If you had the chance to change your destiny, wouldn’t it? That’s the question at the heart of Sony Santa Monica’s God of War Ragnarök, which captures the story of Kratos and his son Atreus in the middle of the unforgiving Fimbulwinter.
The “God of War” franchise has been so beloved since its first entry in 2005 that it has been praised for its commitment to accurate storytelling without sacrificing gameplay. Just when the tale of Greek revenge seemed to come to a natural conclusion, Kratos returned with his vengeance in the revival of the 2018 Norse mythology series, emerging from the combo counters of battles for an epic of sophisticated and fluid action-adventures.
Pursuing this great game can seem like a daunting task (or a bull-sized task, in this case). But like Kratos, “Ragnarök” defies the odds and manages to surpass its predecessor in every way.
It’s clear that time has passed since we last saw our heroes, but little has changed – Kratos is as stoic as ever, while Atreus (aka Loki) thirsts for answers about his impending Ragnarök role.
The game wastes no time in throwing the player over the head in battle, as it begins with a dog sleigh fight against her former ally Freya, who is still furious over the death of her son Baldur at the hands of Kratos. When an encounter with an unexpected deity changes things into high gear, the father and son duo must travel through the nine realms as they confront a world-ending prophecy.
Sony Santa Monica
The core of the battle is very similar to the last game, with a host of new runic attacks and refreshing improvements made to the Spartan Rage ability. But some major combat surprises associated with the plot push the gameplay from “excellent” to “practically perfect”. The final animation is more gruesome and plentiful, and better designed for each type of enemy. My favorite is the one in which Kratos cuts off the attacker’s arms before kicking them into oblivion.
While players can stick to the main mission and experience a full story, it would be a shame to miss out on the many satisfying side adventures that contribute to general knowledge, from discovering the backstory behind the Valkyrie Queen to helping a twisted iron worker recover a mysterious orb.
The full campaign and most optional missions on PS5 took 35 hours to complete on the “Give Me Balance” difficulty level. Punishment voraciousness can easily record dozens (or more) hours taking a number of Berserker fights, the “Ragnarök” version of the earlier Valkyrie fights.
Old fans will enjoy more winks of the franchise’s distant past — an especially fun moment comes when Kratos, usually a man of few words, tries to share Pandora’s Box story. Spoiler alert: It’s not Mimir. Moments like these remind players of the hero’s long, impossible journey since his Greek origins, and how far he’s come. Christopher Judge’s commanding voice work brings both newfound cuteness and tenderness to Kratos, whose “Ragnarok” arc takes the character to whole new depths while remaining true to his soul.
The lovable dwarf brothers Brok and Sindri, who have finally made up, are getting more time on screen at this time. They’ve proven to be more than just cranky and problematic, they’ve become the heart of some of the game’s most exciting moments. Of course, they’re still surfacing across realms, upgrading Leviathan Ax and Blades of Chaos to wreak the most havoc.
Sony Santa Monica
They are joined by a host of new characters, the most ridiculous of which is World Tree caretaker Ratatusker (in his full squirrel form, not just a rune summon). Additions to the already large collection may seem risky, but Sony Santa Monica gives them great detail without sacrificing sophistication for any of the fan favorites.
For the plot rooted in prophecy, Ragnarok still manages to surprise at every turn, making a stunning turn at the eleventh hour. The storytelling is simply unparalleled, with many scenes that make me cry (from both laughter and sadness). She sticks to the landing too, with an emotional punch that ends her story.
“God of War Ragnarök” is 10 out of 10, check each box with a mix of strong action, humor and character development that will stay with players long after the campaign is completed. It is a masterpiece that proves that even an ancient god can learn new tricks.
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