If 2018’s God of War felt like a story of identity and resolve, God of War Ragnarök feels more like a story of discovery, consequence and ultimately, fate. Many of these aspects had formed an incredible journey which we had begun back in 2018, but left things ultimately unfinished, and players yearning for the remaining pieces of a larger story. As a result, God of War Ragnarök feels like a natural extension as a sequel, holding tightly onto its initial success in terms of general gameplay and progression. But throughout an incredibly written, well paced and heartfelt narrative, gorgeous visuals, impressive performance and downright memorable voice performances, God of War Ragnarök stands as one of the best sequels of our time.
Ragnarök is Coming
Before diving into the premise of God of War Ragnarök, it seems inevitable that one would spoil the events of 2018’s God of War. So, we either strongly recommend you take a pit stop to play what is undeniably one of the best games of the last generation, or read our review here for some broader context. As Kratos and Atreus had finally reached the peaks of the mountains of Jotunheim to scatter their respective wife and mother’s ashes, we suddenly learn that Atreus is indeed a god, otherwise known as Loki. We are shown a mural of what seems to be a prophecy, with Atreus holding the lifeless body of Kratos, a snake protruding from the young god’s mouth. While this is where that tale had ended, God of War Ragnarök picks up soon after, as our protagonists are paid a visit from Thor and Odin, setting in motion the events of Ragnarök; otherwise known as the apocalyptic Norse event set to bring an end to existence as we know it.
What follows can only be described as a master stroke of writing and pacing, as Kratos and Atreus scour the nine Norse realms for any assistance they can find, beginning with the Norse God of War, Tyr, who was thought dead. It’s amazing the overall narrative hadn’t already crumbled under the weight and ambition of its pre-existing and newly formed plot lines, what with Atreus looking to discover his true heritage, Kratos trying to connect with his son, the duo trying to prevent the arrival of Ragnarök and stop Thor and Odin in the process. However, each of these aspects blend together wonderfully, creating a story that is heartfelt and genuine when it comes to building a semblance of an authentic relationship between father and son, but a mutual understanding of the necessary steps that must be taken in order to prevent such a momentous event, bigger than each of our protagonists.
The relationship between Kratos and Atreus still serves as the beating heart of the narrative, but God of War Ragnarök still seeks to build the surrounding world through fresh environments and a diverse cast of supporting characters, with Tyr providing the moral centre for latter portion of the narrative, as a God of War that ironically detests violence. The story encourages players to think about the unfolding actions more deeply, questioning the intentions of protagonist and antagonist alike, in a war that feels ultimately grey, as opposed to two distinct sides of black and white. And throughout all of this, God of war Ragnarök is downright emotional, with a few succinct moments that are sure to provoke the waterworks.
The only gripe I have with God of War Ragnarök is its sudden inclusion of humorous moments. While it sounds strange to mention in the first place, I had to skim through 2018’s God of War just to see if characters even swore at each other. As it turns out, characters now curse and make subtle joke, some of which don’t always land. I would understand if it was tied into a certain character arc as Atreus is now a fully fledged teenager, but it seems as though Dwarves Brok and Sindri now curse on the regular. The addition of such humours moments rarely detract from the overall experience and I do appreciate Kratos’ deadpan responses in each of these moments. That being said, this use of casual humour does suit certain characters, mainly those who are named Thor. Actor Ryan Hurst’s interpretation of the popular Norse god is simply divine and a welcome alternative to rather popular Marvel Studios version, as unrelated as they are.
Like Father, Like Son
In terms of gameplay, God of War Ragnarök plays things safe and close to the chest, with mechanics and controls taken from its predecessor. Combat is confined to the shoulder buttons, with Kratos wielding his newer Leviathan axe and trusty Blades of Chaos from the opening moments. Players will certainly fall into a comfortable rhythm as far as combat is concerned, but its reliance on pre-existing mechanics are in no way a negative, providing the same gratifying and addictive gameplay we had become accustomed to. Through a combination of light, heavy and ranged attacks, Kratos can unleash on his foes with a satisfying sense of impact and weight that rarely feels repetitive or monotonous, thanks to upgradeable weapons and an extensive skill tree.
Upgradeable weapons work as they did in 2018’s God of War, in which Hacksilver can be collected on your journey to spend on various parts for the Leviathan axe, Blades of Chaos and multiple shields. Kratos can now utilise special elemental abilities for added effectiveness in combat, while various types of shields can now be equipped for use against different enemy types, be it to withstand the heavier blows of larger enemies, or to provide larger windows for parrying and counter attacks. Newer progression mechanics also reward players with upgrades for frequent use of certain skills. While certain enemies can be dispatched quicker with certain skills, choices must now be made throughout combat as you compare which skills you like to which skills you’ll eventually need.
A Journey Across the Nine Realms
Aside from general combat and progression, traversal and exploration in Ragnarök feels similar enough to its 2018 predecessor, but with a grander sense of scale and verticality. The ability to explore all of the nine realms is also a bonus, as we had not gotten the chance to previously. Verticality plays a huge part in traversal, as you’ll be crossing chasms, ascending mountains and descending into mines. Environmental puzzles also play a huge part here, and while they’re consistently frequent, rarely hold up progression enough to feel frustrating.
The nine realms on offer here also provide enough depth, scope and flexibility to warrant multiple playthroughs. Taking things off the beaten path never takes up too much of your time, but I do recommend back tracking every once in a while as there are certain collectibles which can only be obtained by utilising certain methods and skills, which are acquired later in the story. Exploration does open up at a certain point thanks to a long list of side quests, although the story itself does a great job at steering you in the right direction at all times, which really helps with the pacing.
It’s also worth noting that God of war Ragnarök looks gorgeous, particularly on the PlayStation 5. Textures are detailed and vibrant, while character models highlight some impressive lighting and downright incredibly voice performances. Christopher Judge and Sunny Suljic return as Kratos and Atreus respectively, and simply knock it out of the park. Every conversation between father and son conveys an authentic sense of weight and tension as Atreus’ growing ambitions clash with the understated yet contained responses from Kratos, subtly hinting at the undying love a father holds for his son and the worry that their future brings a far as fate and prophecies are concerned.
The world itself draws attention to realism in many aspects, while confidently leaning into many of the mythical elements with a range of colour pallets and environments that will more than likely stop players in their tracks more times than they would like to admit. Various performance options from 4K 30fps to prioritise fidelity and 1440p 60fps to prioritise performance work well for the most part, while the 60fps option will dip ever so slightly in certain areas. I personally recommend the quality/high frame rate option which sits right in the middle, dishing out anywhere between an 1800 and 2160p resolution and consistently nailing a 40fps target for a more responsive and fluid gameplay experience. Finally, the DualSense controller provides yet another win for PlayStation 5 users with a multitude of both minor and more pronounced vibrations, adding a layer or immersion to the overall experience.
Final Thoughts
God of War Ragnarök is without a doubt one of the finest sequels in recent memory and a true testament to the relevance of a once ageing franchise that has been reinvigorated with the strength and confidence of a younger Kratos. A truly heartfelt and emotional core guides a layered narrative with pace and intent, bringing about one of the most epic chapters in the God of War franchise to date. Deep progression and expansive exploration broaden the context of gameplay, with refinements that feel natural for both the story and characters. Various performance options also go a long way in terms of providing a consistently smooth experience that allows the power of the PlayStation 5 console to shine for what feels like the first time in a while.
I can’t help but recommend God of War Ragnarök to fans of the franchise, but to those who are simply interested in experiencing a tale for the ages, filled with thematic weight and a sense of pace that begs you to stay for just one more chapter. Ladies and gentlemen, Ragnarök is here; and it is worth every second spent in its grasp.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Incredible storytelling on display; Same solid gameplay returns; Enhanced exploration; Gorgeous visuals; Variety of performance options
Lowlights: Humour can feel a little forced at times
Developer: Santa Monica Studio
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4
Available: 9th of November
Review conducted on PlayStation 5 with a pre-release code provided by the publisher.
