God of War Ragnarök

God of War Ragnarök is widely celebrated as a masterful sequel that builds upon the strong foundation of its 2018 predecessor. Players praise its deeply emotional and nuanced storyline, which explores themes of fatherhood, redemption, and fate with compelling character development, especially the evolving relationship between Kratos and Atreus. The gameplay remains familiar yet refined, with fluid combat mechanics that incorporate the iconic Leviathan Axe, Blades of Chaos, and a new weapon adding variety and tactical depth. Visually, the game is stunning, featuring breathtaking Norse realms, detailed facial animations, and a cinematic musical score that enhances immersion.

Performance is generally solid on PC, with some reports of minor bugs and occasional crashes, but the game runs well even on lower-end hardware like the Steam Deck with appropriate settings. The inclusion of the Valhalla DLC adds rewarding post-campaign content. Some players note that certain combat encounters can be frustratingly difficult, and a few feel the pacing drags in parts. Overall, Ragnarök is regarded as a thrilling, emotionally resonant journey and a worthy continuation of the saga, recommended especially for fans of the series.

Highlights

Players highly praise the game's emotional and engaging storyline, which deepens character arcs and explores complex themes. The combat mechanics are refined and satisfying, with a good balance of challenge and accessibility, including new weapons and abilities that enrich gameplay. Visually, the game is described as stunning and cinematic, with impressive graphics and detailed facial animations. The musical score and voice acting receive acclaim for enhancing the narrative's emotional impact. Additionally, the game offers extensive exploration and side content, with the Valhalla DLC providing enjoyable roguelike challenges. Performance is solid on various PC setups, including the Steam Deck, with options to customize graphics and accessibility.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include occasional performance issues and crashes on some PC configurations, though these are generally minor. Some players find certain boss fights and enemy encounters unfairly difficult or frustrating, detracting from the experience. A few note that the pacing can feel slow or dragged out in parts, especially during exploration or some cutscenes. The Atreus gameplay segments receive mixed feelings, with some finding them less engaging compared to Kratos's combat. Additionally, some users mention minor bugs like AI pathing glitches or key mapping frustrations on PC. Lastly, a small number of players feel the ending or certain story elements were rushed or less epic than expected.