God of War Ragnarök

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In "God of War Ragnarök," players continue the journey of Kratos and Atreus in a stunning Norse world filled with gods, monsters, and the impending threat of Ragnarök. As they travel across the Nine Realms seeking answers, they must confront enemies, make difficult choices, and learn more about their familial bond. This Digital Deluxe Edition includes the full game, Darkdale armor and weapons, a digital art book, and the official soundtrack.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 8,901 reviews

story1,263 positive mentions

stability98 negative mentions

story
2,695 mentions
47 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of "God of War: Ragnarök" is widely praised for its emotional depth and character development, particularly the evolving relationship between Kratos and Atreus. Many players found the narrative engaging and immersive, with a mix of epic moments and poignant themes, although some noted pacing issues and a feeling of bloat due to the inclusion of numerous side quests. While the game builds on the foundation laid by its predecessor, opinions are divided on whether it matches the storytelling quality of "God of War (2018)," with some feeling it lacks the same tightness and focus.
- “Building on the success of its predecessor, the game delivers a rich, character-driven story focused on the bond between Kratos and Atreus, set against the backdrop of impending Ragnarök.”
- “The story is so beautiful and really finds a way to your heart, so if you’re someone looking for a great story-based game then you have come to the right place.”
- “The story, the gameplay, the visuals, the characters. It's a must-play for any gamer that enjoys a story-rich game with exciting and balanced combat and hella-cool boss fights.”
- “The story is a slog, for which I have no interest in, there are a few intolerable characters, one which you spend no small amount of time with, and in contrast gameplay is great like the first title and there are lots of things to be had--puzzle solving, trinkets, side quests, berserker fights.”
- “The story felt like it ended abruptly.”
- “The story is deeply emotional and continues the journey of Kratos and Atreus as they face their fates in the Norse realms.”
gameplay
932 mentions
42 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "God of War: Ragnarök" has been widely praised for its significant improvements over its predecessor, featuring refined combat mechanics, new weapons, and a variety of engaging abilities that enhance the overall experience. While many players appreciate the depth and fluidity of the combat, some express frustration with certain gameplay elements, particularly the sections involving Atreus, which can feel tedious and less engaging. Overall, the game successfully combines action-packed gameplay with a rich narrative, making it a compelling continuation of the series.
- “The gameplay is a refined evolution of its predecessor, retaining the satisfying weight of Kratos’ Leviathan axe and Blades of Chaos while adding new weapons and abilities.”
- “With its stunning graphics, smooth performance, deep and satisfying gameplay, and emotionally rich story, it stands out as one of the best games in recent years.”
- “God of War: Ragnarök delivers a rich, emotional, and action-packed experience, refining gameplay mechanics, expanding its deep lore, and offering thrilling new content.”
- “I could do without the Atreus gameplay dragging on and on though.”
- “The gameplay and locations get very repetitive and it takes far too many successful runs to complete the story.”
- “The mechanics for loading parts of a map, like squeezing through a tight space, are rather dated at this point.”
graphics
758 mentions
57 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "God of War: Ragnarök" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and intricate details, enhancing the immersive experience of the game. Many players noted improvements over its predecessor, with breathtaking environments and character designs that bring the Norse mythology to life. However, some users experienced technical issues, including performance drops and graphical glitches, particularly on lower-end hardware, which slightly marred the overall visual experience.
- “The graphics are breathtaking, with detailed character models, lush environments, and impressive lighting effects.”
- “The visuals are absolutely beautiful; each realm feels meticulously crafted, making it easy to lose yourself in the environment.”
- “The graphics are stunning — the world feels alive and realistic, and both landscapes and characters are meticulously crafted.”
- “In terms of graphics, there is not much innovation compared to the previous game.”
- “I like this game, it's good, but I feel like the visuals have downgraded.”
- “The graphics are improved somewhat, but the new armor models are not good in design; they have a lot of clipping, and textures are reduced in quality compared to God of War 2018.”
optimization
524 mentions
42 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The optimization of "God of War: Ragnarok" has received mixed feedback from players. While many praise its performance on high-end systems, noting smooth gameplay and excellent graphics, others report significant issues such as stuttering, crashes, and poor performance on lower-end hardware. Overall, the game has seen improvements through patches, but some users still recommend waiting for further optimizations before playing.
- “It's really fun, and very optimized for Steam Deck.”
- “The game runs smoothly on a wide range of hardware, thanks to the excellent porting work by Jetpack Interactive.”
- “God of War: Ragnarok is an excellent PC port that's very well optimized, looks great, and has the latest FSR, DLSS, XESS, and frame generation technologies.”
- “Amazing game, though the port needs better optimization.”
- “Unoptimized mess, 6 patches in and no signs of improvement.”
- “The game itself is pretty good, but, yeah there is a very big but, the game is poorly optimized, my game has crashed like 6 times, 4 of those were black screen and I had to restart my PC.”
emotional
232 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
"God of War: Ragnarök" is widely praised for its emotional depth, particularly in the evolving father-son relationship between Kratos and Atreus, which resonates deeply with players. The game masterfully blends intense combat with heartfelt storytelling, resulting in numerous poignant moments that leave a lasting impact, often eliciting tears. While some critiques mention pacing issues and a less focused narrative compared to its predecessor, the overall emotional journey is celebrated as one of the game's standout features, making it a must-play for fans of story-driven experiences.
- “The emotional depth and engaging combat make this an easy 11/10—a masterpiece through and through.”
- “The story is deeply emotional and continues the journey of Kratos and Atreus as they face their fates in the Norse realms.”
- “The father-son relationship between Kratos and Atreus is the emotional core of the story, evolving in ways that are both heart-wrenching and awe-inspiring.”
music
200 mentions
60 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in "God of War Ragnarök," composed by Bear McCreary, has received widespread acclaim for its epic and emotional score that enhances both the gameplay and narrative experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to elevate key moments, from intense battles to quieter, introspective scenes, making it a standout feature of the game. While some players feel it doesn't quite match the impact of the 2018 game's music, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is a significant asset, contributing to the game's immersive atmosphere and emotional depth.
- “The soundtrack, composed by Bear McCreary, is epic and emotional, complementing the highs and lows of the story.”
- “The music swells during key moments, adding a sense of scale to the battles while also providing intimate, melancholic themes during quieter scenes.”
- “The music complements the game's themes and settings, enhancing the emotional impact of key moments and providing a memorable auditory experience.”
- “Some of the sequences are truly magnificent to watch though they do go a bit heavy-handed on the orchestra at times; stop relying on blaring music to make me feel something, the visuals can stand on their own.”
- “That's because Ragnarök’s soundtrack mainly consists of redone versions of tracks from its predecessor, with not many new compositions that stand out.”
- “This lack of fresh and impactful new music made the soundtrack feel less original and less memorable.”
stability
171 mentions
41 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
57 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant bugs, glitches, and crashes, particularly during cutscenes and gameplay after extended play sessions. While some users report a smooth experience with minimal issues, others describe it as "buggy" and "unplayable" at times, especially on PC. Overall, while there are reports of the game running well on certain platforms like the Steam Deck, many players are frustrated by the frequency and severity of the stability issues.
- “Fantastic game, runs great on the deck.”
- “A very good game overall and also bug free.”
- “The game plays, looks, and runs great on the Steam Deck, just like the previous game, which I 100% completed solely on the deck.”
- “Insane amount of bugs, freezes/crashes especially in Valhalla; it's almost unplayable.”
- “The game freezes occasionally, too many people with the same problems.”
- “Every time I hit a loading zone in Midgard, my game freezes permanently, including when I'm getting ready to head to Tyr's temple.”
character development
103 mentions
48 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
Character development in "God of War: Ragnarök" is widely praised, with reviewers highlighting the profound growth of both Kratos and Atreus as they navigate their complex father-son relationship. The narrative is described as emotionally rich, featuring well-executed arcs that resonate with players, while side quests enhance character depth and contribute to the overall storytelling. However, some critiques mention moments where character development feels rushed or inconsistent, yet the majority agree that the game sets a high standard for character evolution in video games.
- “The character development for nearly every one of the main cast is superb.”
- “Character development: the growth of Kratos and Atreus makes the game not just about combat but also an emotional journey that players can relate to.”
- “God of War: Ragnarök is not just a game; it's an unforgettable experience that masterfully combines storytelling, character development, and exhilarating gameplay.”
- “But then, for me, the game seems to cease to progress its character development and keeps the same tone till its finale.”
- “The second part is that they apparently handed off some of the character development to their interns - I can't explain it any other way, but for a game where the main game takes around 30 hours to complete, I expected a bit more fleshed out character arcs - the results were all great - but the way they got there was very sudden - given the amount of space for story and conversations, this felt rushed and badly paced.”
- “While Ragnarok is only focusing on exploring and action, I think the character development is just too forward... maybe it's just me but the SFX among other things I've mentioned is slightly nerfed.”
grinding
82 mentions
4 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
61 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the core gameplay and story are engaging, certain elements, such as side quests and puzzles, can feel tedious and repetitive. Some players express that the game requires significant time investment for grinding, particularly for completionists, while others appreciate the depth of the quests that avoid a grindy feel. Overall, the game is seen as a blend of enjoyable content and frustrating filler, leading to a somewhat exhausting experience.
- “Play both God of War (2018) and Ragnarok for an amazing time and amazing story. If you are a perfectionist like myself, 100% completing this game is not tedious by any stretch.”
- “No grinding.”
- “No tedious fetch quests here—every quest feels significant and fleshes out the world in profound ways.”
- “Easily the most tedious, drawn-out, dull AAA game I have ever played in my life.”
- “Once the initial wonder wore off, I realized every single gameplay element is filler - tedious, repetitive, and boring puzzles, environmental hazards, and critical chests also hidden behind puzzles and environmental hazards.”
- “What was once an intelligent challenge has turned into a tedious repetition that breaks the flow and sometimes even the immersion.”
replayability
44 mentions
34 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising features like New Game Plus and additional DLC that enhance longevity and provide engaging content. While some reviews highlight high replay value due to enjoyable gameplay and story, others note a lack of incentive to replay after completing the main story, leading to varied ratings around 6 to 8 out of 10. Ultimately, the replayability is considered strong for those who appreciate grinding and exploring different gameplay modes, but less appealing for players seeking a fresh experience after the initial playthrough.
- “Great replayability with a new game plus mode so you can really grind and level up armor and skills.”
- “Outstanding complete single player experience with tons of replay value and free DLC.”
- “The story is engaging, the combat mechanics are top-notch, and the addition of the free Valhalla DLC with its roguelike elements keeps the replay value high.”
- “Replayability: 6/10 - once you've completed the main story, there's not much incentive to play anything else unless you're dedicated to doing everything.”
- “And due to the strictness of the plot itself, once you complete the story there's not too much replayability as you already know what will happen.”
- “I cannot recommend this game because of the non-replayability, slow pace of this game, and the controller bug.”
humor
42 mentions
98 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever dialogue and character interactions, particularly between Kratos, Atreus, and Mimir, which provide both comedic relief and emotional depth. Players appreciate the balance of lighthearted moments amidst the serious narrative, with many noting the entertaining banter and unexpected funny twists that enhance the overall experience. However, some critiques mention that the humor can occasionally feel overdone or repetitive, particularly in dialogue during gameplay.
- “There will be laughing moments, crying moments, unpredictable twists and turns in the plot you'd have to have one of Odin's ravens spying for you to see through, and very chill and scenic moments that are very wallpaper/screenshot worthy.”
- “The dynamic between Kratos, Atreus, and Mimir adds humor and depth, making their journey even more engaging.”
- “The game can also be intentionally funny in a lot of places which is a nice contrast to the otherwise serious tone.”
- “The plot is unfocused, the character arcs feel forced, the jokes and quips are unfunny, and for some reason the words 'intel' — as in information gathering — and 'ecosystem' are used in a game about an ancient Greek god visiting an ancient Norse mythical world.”
atmosphere
33 mentions
64 % positive mentions
27 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive quality, enhanced by a meticulously crafted soundtrack and stunning visuals that bring the Norse mythology to life. Players highlight the dynamic weather effects, atmospheric lighting, and attention to detail in the environments, which collectively create a captivating and emotionally resonant experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to its storytelling and gameplay.
- “The music that accompanies us through the icy landscapes of Norse mythology creates a truly unparalleled atmosphere.”
- “The atmospheric effects, such as the dynamic weather system that includes snowy weather, add to the immersive experience, making the game world feel alive and vibrant.”
- “The game brings the nine realms to life with breathtaking vistas, atmospheric lighting, and incredible attention to detail.”
- “Comparing *God of War (2018)* to *Ragnarök*, the former felt more 'hopeful' and uplifting, whereas *Ragnarök* truly captures the atmosphere of desperation and the end times, as it rightfully should.”
- “And then there’s the atmosphere.”
- “The attention to details, the story, the music, the atmosphere, the dialogues, the combat... everything was perfectly executed and delivered on top of the first game by 5 times.”
monetization
14 mentions
7 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Overall, reviews highlight a mixed sentiment regarding monetization in games, with some praising titles for avoiding excessive microtransactions and focusing on storytelling, while others criticize certain developers, particularly Sony, for perceived cash grabs and poor optimization in PC ports. Many players express frustration over deceptive marketing practices and the feeling that once their money is secured, the quality of the game diminishes.
- “All of those complaints to say that it is still a superior game to most others out there and I'd always recommend it because of how grateful I am to always have a story-driven game that actually has a good story and not a focus on DLC and microtransactions.”
- “God of War: Ragnarök is a shining example of what AAA devs can do when making art instead of a soulless cash grab.”
- “Sony cash grab for what otherwise is a great game.”
- “Edit: the longer you play after you bought the game, the later areas are less optimized; they crash way more because they already have your money on the subpar cash grab port.”