After spending a few hours with God Of War Ragnarok I am impressed by how much it enhances the narrative and characters.
The story continues with Kratos, the now-adolescent Atreus, in the midsts Fimbulwinter – a prophecized “doomsday blizzard” which was brought on by Baldur’s death in the last game. The dynamic duo of deities is hiding in a small camp surrounded by snow and training for the fight ahead.
Freya’s return to the game is a complicating factor. The magic-wielder appears to be a constant threat, keeping our heroes safe as she seeks revenge for Baldur’s death. This conflict is what makes the game’s first minutes so exciting. Kratos, Atreus, and Atreus try to return to camp while protecting themselves from Freya the shapeshifter.
This set piece is smaller than the one we saw in 2018 but it’s no less impressive. The PS5 has been extensively tested since launch between Demon’s Souls and Elden Ring. However, God of War Ragnarok, which was also featured on the Dualsense controller, is a spectacular display for the console.
From humble beginnings
You can feel Kratos’ heavy steps with the pad. If you thought it was good to throw the Leviathan Axe through the air on a DualShock 4 then it will be amazing on the PS5’s haptic-filled controller.
Axe you a question
This brings us to combat. Kratos’ attacks are similar, at least in the early stages, to his previous jaunt through these realms.
Light and heavy attacks are available, along with the return of Spartan shield to block and parry.
It’s as brutal as you would expect from a franchise that once saw our hero shove his thumbs into the eyes of gods. Even though the Leviathan Axe was used to cut enemy heads in half, it still sends chills down my spine just thinking about.
This time, there is a new trick: you can freeze the Leviathan Axe with a triangle. Although you can throw a frozen knife before, Kratos can now use this ability to power up melee and ranged attack. Although it takes time to charge, it can be combined with a light attack at the right angle to control crowds in tight spaces.
This section shows that the combat puzzles in the game have been inspired by the Valkyrie battles from 2018. Combat feels more difficult than in the previous game, regardless of whether it’s a boss fight or a group standard enemies laid out in a challenging configuration.
It’s a good thing. After so many hours in Elden Ring this past year, it was definitely time for my brain to adjust to God of War’s deliberate, but slightly faster pace.
Oh, and Spartan Rage is back, and it’s just so much fun to start clobbering enemies with fists as big as giant hams.
A wider world improvements
God of War Ragnarok’s exploration of themes is the most significant step forward, at least in its early stages.
“Dad of War,” introduced a paternal Kratos, almost reluctant to be better. Ragnarok expands those themes into metaphorical threads which stretch far beyond the surface and into more interesting places.
Atreus, Kratos, and their story are still the core of the tale. But, it feels like their interactions have spread to other characters and the world around them, making the world even more fascinating. Both returning and new characters feel complex. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next hour.
I am also excited to see what Sony Santa Monica can do with the PS5’s power once the snow melts. God of War 2018 felt real, and I am eager to explore more
Final thoughts on improvements
It’s evident that God of War Ragnarok represents a sort of reunion in its early stages. I wanted more time with these characters after the last game.
That wish was granted in 2022. It is immediately apparent that God of War Ragnarok will be in the game-of-the-year conversation again this year.
1. Using PlayStation Remote Play
If you own a PS4 or PS5, you can use PlayStation Remote Play to stream the game from your console to your mobile device.
Requirements for Remote Play:
- A PS4 or PS5 console with God of War Ragnarök installed.
- A stable internet connection (both on the PlayStation console and your mobile device) for smooth streaming.
- The PlayStation Remote Play app installed on your mobile device.
