TechGamingGod of War Ragnarok’s first few hours made me laugh and cryPlaying on PS5, Kratos and Atreus' story is shaping up to be something specialWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechGamingGod of War Ragnarok’s first few hours made me laugh and cryPlaying on PS5, Kratos and Atreus' story is shaping up to be something specialWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Playing on PS5, Kratos and Atreus' story is shaping up to be something special
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Sony Santa Monica)
(Image credit: Sony Santa Monica)
God of War Ragnarok is shaping up to be something special. I’ve been lucky enough to have spent some time with the highly anticipated sequel that will continue Kratos and Atreus' journey into Norse mythology, and frankly, it’s looking like everything I hoped it would be.
Warning: spoilers for God of War (2018) and some minor spoilers for the opening hours of God of War Ragnarok
Naturally, I’m restricted from saying too much from my first six hours with the game, so don’t worry about any major spoilers. What I can say is that this is a Kratos who has seemingly learned from the mistakes of his past, one that is more considerate of his son and one that looks to avoid war at all costs. The Ghost of Sparta speaks candidly to Atreus, unafraid to show feeling and put an arm around his boy. He’s still loveably grumpy but that wall keeping the two apart has firmly been broken down.
I must say, I’m extremely impressed. Just the opening hour alone is a rollercoaster, catapulting the player straight into the action with a thrilling encounter on a snow sledge as Freya attempts to murder Kratos for the death of her son, Baldur. Amongst this, it still makes room for those quieter moments, such as Atreus spending time with his wolves, Speki and Svanna. There’s just a quicker pace to the opening when compared to the 2018 release.
Atreus, now three years older than when we last left off, is curious to find answers about Loki and why as gods, the pair cannot take the battle to Odin, Thor and Asgard. There are both heartfelt moments between the father and son – one that had me tearing up barely 30 minutes into the adventure – as well as disagreements about their next move. “Nature will take its course,” Kratos states. It’s clearly the heart of this story, as the former warrior looks to teach Atreus to not repeat the same cycle of war he engaged in.
(Image credit: Sony Santa Monica)
(Image credit: Sony Santa Monica)
With that, everyone’s favourite shopkeepers, Brok and Sindri, return with the latter’s house now used as the main hub. Located between realms within the World Tree, here players stock up and plot out their next move. It’s not exactly the freedom Midgar (which is locked due to Odin sealing all realms) offered, so I’m curious as to whether a bigger open land will open later, or if visiting all nine realms for smaller hubs will be the replacement instead. We will see.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
(Image credit: Sony Santa Monica)
(Image credit: Sony Santa Monica)
God of War Ragnarok is gorgeous. That shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that played the first game, yet it still blows me away. The snowfall, the use of lightning, the simple things like sunlight and shadows, every vista could be a painting. It’s an interesting contrast visiting the dwarven realm of Svartalfheim, immediately hitting you upon entry with its sandy colours and occasional pops of greenery. Just the water alone appears more translucent, potentially something learned from Guerrilla Games andHorizon Forbidden West. Either way,SonySanta Monica is clearly utilising the PS5 hardware to its max and is an obvious technical showpiece for the console.
The same can be said for the PS5 DualSense controller. Everyone remembers that powerful feeling of calling back the Leviathon Axe, now it’s enhanced thanks to the haptic feedback. It slams into your hand like catching a baseball. It takes full advantage of the tension grips as well, feeling the force as Kratos chops down a tree.
Image1of1(Image credit: Sony Santa Monica)
Image1of1(Image credit: Sony Santa Monica)
Image1of1
(Image credit: Sony Santa Monica)
(Image credit: Sony Santa Monica)
(Image credit: Sony Santa Monica)
(Image credit: Sony Santa Monica)
(Image credit: Sony Santa Monica)
(Image credit: Sony Santa Monica)
(Image credit: Sony Santa Monica)
My biggest takeaway from God of War Ragnarok so far is one of progression. It’s slicker, faster and its attention to detail is second to none. I feel I’ve faced at least a dozen different enemies in such a short span of time, all requiring a mix of the Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos.
There’s one side-mission that I’m unable to talk about that I needed to complete there and then. I couldn’t focus on the main story, this took my priority. It’s these things that make a game great. This is a world that I want to get lost in, learn about the lore and one that looks to deliver as a worthy sequel.
(Image credit: Sony Santa Monica)
(Image credit: Sony Santa Monica)
God of War Ragnarok is scheduled to launch acrossPlayStation5 and PlayStation 4 on November 9th, 2022.
To keep up with everything God of War, head to T3’sGod of War Ragnarokhub for the latest news, rumours and leaks – including, where to pre-order at the lowest price.
Today’s best Sony PlayStation 5 deals27 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆$299ViewFortnite Cobalt St…$499.99$424.99View$448ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Sony PlayStation 5 deals27 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆$299ViewFortnite Cobalt St…$499.99$424.99View$448ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Sony PlayStation 5 deals
27 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
27 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
☆☆☆☆☆
$299ViewFortnite Cobalt St…$499.99$424.99View$448View
$299View
$299View
$299View
$299
$299
Fortnite Cobalt St…$499.99$424.99View
Fortnite Cobalt St…
Fortnite Cobalt St…
Fortnite Cobalt St…
Fortnite Cobalt St…
Fortnite Cobalt St…
$499.99$424.99View
$499.99$424.99View
$499.99$424.99
$424.99
$448View
$448View
$448View
$448
$448
Show More Deals
Show More Deals
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Sky Stream gets a great new trick that unlocks long hidden potentialA Sky Stream puck update gives you a host of new channels
A Sky Stream puck update gives you a host of new channels
If you ever needed proof that cassette players are back, this is itWe Are Rewind has made a portable tape deck so retro it should appear from nowhere in a DeLorean
We Are Rewind has made a portable tape deck so retro it should appear from nowhere in a DeLorean
PS5 could finally be getting Gears of War and Halo after game-changing decisionThe age of exclusives is coming to an end
The age of exclusives is coming to an end
PS Plus gets one of the best indie games of all time on PS5 and PS4 for freeAs well as Suicide Squad and Need for Speed
As well as Suicide Squad and Need for Speed
5 best PS Plus games to download first on PS5 or PS5 ProHere are our recommendations of what to download from the PS Plus Game Catalogue first
Here are our recommendations of what to download from the PS Plus Game Catalogue first
5 best fantasy games coming in 2025 and beyondIf you love swords and sorcery then these five upcoming games need to be on your wishlist
If you love swords and sorcery then these five upcoming games need to be on your wishlist
5 best sci-fi games coming in 2025 and beyondScience fiction was a big topic during The Game Awards 2024 – here are five upcoming games to put on your wishlist
Science fiction was a big topic during The Game Awards 2024 – here are five upcoming games to put on your wishlist
PS Plus adds stunning RPG for free I’d’ve paid good money forPatience is a virtue
Patience is a virtue
Sony PS Vita 2 could snatch the handheld crown from Switch 2 and Steam DeckIndustry experts “confirm” Sony is working on an all-new handheld console
Industry experts “confirm” Sony is working on an all-new handheld console
All PS Plus members getting arguably the best PS5 co-op game ever for freeYou just need the two of you
You just need the two of you
