You’ve defeated every enemy, lived through every heart-wrenching moment, and soaked in the Norse mythology of God of War Ragnarök. But now the question hits: what next? If you’re craving another story-driven, cinematic, hack-and-slash experience where every fight matters and every character arc feels personal, these seven games are perfect for your next adventure.
From epic open worlds to intimate, emotional journeys, these picks balance action, narrative, and cinematic flair, so you won’t just play, you’ll experience the story.
Quick Picks: Fast Recommendations for Your Next Story-Driven Adventure
- Horizon Forbidden West – Epic open world, 50–60 hrs, solo
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice – Precision combat, 30–40 hrs, solo
- Elden Ring – Expansive, lore-rich, 50–80 hrs, solo
- Devil May Cry 5 – Stylish, fast-paced, 15–20 hrs, solo
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – Narrative-driven exploration, 60–70 hrs, solo
- Nier: Automata – Emotional and philosophical, 25–30 hrs, solo
- Darksiders III – Mythic hack-and-slash, 15–25 hrs, solo
1. Horizon Forbidden West
- Time to play: 50–60 hrs
- Pacing: Medium
- Boredom risk: Low
- Best for: Solo players who love cinematic open worlds
Why it works: Horizon Forbidden West isn’t just a game, it’s an experience. The sequel expands Aloy’s journey in breathtaking ways, from lush environments to detailed machine battles that demand strategy. Every encounter feels cinematic, with camera angles and animation that rival a blockbuster. The story hits emotional beats similar to God of War: loyalty, loss, and personal growth are threaded through epic narrative moments.
The world itself invites exploration without ever feeling like filler. Side quests and environmental storytelling build a sense of immersion, making every moment feel lived-in. Aloy’s relationships and evolving motivations add layers to the main plot, so even long play sessions feel like a story unfolding in real-time. If you want epic scale, heartfelt narrative, and strategy-driven combat, this is the natural next step.
2. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
- Time to play: 30–40 hrs
- Pacing: Fast
- Boredom risk: Medium
- Best for: Solo players who thrive on challenging combat
Why it works: Sekiro is intense, brutal, and incredibly rewarding. Unlike God of War’s relatively forgiving combat, Seiko demands precise timing and observation, making each duel a test of skill. Its story is subtle, revealed in whispers, encounters, and environmental cues rather than cinematic cutscenes, which rewards players who pay attention. The emotional payoff comes from mastering the systems and seeing your perseverance reflected in the character’s journey.
Beyond combat, Sekiro’s world is haunting and immersive. The Japanese setting is atmospheric, filled with both beauty and menace, while side characters provide depth to the narrative without overwhelming the main story. It’s a slower burn than God of War in terms of storytelling, but every fight and every plot beat lands harder because you’ve earned it through gameplay.
3. Elden Ring
- Time to play: 50–80 hrs
- Pacing: Medium
- Boredom risk: Low
- Best for: Solo players who enjoy exploration and deep lore
Why it works: Elden Ring offers the ultimate sense of freedom, combining sprawling landscapes with mysterious storytelling. While its narrative is less linear than God of War, its character arcs, environmental storytelling, and world-building are masterful. Every battle against a boss feels like a cinematic set-piece, and the lore hidden in dialogue, items, and encounters makes the story richer with each discovery.
What sets Elden Ring apart is its balance of freedom and consequence. Your choices shape the journey, and exploring hidden corners often reveals emotionally resonant moments. The combat is visceral and rewarding, while NPC arcs give depth beyond the main quest. If you love layered storytelling with high-stakes combat and the satisfaction of uncovering secrets, this is a must-play.
4. Devil May Cry 5
- Time to play: 15–20 hrs
- Pacing: Fast
- Boredom risk: Low
- Best for: Solo players craving stylish, over-the-top combat
Why it works: Devil May Cry 5 is pure adrenaline from start to finish. While its story isn’t as emotionally weighty as God of War, the character dynamics especially between Nero, Dante, and V add humour, heart, and tension to the narrative. Combat is a spectacle, with stylish combos, cinematic camera angles, and boss fights that feel choreographed for maximum impact.
It’s fast, flashy, and deeply satisfying for players who want immediate gratification from combat while still enjoying story beats that stick. Every mission feels like a mini-cinematic show, making it perfect for shorter play sessions that still feel meaningful. If you loved God of War’s fight choreography and character chemistry, this is a thrilling next stop.
5. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
- Time to play: 60–70 hrs
- Pacing: Medium
- Boredom risk: Medium
- Best for: Solo players who enjoy exploration and Viking narratives
Why it works: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla immerses you in a living Viking world where the narrative evolves with your choices. Like God of War, it blends myth, politics, and personal drama, letting you feel the weight of Eivor’s decisions. Raids, exploration, and dialogue-driven quests create a sense of purpose beyond mere combat.
The pacing is slower than some hack-and-slash titles, but this gives room for emotional investment. Side quests are rich in story, and the interplay of relationships adds depth to the main saga. For players craving Norse lore with strategic combat and narrative complexity, Valhalla satisfies that itch while letting you shape your journey.
6. Nier: Automata
- Time to play: 25–30 hrs
- Pacing: Medium
- Boredom risk: Low
- Best for: Solo players who enjoy emotional and philosophical storytelling
Why it works: Nier: Automata is unforgettable for players who want more than flashy combat. The gameplay is solid, but the narrative is the star: it explores existential themes, morality, and human emotion in ways few games dare. The story is layered, requiring multiple playthroughs to fully appreciate, which creates a deep sense of engagement and attachment to the characters.
What makes it special is how the narrative and gameplay complement each other. Boss fights feel emotionally charged because you understand the stakes, and even combat sequences are intertwined with philosophical questions about choice, identity, and sacrifice. If you loved God of War for its emotionally resonant storytelling, Nier: Automata offers a different but equally impactful experience.
7. Darksiders III
- Time to play: 15–25 hrs
- Pacing: Medium
- Boredom risk: Medium
- Best for: Solo players who want mythic hack-and-slash adventures
Why it works: Darksiders III combines hack-and-slash combat with a mythic storyline that scratches the same itch as God of War. Fury’s journey through a post-apocalyptic world is cinematic, with memorable boss fights and strategic combat. While it may not reach the emotional highs of God of War, the pacing and combat keep players engaged and invested.
The world is stylized and rich with lore, providing a strong backdrop for Fury’s personal journey. Puzzle-solving, exploration, and combat variety create moments that feel earned, while the narrative threads tie together in satisfying ways. It’s an underrated gem for anyone craving narrative-driven action that balances myth, combat, and storytelling.
Summary
These games each offer a distinct kind of immersion, making them worth playing if you enjoy rich, single-player experiences that stay with you long after you finish. Titles like Horizon Forbidden West, Elden Ring, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla stand out for their expansive worlds and sense of discovery, letting you lose yourself in detailed environments filled with lore, side stories, and meaningful exploration. At the same time, games such as Nier: Automata bring a more emotional and philosophical edge, blending gameplay with storytelling in a way that feels thought-provoking rather than purely entertaining.
On the gameplay side, there’s a strong focus on skill, style, and personal mastery. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice demands precision and patience, rewarding players who learn its combat deeply, while Devil May Cry 5 and Darksiders III emphasize fast-paced, satisfying combat systems that feel great to improve at over time. Together, these games strike a balance between challenge and reward, offering not just entertainment but a genuine sense of growth and accomplishment as your skills sharpen and the worlds unfold.