God of War: Ragnarok

 PlayStation 5
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8959 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6,820 out of 8959
  2. Mixed: 600 out of 8959
  3. Negative: 1,539 out of 8959
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  1. xdestron
    Dec 10, 2022
    7
    Very samey compared to the first game, except weaker story and pacing. I was very disappointed that the upgrade trees were practically identical.

    Kratos felt neutered in this game, while the spotlight shifts towards Atreus. Honestly, the Kratos of the original trilogy feels completely gone now. He speaks more of friendship and against war than I ever cared to hear Kratos speak. The    Very samey compared to the first game, except weaker story and pacing. I was very disappointed that the upgrade trees were practically identical.

    Kratos felt neutered in this game, while the spotlight shifts towards Atreus. Honestly, the Kratos of the original trilogy feels completely gone now. He speaks more of friendship and against war than I ever cared to hear Kratos speak.

    The story was unbearably slow in parts (mostly Atreus parts) while the characterization of certain gods felt strange. It was more boring than a GoW game should be. It even felt like more of a walking simulator than the first game. Room -> fight -> squeeze thru a crack in the wall -> walking while talking -> another crack -> another fight. Rinse and repeat.

    I would have appreciated some more innovation to make this feel like more of a sequel instead of an expansion. It's the same game but worse.    … Expand
  2. DevilBr0
    Nov 29, 2022
    7
    Another sony's 3rd action open world game with main gameplay mechanics from last GoW game. It is not DLC, but game doesnt deserve all this 10 and GOTY scores
  3. KING_KEIGS
    Dec 11, 2022
    6
    Man this game starts off strong and then.......well saddens me to say but lost me with boring dialogue and slow repetitive combat. Give me the first 3 God of wars everyday over this. Thor is great but playing constantly as BOY just wasn't for me. Maybe I'm getting old but man outside of Ghost of Tsushima I'm disappointed with these play it safe tame ass easy "new gen" gams.
  4. jmbarros
    Dec 8, 2022
    10
    GOD OF WAR: RAGNAROK, if not the best game ever made, is at least a masterpiece. The journey of Kratos and Atreus take together was so touching to me (specially now that I am a parent), so well paced and crafted that I'll take with me for years to come. The cast did an incredible job bringing so much emotion to all characters.
    Apart from the story, the game mechanics are extremely    GOD OF WAR: RAGNAROK, if not the best game ever made, is at least a masterpiece. The journey of Kratos and Atreus take together was so touching to me (specially now that I am a parent), so well paced and crafted that I'll take with me for years to come. The cast did an incredible job bringing so much emotion to all characters.
    Apart from the story, the game mechanics are extremely satisfying. It is a relativity difficult game, and you may die a lot, but when you nailed the fight you feel rewarded by your efforts. The haptic feedback is glorious and imo helps a lot with the immersion. I never felt frustrated by repeating the fight if I died.
    It is quite remarkable of how much Santa Monica Studios put into this game in merely 3 years of development.
    I highly recommend everyone to play it, as you won't feel disappointed    … Expand
  5. megabusterx
    Jan 25, 2023
    3
    An incredibly meh game that is over praised by the Sony diehards, the hand holding is especially egregious.
  6. lofudoscar
    Nov 14, 2022
    10
    Jogo perfeito! Se vc gostou do GOW 2018, então vai amar essa continuação fantástica!
  7. gyana
    Nov 14, 2022
    10
    Best ending of Scandinavian GOW serie. This game was amazing if I'm looking back for all 2022 game year, this game is a best thing what was happing in game industry ( with elden ring ) in this year.
  8. Mychaelwo
    Nov 14, 2022
    10
    Simplesmente um dos melhores games que já joguei na minha vida, impecável, supera o 2018 em todos os aspectos, em especial na história e nas boss battles, 10/10, a sequência que The Last of Us Parte II não foi, parabéns Santa Monica, melhor estúdio da Sony!
  9. dexxzor
    Nov 14, 2022
    10
    If you liked the 2018 God of War you will like this one, too.
    Bigger, advanced combat and a great Story. Must Play!
  10. Roy1526
    Nov 26, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Es una obra maestra lo estoy disfrutando muchísimo, lo mejor de lo mejor, esperaré una siguiente entrega con ansias.… Expand
  11. Sorden
    Nov 17, 2022
    6
    The game is amazingly beautiful and massive, but.. as a scandinavian with deep knowledge concerning norse mythology I am both excited and disappointed. The gods no doubt have petty human concerns and personalities and they give life to this in the game, at the same time every character completely butchers every norse word and name, which further seems even more stupid when they make outThe game is amazingly beautiful and massive, but.. as a scandinavian with deep knowledge concerning norse mythology I am both excited and disappointed. The gods no doubt have petty human concerns and personalities and they give life to this in the game, at the same time every character completely butchers every norse word and name, which further seems even more stupid when they make out the pantheon to be this sort of norse mafia with contemporary american language. The sentimentality makes me groan and sink into boredom, and there is too much blablabla. This is a "try hard" and gets in the way a lot of the time. It's supposed to be a game, not a movie. The game drags on with endless "puzzles" which are more of a chore than real puzzles, and as a gamer who usually goes "hard mode" i switched to "grace" 2/3s into the game because every fight takes too damn long and add all the chatty "witty" american marvel style talk and slow walking to that and I don't have a life anymore. Just wanna finish it for the story and move on.

    The game is beautiful, amazingly beautiful. B    … Expand
  12. STRANGERdanger1
    Dec 8, 2022
    6
    Annoying companions, an excessive upgrade system, and mediocre writing mar an otherwise gorgeous and fun game.
  13. TonyThePony
    Feb 3, 2023
    0
    More of the same to be honest. Looks fantastic but the devs must think people who play this are really dumb as everything is signposted beyond belief, so much so that it ruins what could have been a fun game.
  14. persiacyrus
    Nov 12, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. this is a power .A masterpiece in all senses. Game of the Year means he doesn't have anything on his hands. Thank you for giving us the best moments in the game world.thanks of santa monica and playstation.… Expand
  15. dreaksy
    Nov 15, 2022
    9
    The game is incredible, fighting is dynamic and challenging at times. Story is well told lacks diversity in story telling, but filled with emotions. Tho with all the bugs, colliders fail, periodic fps drops and a bit of naivity in scripting, instead of brutal unprecedented anger and rage expected from the title I downgraded it from 10 to 9
  16. barkingbat
    Jan 23, 2023
    2
    A sequel to the masterpiece released on 2018 this game improves on combat and graphics. However the soulless pathetic dribble of unending dialogue and slow walking with a story that belongs in a present day Disney remake ensures that most people should avoid this stain on an amazing series. Do not buy Do not rent Do not play. One of the most worthless tiresome experiences I've ever had.
  17. KOTOCTPOphy
    Dec 11, 2022
    6
    A game is something that helps us to escape reality. A game is something that allows us to feel like its characters are living in the past/future or oven reality in which you would not trip in any circumstances. A game creates possibilities to participate in activities you physically couldn't and dialogues you wouldn't ever hear.
    That's what good a game does. But Ragnarok constantly makes    A game is something that helps us to escape reality. A game is something that allows us to feel like its characters are living in the past/future or oven reality in which you would not trip in any circumstances. A game creates possibilities to participate in activities you physically couldn't and dialogues you wouldn't ever hear.
    That's what good a game does. But Ragnarok constantly makes me feel like I'm at work in an office or listening to a teenager who thinks his parents do not understand him, or in a mall hearing a fight of a couple arguing about how drunk a man was last night. Who in a sane mind decided to put this casual style of dialogue in Scandinavian folklore? Who ever thought it was a good idea to hear "Ummm, yeah, dad, like whateveeeer" all the time progressing through the game? That killed all the immersion you are waiting for from promised setting. Even GoW 2018, with all the changes they did compare to the original games, did not allow this kind of crap.

    Do not get me wrong, the story is fine and appealing, but the dialogue does not belong to the time in which the game is set. And GoW is not a new Shrek cartoon where mixing fantasy and current urban dialogues was a thing.
    Also, to add to setting thing. I do not believe that Thrud might put some shame on Thor in front of other warriors and get away with it. Neither do I believe in Atreus's typical teenage attitude whining that grown-ups do not understand him. That was not in mythological epos in the original games, and that was not even there in GoW 2018; why it had to be put in the latest game? That is not God of War, that is a modern-life sitcom. I would accept this in JRPG due to the ruled-out setting, but not in a game that changed its rules. The game did not help me to escape reality, but it did help to see modern life problems in fantasy. Thanks a lot.

    Now, it would not be that harmful if everything else is fine. Which should be for a AAA Sony exclusive, right? Right?
    Well, I've expected more from a game delivered in 2022. Invisible walls in the face of obstacles that should be easily bypassed by God are everywhere. Of course, that's just a regular game conditionality, but for a game in 2000, not a 2022 one. The platforming part is boring. Even the original series had some variations with freedom to climb and QTE scenes, but here in 2022 platforming is just an interactive loading screen, nothing more.

    There are fewer changes that you would expect from a sequel, which is not bad, but all of them did not save from awful storytelling. 2018's GoW isn't the good old GoW we had, but it has grown along with us, but sequel made me think that I am a dumb teenager.    … Expand
  18. thebeik
    Dec 20, 2022
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The fact that people consider this a 10/10 title is a perfect reflection of the state of video games today. The only 10/10 thing about this game is the graphics and performance on PS5. That's it.

    Artreus has somehow become an even more intolerable character than in the previous game. They choose to go the Marvel route with all of the "villain" Gods. None of them serious, none of them epic, all of them full of **** one liners and seemingly the same personality. Odin is a small old man that comes off like Peter Baylish from Game of Thrones, it's so anti-climatic.

    Additionally the first part of the game is all about Tyr and finding Tyr. Man, I wish we never found him because he was as much of a dissapointment as Odin. Boring, annoying, peace loving and all around just a poorly written character. Honestly, almost everyone and everything is annoying about this game.

    Mimir and Brock - two characters I loved from the first game are completely overbearing this time around and shove their humor in your face. It's just too much.

    Narrative of the year? How does a game that's 50% of the dialogue "I need to save Artreus. I only care about Artreus. I don't care this is about Artreus" really wins that award. **** hilarious.

    I put 30 hours into this game, it's a gorgeous but hallow follow up to what I thought was an enjoyable God of War 2018 title. There is one new weapon in this game and the move set for the Axe and Chains are largely unchanged.

    6/10 and I think that's being generous for the effort from the last title. Buy on Sale.    … Expand
  19. Superpagal
    Jan 30, 2023
    4
    God of war, ragnarok. I just finished the game but I won't spoil it for you. Let me just begin with this, the title closer to last of us or uncharted without guns than older God of war titles. Too much story, too much cutscenes. Remember when Kratos used to be a crazy motherf@@cker filled with rage killing titans God's, heroes. That's over. Now it's a duo of a sentimental father and sonGod of war, ragnarok. I just finished the game but I won't spoil it for you. Let me just begin with this, the title closer to last of us or uncharted without guns than older God of war titles. Too much story, too much cutscenes. Remember when Kratos used to be a crazy motherf@@cker filled with rage killing titans God's, heroes. That's over. Now it's a duo of a sentimental father and son without any real purpose. They just happened to be in norse mythology when ragnarok was about to begin. Remember when kratos actually had combos, upgrades, taking godly weapons,? Well forget about it. Was eager to fight thor in a over the top crazy fight like i was ? Well you can fight a middle aged alcoholic out of shape irishman instead . After 10 hours I kept playing because I payed it and for no other reason. It saddens me that hod of war became another uncharted for broader audiences. If you liked last of us you probably like this title too. If you are a fan of combat focused games like from software title's, devil lay cry and of course older God of war titles. Then you'll be disappointed. I never expected to write a negative review for god of war. It had such potential, do beautiful graphics and very nice performance. Can't we have a game that's combat focused? Why everything had to become a generic last of us clone,??? … Expand
  20. KodyKeesler
    Dec 3, 2022
    10
    I honestly don’t understand how people on here are giving this game 0’s and 1’s.. very clearly trolls or Microsoft fanboys.. Halo is free on Game pass and people STILL don’t wanna play it so yall are mad now. It just blows my mind how hateful and petty gamers can be.. not everybody wants to play call of duty or Apex legends. If story based, cinematic games aren’t your thing, cool.. but toI honestly don’t understand how people on here are giving this game 0’s and 1’s.. very clearly trolls or Microsoft fanboys.. Halo is free on Game pass and people STILL don’t wanna play it so yall are mad now. It just blows my mind how hateful and petty gamers can be.. not everybody wants to play call of duty or Apex legends. If story based, cinematic games aren’t your thing, cool.. but to call this game trash or “$70 DLC” is just so disingenuous. Don’t play the game if it ain’t your thing but stop acting like a child because its better than any of the games you like to fanboy over. This game delivers in every single way.. every single story moment and ark set up in the first game has a satisfying pay off.. the gameplay is better, the graphics are better, the story is every bit as good.. the only complaint that I have is that new game plus wasn’t day one but that’s a nitpick if I’m being honest. I’ve put in upwards of 60 hours into this game and still haven’t even begun to see everything this game has to offer.. 100 percent worth every penny.. please go out and buy this so we can keep getting more games like this..… Expand
  21. adrianompo
    Nov 29, 2022
    7
    The gameplay and technical aspects are superb and nearly perfect. The real downfall is the story: it is awkwardly bad. Not only are the arcs underdeveloped, but the dialogues are also cheesy and annoying. In an attempy to deliver strong emotions, Santa Monica came up with a cringey story, full of loopholes and boring moments. It doesn't feel like GoW, but rather a miserable attempt toThe gameplay and technical aspects are superb and nearly perfect. The real downfall is the story: it is awkwardly bad. Not only are the arcs underdeveloped, but the dialogues are also cheesy and annoying. In an attempy to deliver strong emotions, Santa Monica came up with a cringey story, full of loopholes and boring moments. It doesn't feel like GoW, but rather a miserable attempt to mimic Naughty Dog.… Expand
  22. Gamer2022
    Nov 19, 2022
    10
    1 of the best games I've played in my entire life, not an exaggeration 10/10
  23. San_7
    Dec 18, 2022
    7
    Game looks and plays very good. The story is also very good. The things i did not like is that every world and every chapter feels the same. It looks different but feels like you play the same level over and over again. It also feels like an dlc of the 2018 game then a complet new game. The game has a good combat and a nice feeling of controlling the characters.
  24. MestreDoTerror
    Nov 22, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Uma das MELHORES histórias que ja joguei na vida. É impressionante a riqueza de detalhes que o jogo te mostra pra tudo.… Expand
  25. edgard1axl
    Nov 16, 2022
    10
    O jogo é uma continuação direta de 2018 e não tem evoluções mas isso já era esperado, mas tem uma história marcante que poucos jogos na nossa vida faz.
  26. NeonWarrior
    Nov 12, 2022
    10
    The best game of 2022. Perfect scapes, fights, story, all perfect in this game. No loadings and cool dualsence feedback giving the coolest experience. You must play this game.
  27. yhh111
    Nov 11, 2022
    6
    Basically a 2018 GOW DLC.
    The Atreus and Angrboda story was the most boring, time consuming and torturing experience in the game.
  28. AlanJay
    Nov 29, 2022
    6
    Don't get me wrong, the game is good, but it's not great. I was hoping for more improvements over the 2018 God of War (like a zoomed out camera for combat or better traversal mechanics). But nope! Feels very similar to the last game with minor additions.

    Also, if any developers sees this, PLEASEEEEE add the option to turn off the "hints" from Mimir and Atreus when it comes to puzzles. I    Don't get me wrong, the game is good, but it's not great. I was hoping for more improvements over the 2018 God of War (like a zoomed out camera for combat or better traversal mechanics). But nope! Feels very similar to the last game with minor additions.

    Also, if any developers sees this, PLEASEEEEE add the option to turn off the "hints" from Mimir and Atreus when it comes to puzzles. I don't like to rush gameplay. I like to look around and soak in the environment, but every time I reach a puzzle section, Atreus and Mimir immediately shout out the answer and tell me what to do and ruin he puzzle for me. Please give us the option to stop that!

    Other major problems: (please improve these for the next game)
    *** Traversal still sucks!!! Invisible walls everywhere. It doesn't make any sense which area Kratos can jump to and which area he cannot. It feels like a maze rather an an open or semi-open world.

    *** Platforming still sucks! Games like Uncharted, Horizon Zero Dawn, or Tomb Raider might not be perfect, but they still do a much better job when it comes to platforming and traversal. Reaching a specific area and pressing "x" just to watch Kratos climb is not that much fun, believe it or not.

    *** Those two points above causes exploration/traversal to be so SLOW and frustrating. I don't care that the game looks gorgeous when I have to spend 5 minutes just to move a few feet on the map because Kratos can't jump over a small tree log.

    *** Lastly, camera is still way zoomed in for this type of game. If possible, please give us a better (larger) FOV. This kind of over the shoulder camera works for something like Resident Evil because of its claustrophobic nature, but for a game like GoW it just causes a lot of cheap and frustrating deaths from attacks coming off-camera.

    I respect all the effort that went into making this game, and it's clear that the developers put a lot of effort and care into it, but the improvements from the 2018 game are very minimal and it juts feels like playing an expansion of the same game.

    Thank you!    … Expand
  29. nandika
    Nov 13, 2022
    7
    It starts of very good, but at the 1/3rd mark in the story it becomes very much very quickly. Too many characters, too many collectibles, too many shifts, too many skills, combat too complicated. It's a very nice sequel, but they crammed too much in here and it doesn't feel a big as a revelation as the nearly perfect 2018 game did. Level design isn't as inventive, and they retained a lotIt starts of very good, but at the 1/3rd mark in the story it becomes very much very quickly. Too many characters, too many collectibles, too many shifts, too many skills, combat too complicated. It's a very nice sequel, but they crammed too much in here and it doesn't feel a big as a revelation as the nearly perfect 2018 game did. Level design isn't as inventive, and they retained a lot of PS4 elements, for instance the need to wait between realm travels. Plus it underwent to a lot of 'disney-fication' and 'woke-ification' which is kind of sad.… Expand
  30. Naklate
    Nov 14, 2022
    7
    Big disappointment.

    God of war 2018 was amazing. It feels like more of the same, I should still like it but I don't. Maps are bad, design and views are meh. Enemies are just OK. NPCs are nothing special, one of the antagonist from main quest line feels like a Patison from "Twilight".
    The beginning of the game is great but after that game was painful to finish.

    I still recommend.
  31. SPAGHETTIBOLEG
    Nov 16, 2022
    5
    This game is very compitent and has amazing visuals, but ultimately feels like most other 3rd person action-story games. Kill enemies, watch cutsene, kill enemies, rinse and repeat.

    I feel there's so much more to explore witu videogames and yet we're stuck in a cycle of spectatle over originality. I'm finding myself tired of this genre and am wondering what else can be milked from 3rd    This game is very compitent and has amazing visuals, but ultimately feels like most other 3rd person action-story games. Kill enemies, watch cutsene, kill enemies, rinse and repeat.

    I feel there's so much more to explore witu videogames and yet we're stuck in a cycle of spectatle over originality. I'm finding myself tired of this genre and am wondering what else can be milked from 3rd person action/story games.    … Expand
  32. VideoGame567890
    Nov 11, 2022
    7
    The same problems with balancing/difficulty from the first game are exacerbated in the sequel. At times the tasks and side content can feel downright tedious, especially some of the moments as Atreus. The game constantly feels like it's asking you to do something in combat and then punishing you for trying. The health system is very stingy and if you start a battle with low health it isThe same problems with balancing/difficulty from the first game are exacerbated in the sequel. At times the tasks and side content can feel downright tedious, especially some of the moments as Atreus. The game constantly feels like it's asking you to do something in combat and then punishing you for trying. The health system is very stingy and if you start a battle with low health it is often still a good strategy to kill yourself so you can start at full. Playing as Atreus sucks. There were a few polish things that simply were not an issue in the first game. Without spoiling anything there are some moments in the game where objects are clipping through each other, which normally wouldn't bother me in a game, but compared to the previous title it does seem worth noting.… Expand
  33. Impetratus
    Nov 13, 2022
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. An underwhelming experience, the game is fundamentally identical to the first with a few minor changes to the UI.

    The exact same combos on all of Kratos weapons. including light and heavy runic attacks, recycled from GoW 2018. Where 2018 god of war had puzzles to break up the fast pace of the action, Ragnarok feels like it has puzzles to barrage you with dialogue or to fill out a 25 hour game.

    The first 5 or so hours of this game were a legitimate slog to get through, I quickly realised Kratos' moves and toolkit had not been updated at all. From this point you play as Atreus, which is a slog on its own, he is agile but hits like a wet noodle and is overall not fun to handle, particularly on higher difficulty. Atreus is yet another slog to play through.

    As a whole the game feels more bogged down by puzzles, the pace of the game has slowed down drastically and it is not a positive. Shortly after playing as Atreus your receive the draupnir, the weapon itself is not fun to handle at all, and once again forces you to slow down your pace of play by adding yet another mechanic that slows down the game.

    Not to mention the price tag 125 AUD for what is effectively a 25 hour dlc, which could ultimately be cut down to a few hours of cutscenes. The interesting part of this game is the story and the game seems hell bent on making it as painful as possible to get to it. The graphics in this game are incredible, just a waste they didn't update anything else. Strong 7/10    … Expand
  34. Seppukuma451
    Nov 14, 2022
    6
    God of war Ragnarok is 50% front ended with borderline cut DLC ideas. And back ended with an over-bloated mess of an ending that would have been in service to a third title. Pros: wonderful environments and physics

    Its an ending I guess Kratos is finally likeable after like 8 games or some **** Cons: combat is borderline on rails Falls into “sony 3rd person sad dad game 100” territory    God of war Ragnarok is 50% front ended with borderline cut DLC ideas. And back ended with an over-bloated mess of an ending that would have been in service to a third title. Pros: wonderful environments and physics

    Its an ending I guess

    Kratos is finally likeable after like 8 games or some ****

    Cons: combat is borderline on rails

    Falls into “sony 3rd person sad dad game 100” territory that they just kept running with since the Last of us

    Entire game feels like its holding your hand to the point that you barely have to think outside of combat

    Extended ending is locked to doing some fetch quests after 22 hours of gameplay

    Voice acting is borderline unbearable outside of kratos and mimir. Atreus feels like they had a decent child VA who hit puberty and doesnt care about voicing a main character. Game borderline forces you into using the axe over everything else. This is not a devil may cry game where you can use everything or nothing. Upgrade system is a cool idea. But largely a numbers game to out damage bosses. Overall. Its sad that the “final” chapter is an actual bloated mess that basically boils down to “melee only last of us story” and little much else. 6/10. Beat after 22 hours on 11/12/2023 PS5 version.    … Expand
  35. Fenstergehtauf
    Nov 27, 2022
    3
    Too many boring, unskipable cutscenes combines with mediocre gameplay.
    I don't know why they bother including puzzles if the characters spoil the solutions within seconds of arriving at the scene.
  36. Darkuss94
    Nov 26, 2022
    7
    God of war Ragnarok It is a pleasant experience, but the more you start asking questions the less answers you're going to get.

    Besides never bigger open world to explore and amazing graphics and world building, there are a lot flaws that make God of war Ragnarok look like a DLC for the original God of War 4. - Gameplay includes cover to cover same mechanics from God of war 4. -    God of war Ragnarok It is a pleasant experience, but the more you start asking questions the less answers you're going to get.

    Besides never bigger open world to explore and amazing graphics and world building, there are a lot flaws that make God of war Ragnarok look like a DLC for the original God of War 4.

    - Gameplay includes cover to cover same mechanics from God of war 4.

    - Although the world a lot bigger and it offers a lot to explore, from various boss fights to simple and boring side quests that are also called "Favours". There are side quests to keep you interested, but most of the "Dead spirit" side quests are just utterly boring and not rewarding at all.

    - Enemy variety suffered as a consequence of the big open world which can get at times very repetitive and boring.

    - Finishing moves do not have that same rewarding feeling you had in the previous game due to lack of Gore and them experimenting with finishing moves that include both playable character and companion. You don't feel the anger and strength of the Ghost of Sparta when performing finishers which was present in previous game, even God of War 4.

    - Story and character development is very bad. Although it's backed up by amazing worlds, great graphics and characters we love, it is filled with cheesy dialog, decisions that get overwritten in the next sequence and trying to make all the secondary characters protagonists. The story gets so messed up in the end that you are left with thousands of those questions "Why would he do that?". It's not realistic and it looks like teen tv show.

    It is a good game, definitely worth experiencing, but it's not perfect nor nearly close to what God of War 4 was.

    God of war 4 had that intimacy, tension and atmosphere. Every moment was epic, a lot of lore to discover and the decisions that characters made had an impact and weight.    … Expand
  37. Tjc1185
    Nov 27, 2022
    5
    The most overrated game I've ever played. The controls are clunky so is aiming. All the puzzles are made for the mentality of children the cut scenes are way too long, atreus is so beyond annoying. The story doesn't flow right nor in parts does it make sense. In 30 years of gaming I've never been so quick to quit on a game and return it like I did with this one. The part where atreus is onThe most overrated game I've ever played. The controls are clunky so is aiming. All the puzzles are made for the mentality of children the cut scenes are way too long, atreus is so beyond annoying. The story doesn't flow right nor in parts does it make sense. In 30 years of gaming I've never been so quick to quit on a game and return it like I did with this one. The part where atreus is on a yak picking fruit was by far the most annoying part of tje whole game. Then atreus picks ubunga a flower she then scolds him and lectures him about killing the flower. The entire game is a lame corny attempt to make a sequel when all they did was copy everything from 2018 and rename it. 5/10 is generous… Expand
  38. volsharr
    Jan 23, 2023
    0
    I regret buying this game for a full price. It is not a game, it is an interactive movie. Boring levels, cant go anywhere, invisible walls everywhere, combat is exactly same as the previous title.
    Ok movie, bad game.
  39. Ghoster
    Feb 13, 2023
    5
    Well, GOW 2018 was pretty good, but this one seems to be everything but the game. Graphics is awesome, but that's where everything good stop. Story is boring, playing impossible because after each 5 steps animated sequence interrupt, fighting much worse than 2018 version and middle of the game where you play with Atreus and that girl is most cringe part of any game ever. It's 90 minutes ofWell, GOW 2018 was pretty good, but this one seems to be everything but the game. Graphics is awesome, but that's where everything good stop. Story is boring, playing impossible because after each 5 steps animated sequence interrupt, fighting much worse than 2018 version and middle of the game where you play with Atreus and that girl is most cringe part of any game ever. It's 90 minutes of riding some sort of bull and collecting fruit.… Expand
  40. SirFlankBoring
    Jan 31, 2023
    3
    Should've stayed as a hack n slash franchise. Nothing else to say except that Sony pays sites to give this a 10/10.
  41. cronokun
    Dec 5, 2022
    7
    TL;DR: It's good, but not as good, as the first one.

    Basically God of War Ragnarok is the same game as GoW (2018). Story is okay, but can be slow/boring sometimes, and I personally expected more epicness from the great scandinavian apocalypse. Combat is mostly the same, meaning it's fun when you're up to 2-3 enemies, but when there are 4-5, you often get screwed by camera and    TL;DR: It's good, but not as good, as the first one.

    Basically God of War Ragnarok is the same game as GoW (2018).

    Story is okay, but can be slow/boring sometimes, and I personally expected more epicness from the great scandinavian apocalypse.

    Combat is mostly the same, meaning it's fun when you're up to 2-3 enemies, but when there are 4-5, you often get screwed by camera and clunky controls. Also is seems Kratos and his son prepared so hard for Ragnarok, that they had lost all the weapons/armors and forgot all skills, sic!.

    P.S. Dear Santa Monica Studio, I hate you for these berserker fights!    … Expand
  42. syts
    Dec 8, 2022
    10
    An amazing sequel that is almost perfect. Why do I need to write a lot just for giving a score to a game?
  43. Manson_fan25
    Dec 3, 2022
    7
    In contrast this game is lacking. The story does little to keep you going, and the world is a chore to get though, by the end you’re just fighting enemies that are sponges… I assume a way to drag out the end. It’s a chore. Everything else is fine but the pacing and Atreus.
  44. Beaivas
    Dec 9, 2022
    5
    The story and its telling is great but the gameplay is suprisingly boring, uninspired and unevolved. Linear in a way, not much to explore. Recycled puzzles.
  45. Zski
    Dec 3, 2022
    7
    I know my review of this game will not be the popular opinion, but I couldn’t help but feel extremely let down with this sequel. It’s not a bad game, but it’s only a shadow of what made the first game so great. It’s more of the same, and not for the better.

    Gameplay is largely the same. The gameplay and controls are so smooth and engaging that it’s still just as satisfying as it was the    I know my review of this game will not be the popular opinion, but I couldn’t help but feel extremely let down with this sequel. It’s not a bad game, but it’s only a shadow of what made the first game so great. It’s more of the same, and not for the better.

    Gameplay is largely the same. The gameplay and controls are so smooth and engaging that it’s still just as satisfying as it was the first time, especially in regard to the combat. Something that I found a bit disappointing was that they recycled all execution animations for enemies that were in the first game, it truly felt a little lazy. I loved trying to do all the executions in the first game to see how brutal they were, but you really have seen a large portion of before before you even boot the game up. What really bothered me about the game is the very poor flow between combat, story, and puzzles. Especially because the “puzzles” are even more low effort than the first game. Now the vast majority of the puzzles are just a scavenger hunt, they don’t really require much logic, but the solution is most often something you have to hit that is hidden behind something else. After a few hours, those become so cumbersome and pull away from the flow of the game, even if they are easy. The other part of the flow that bothered me were all of the segments where you have to play as Atreus. At first, it was a neat little change of gears, but after the fourth sequence, I just want to rush through those parts. His play style is cool at first, but his recycled moves at even more blatant than Kratos. It takes away so much from the flow of the game that every single section where you play as Atreus felt like a chore, and there are a ton of Atreus sections.

    I also found the story and characters to be far less interesting this time around. When you started the first game, you knew the plot, and while it was simple, you had it in the back of your mind the entire time. Now you have to play through the teenage angst undertone for 5 hours before you even know the overarching story. It’s awful. Luckily it does open up down the road and become pretty good over halfway through, but I cannot forget how stupid it was for such a long time. Some of the character development is pretty cool, but it really broke the spirit of who the characters are. Then somehow they made characters with massive potential like Odin and Thor so painfully uninteresting, and then they added tons of side characters that feel like they’re from an MTV fantasy show. It just feels very disorganized. Despite all these complaints, it’s still a good game. But it lacks the magic from the first game. This feels more like a massive DLC than it does a sequel. I enjoyed it as it’s own experience, glad I played it, but it didn’t do its justice as a sequel to such a major game.    … Expand
  46. vadim_m
    Feb 3, 2023
    5
    Story is extremely bad. Very poor written script. A lot of fillers and meaningless plot twist and game mechanics. Gameplay is boring too.
    The only thing the game is good at is it's visual, graphics.
  47. spiton675
    Dec 5, 2022
    7
    Ragnarok is neither the masterpiece nor the absolute crap people are saying on the internet. It's a linear game, not open world like many claim it to be, with action, puzzles and good but reoetitive combat. Graphs and art are 10/10, impressive CGI and motion capture. Voice actors do an excellent job.
    The problem is that Ragnarok follows the SONY AAA playbook. It's basically every game    Ragnarok is neither the masterpiece nor the absolute crap people are saying on the internet. It's a linear game, not open world like many claim it to be, with action, puzzles and good but reoetitive combat. Graphs and art are 10/10, impressive CGI and motion capture. Voice actors do an excellent job.
    The problem is that Ragnarok follows the SONY AAA playbook. It's basically every game we've played in the last decade. Took me 40 hours to beat it but I swear it felt like 100. The main story is just BORING. It trys and succeed in bulding a climax that never comes....at the and of the game I felt like I've got a good BJ but never got to cum. If you are a fan of the classic TRILOGY like me, you can sit this one out, or at least wait on a bit. It's definetley not worth the $70.    … Expand
  48. Tinytcp
    Nov 23, 2022
    9
    I don’t know where to start. I absolutely love this game. I loved the first game. And the old ones aswell.

    God of war 2018 was a breath of fresh air. It hit all the notes perfectly. The story was enthralling, the characters were great. The gameplay was addictive.. I had almost no complaints Now for ragnarok. I was immensely excited for this game, considering I was so fond of the    I don’t know where to start. I absolutely love this game. I loved the first game. And the old ones aswell.

    God of war 2018 was a breath of fresh air. It hit all the notes perfectly. The story was enthralling, the characters were great. The gameplay was addictive.. I had almost no complaints

    Now for ragnarok. I was immensely excited for this game, considering I was so fond of the original. I went into it completely blind and here is my reaction:

    1. More of the same - god of war when released felt like an entirely new game, you wanted to explore everything and see every little thing, but with ragnarok that feeling is gone. It’s more or less the exact same game as the original, but with a new story. The gameplay feels nearly identical, the worlds have changed a small bit, but not enough to be worthwhile exploring every nook and cranny again. 2. The story - I have mixed feelings regarding this, I honestly believe the second games story was nowhere’s near as strong as the first games story. Although I did enjoy it, I found myself often getting bored while playing and found certain area’s way to dragged out. This is a feeling I did not experience with the first. 3. Next gen immersion - now this may be a personal preference, but this does not feel like a next gen game. I understand it was made and developed for ps4, but so was Forbidden west, and that felt like a next gen game. I have swapped between ps4 and ps5 while playing and found virtually no difference. I feel at this point games should be released at 4k 60fps not half and half/ or have to wait months for a upgrade. At the very least it would have made the game feel a bit next gen.

    Based on the above, while I do love this game and recommend it as a must play, I rated it a 9 because I did have a few minor quirks that could have easily been fixed.    … Expand
  49. m0rph3us1987
    Nov 14, 2022
    10
    Absolutely amazing. The team made exactly the right tweaks making sure to improve the combats but keeping the feeling of GoW 2018. Well done.

    The upgrades menus etc. are a lot cleaner making it easier to choose upgrades. GoW 2018 overwelmed you with all those upgrades you could choose from, and i was afraid Ragnarok would add even more upgrades. I was surprised in a positive way.    Absolutely amazing. The team made exactly the right tweaks making sure to improve the combats but keeping the feeling of GoW 2018. Well done.

    The upgrades menus etc. are a lot cleaner making it easier to choose upgrades. GoW 2018 overwelmed you with all those upgrades you could choose from, and i was afraid Ragnarok would add even more upgrades. I was surprised in a positive way.

    Story absolutely great. I loved every single second.

    Thanks to the whole team for making me have such an amazing experience. It's a masterpiece.    … Expand
  50. eguerbox
    Nov 14, 2022
    10
    This is a great sequel to the 2018 GOW. Thank you the developers for putting all together and developing a great game with awesome storytelling. This is for me a perfect game.
  51. BLAQClouds
    Nov 19, 2022
    10
    This is a fantastic Game! The Character development in this game is one many others can learn from.
    The combat and level design is fleshed out and challenging, the graphics are amazing as well.
    Does everything the first game does right and better.
  52. Ashen_one
    Dec 1, 2022
    7
    A wonderful game in terms of story and directing, but the gameplay there is nothing special in it, and at the end of the game you feel bored and , normal music The only thing that made it special was the story ,
  53. PointBreakx45
    Dec 8, 2022
    10
    This game is a masterpiece, if not a better one than it's predecessor God Of War 2018. The story was finished masterfully that finished our crave for the continuity left by God Of War 2018. It finished one most renowned if not the best gaming franchise in the gaming world. The characters that were introduced in this game were by far were the most impressive and most accurate depiction ofThis game is a masterpiece, if not a better one than it's predecessor God Of War 2018. The story was finished masterfully that finished our crave for the continuity left by God Of War 2018. It finished one most renowned if not the best gaming franchise in the gaming world. The characters that were introduced in this game were by far were the most impressive and most accurate depiction of Norse mythology characters in a video game. The character designs and storyline of each character that was presented was smooth yet perfectly short mannered, it helped the players connect with the characters which is essential in a story-wise game. The combat is that is heavily expanded in this game is just magnificent. Now, you have more options to properly mix your moves and fight your opponents in many ways as you want. The character development and the bond Kratos has with Atreus and Mimir in this game along with a few other characters is Top Tier. It shows that Kratos by heart was always a good guy and was used and manipulated by the evil gods for their own uses. So, much so that even Thor was heavily manipulated and abused by Odin. After coming to Norse lands to escape his past, he has one way or another has always done good to protect the people of 9 nine realms. Which is why at the end he is loved and worshipped by the people. The love, bond and patience he has for his son has always warmed my heart. Enough talk.. If you are seeing this review buy it and play it or experience a wonderful playthrough series with your favourite youtuber. Trust me, you will not regret the wonderful experience of story, gameplay and character that this game offers you.… Expand
  54. jestercrate
    Dec 8, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Just as fantastic and amazing as the first game. Definitely my GOTY!! Love all the characters and settings, and the development of Atreus/Loki as a character. Can’t recommend it enough.… Expand
  55. Jalteliasen
    Dec 8, 2022
    10
    A perfect sequel to a perfect game. It delivers upon everything god of war (2018) founded with an emotionally gripping story and amazing gameplay.
  56. yream
    Nov 12, 2022
    6
    Sadly boring story, unnecessarily deep.
    Very little epic fights, gow 2018 final fight still better than entire ragnarok's boss fights.
    I am a huge fan of gow 2018 but this is just a shadow of it. Sorry :/
  57. mahyar_mohtavi
    Nov 19, 2022
    6
    This game is far from the GoW 2018 in both gameplay and story. you can find rarely something new in the gameplay including attacks, parry, weapons, and definitely in the runic attacks. I expected that the game at least offers new and customizable special movements. Except for the first fight with Thor at the beginning of the game, other fight bosses are not satisfying. The giganticThis game is far from the GoW 2018 in both gameplay and story. you can find rarely something new in the gameplay including attacks, parry, weapons, and definitely in the runic attacks. I expected that the game at least offers new and customizable special movements. Except for the first fight with Thor at the beginning of the game, other fight bosses are not satisfying. The gigantic characters like world serpent and Hel Keeper are not utilized well, you can only find one or two scenes from them. Finally, The story is so predictable with no surprises. I think the game lost the great potential of what the GoW 2018 created.… Expand
  58. NRistic
    Nov 11, 2022
    7
    Opinions are my own. This game is solid, but I don't feel like it's 9/10 or perfect score solid. If it ain't broke, why fix it? This formula is solid and works well. They built on the first game but missing anything amazing that would take this over the edge. It's very much the same GoW game with some extra features
  59. MathiasBS
    Nov 19, 2022
    7
    I haven’t finished the game yet, so this score is based on my impressions some 7 hours in.

    In my experience, the best cinematic games are the ones that feels like a movie - but this game, feels like a movie that wants to be a game. The story and acting is great, but the actual game is not very fun to play. You play mostly just to advance the story, which is probably great for some    I haven’t finished the game yet, so this score is based on my impressions some 7 hours in.

    In my experience, the best cinematic games are the ones that feels like a movie - but this game, feels like a movie that wants to be a game.

    The story and acting is great, but the actual game is not very fun to play. You play mostly just to advance the story, which is probably great for some players out there, but personally, I’ll take awesome gameplay over story any day - but the freshness and amazement of the previous entry has now worn off, and so the gameplay feels somewhat lackluster and predictable.

    The game is constantly split up into very cookie cutter sections, in a not so elegant way; you either have to solve a puzzle (with way too many hints), watch a cutscene, a combat scenario, traversal or a quick time event. The amount of combat sequences in-between the other elements also quickly becomes tiring, as the order usually goes; cutscene, combat, puzzle, combat, walk/boat, combat, cutscene, combat, puzzle, combat etc. The combat is somewhat decent, but is held back by the cinematic animations that often make it feel a bit stiff and clunky. The same enemies are also used way too frequently, and many of them feels as unnecessary filler. The puzzles are also pretty good at times, but after less than ten seconds a very obvious hint will be given, whether you like it or not. This kind of handholding is unbearable, and makes the puzzles way too easy. My biggest gripe though is that the PS5 version is definitely held back by the previous generation. Don’t get me wrong, it looks great, but it doesn’t look very much better than the previous entry, which is a big deal for a game where facial expressions and scenery is 40% of the experience. Also, what’s up with that stale water? When you spend most of the game sailing around, why didn’t they update these animations at least? As said, I haven’t finished it yet, and given this is a story driven game my opinion might change, but looking at it purely from a gameplay-perspective, I’d say Ragnarok plays it waaaaay too safe; so much so, that actually playing it becomes a bit tedious already. It’s a game that prioritizes story over gameplay, but if you’re into that then you’ll probably have a great time.
    If you want to have game that’s actually fun to play as well though, Ragnarok definitely has its moments but they’re few and far in between.    … Expand
  60. KSNpirateking
    Nov 11, 2022
    7
    Except few moves and graphical enhancements. Story falls flat and it just feels like a doc to the original.
  61. matthewrussel
    Nov 11, 2022
    7
    I wanted to play god of war sequel not a marvel movie. The game is excellent, but I'm extremely disappointed in the direction taken by the narrative. I think the decision to change game director for a direct sequel was really bad.
  62. RealGirlGamer
    Nov 19, 2022
    7
    It's just not as coherent and consistent as part one! I had high hopes, and many expectations since I am a long time fan of God of War, and I liked the first new game. But this one sadly missed the mark. There's good scenes, Kratos is pretty awesome, and a few nice surprises too.
    But the graphics are the exact same as part 1 (4 years later I would expect an improvement), the game play is    It's just not as coherent and consistent as part one! I had high hopes, and many expectations since I am a long time fan of God of War, and I liked the first new game. But this one sadly missed the mark. There's good scenes, Kratos is pretty awesome, and a few nice surprises too.
    But the graphics are the exact same as part 1 (4 years later I would expect an improvement), the game play is boring, and all the riddles and fights in between main story cut scenes and the very few bosses, are just tedious! Where are the big epic bosses? Why did many lore things and characters get a bit of exposure and then are just forgotten? The game now feels rushed, like they had to hurry to finish it in time for Christmas sales...    … Expand
  63. grady2k12
    Nov 23, 2022
    10
    Anyone scoring this game as a negative either hasn't played the game or has no sense. This game is a masterpiece and even surpasses the amazing 2018 game. Why this game is not at least a 9.5 for user score baffles me.
  64. Raste
    Nov 16, 2022
    6
    I am a big fan of the God of War series and my expectations with this one was great. However it does seem like a huge DLC of the previous game and nothing much new out there. The gameplay is okay but combat is sluggish and not very satisfying nor compelling. Puzzles are often annoying and tedious. I almost feel like this game is a chore that I just need to finish and rush through. I don’tI am a big fan of the God of War series and my expectations with this one was great. However it does seem like a huge DLC of the previous game and nothing much new out there. The gameplay is okay but combat is sluggish and not very satisfying nor compelling. Puzzles are often annoying and tedious. I almost feel like this game is a chore that I just need to finish and rush through. I don’t really care about the story either. And the characters talk WAY too much which is tiresome and upright annoying. Can’t wait to complete the game so I can play something else far more interesting.… Expand
  65. finnianr
    Jan 21, 2023
    4
    The game was great until the Angrboda character appeared. Suddenly felt like I was watching a cutesy Disney teenage romance movie. Nothing about either the writing or character or casting was consistent with the reimagined God of War of 2018 . Angrboda was just as jarring as if she appeared in the game Ghost of Tsushima. Was Santa Monica studios raided by the diversity and inclusion policeThe game was great until the Angrboda character appeared. Suddenly felt like I was watching a cutesy Disney teenage romance movie. Nothing about either the writing or character or casting was consistent with the reimagined God of War of 2018 . Angrboda was just as jarring as if she appeared in the game Ghost of Tsushima. Was Santa Monica studios raided by the diversity and inclusion police and got a bad report so they felt the need to blackwash a Scandinavian story. Think I will go back to playing Ghostwire Tokyo, which at least had some cultural consistency. But then the GOW franchise as a whole has a problem deciding what it wants to be. In a way the paint employed by Angrboda is symbolic of what happens when you randomly apply different colors. You don't get art, just an aimless mess. It's a pity to see a great game vision ruined by some external influence.… Expand
  66. Rysak23
    Nov 12, 2022
    6
    Snotty, vanilla plot that often makes you want to puke. A huge number of bugs that do not make it clear what is happening in the game. I'm f**cking serious, this is the most BUGGEST GAME 2022 YEAR. The settings are not constantly **** saved, I change the difficulty level, exit, save, reload, but it stupidly does not change. Otherwise a good end of the series
    P.S. And yes, Sony are    Snotty, vanilla plot that often makes you want to puke. A huge number of bugs that do not make it clear what is happening in the game. I'm f**cking serious, this is the most BUGGEST GAME 2022 YEAR. The settings are not constantly **** saved, I change the difficulty level, exit, save, reload, but it stupidly does not change. Otherwise a good end of the series
    P.S. And yes, Sony are motherf*ckers who can't add all possible languages ​​to all regions of the ps store    … Expand
  67. Lamporosso142
    Nov 13, 2022
    7
    semplicemente, deludente.
    Da un punto di vista tecnico perfetto, direi 10 su 10, ma la storia e il modo in cui viene raccontata è deludente
  68. dwsh
    Nov 15, 2022
    7
    It is a good game. The single camera is a technological genius but I think it limits the view and the scope of the actual ragnarok felt too small, as we did not see the actual destruction of ragnarok because the game needs to follow the characters for continuity.
    I have not continued post completion missions maybe its there but as right now we should have seen asgard demolished in someway
  69. Erickqe
    Nov 11, 2022
    6
    I played on my ps4 and the game has a few bugs, the game is good bur looks like the first god of war, I expected much more from the best Sony game, but at the end I feel like i have been playing an expansion of the first god of war
  70. Jajanken1
    Nov 10, 2022
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Jogo maravilhoso, mas mano quase flopei na parte do arco do bosque de ferro, chato p caralho… Expand
  71. jenbamin
    Apr 30, 2023
    5
    Ragnarok is a wholly disappointing sequel to the triumph that was God of War 2018, a game that was, to me, greater than the sum of its parts. Ragnarok is EXACTLY the sum of its parts, lacking the charm and writing polish that set the previous entry apart. The gameplay has not been expanded in any meaningful way and, in some regards, has regressed back to more "video-gamey" systems. ARagnarok is a wholly disappointing sequel to the triumph that was God of War 2018, a game that was, to me, greater than the sum of its parts. Ragnarok is EXACTLY the sum of its parts, lacking the charm and writing polish that set the previous entry apart. The gameplay has not been expanded in any meaningful way and, in some regards, has regressed back to more "video-gamey" systems. A visual feast, this game is; a meaningful, complete experience it is not. It suffers under the weight of its uninteresting narrative, resulting in a clunky, slow, meandering game with a dull payoff.

    The phrase "it feels like a Marvel movie" has been thrown around by some detractors, and perhaps rightfully so; this game is so Disney-fied that it barely feels like a God of War game, even less one made by the same studio as 2018's entry. Cory Barlog said something along the lines of 'I don't want my team nor myself to be working on another GoW game for the next 15 years,' and I don't think that's an unreasonable idea. The problem is that so much stuff got scrapped in order to keep this game within the ideal AAA length, and it shows. Plot points, characters, and artifacts lead to nowhere. There's always someone or something new to talk to or find, but rarely are the reasons why expanded upon.

    At the end of all this is a game full of ideas that are never resolved. The mid-game feels like filler, its connection to the main plot unclear and its consequences even less clear. Most of the game is spent cleaning up other people's messes as Kratos randomly decides to become the World's Best Dad and neighbor to all. This makes him a reactive protagonist and makes the game boring in turn, as most of your time is now spent waiting for something bad to happen so Kratos can step in and fix it.

    Ragnarok showed its hand too early and, oh boy, was it a weak one. The gimmick fight against Thor failed to recapture the magic that was the Baldur fight from 2018. Cut back to the cabin and here's Odin, the All-Father, the king of Asgard, talking like he's in an episode of Seinfeld. His goal is to stop Ragnarok, something he's desperately trying to figure out (supposedly), yet every appearance shows him frolicking around as if there's nothing wrong. This seems to be a common theme, actually, as every character seems to feel no sense of urgency. There wouldn't even be a game here if Kratos wasn't so prideful in the first hour; him and Odin have the same goal and, by the end of the game, Kratos has evolved into someone who actively wants peace, so... why even deny Odin's truce in the first place? The story stumbles through the realms, eventually limping to a dull, unsatisfying conclusion.

    The discrepancies throughout this game's story make my head hurt, but these aren't just limited to the narrative. The gameplay and level design have taken massive hits, especially the latter; the sprawling landscapes dotted with colossal set pieces found in the first game have been scrapped in favor of narrow hallways and one-way streets littered with "puzzles." These "puzzles" are never difficult but are so great in number that they quickly became tedious. I never thought I would be complaining about roadblocks in video games but man, I miss the dynamic puzzles from the first game. At least they were a little more complex.

    The skill trees are unnecessary for two reasons: one is that you get so much XP so quickly that you never need to worry about unlocking skills; the second is that these skills are so ineffective that you're better off without them. The skills in the first game had real responses in-game, like the stance-changing R1 attack doing more posture damage, rewarding the risk you had to take just to activate it. In this game, enemies can walk off a stagger as long as there's another animation in their attack cycle. The parry windows are never consistent and, even if you do pull off a perfect parry, there's no guarantee that the riposte will hit- and that's EVEN IF the enemy gets staggered at all. There's no dueling or back-and-forth combat, just passive waiting until you can punish a lucky stagger or shield bash.

    God of War: Ragnarok feels like a visual novel. My button inputs mean very little because the story is more important. But... the story is boring. I'm not invested in something where all the cool stuff happens in cutscenes where control has been taken away from me. The major boss battles ARE cutscenes; they take no skill to beat, instead you just whittle away their health bar until you get to the next cutscene where Kratos does something cooler than you could ever hope to achieve in real combat.

    This game was so badly mishandled that I'm not even excited for the next game by SSM. I don't think Ragnarok is a bad game, but it's a bad God of War game. Unfortunately, we may never know just how good this game could have been. In appealing to the lowest common denominator, this game became bland and soulless. What a shame.    … Expand
  72. EcchiMegane
    Nov 18, 2022
    5
    I am so disappointed! Don't get me wrong, the game is still okay. There are scenes that are absolutely fantastic! The acting of the main characters, the score, the graphics, are great. But overall, it is just not a satisfying experience. The graphics have not improved since part one. They aren't bad, but it is a pity. The gameplay is fine, although gets boring fast. There's too manyI am so disappointed! Don't get me wrong, the game is still okay. There are scenes that are absolutely fantastic! The acting of the main characters, the score, the graphics, are great. But overall, it is just not a satisfying experience. The graphics have not improved since part one. They aren't bad, but it is a pity. The gameplay is fine, although gets boring fast. There's too many riddles and combat challenges, and monsters feel like HP sponges above all else.
    My biggest problem is however the pacing, and the quality of the story.
    It feels like a roller coaster, going from an excellent scene, to one boring and generic as can be.
    The game starts out strong, then has a lot of tedious sequences that should be optional side quests but aren't. Then we get a masterfully done main story bit, then back to boring filler. Why can't the quality be the same across the whole game? There's extremely low effort animations when characters talk, but the scenes deserve mo-cap. Lots of lore things are set up, then never used again, or never explained. A lot of missed potential. So many things one would expect to see from Norse mythology, and they didn't bother putting most of them in.
    I love the God of War series and I don't get why they don't put in more epic boss fights? Or more bosses in general. There's basically only 2-3 main bosses, all human-like, nothing big, nothing epic. The ending was horrible. The game feels incomplete, like they forgot that they only made 2 instead of 3 games let in the Norse mythology.
    My favorite parts were Kratos, Brock, and Sindri. All scenes with them were good. The rest... meh.    … Expand
  73. Bigblue26
    Nov 16, 2022
    7
    There are so many cutscenes and you can not skip them. The beginning of the game I felt very bored and numerous fillers. Graphics looked just the same as the 2018 game. Lot of the areas were just reskinned. However towards the end of the game it really picked up and finished off with one of the best endings I have seen in a long time.
  74. Neowise
    Nov 12, 2022
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Final totalmente broxante, não chega nem perto dos classicos, batalha com Odin não se compara com a grandeza da batalha com Zeus, tem uma variedade maior de inimigos que o 2018, mas muitos foram reciclados, graficos que sinceramente não mudam nada do gow 2018, a gameplay é a mesma, que é muito boa, um jogo divertido pela gameplay, alguns momentos o jogo fica muito arrastado, não é o melhor jogo do mundo, não é o pior jogo do mundo, é apenas um jogo mediocre, o que salva é a gameplay que é muito divertido, por isso dou nota 5… Expand
  75. omelo10
    Nov 19, 2022
    7
    continuacao do jogo de 2018 gostei muito, mas a unica diferenca entre o jogo anterior e a continuacao da historias, mudanca grafica minima.
  76. tavog96
    Nov 11, 2022
    6
    I've only played GoW 2018, so am not a GoW fans of the sorts. Now then, I would like to give my opinion as impartial as possible:
    *Mechanics*: Most mechanics here are the same of GoW 2018 and that's a compliment. Fighting is as satisfactory as expected.
    *Graphics*: Same graphics of GoW 2018 but worse performance, fog covering everything but popping still visible now and then. Graphics    I've only played GoW 2018, so am not a GoW fans of the sorts. Now then, I would like to give my opinion as impartial as possible:
    *Mechanics*: Most mechanics here are the same of GoW 2018 and that's a compliment. Fighting is as satisfactory as expected.
    *Graphics*: Same graphics of GoW 2018 but worse performance, fog covering everything but popping still visible now and then. Graphics wise speaking; this game is a 80$ DLC.
    *AI*: Functional, there is obvious hints NPC's IA was not tested enough on all scenarios. This is one of the worst IA i've seen in most recent AAA games to be honest.
    *Plot*: Mind blowing, if this game was a book it could be a best seller.
    *Story telling*: There is a problem with story telling pace in this game, it is obvious to me Santa Monica tried to make this game as extended as possible for "only god knows" reasons, this game could be easily a 12 hours well paced frenetic video game, but Santa Monica extended the game up to 25 hours artificially by using cheap tricks like hidden loading screens and boring submissions with boring enemies EVERYWHERE, Santa Monica really messed it up in this regard.
    *Conclusion*: Enjoyable, but, it is not worthy enough for a 80$ price tag, this game is screaming for a PS5 remaster from day 1, such a shame...    … Expand
  77. gooodoofwwarr
    Nov 12, 2022
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Really Bad Story, really bad Design Asgard, i wished cory barlog still be directing of god of war : ragnarök, not eric williams, game play is awesome bot story game and even design some characters like heimdall, is he child/: looks liks eric williams skipped all story, no answer the question for last game, and not even one right ending for us fan.… Expand
  78. Xplocion
    Nov 10, 2022
    7
    The good:
    New exclusive to PS5. The graphics look good and with some details. Some side quests are interesting. Continue the story of the 2018 game (Single dad throws axes)
    The bad: Very short drawing distance and supported by excessive blur and fog on the sides of the characters and close-ups. Companions and allies never shut up (talk and talk and talk more and you move forward and    The good:
    New exclusive to PS5. The graphics look good and with some details. Some side quests are interesting. Continue the story of the 2018 game (Single dad throws axes)

    The bad:
    Very short drawing distance and supported by excessive blur and fog on the sides of the characters and close-ups. Companions and allies never shut up (talk and talk and talk more and you move forward and keep talking). The recycling of textures, effects and modeling of the 2018 game is noticeable. Advance on the map to inconsequential areas and moments. Fog in the background to cover lack and slow loads of objects and textures. Very continuous with respect to the 2018 game. Uninspired enemies. It seems more like a DLC for God of War 2018. Excess of in-game cinematics of characters and faces talking and talking. They are all the time giving the rattle with the theme of Ragnarok but as there is no countdown or indication of progress, it only remains as a curious anecdote. That I don't want to play with Atreus I don't care who he is, or who he is going to be or who he pretends to be. 10 USD extra pay to update the version to new generation, really?

    The Meh!:
    That yes, indeed, Kratos is brutal (but he does not recover the quality quotas of the first 3 canonical games) but his game is not the revolution that they promised and it only remained as a simplistic continuation. When he backs up, Kratos doesn't turn or look at the camera, he just walks backwards with his back turned which gives the impression that the modeling is a faceless back to save textures. Very rushed game that can give about 10-15 hours as an interactive movie and a lot of repetition (they don't get tired of talking). His enemies are uninspired especially that golem **** Lots of teasing and hee hee ha ha with Craig The Brute and it comes out here too, but there's no value in making jokes or memes about that enemy and his pitiful modeling    … Expand
  79. Lonejumper23
    Nov 12, 2022
    7
    I have played every single GoW game made. (Including Vita) I am 15 hrs on this new adventure and this is a graphical achivement on all levels. As I am playing I am still waiting for that " WOW Factor" all GoW games have and nothing so far. This GoW game feels like a DLC 100% and its done very well. Nothing new, copy and pasted from the first game, but enhanced level design, and no newI have played every single GoW game made. (Including Vita) I am 15 hrs on this new adventure and this is a graphical achivement on all levels. As I am playing I am still waiting for that " WOW Factor" all GoW games have and nothing so far. This GoW game feels like a DLC 100% and its done very well. Nothing new, copy and pasted from the first game, but enhanced level design, and no new combat makes this a great GoW but not the best. I am going to leave this review here and its really too bad they went in the direction they did with this game.......it could have been so much greater and such a grand achivement like all the other GoW games.… Expand
  80. Sultanofcereal
    Nov 13, 2022
    6
    Story is good, worlds are (mostly) very fun to explore, and there are a lot of very memorable characters. The combat is great against bosses, but fighting groups of enemies (the majority of the damn game) is mostly garbage and not fun. The camera is garbage, and you’ll either be spending a lot of your time trying to keep all the enemies in frame or getting shanked from off screen. I playedStory is good, worlds are (mostly) very fun to explore, and there are a lot of very memorable characters. The combat is great against bosses, but fighting groups of enemies (the majority of the damn game) is mostly garbage and not fun. The camera is garbage, and you’ll either be spending a lot of your time trying to keep all the enemies in frame or getting shanked from off screen. I played this and 2018 on the hardest difficulty. I had fun with 2018, but did not enjoy my time with ragnarok as much.… Expand
  81. nix1331
    Nov 11, 2022
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Amazing gameplay and beautiful graphics, too bad so much of the game focuses on such a poorly written and insufferable character...Atreus. Telltale sign of bad writing: main character (atreus) makes every wrong decision, but plot armour and dues ex machina end up making most of his decisions the right one in the end. Pretty tame kills...long gone are the days of brutal executions in GoW

    The way odin and surtr speak is a...questionable choice. GoW3 still best imo. Zeus>odin as an antagonist    … Expand
  82. Jbwing
    Nov 11, 2022
    7
    Just finished the game. I very much enjoyed it, however I am a bit disappointed. I understand that my expectations might have been unrealistic, but the sequel being next gen really raised the bar for me. To me ragnarock felt more like DLC to me than a sequel. The combat is marginally better with a few tweaks and changes. My fear of it being playable on last gen came to fruition.Just finished the game. I very much enjoyed it, however I am a bit disappointed. I understand that my expectations might have been unrealistic, but the sequel being next gen really raised the bar for me. To me ragnarock felt more like DLC to me than a sequel. The combat is marginally better with a few tweaks and changes. My fear of it being playable on last gen came to fruition. Developing a game for old hardware limits the games possibilities. Still a great game, just not the home run game of the year like I hoped for.… Expand
  83. imt558
    Nov 10, 2022
    10
    Received this game 3 days ago ( 1 day before official release ). Anyway, it is the better version of 2018. Graphically maybe it is the same for someone, i see it it better ( well, how cross-gen game can look better on PS5 :

    PS5 graphics are more additional and subtle - Indirect lighting including use of SSDO (Screen Space Directional Occlusion) - Greater Shadow Quality on PS5 Quality    Received this game 3 days ago ( 1 day before official release ). Anyway, it is the better version of 2018. Graphically maybe it is the same for someone, i see it it better ( well, how cross-gen game can look better on PS5 :

    PS5 graphics are more additional and subtle
    - Indirect lighting including use of SSDO (Screen Space Directional Occlusion)
    - Greater Shadow Quality on PS5 Quality Mode
    - Cinematics include additional lighting (Not Hero Lighting)
    - Better quality screen space reflection, enhancing cube maps
    - DoF and Motion Blur tied together on RES Mode, separate in Quality Mode
    Hi-res sharp textures on PS5
    Improved LOD

    Also, improved gameplay. Buy it. It is a 10 from me    … Expand
  84. bf_jeje
    Nov 11, 2022
    5
    The game has several bugs. Some of them don't let me advance on the adventure. Others makes Atreus walk like a Blender 3d model. The fog is everywhere, and don't let me see the landscape. The movements are all from the previous game. There is almost no improvements in graphics, considering the GoW 2018 game. The PS5 version looks the same as the PS4 version. There is nothing new here for me.
  85. Sabrewulf1
    Nov 18, 2022
    5
    Overhyped, linear, ps4 graphics on ps5, more movie than game, gameplay mechanics are exactly the same as the first. The devs were so scared of failure, they copied the formulae of the original to the point that its essentially the same game with different bosses. I mean exactly. Same house in the snow, instead of taking down a deer with loki you have to do the same trek but just forOverhyped, linear, ps4 graphics on ps5, more movie than game, gameplay mechanics are exactly the same as the first. The devs were so scared of failure, they copied the formulae of the original to the point that its essentially the same game with different bosses. I mean exactly. Same house in the snow, instead of taking down a deer with loki you have to do the same trek but just for another reason (spoiler free). Then you fight balder in the first, it's the same again with different boss (spoiler free). Then off you go on a linear adventure until it opens up into a semi open world. There is nothing different, the fighting gets boring, the difficulty even on hard is too easy. It's mediocre at best. If you prefer movie over game, you will enjoy. Me personally I prefer a game to a movie. Casual game with good cut scenes that's been overhyped to death.… Expand
  86. Rager170
    Nov 17, 2022
    7
    Unfortunately this game is just not the gem that the first one is. I am not sure what it is missing, but its just not as good.

    The story is boring and confusing, and the flow is constantly being interupted by pointless chores to do. The gameplay is just like the last one, which is good but they are adding too much extras and taking away from what the game was. Also, I feel like they    Unfortunately this game is just not the gem that the first one is. I am not sure what it is missing, but its just not as good.

    The story is boring and confusing, and the flow is constantly being interupted by pointless chores to do. The gameplay is just like the last one, which is good but they are adding too much extras and taking away from what the game was.

    Also, I feel like they added far too many puzzles. They arent overly hard but it interrupts the flow of the game to a point where its tedious and annoying. Some of the new elements to the puzzles are just bad.

    Level design is annoying also. I am constantly getting turned around and leaves me with a feeling of missing things. I realize that the game wants you to come back to these areas but still..

    The first game was amazing and I couldnt wait to play it again. I am 15-20 hours into this one and at this point, I just cant wait for it to be over.    … Expand
  87. Khaled5
    Nov 12, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The game is excellent in terms of gameplay, puzzles and story best game ever… Expand
  88. Ntfwprophet
    Dec 11, 2022
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Although it is fairly cutscene heavy, the game starts out in the right direction almost immediately uniting you with both friends of old, and foe alike. The combat feels almost identical, however they decided to take away all the moves you learned in the last one only to have you earn them all over again, minus the few that they removed from the game which I honestly felt was a mistake. I honestly feel like the combat was better in the first one, but the transition moves are a nice addition and so are the blue circle parries. They give the combat a bit more of a personality. All the while they attempted to make an upgraded system for gear this time around but it still feels incomplete as they don't give you enough good materials for you to be able to level all your gear up. So what happens is you level the gear you like playing with and that takes away from the ability to level up others that are further behind to the point where there's just no point to change gear and try a different style. essentially you'll always have one or two pieces of gear that are better than the rest and it just doesn't feel rewarding enough to want to go back to try another. Lastly, the game forces you to use Atreus for large portions of the game and they're just so annoying that I couldn't help but turn the game off every time I'd get to one, and it would take me days before I would want to play it again. Even worse is when Atreus goes and meets Angrboda, you spend a solid hour or more riding a yak picking fruit. It's boring, and you literally don't learn anything new. It just goes over everything you've already learned and all of the wasted time picking fruit could easily been removed from the game and simply been a cutscene. It honestly felt like they just added them to break up the monotony and i hated every single minute of it. Thanks to Atreus I will never play through this game a 2nd time. I bought this game for God of War which is Kratos and I simply can't push through the annoying Atreus parts which essentially makes this game unplayable for me which means I wasted my money and have no choice but to rate this as such… Expand
  89. Mogmog000
    Jan 24, 2023
    0
    The conversation between parents and children is depressing and the characters are unappealing.
    The action is monotonous and unexciting.
    Puzzles are boring and there are too many of them.
  90. Jsaiyan
    Dec 15, 2022
    0
    The combat is a step up compared to 2018, especially with the third weapon you get. Plenty of dialogue between characters made me laugh. Actor performances are mostly solid, and the music is grand. Graphics are exactly the same as 2018, and I wouldn't want it any other way.
    Unfortunately, this game suffers from lackluster writing. Many moments drag on too long, while others move much too    The combat is a step up compared to 2018, especially with the third weapon you get. Plenty of dialogue between characters made me laugh. Actor performances are mostly solid, and the music is grand. Graphics are exactly the same as 2018, and I wouldn't want it any other way.
    Unfortunately, this game suffers from lackluster writing. Many moments drag on too long, while others move much too fast. 2018 had about 10 total characters present, while this one throws another 30 or so at you and doesn't give you much time to get connected to them or be invested in them. Many characters sound out of place from this world and speak with modern mannerisms that break the immersion and make you feel like you're watching a Marvel movie.
    Another big issue is the overall gameplay. The combat is great but not as great as in the Greek era. The traversal mostly has you slowly climbing up walls or crawling through tunnels as a way to hide a loading gate and have the PS4 stop processing one area and start processing the next. The puzzles are decent until your companions open their mouths and can't stop telling you exactly what to do and there is no option to turn them off. There are TONS of cutscenes in this one, and they feel more dramatic than they need to be, almost like the writers are begging you to feel the same emotion as the characters in these moments. This could have worked if the writing was tighter and more meaningful, but they decided to go with overemotional acting and sweeping music to try and make these scenes bigger than they really are. It's one of the cheapest tricks you can pull when making a movie. Maybe that's the core root of this game; it feels like an Avengers movie more than a God of War game.
    In summary, they are stepping too far away from what made God of War unique and special back in the 2000s, and instead, they are copying trends from other successful games to try and appeal to a broader audience and make more sales. You could sum up this game with single words like "vanilla", "bland", and "unoriginal."
    I don't care what happens to the franchise after this because at this point I'm done. I'm going to subscribe to PS Plus Premium so I can play the older games and reminisce how great God of War once was.
    Edit: After playing God of War 1-3 and Ascension and then trying Ragnarok again, the tone of Ragnarok is unbearable with how many characters are goofy and crack jokes. It's in stark contrast to the tone they are trying to establish in the story with violence and death, and it's disgustingly jarring.
    The story ended at 3 with Kratos killing himself to give hope to others. The Norse games are not canon.    … Expand
  91. zzzok
    Nov 11, 2022
    10
    This is a great game. The coolest plot and staging, gameplay verified to the smallest detail with a beautiful picture. Best game this year for me.
  92. Cristiany
    Nov 10, 2022
    10
    I dont understand why so many 0 reviews people say is boring bad graphics looks like a dlc,like what the hell, this game is really good you could see how much work they done it looks absolutely amazing on old screen this is like every AAA game should look
  93. Andres0084
    Nov 11, 2022
    10
    Mejora en todo al anterior juego me encantan peleas epicas muchas novedades, recomendando a los fans.
  94. dedxsec
    Nov 11, 2022
    10
    Best game all of the time. Definitely game of the year. 10000% Masterpiece
  95. Hmenonn
    Nov 11, 2022
    10
    God of war Ragnarok e muito superior ao seu antecessor em todos os aspectos , N preciso falar mais que isso Nota 10
  96. manujm23
    Nov 11, 2022
    10
    no tengo palabras para describir lo epico y maravilloso que es este juego, de verdad, mejora muchisimo en cuanto al god of war de 2018, simplemente perfecto
  97. nightalon
    Nov 11, 2022
    10
    Best game of PlayStation and incridible work,amazing and whait a new chapter of saga
  98. Gax_nzen88
    Nov 11, 2022
    10
    This game is a masterpiece. The combat is so much fun, the graphics are wonderful, the story is engaging and full of twist and turns and shocking revelations. Awesome boss fights as usual. 10/10 and definitely the GOTY, no doubt.
  99. Cristianpl
    Nov 11, 2022
    10
    Jogo excelente, umas das melhores experiências em games de todos os tempos, desde combate, narrativa e personagens.
  100. JWrigh97
    Nov 10, 2022
    8
    God of war ragnarok is definitely a phenomenal game with fantastic combat and a brilliant story littered with twists and turns and brilliantly executed emotional moments. That being said I feel it to be a step back from the 2018 soft reboot in several ways. The combat feels less weighty and brutal with what seems to be a reduced number of options for each available weapon. The elementalGod of war ragnarok is definitely a phenomenal game with fantastic combat and a brilliant story littered with twists and turns and brilliantly executed emotional moments. That being said I feel it to be a step back from the 2018 soft reboot in several ways. The combat feels less weighty and brutal with what seems to be a reduced number of options for each available weapon. The elemental bow options also feel worse than those available last time out and the runic summons for the player are significantly weaker.
    In terms of the story while still phenomenal, I personally feel that the story can get lost in is own wake and struggles to hold its scale at times. This results in some character arcs not quite feeling as fulfilling as you would hope and some conclusions feeling a little underwhelming. That being said the set pieces these stories take place in are spectacular, all 9 realms feel like real places , not just levels, and so it's almost impossible not feel completely immersed in these lands. These realms being bookended with some of the best boss fights this side of Bloodborne certainly helps the levels reputation in mind too.

    Overall a game I do not regret a second of playing but definitely a weaker entry than its earlier installment but a top game none the less.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best PlayStation 5 Game of 2022
4
#4 Most Discussed PlayStation 5 Game of 2022

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
94

Universal acclaim - based on 141 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 140 out of 141
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 141
  3. Negative: 0 out of 141
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jan 25, 2024
    100
    I can't help but tip my hat to the entire Santa Monica team. The deeper you delve into the game, the more you'll be drawn into the stunning story of a father and son against the backdrop of perhaps history's most horrific war. Throw in some casually endearing humour, great and fluid gameplay, and wrap it all up with an amazing audiovisual experience. [Issue#323]
  2. Softpedia
    Dec 8, 2022
    95
    Thanks to an amazing cast that’s doing an outstanding job, a compelling story told through the eyes of multiple characters, and top-notch combat, this epic and heartfelt journey strikes all the right chord. It’s impossible not to recommend God of War Ragnarok, but just in case you had any doubts, I strongly advise anyone mildly interested in gaming to play Santa Monica Studio’s latest masterpiece.
    Read full review
  3. GameSkinny
    Dec 1, 2022
    80
    It’s a satisfying conclusion to the modern God of War saga, but it’s hard to walk away and not feel like this could have been something greater.
    Read full review
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