Verdict
God of War Ragnarök is a outstanding sequel , retaining the same radical - satisfying fighting as its harbinger , but with a more grandiose story to boot .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
God of War Ragnarök is one of the most hotly anticipate game of the year , with the first-class 2018 reboot setting expectations sky high .
I ’m pleased to say that the continuation does n’t let down , retain the dangerous undertaking of Kratos and Atreus with an even more challenging write up and inscrutable delve into Norse mythology , while retain the same extremist - comforting combat .
You could argue that Santa Monica Studio has played it safe by make very few alterations to the core gameplay , but the ability to act as Atreus and a greater variety of foe helps to keep player on their toes .
Keep reading on for my sentiment on God of War Ragnarök and whether it merits a situation in ourBest PS5 GamesandBest PS4 Gamesroundups .
Story
Despite being go under three years after the events ofGod of War ( 2018 ) , the opening of God of War Ragnarök sees Kratos and Atreus still dealing with the consequences of their late adventure .
Baldur ’s expiry has not only plunged Midgard into a brutally long Winter , with the landscape cake in a cock-a-hoop cover of snow , but also turned Freya from an ally into an enemy with a thirst for vengeance . To make matters worse , legendary Nordic figures Thor and Odin come foretell as concerns commence to come up regarding a mankind - finish result called Ragnarök .
Thor and Odin are arguably the adept young characters for the sequel , with plenty of screen clock time showing them to be drastically different to their Marvel Cinematic Universe counterparts .
Thor is a hulking brutish figure , who ’s of few words but quick to snappishness . Odin is the exact reverse , as he ’s surprisingly magnetic , and more taken up with world cognition than glamour and rich people . He ’s a gripping baddie , with far more nuance than the hot - headed Baldur .
The turgid casting of characters from the previous God of War entry rejoin the cast too , with the Dwarven siblings , Brok and Sindri , involve in far more complex and emotional storylines this clip circular rather than merely providing amusing relief .
Even Atreus has been given a more prominent character , extend shoulder to shoulder with Kratos as a joint main lead . Now a warm and mature teenager , he ’s crave more independency from his overprotective Church Father while also wanting to learn more about his newfound godly powers . Making him a playable type also allows us to consider the kinship with his Fatherhood from a impertinent view , so we can understand with both Atreus and Kratos as they light into yet another difference of opinion . This emotional arc help to keep the story found , despite the high phantasy backcloth .
There are some really memorable second during your adventure , such as creeping around a hulk ’s kitchen and journeying into Asgard for the first time . These events are made all the good thanks to the one - shot camera that never soften , doing an excellent business at improve submerging and making set pieces significantly more cinematic .
Does Ragnarök get through the same heights as God of War ( 2018 ) in price of jaw - dropping spectacles ? That ’s a tough task , with the original ’s meeting of the humans serpent and the fight with a lightning - powered firedrake probably leave behind a greater notion than most set piece in the sequel .
But Ragnarök makes up for this with a more ambitious account , with the looming scourge of war trigger off far more hoity-toity conflicts and intestine - punch flood tide . This is one of the very best story I ’ve ever know in a video biz , never bear in mind in 2022 .
Combat
In terminus of combat when control Kratos , not much has changed since the preceding entry . There are a few extra particular ability to unlock , and novel foe that require fresh tactics to overcome , but it ’s very much a “ do n’t fix what is n’t disordered ” approach here .
swing and throwing your ice - power Leviathan ax in God of War Ragnarök still feel tops satisfying , while being able to use the Blades of Chaos right from the start also allows you to mingle it up so you ’re not repeating the same attack patterns too often . Things really step up a mountain pass once you unlock another weapon ( which I wo n’t spoil ) approximately midway through the game , which also palpate great to use and differs greatly from your existing gear .
Being able to unlock new abilities also encourages you to experiment with different gaming styles throughout the course of the game – as do the various runic abilities which can help you suspend foes in place or let loose wave upon wave of igneous blasts .
The combat does have a few fierce speckle though , as I run into various difficulty spikes that sometimes feel unfair rather than challenge . There was often the leftover scenario where I would get the better of an enthralling mini boss fairly comfortably , only to struggle to pound a face pack of minor grunts a few moment subsequently since they were equipped with overpowered long - get through onrush and disorientating teleport mechanics .
I also determine it puzzle that Santa Monica Studio has map the wellness pickup action to the same button as wrestling , making it difficult to overlook Kratos to pick up a health potion in good order next to a ledge . With enemy attacks being so punishing on the hard difficulty point , one little error can well be you a winnings .
Combat is n’t so conversant whenever you feign controller of Atreus . He ’s only playable for select delegation , so you ca n’t swap between him and Kratos whenever you please . But I think that was the right call , as each commission is seamster contrive for each character , while also drive forward their individual story threads .
Atreus feel very unlike to control than Kratos . His melee attacks are n’t as knock-down as his father ’s , but he ’s more agile and well skilled at spectacular foes from range . Hit an enemy enough time with your bow , and you ’ll be able to dazzle them and pull off a slick finishing move . Atreus even has his own skill tree , allowing you to unlock additional moves as you amass experience points .
I do n’t remember Atreus is quite as fun to ascertain as Kratos , with his Church Father packing a more savage puncher and the Leviathan ax test to be one of the most satisfying weapons to utilise in TV game account . But I did still enjoy his segments and appreciated the contribute variety .
Explorations and puzzles
You ’ll be able to visit all nine realms in God of War Ragnarok , including both Asgard and Jötunheim . There ’s a great image of locations , from Dwarven mines to a frozen hellscape , although you will retread the same paths multiple times in the latter half of the game which is a ignominy .
While you could sting to the route of the main story if you prefer , you ’re also systematically given the option to take on side quests and explore new expanse . You ’ll be given fantabulous rewards for doing so too , including new runic powers and craft items to unlock more powerful armour and weapon upgrades .
There ’s an absurdly bombastic amount of content here for a linear secret plan , with the main campaign taking me 30 hours to eat up , and reports suggesting it could take a full 70 hour to fully complete if you desire to experience every single side quest .
A figure of puzzles have been scatter through the campaign , play as welcome respites between fight face-off . There ’s a great variety of puzzle here , smartly make your weapons duplicate up as tool , with your ax able to freeze down gears in place and your chained blades capable of grapple and go large target .
Most of the required puzzles in the primary campaign are simple enough to resolve , but brain tormentor for optional dresser and nerve tract see a notable difficulty hike for those seeking a challenge .
Graphics and performance
God of War Ragnarök is one of the best looking game I ’ve ever played . look-alike have an incredible amount of detail , with the single hairs in Kratos ’ beard and the grooves in a wooden bow clearly visible .
Santa Monica Studio leave an excellent kitchen stove of art options too , allowing you to play in 4 kB at 30fps or 60fps , or even hike up the carrying into action to a more fluid 120Hz if your TV or reminder supports such focal ratio .
But despite its telling visuals , it ’s still cleared that bread and butter for the PS4 has hindered the technical potentiality of this biz . There may not be any traditional lading screens ( unless you die ) but there are blatant thaumaturgy to hide them , with trip to empty pocket universes require whenever hop between realms . I ca n’t help but wonder what Santa Monica Studio would have been able-bodied to accomplish with the full power of the PS5 ’s SSD – Ratchet and Clank : Rift Apartis a great model of this with its universe - skip machinist .
But I do appreciate that Santa Monica Studio wants God of War Ragnarök to be accessible to as many PlayStation owner as possible , and it ’s still very telling what the studio apartment has been capable to accomplish with these limitations .
And despite using a pre - launch material body , Ragnarök furnish me with a delightfully dressed experience . I ca n’t remember a unmarried clip when my secret plan crashed or I comment an unsightly artefact . There were a duo of occasions where enemies would quit snipe me , but would soon return to their aggressive ways after I had smacked them a few times with my ax .
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Should you buy it?
Ragnarök feels very similar to its precursor , particularly in term of fight . If you enjoyed the previous entry , there ’s no doubt you ’ll love this plot too .
Those hoping that Kratos would return to his hacker - and - solidus roots will be disappoint . Ragnarök carry on using the same combat system as God of War ( 2018 ) .
Final Thoughts
God of War Ragnarök is a great example of how to make a world division continuation . It retains all the core components that made its forerunner so beloved , such as the brutal fight and immersive one - shot camera , while also introducing a couple of welcome newfangled element such as making Atreus a playable character .
You could make the parameter that Santa Monica Studio has played it secure with combat when playing as Kratos , as it ’s virtually the exact same experience as before . But swing your axe and whirl your chained blade is so incredibly hearty that I really do n’t bear in mind – even with a few vexatious difficultness spikes along the way .
But Ragnarök surpasses its predecessor when it follow to storytelling , with an close at hand war upping the stakes and scale of measurement , and new characters such as Thor and Odin becoming some of my all - time favourite video game villains .
God of War Ragnarök is one of the very best game available on both the PS4 and PS5 , and an indispensable steal if you enjoy your meter with Kratos and Atreus during the 2018 incoming .
Trusted Score
How we test
We play every game we review through to the end , alfresco of certain exception where getting 100 % completion , like Skyrim , is secretive to impossible to do . When we do n’t to the full finish a plot before review it we will always alert the referee .
FAQs
It consume me 30 hours to complete the chief story of Ragnarök . report propose it could take a total of 70 hour to 100 % complete all of the side quests and discover all of the collectible .
The studio apartment has affirm this is the last entrance in the Nordic arc of the series , but that does n’t mean God of War wo n’t return in another material body .
Yes , Odin has a big role in God of War Ragnarök .
