God of War Ragnarök PC Review – Epic and Immersive

God of War Ragnarök is a masterpiece that builds upon the amazing 2018 God of War and launched on Steam on September 19, 2024. This epic adventure continues the journey of Kratos and Atreus as they navigate the impending apocalypse. I reviewed the game on PC and despite my machine being 2019 spec with a RTX3080 Super, the game runs smoothly in 1440p after tweaking some of the graphical options. Having to sign-in to the PlayStation Network is absolutely a non-issue as I am well versed in having to do this with games from EA, Ubisoft and others.

The story of Ragnarök is epic. You don’t have to have played the first game previously though it obviously helps for continuity as this game picks up right where the original left off. If you are coming in fresh, there is a quick cinematic recap of God of War’s events from the main menu. Kratos, the once ruthless god of war, is now a more complex and relatable character, struggling with his past and his role as a father. Atreus, on the other hand, is growing into his own, and their dynamic relationship is at the heart of the story.

The character models are incredibly lifelike, and the animations are smooth and fluid. I often reminisced playing the original 2000’s hack and slash games and it’s insane to see how far the character has developed over the years. The game’s cinematic presentation is top-notch, with stunning cutscenes that seamlessly blend into gameplay. As the story unfolded, I recognised some of the actors such as Ryan Hurst as Thor, Richard Schiff as Odin, and Deborah Ann Woll as Laufey to name a few outside of the two main characters, and their portrayal and voiceover work is phenomenal.

The game’s visuals are simply breathtaking and rarely dipped below 60fps for my potato PC and gameplay feels great with mouse/keyboard, with no need to alter any default bindings. From the towering snowy mountains of Midgard to the ethereal realms of Asgard, every environment is meticulously crafted with stunning detail. The open world of Ragnarök is filled with secrets, challenges, and opportunities for exploration. From hidden treasure chests to challenging side quests, there’s always something new to discover. The game’s world design is incredibly immersive, with each region possessing its own unique atmosphere and challenges.

The gameplay in God of War Ragnarök is a perfect blend of action, exploration, and puzzle-solving. Having played God of War on PlayStation, I was looking forward to seeing how a game like this felt on PC and thankfully it was a seamless transition. Kratos’ arsenal of weapons, including the Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos, feels incredibly satisfying to use and easy to switch between. Atreus also plays a more active role in battles, providing support with his bow and unique abilities. The game encourages strategic play, with enemies possessing unique attack patterns and weaknesses that must be exploited.

Puzzles are cleverly designed, often requiring the use of both Kratos and Atreus’ abilities to solve them. There is a heap of crafting materials to find in hidden chests and passageways. You eventually come across some dwarves who help with crafting and upgrading items. The addition of new abilities and gear options for both Kratos and Atreus provides plenty of customisation options as well as stat bonuses to compliment your play style. While I stuck with the two main weapons, you can also upgrade the shield and armour segments for both characters.

Overall, God of War Ragnarök on Steam is a masterpiece that continues the epic journey of Kratos and Atreus. With its compelling story, engaging gameplay, stunning visuals, and incredible character portrayals, this is a must-play. I had no issues playing the game on my 2019 spec PC with a RTX3080 Super, and highly recommend this for action game fans.

This review utilised a Steam key provided by PlayStation ANZ and God of War Ragnarök is available on PlayStation and Steam.

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