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God of War Ragnarök is the brutally perfect end to Kratos’s story
God of War Ragnarök is a brutally perfect conclusion to Kratos’s story, blending narrative weight with combat satisfaction.
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So I’ve spent the last few weeks with God of War Ragnarök and I have to tell you — it’s the rare sequel that actually sticks the landing. The first game rebooted the franchise brilliantly, but this one? This one goes for the jugular.
This isn’t just a video game. It’s a brutal, gorgeous meditation on fathers and sons, redemption and ruin, told through the eyes of two characters you actually care about. And yeah, the combat is absolutely insane.
Why this ending actually matters
Most games don’t earn their conclusions. They just… end. Ragnarök is different — every single story beat in this game has been building toward this moment since the very first reboot. Kratos and Atreus’s relationship, the mythology, the prophecy, the fate of the Nine Realms.
Santa Monica Studio could’ve phoned it in. Instead they went all-in.
Is the combat as good as everyone says?
Yes. It’s aggressively, almost offensively good. You’ve got the Lees that make every fight feel fresh. The difficulty scaling actually works — there’s a sweet spot between “I’m just mashing buttons” and “I need to stop playing because my hands hurt.”
The environmental kills alone are worth the price of admission. Finding new ways to smash a giant’s face into a wall never gets old.
The story hits different this time around
Without spoiling anything — and I mean genuinely won’t spoil it — the writing in Ragnarök is Oscar-baiting level of emotional weight. Atreus goes through some serious character development. Mimir’s voice acting will make you forget he’s a disembodied head.
There’s a scene about halfway through that legitimately made me pause the game and just sit there. That’s rare.
How long is this thing, really?
You’re looking at 30-40 hours if you’re doing the main story plus some side quests. The side content actually matters here — it’s not just fetch quests designed to pad playtime. Some of the optional boss fights are harder than the main campaign bosses.
There’s also a New Game+ mode if you somehow want to go through it all again. Which you probably will.
Does it look as insane as the trailers?
Yes, and your TV probably can’t handle it. I played on a PS5 with a decent 4K TV and there were moments where I just stopped to look at Midgard or Muspelheim. The level design is architectural perfection — every area tells a story just by existing.
The “no cuts” camera thing they pioneered in the first game continues here. You never leave Kratos’s perspective. Some people hate that. I think it’s genius.
Are there frustrating moments?
Sure. Some boss fights lean into pattern memorization in ways that feel cheap. One particular puzzle section dragged on longer than it needed to. The performance mode can stutter occasionally on PS5.
But honestly? These are nitpicks on what’s otherwise a near-flawless execution.
The real question: is this worth your money?
If you played the 2018 reboot, Ragnarök is a no-brainer purchase. It’s better in almost every measurable way. If you haven’t played the first one — go back and do that first. You’ll appreciate this one infinitely more when you understand who these people are.
If you don’t care about God of War specifically but want a single-player narrative game that respects your time? This is it. This is the one.
Ragnarök closes the book on Kratos’s Norse saga in a way that actually feels earned. It’s not just a great God of War game — it’s one of the best video game stories in a decade. The kind of ending you’ll be thinking about long after the credits roll.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go experience it again on a harder difficulty because apparently I hate myself.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to play the first God of War before Ragnarök?
Yes. Ragnarök assumes you know Kratos and Atreus’s relationship from the 2018 game. The emotional weight won’t land without that context.
How long does God of War Ragnarök take to beat?
Plan on 30-40 hours for the main story plus side quests. The combat and exploration can take longer if you’re hunting for everything.
Is the combat actually good or just pretty?
The combat is genuinely excellent. You get tons of weapon variety, environmental kills, and difficulty scaling that actually works.
Can I play this on PS4 or only PS5?
It’s available on both, but PS5 is the way to go for performance and visual quality. PS4 version still holds up but will have frame rate dips.
Does the ending feel earned or does it feel rushed?
The ending feels genuinely earned. Every story beat builds toward it. You’ll feel satisfied when the credits roll.
Is there a New Game+ mode?
Yes, there’s a full New Game+ option if you want to replay the campaign with upgraded gear and increased difficulty.
