God of War: Ragnarok Review (PS5) – A Solid Sequel, But Not a Masterpiece
God of War: Ragnarok, developed by Santa Monica Studio, was a fun ride on PS5. The haptic feedback made every swing of the axe feel weighty, and the combat was as satisfying as ever. With some new features and strong character development, it did a great job keeping players invested. But did it surpass its predecessor? That’s up for debate.
Gameplay – New Additions, But Familiar Combat
Combat in Ragnarok is solid, but if you’re expecting major changes, you won’t find many. The biggest new addition? The Draupnir Spear—a new weapon for Kratos, and it’s a great addition to his arsenal. Atreus’ bow also got a few upgrades, and later in the game, you can even fight alongside Freya, not just Atreus.
The combat mechanics remain fluid and responsive, but in terms of challenge, God of War 4 felt harder and more rewarding. Boss fights and puzzles were more engaging in the previous game, while Ragnarok felt a bit more streamlined.
That said, I still enjoyed the game enough to go all-in—I obtained all trophies, including the Platinum Trophy. It was a grind, but completing every challenge felt satisfying.
Graphics & World-Building – Visually Stunning, But Not Truly Open-World
Visually? No surprises here—Ragnarok is stunning. Santa Monica Studio nailed the graphics, and some scenes are so breathtaking they could be wallpapers.
But as for the world itself, this isn’t really an open-world game. It feels more linear—you’re mostly following predetermined paths, rather than freely exploring. Sure, there are some side areas, but if you’re looking for a true open-world experience, this isn’t it.
Story & Mythology – Strong, But Lacking the Wow Factor
I really appreciate how Norse and Greek mythology blend together in Ragnarok. The character development is great, and the story is well-written, but something about it didn’t hit as hard as God of War 4. Maybe it was the pacing, or maybe it was just the boss fights not feeling as intense—but it lacked that “wow” moment I was hoping for.
Final Verdict – 4/5 Ups!
God of War: Ragnarok is a great sequel, but it didn’t blow me away like God of War 4 did. The combat is fun, the graphics are top-tier, and the story is engaging, but the game felt a little too safe.
That said, I still enjoyed it enough to 100% complete it and earn the Platinum Trophy, which proves how fun it is despite its flaws.
🔥 4/5 Ups! Definitely worth playing, but if you loved God of War 4, don’t expect Ragnarok to surpass it.
What Do You Think?
Did you prefer God of War 4 or Ragnarok? Which weapon was your favorite? Drop your thoughts in the comments!