Dark Odyssey weapon appearances for Kratos’ Leviathan Axe, Blades of Chaos, and Draupnir Spear. Each weapon gets a black and gold finish, staying true to the original game’s aesthetic. Shield users aren’t left out either—multiple shields receive new Dark Odyssey skins, including the Guardian Shield, Spartan Aspis, and Dauntless Shield.
The best part? You won’t need to unlock anything. Once the update is live, all items will be available in your Lost Items chest or automatically equipped in Valhalla.
New Edit Appearance Feature
Customization is getting a big upgrade in God of War Ragnarök. The March 20 update introduces Edit Appearance for weapon attachments and shields, letting you mix and match styles without sacrificing stats.
Before, weapon appearances were tied to specific upgrades. Now, you can change the look of your weapon handles, axe knobs, and shield ronds while keeping your preferred upgrades intact. This means you can equip the Dark Odyssey skins without losing any benefits from upgraded gear.
This new feature adds more flexibility, letting you fine-tune Kratos’ loadout while keeping a consistent visual theme. It’s a small but welcome addition for fans who love customizing their builds.
20th Anniversary Fan Kit and Merchandise
As part of the God of War 20th Anniversary celebration, PlayStation is releasing a free digital fan kit so fans can show their love for the series.
Starting March 14, the fan kit includes a set of anniversary-themed social media assets, such as banners, icons, and desktop/mobile wallpapers. These feature black and gold anniversary designs, matching the Dark Odyssey Collection in God of War Ragnarök.
On March 20, even more free content will be available:
- A free anniversary-themed PlayStation Network avatar for all users.
- New anniversary-themed items added to the Steam Points Shop for PC players.
These digital items give fans a way to mark 20 years of God of War on PlayStation and PC.
Exclusive Merchandise and Collectibles
For those who want physical collectibles, PlayStation has teamed up with several partners to release exclusive anniversary merchandise.
God of War: 20th Anniversary Retrospective (Pre-orders open March 17)
A two-volume book chronicling the 20-year history of God of War, featuring developer interviews, concept art, and behind-the-scenes stories.
Cook & Becker 20th Anniversary Art Prints (Pre-orders open March 18)
A new collection of premium prints featuring iconic moments from the series, with the first two pieces designed by artist Ollie Hoff.
Laced Vinyls 20th Anniversary Collection (Pre-orders open March 20)
A 13-disc limited-edition vinyl box set covering every game from God of War (2005) to God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla. Individual vinyls for God of War I-III will also be available.
Insert Coin 20th Anniversary T-Shirt Collection (Pre-orders open March 21)
A series of black and gold t-shirts featuring the logos of all nine God of War games from 2005 to 2023.
Fangamer Jörmungandr Plush (Pre-orders open March 19)
A 67-inch plush of the World Serpent, which doubles as a puppet with a magnetized tongue and removable Leviathan Axe.
These items cover different aspects of the series, from artwork and music to apparel and collectibles. With pre-orders opening throughout the week, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on PlayStation’s store and partner sites.
Sales and PlayStation Plus Offerings
As part of the God of War 20th Anniversary celebration, multiple games from the series are available on PlayStation Plus.
- God of War Ragnarök is now part of the Game Catalog for PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium members.
- God of War (2018) is also included in the Game Catalog for Extra and Premium members.
- God of War III Remastered is available in the Classics Catalog for Premium members.
These PlayStation Plus titles allow Extra and Premium members to experience key moments from both the Greek and Norse sagas.
God of War Anniversary Sales
If you prefer to play on PC, God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök are currently on sale until March 20.
- God of War (2018) is discounted on Steam and the Epic Games Store.
- God of War Ragnarök is also available at a lower price for a limited time.
Both God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök are discounted on PC until March 20.
Celebrating 20 Years of God of War
The God of War 20th Anniversary is a milestone for one of PlayStation’s most iconic franchises. From its beginnings in Greek mythology to the emotional depth of the Norse saga, the series has evolved while maintaining its signature action and storytelling.
To mark the occasion, God of War Ragnarök is receiving a free update on March 20, introducing the Dark Odyssey Collection and a new Edit Appearance feature for weapon and shield customization. For fans looking to own a piece of the series’ history, PlayStation is rolling out limited-edition merchandise, including a retrospective book, art prints, vinyl soundtracks, and apparel.
In addition, select God of War titles are available through PlayStation Plus, while PC players can take advantage of anniversary sales until March 20. Whether through new content, collectibles, or revisiting past games, there are plenty of ways to be part of the celebration.
With two decades of mythological battles and character-driven storytelling, God of War has left a lasting impact on gaming. How are you celebrating the anniversary?
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