God of War Ragnarök Reviews
The end result is a God of War Ragnarök that stands among some of the best PlayStation games, but falls ever-so slightly short of the greatest. This is far from a disappointment. But it doesn’t quite reach the lofty heights of what came before.
There are some games that you play primarily for the story, others more for the action and sense of adventure. GoW Ragnarok is one of those rare games that does it all incredibly well, and there are perhaps no other games that can match the ways in which it effortlessly blends storytelling with gameplay mechanics. Although I wished for a more satisfying end to the story, I can’t fault the developers for their continued commitment to small details in both graphic and sound design, and there are countless aspects of the narrative which are as well-crafted and memorable as any from the previous game. The core mechanics are expanded in constructive ways, and you can do more than ever with different combat options. In short, GoW Ragnarok is a fitting sequel that is well worth your time.
As for the future of the God of War franchise, I’m not sure what to expect. Ragnarok leaves a few open threads that provide opportunities for DLC expansions. Kratos found an appropriate and redeeming end that I would hate to see taken away from him to just to continue the series. I’m not confident that Atreus would be the right fit to carry the future of the franchise, at least not without a significant time jump and growth of abilities. But whether or not Santa Monica Studios buts the IP to rest or releases new games will be revealed in time.
God of War Ragnarök starts off deceptively simple and familiar, but it shakes up expectations and keeps the player guessing. It improves upon the prior title in every way, including audio, combat, gameplay, narrative, and visuals - and the original was already outstanding.
God of War Ragnarok is the end of times, God of War Ragnarok is the best of times. You will not want to miss this final chapter.
Kratos may not always know best but, boy, does this father know how to serve up some story-driven action in God of War: Ragnarok. The storytelling remains top-notch and the new mechanics help freshen up the previous game’s combat. The game remains highly linear, however, and can feel like you’re playing an interactive movie at times. That being said, its excellent narrative combined with engaging combat makes God of War: Ragnarok worthy to pick up Thor’s hammer from a gaming standpoint.
The conclusion of the Norse Saga starring Kratos and Atreus is most certainly the best part in the series. God of War Ragnarok take the formula from the previous game and refines it to almost perfection. If God of War (2018) is seen as a masterpiece, God of War Ragnarok sits one tier above, in a league of its own.
God of War: Ragnarok throws almost the entire cadre of remaining Norse gods at the beardy one and the result is an incremental but still spectacular step up from 2018's title, refining the existing systems and loading the game with a dense narrative that satisfies more often than it distracts.
God of War Ragnarok ties up the story in a satisfying way, and the journey it takes you on to get there is memorable. But God of War is also a video game. It’s not a movie, and only some of its game elements hold up.
In sum, God of War Ragnarok is the perfect case of a game that’s impeccably designed in all aspects of its presentation and writing, that still fails to have the necessary focus and drive to keep me engaged. It’s unnecessarily long and drags too much to hold my attention like the original game did. And it’s a shame, because there’s surely plenty to be enjoyed all throughout it, and I’m positively ecstatic to get more of the excellent setting that started four years ago. But having to wade through so much to get to that is driving me absolutely nuts!
God of War: Ragnarök is nothing short of a divine experience, on every level. It somehow manages to improve on everything from the phenomenal 2018 entry. The story, gameplay, environmental design, technical consistency, performances – it's all absolutely flawless. This work of art is challenging, it's impactful, it's exciting, it's touching and it's beautiful. For all that and more, this is a title that deserves to join the pantheon of one of the best works in our industry. There are no perfect games, but damn if God of War: Ragnarök isn't incredibly close to that feat.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
A continuation game that takes over to polish and improve the original and become an essential classic for any PS5 user and an inevitable excuse to acquire a PS5 when possible.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Santa Monica Studio continues to produce excellent and masterful experiences with Kratos, and the door is most certainly open for more.
God of War: Ragnarok is a strong follow-up to a modern masterpiece, but does it sacrifice depth for breadth?
God of War: Ragnarök manages to improve even more its original proposal, bringing one of the best titles in the Kratos saga.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Ragnarök’s fantastic narrative and enjoyable characters ensure that it isn’t getting out of here without a recommendation, but its gameplay shortcomings mean that it ultimately falls short of some of its loftier ambitions.
If Ragnarök spells the end of God of War, as both its themes and talk from Santa Monica Studio suggest, then it will serve as a fitting end for Kratos. Not just because it would make an impressive swansong for the God of War, but because that level of weariness and relief that Kratos feels from completing his lengthy endeavours is, by its end, projected onto the player, completing theirs.
God of War Ragnarok makes use of cinematic techniques and skilled actors to tell its story of holding on and letting go. But it doesn't feel beholden to cinematic trappings. It's proud of its history and medium and plays sublimely as a result. With a focus on fun and flow, God of War Ragnarok's bloody and beautiful pieces fit together swimmingly.
God of War: Ragnarok is a fantastic title, building from its predecessor's already phenomenal combat, though the story wasn't everything that I hoped it would be.
God of War takes the essence of what it means to be mortal and packs it into this digital medium to form a bond with those who are experiencing it first-hand. I tossed myself at Ragnarök for a sense of escapism, and what I ended up receiving was a testament to life and what it means to live and be loved.