God of War Ragnarök Game Cover
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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.

  • PC
  • Windows

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 10,193 reviews
story1,479 positive mentions
stability119 negative mentions
  • story3,151 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. While many players find the narrative engaging and filled with impactful moments, some criticize its pacing and the inclusion of certain segments, particularly those involving Atreus, which can feel drawn out or less compelling. Overall, the game is seen as a worthy continuation of the saga, though opinions vary on whether it matches the storytelling quality of its predecessor, *God of War (2018)*.

    • “But what I couldn’t have anticipated was how deeply this game would move me—how its characters, story, and world would not only captivate my mind but also touch my soul.”
    • “Ragnarök is not just a tale of gods and prophecy; it’s a story about love, loss, and the burden of fate.”
    • “The story dives deep into themes of destiny, sacrifice, and family, delivering moments of triumph, tragedy, and reflection that few games can match.”
    • “The story moved a bit too slowly compared to the first.”
    • “The game is okay but has really bad pacing, yet at the same time, some things in the story feel underdeveloped.”
    • “The story feels rushed and poorly paced, especially during the Ironwood and final Asgard invasion.”
  • gameplay1,067 mentions

    The gameplay of *God of War: Ragnarök* has been widely praised for its refined mechanics, engaging combat, and seamless integration of storytelling and action. While many players appreciate the improvements over its predecessor, some note that it retains a familiar feel, with certain mechanics and gameplay loops becoming repetitive. Overall, the game offers a satisfying experience with a mix of challenging combat, exploration, and emotional depth, though some players express frustration with specific character segments and pacing issues.

    • “God of War: Ragnarök is not just a game; it's an unforgettable experience that masterfully combines storytelling, character development, and exhilarating gameplay.”
    • “With its stunning visuals, captivating soundtrack, and engaging gameplay, God of War Ragnarök is an unforgettable experience that will leave players wanting more.”
    • “The gameplay in Ragnarök has expanded in every direction, delivering a rich, emotional, and action-packed experience, refining gameplay mechanics, expanding its deep lore, and offering thrilling new content.”
    • “I thought the gameplay was a bit redundant.”
    • “It felt in many ways like the series was trying to copy contemporary story-focused action games more than they were trying to carve out their own gameplay systems.”
    • “The gameplay loops are repetitive and annoying.”
  • graphics858 mentions

    The graphics of *God of War: Ragnarok* have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and intricate world design, showcasing breathtaking detail across various realms. Players have noted the game's impressive optimization, allowing for smooth performance even on lower settings, while high-end systems can experience jaw-dropping fidelity. However, some users have reported minor graphical issues and performance drops, particularly in demanding scenes, indicating that while the visuals are exceptional, they can be taxing on hardware.

    • “With jaw-dropping visuals, improved combat mechanics, and a deeply emotional narrative, it delivers a compelling sequel that lives up to the high standards set by its predecessor.”
    • “Stunning graphics & world design: the nine realms are more alive than ever, showcasing incredible detail and atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, showcasing the vastness and beauty of the Norse world with breathtaking detail.”
    • “There are a couple of exceptions when it comes to the setting itself, though, such as the volcanic realm: it's simply not interesting and is very repetitive, no matter how detailed the graphics are.”
    • “I like this game, it's good but I feel like the visuals downgraded.”
    • “The graphics are improved somewhat, but the new armor models are not good in design, they have a lot of clipping, textures are reduced in quality in comparison to God of War 2018.”
  • optimization553 mentions

    The optimization of "God of War: Ragnarok" has received mixed feedback from players. While many praise its overall performance, noting that it runs smoothly on high-end hardware and is well-optimized for various systems, others report significant issues such as memory leaks, stuttering, and crashes, particularly on lower-spec PCs and the Steam Deck. Despite these concerns, recent patches have improved performance for many users, leading to a generally positive reception regarding its optimization, though some still recommend waiting for further updates.

    • “This game is impressively well optimized and the visuals are on another level.”
    • “The visuals are stunning, even on PC, where the fidelity and optimization shine in ways that truly showcase the craft behind it.”
    • “Performance is buttery smooth, and the inclusion of ultrawide support and ray tracing adds even more polish to an already stunning package.”
    • “There are constant performance issues in the game due to a memory leak with the PC port.”
    • “I finally load in and the cut scene is fine until it says to adjust my camera settings, I open the menu and see my VRAM is at 177%, and the only way I can bring that down at all is setting my quality to ultra performance, which I'm not doing because it looks terrible. I adjust my sensitivity and immediately my frame rate goes to hell.”
    • “The game is poorly optimized, with tons of bugs involving the enemies and the axe during fights.”
  • emotional276 mentions

    God of War: Ragnarök is widely praised for its profound 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 moments that evoke a range of emotions, from joy to heartbreak. With stunning visuals and a powerful score, it stands as a testament to the emotional potential of video games, leaving many players moved to tears throughout their journey.

    • “Ragnarök isn’t just a game; it’s an emotional journey, a beautifully crafted masterpiece that pushes boundaries both technically and artistically.”
    • “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.”
    • “God of War: Ragnarök delivers a rich, emotional, and action-packed experience, refining gameplay mechanics, expanding its deep lore, and offering thrilling new content.”
  • music227 mentions

    The music in "God of War Ragnarök" has received widespread acclaim for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the game's narrative, with many praising Bear McCreary's composition as a standout feature. Reviewers noted that the soundtrack perfectly complements both intense battle scenes and quieter, introspective moments, creating a memorable auditory experience that elevates the overall gameplay. While some critics felt it lacked the originality of its predecessor's score, the majority agree that the music is a significant highlight, contributing to the game's epic atmosphere and emotional resonance.

    • “Whether it’s the hauntingly beautiful theme that accompanies Kratos’s moments of solitude or the pounding drums during a battle, the music perfectly complements the story.”
    • “The music in Ragnarök is nothing short of transcendent.”
    • “The soundtrack, composed by Bear McCreary, is epic and emotional, complementing the highs and lows of the story.”
    • “The soundtrack is prominent and enhances the narrative and locations well, but I don't necessarily think it works cohesively as an album.”
    • “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.”
  • stability199 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent freezes and crashes, particularly after a few hours of gameplay. While some users praise the game's optimization and performance on various hardware, including the Steam Deck, others express frustration over persistent bugs and the need for extensive troubleshooting to launch the game successfully. Overall, while there are instances of smooth performance, the recurring stability issues significantly detract from the experience for many players.

    • “Good PC port, well optimized and virtually bug free.”
    • “Fantastic game, runs great on the Steam Deck.”
    • “The game looks amazing on an ultrawide and runs great even at 1440p.”
    • “The only reason I don't recommend purchasing it for PC is because there is a high chance it won't properly launch, and you will waste hours troubleshooting the problem, only to get nowhere.”
    • “Ok, the game is great and it works smooth like butter with no stutters... until it freezes or crashes out of nowhere, which happens after every 1-2 hours of playing.”
    • “Every time I need to restart the game to continue my session, and this would not be such a big deal, but if the game freezes in a cutscene, then I need to replay that said cutscene, wavering through the same dialogue lines and music, which is a little bit annoying.”
  • character development115 mentions

    Character development in "God of War: Ragnarök" is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, particularly in the evolving relationship between Kratos and Atreus. While many reviewers highlight the strong growth of these central characters, some express disappointment in the lack of development for new characters and certain plot elements. Overall, the game is recognized for its compelling storytelling and character arcs, making it a significant emotional journey for players.

    • “Kratos and Atreus shine with growth and complexity.”
    • “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.”
    • “The story is fascinating, but there are little gaps in character development, with some plot holes and unanswered mysteries (like the infinite knowledge gap).”
    • “It is much weaker than the previous game, where you don't have deep character development and basically just complete tasks to start the events for Ragnarok, and the new characters that appeared also don't get any development at all.”
    • “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.”
  • grinding92 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players finding certain sections, particularly those involving side quests and puzzles, to be tedious and drawn-out. While some enjoy the depth and story integration of side quests, others feel that the overall pacing and repetitive tasks detract from the experience, leading to a sense of exhaustion. Overall, while the game offers engaging content, it can feel grindy, especially for completionists aiming for 100%.

    • “Play both God of War (2018) and Ragnarok for an amazing time and amazing story, and to add a little fuel to the fire, if you are a perfectionist like myself, 100% 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.”
  • humor50 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever dialogue and character interactions, particularly between Kratos, Atreus, and Mimir, which blend seamlessly with the narrative's emotional depth. Players appreciate the balance of comedic moments amidst serious themes, with many finding the banter both entertaining and heartwarming. However, some critiques mention that the humor can occasionally feel overdone or repetitive, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “Gameplay is fun and feels rewarding, the cutscenes blend seamlessly into gameplay much like God of War 2018, and the visuals are great along with the dialogue being very hilarious.”
    • “The dynamic between Kratos, Atreus, and Mimir adds humor and depth, making their journey even more engaging.”
    • “Also, the voice acting is great, the humor is as sharp as it's ever been, and the characters have changed in meaningful ways since the previous game while still retaining everything that makes them funny, badass, or otherwise memorable.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability47 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising the inclusion of side stories, optional dialogue, and new game plus modes that enhance replay value. While some reviews highlight the game's potential for infinite replayability and engaging mechanics, others note a lack of incentive to replay after completing the main story, leading to varied ratings around 6 to 8 out of 10. The addition of downloadable content and roguelike elements also contributes positively to the replay experience for some players.

    • “Side stories are designed with attention to detail, as there are plenty of optional dialogue lines that will trigger depending on certain circumstances, enhancing the game's replay value.”
    • “Great replayability with a new game plus mode so you can really grind and level up armor and skills.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere40 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its stunning graphics, intricate world design, and immersive soundscapes that bring the nine realms to life. Players highlight the captivating environments, dynamic weather effects, and a stirring musical score that enhance the emotional depth of the experience. While some sections may detract from the overall immersion, the game's attention to detail and atmospheric storytelling consistently impress.

    • “The detailed character models, dynamic lighting, and atmospheric effects bring every scene to life, while the orchestral score and voice performances hit every emotional note with precision.”
    • “The atmosphere is also amazing and the graphics are brilliant; the game also runs well on high settings.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “And then there’s the atmosphere.”
  • monetization14 mentions

    Overall, reviews highlight a mixed sentiment regarding monetization in the game, with some praising its focus on storytelling over microtransactions, while others criticize it as a cash grab, particularly in relation to its PC port and performance issues. Players express frustration with deceptive practices in the industry, where games may require additional purchases for a complete experience or suffer from optimization problems after initial playtime.

    • “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.”
    • “Plus, many games deceive the buyer; for example, on Soulslike it says adventure or impossible to complete without paid modifications, or the game is just very boring hackwork with cool advertising.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Play time

16hMedian play time
31hAverage play time
5-46hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 67 analyzed playthroughs

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