This God of War Ragnarök review contains minor spoilers.
Few games launch with such incredible expectation as God of War Ragnarök. Of course, this was thanks to its predecessor – one of the most beloved PlayStation games ever made. And the question of whether or not part two of the Norse Saga would deliver never seemed in doubt.
In the minds of most, Ragnarök was destined for success. Many considered it a landmark PS5 title – a system-seller, in fact – despite also being available on Sony’s last-gen console.
But, as recent history demonstrates, excessive anticipation often results in disappointment. Naturally, this fact did little to dampen the hype. With so much goodwill earned from the previous title, the stage was set for one of the biggest video game launches in Sony’s history.
So, it gives me great pleasure to report that God of War Ragnarök is the sequel so many were hoping for. It’s perhaps best described as a comforting experience, which may sound a little odd. However, against the backdrop of modern gaming, the relief of playing something that actually lives up to the excitement is soothing.
Ragnarök features many 2018 familiarities. And best of all, it expands on them and wraps it all in a deeply emotional narrative focussed on father and son which I’m certain players will adore.
With that being said, it may surprise you to hear that this new adventure felt lacking. Worse still, portions of it were downright tedious. But that does little to change the fact that this is a game I won’t soon forget and will be talking about for a long time to come.
Story – God of War Ragnarök Review
Ragnarök picks up three years after God of War. Atreus is now a teenager and experiencing something of an identity crisis. Having realised his true nature, he yearns to understand his destiny as part-giant, part-god Loki.
This desire becomes an obsession for Atreus, who grows increasingly consumed with prophecy much to Kratos’ dismay. Teen-angst abound, father and son begin to clash. And their differing opinions on dealing with the Odin problem doesn’t help matters.
Inevitably, a rift develops between the two which a manipulative Odin seeks to exploit for his own gain as the cataclysm approaches. This forms Ragnarök‘s principal arc, which is a winding affair from the outset. And one that keeps you guessing about its twists and turns, and the motivations and desires of its characters.
Supporting the game’s two heroes and its conniving antagonist are a riveting cast of varied characters. Perhaps most notable is the returning Freya, whose role has shifted significantly in this new instalment. She is no longer the kindly Witch of the Woods assisting Kratos and Atreus. Instead – following the death of her son Baldur by Kratos’ hand – she is hell-bent on revenge.
Desperate to kill the pair, she mercilessly pursues them. Eventually, however, her burning hatred for Odin brings the necessity and logic of her pursuit into question.
On the topic of vengeance, a furious Thor is also out for the blood of the Ghost of Sparta. Much was said about Thor in the build-up to the game’s release, primarily focussed on his appearance. And while he looks nothing like his MCU counterpart, I felt this strongman-like portrayal was perfect.
He’s an incredibly powerful mountain of a god. As we learn more about him, his familial relationships, and his troubles, his rough and unkempt exterior make all the more sense. And, to be honest, from his early and impactful debut in the game, if you’re still worrying about how he looks, that’s your problem. Thor’s awesome here and without question one of Ragnarök‘s most compelling characters.
At its heart is the development of Kratos’ relationship with Atreus, which – as mentioned – is tested to its near-breaking point. But that’s not to say the warmer side of the father which emerged at the end of God of War has reverted. Far from it. Kratos is now more attentive towards his son and offers caring wisdom rather than cold commands.
But this isn’t enough to keep Atreus from straying as he is lured by false promises and his misguided belief in a supposed higher purpose.
God of War Ragnarök presents a story worthy of its predecessor which significantly raises the bar for video games as a whole. And I’d wager most will have a tear in their eye as it draws to a close.
Gameplay – God of War Ragnarök Review
The brilliance of Ragnarök‘s narrative is indisputable. But the same can’t be said for its rinse-and-repeat gameplay. Which, while undeniably fun and rewarding, eventually grows tiresome. Make no mistake – this is not an entirely fresh experience. God of War Ragnarök handles more like an equally-sized DLC for 2018’s game than a full sequel five years in the making.
So, the key takeaway here will be good news for the majority. If you enjoyed the previous title – which most people did – you’ll love this one. The action has been refined in almost every conceivable way and combat is brilliant fun for the most part. Just don’t expect a groundbreaking time full of brand new innovations.
Thankfully, the Leviathan Axe remains an utter treat to wield. And yes – the satisfying “thud” when it flies back into Kratos’ hand is still present. The Blades of Chaos are equally enjoyable and available from the beginning this time round.
A third weapon – which I won’t spoil – is a welcome addition and earns its place in Kratos’ arsenal. Most will agree that more choice is always nice. And this trifecta of godly gear offers something to suit any play style.
As you’d expect, AI partners return. But it’s not only Atreus by Kratos’ side this time. And whichever character is supporting you offers their own brand of handy secondary combat which repeatedly comes in clutch.
Just as four years ago, players are able to find, craft, and upgrade weapons, armour, and other pieces of equipment to their heart’s content. It forms a central part of Ragnarök‘s returning RPG elements, but occasionally feels superfluous and inconsequential.
It impacts gameplay and can be beneficial, of course. However, it doesn’t always require much thought. The occasional inventory check-in is ample for those casually progressing the story. And a rudimentary crafting and upgrade routine is enough to get you through enemy encounters with minimal bother.
Two Playable Characters
The most significant change in Ragnarök is the introduction of Atreus as a playable character – hence the reason for alternative AI partners.
The variation is certainly welcome. Atreus plays completely differently to his father and wields a distinctive set of skills and abilities.
However, his segments (which are as frequent and as lengthy as dad’s) just aren’t as satisfying. Between much walking and talking, there is still plenty of combat. But Atreus lacks the oomph of Kratos in almost every way. His Spartan Rage equivalent pales in comparison and his fighting style is far less brutal.
As for his weapons, these are totally fine. They do their job and handle nicely. But I wasn’t in awe of Atreus’ bow like I was the Leviathan Axe.
And – most importantly – I found myself racing through Ateus’ sections so I could get back to playing as the far superior Kratos.
Puzzles
Where God of War Ragnarök lets itself down is its puzzles. There are a few reasons for this.
Firstly – and notoriously – the game features WAY too much help from NPCs. Sometimes, no more than a minute has past before one of your pals blurts out the thinly-veiled solution to a puzzle.
Secondly, puzzles often serve only to slow your progression down. And while this is to be expected to some degree, I question if they are necessary immediately after a boss fight or right at the end of a chapter. If you’ve spent the last hour solving similar puzzles over and over and just finished an epic battle, the last thing you want is even more of them just when you think you’re done.
Likewise, puzzles are frequently quick and easy to solve. This makes their inclusion feel forced and procedural, particularly when they appear late in a chapter.
All this creates a frustrating puzzle-solving experience which had me rolling my eyes more than once. And while the game’s combat does make up for it, the same enemy types show up repeatedly with some featuring their own irritating quirks. Couple this with dull puzzles, and the result is a game that leaves you longing for its end sooner than it should.
Graphics and Performance – God of War Ragnarök Review
Visually, God of War Ragnarök very much resembles the last game. There are noticeable improvements in character models and weather effects, however. But it’s clear the smooth performance of the last-gen version was a priority, meaning minor visual upgrades were perhaps the best Santa Monica Studio could achieve while striving for a balanced experience between PS4 and PS5.
That doesn’t mean that Ragnarök looks bad. This is a stunning game, truly at ease in its ability to bring the nine realms to life in fantastic detail.
Vibrant and colourful combat effects encapsulate the ferocity and magic of the action. Meanwhile, cutscenes are bolstered by exquisitely emotional motion-capture performances from the game’s excellent cast.
God of War Ragnarök ran impeccably in its 60fps performance mode on PS5. Noticeable frame rate drops were non-existent and it seemingly held steady throughout. While I did briefly switch to the 4K/30fps resolution option, I found it offered minimal visual benefit. The higher frame rate offering is certainly the optimum way to play.
Verdict
The final chapter in the Norse Saga is a narrative triumph. This moving tale of an ageing warrior full of regret and pain desperately trying to shield his child from the same fate really is a sight to behold. And its assortment of rich characters with fleshed out personalities, hopes, and dreams helped propel it even higher in my estimation.
Combat is also a treat and there’s nothing quite like pummelling your way through the nine realms as the eponymous God of War. This is an action experience anyone clamouring for more since 2018 will be thoroughly satisfied with.
However, all is not perfect in this long-awaited sequel. The game is too comfortable relying on the content of its predecessor. So, while the adventure is new, its presentation is not and its excessive familiarity is a detriment.
Similarly, its puzzles are overused, often irritating, and usually spoilt by frustratingly helpful NPCs. And the same – on occasion – can be said for enemy encounters, which prove intermittently bothersome as you slaughter hordes of the same creatures time after time.
The end result is a God of War Ragnarök that stands among some of the best PlayStation games, but falls ever-so slightly short of the greatest. This is far from a disappointment. But it doesn’t quite reach the lofty heights of what came before.
Overall Rating: 9/10
Version played: PS5
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