Sony and Santa Monica Studio are commemorating the 20th anniversary of the God of War franchise with a range of exciting offerings, including a free in-game update, new merchandise, and special events, all designed to celebrate the series’ rich history and dedicated fanbase.
Why it matters: The anniversary celebrations mark two decades of storytelling, character development, and innovative gameplay that have cemented God of War as a staple in the gaming industry.
God of War Ragnarök Dark Odyssey Collection: The centerpiece of the celebration is the “God of War Ragnarök Dark Odyssey Collection,” a free update set to be released on March 20 for all players of God of War Ragnarök on PlayStation and PC. This collection includes several new cosmetic items inspired by the classic black and gold theme from God of War II, which was originally a reward for completing the game on God Mode difficulty.
The Dark Odyssey Collection includes:
- Kratos’ Appearance and Armor: A new Dark Odyssey appearance for Kratos, along with a Dark Odyssey armor set consisting of a breastplate, bracers, and belt.
- Companion Armor: Dark Odyssey vestment for Atreus and a Dark Odyssey witch frock for Freya.
- Weapon Appearances and Attachments: Dark Odyssey skins for the Leviathan Axe, Blades of Chaos, and Draupnir Spear, along with corresponding attachments. These skins are only available for fully upgraded weapons.
- Shield Appearances and Rönd: Various Dark Odyssey shield skins, including the Guardian Shield, Dauntless Shield, Stone Wall Shield, Shatter Start Shield, Onslaught Shield, and Spartan Aspis Shield, as well as a Dark Odyssey rönd.
The update also introduces the ability to edit the appearance of weapon and shield attachments, allowing players to customize their gear further.
Merchandise and Collectibles: To commemorate the anniversary, several merchandise items are being released:
- 20th Anniversary Retrospective Book: A two-volume book set detailing the development of the God of War series, featuring interviews from key developers. Pre-orders open on March 17.
- Cook and Becker Art Prints: A collection of art prints focusing on key installments in the franchise, with the first two pieces by artist Ollie Hoff. Pre-orders open on March 18.
- Fangamer Jörmungandr Plush: A 67-inch Jörmungandr plush that doubles as a puppet, available for pre-order on March 19.
- Laced Vinyls 20th Anniversary Collection: A 13-disc Limited Edition vinyl set spanning the soundtracks from God of War (2005) to God of War Ragnarök. Double LP sets for the Greek saga games will also be available. Pre-orders open on March 20.
- Insert Coin 20th Anniversary T-Shirt Collection: A new collection of God of War t-shirts featuring metallic, golden logos on black fabric. Pre-orders open on March 21.
Sales and Discounts: In conjunction with the anniversary celebration, there are several sales and discounts available:
- PlayStation Plus: God of War Ragnarök, God of War (2018), and God of War III Remastered are available at no additional cost for PlayStation Plus Premium and Extra members.
- PC Sales: God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök are on sale until March 20 on Steam and the Epic Game Store.
The God of War franchise, particularly the recent entries, has received widespread critical acclaim. The 20th Anniversary Gallery Nucleus Exhibition will be held from March 15 to March 23 at Gallery Nucleus in Los Angeles, California. The exhibition features new artwork inspired by the series, concept art, and unique memorabilia from the past twenty years of God of War.
Looking ahead, the 20th-anniversary celebration marks a significant milestone in the franchise’s history and sets the stage for future installments.
