God of War Ragnarök Preview: Prepare to Have Your Emotions Pummeled

God of War Ragnarok players can expect an emotional wallop that’s harder than a blow from Kratos’ fist. Sony is letting outlets give their impressions of this God of War sequel’s first few hours ahead of its Nov.

9 release on PS5. If there’s one thing I can say about Ragnarok for sure, it’s that it gets to the point quickly. 

The game picks up three years after the end of 2018’s God of War, giving you a stark reminder of the consequences of Kratos’ killing Baldur, a son of Odin.

Odin, the Allfather of the Norse gods, has a heavy presence in the game’s opening hours. Without revealing too much about the story, I’ll say that the first hour is incisive, and developer Sony Santa Monica wants to get you up to speed with minimum fluff. It’s also emotional, and I couldn’t help thinking about the Pixar movie Up in how so many feelings are experienced so early on. 

Kratos holds his shield up as a monster is about to attack

Kratos has new enemies to fight in Ragnarok. 

Sony

There’s no awkward tutorial attempting to give the impression that Kratos, who was once the actual Greek god of war, had somehow forgotten how to swing his ax, thus requiring some tedious segments establishing what are light and strong attacks.

Instead, an on-screen message will remind players which buttons to press for certain attacks as Kratos fights some of the weak enemies not long into the game’s story. The early boss battles are just as thrilling as they were in the early parts of God of War, but these fights have greater storyline implications than those in the previous game.  Combat in Ragnarok feels just the same, with a few additions.

Kratos can use his Blades of Chaos early in Ragnarok, which is in contrast to receiving them later in the first game. The blades work in tandem with his Leviathan Axe. The ax uses ice magic to deal damage to enemies while the Blades make use of fire, which can remove an enemy’s ice protection allowing them to take damage.

Outside of battle, both can be used to manipulate the environment and overcome obstacles. Kratos also has a few new moves — the most impressive I saw involved the use of trees and pillars as giant clubs to beat down enemies.  However, the closed-off areas are a bit tiresome.

Like in the previous game, the spaces Kratos travels through are completely linear, with the exception of side areas where chests and other resources can be found with a bit of exploring. It seems a bit off to talk about a major release in 2022 that doesn’t have a more open space to play around in. It’s not the worst thing, but it does set off feelings of being restrained — at least this early in the game. 

The early hours of God of War Ragnarok draw players back into the world as seamlessly as possible while teasing them with enough new narrative details.

Fans of previous God of War will be thrilled to jump into battle but should be prepared to have their emotions pummeled.

Kratos and Atreus look at the dwarf Brok, who has his hands on a table in front of them

The dwarves are back to craft Kratos and Atreus new weapons and armor. 

Sony

God of War Ragnarok goes live on Nov.

9 for £70 on the PS5 and £60 on the PS4. 

Tags:

culture-vulture listed on couponmatrix.ukgermaine-de-capuccini listed on couponmatrix.ukgohenry listed on couponmatrix.ukharvester listed on couponmatrix.ukprobikekit listed on couponmatrix.ukspotlight-oral-care listed on couponmatrix.uk
culture-vulture listed on couponmatrix.ukBring home the best homeware and apparel from across the globe, thanks to Culture Vultures dedication to finding the best artisans and creators, wherever they may be. They work with small manufacturers and bring together their amazing work all in one place. Add a Scandinavian touch to your home, or a Moroccan pattern, all for less with your Culture Vulture discount code. There’s so much to discover and fall in love with from furniture and accessories, to stylish clothing for every occasion.
germaine-de-capuccini listed on couponmatrix.ukGermaine de Capuccini is a luxurious skincare brand that offers high-quality products at reduced price with Germaine de Capuccini discount codes. The brand's philosophy is based on the idea that beauty comes from within, and their products are designed to nourish and revitalize the skin. Germaine de Capuccini's discount code can be used on their website or at select retailers. With this code, you can enjoy savings on some of their most popular products. At Groupon, we understand that saving money is important to our customers. That's why we work hard to find discount codes for Germaine de Capuccini products. We search high and low for the best deals, so you can feel confident that you're getting the best possible price on your purchase. Whether you're looking for a facial cleanser, toner, moisturizer, or serum, we'll help you find a discount code that will save you money. One of Germaine de Capuccini's most popular products is the Revitalizing Eye Cream. This cream is designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. It also helps to brighten and tighten the skin. You can use Germaine de Capuccini's voucher code on their website or at select retailers to get a discount on this product. With this code, you can enjoy savings on this popular product and many more products.
gohenry listed on couponmatrix.ukTeach your kids the skill of money management with the gohenry app and debit card — there’s no better way to teach your kids how to budget wisely! Snap up a gohenry promo code from us to score a deal on the service, and you could join more than 1.4 million contented customers for a very affordable price. The gohenry subscription fee costs just a few pounds a month, but healthy financial habits are priceless.
harvester listed on couponmatrix.ukWith more than two hundred venues across the UK, you’re never too far from a hearty Harvester meal. Whether you’re planning a family lunch, dinner with friends or a breakfast date with your other half, you can rely on Harvester to deliver a diverse menu, packed with freshness and flavour. Use a Harvester voucher from us to knock money off already affordable prices and you could soak up Harvester’s warm service, relaxed atmosphere and tasty grub without busting your budget.
probikekit listed on couponmatrix.ukWhip your bike into shape for the road with the diverse range of quality cycling gear available at ProBikeKit, and get set to experience the ride of your life. Elevate your road cycling experience with components, clothing and accessories from some of the best brands in the business - just don’t forget to add a ProBikeKit discount code to your shop to cut the cost of your haul! From tough tires and pro maintenance tools to training tech and supplements, ProBikeKit has everything you need to keep yourself at the peak of your game.
spotlight-oral-care listed on couponmatrix.ukThis vegan and cruelty-free brand created by dentists really knows its stuff. Using the highest quality ingredients, whether you’re brushing up your toothbrush game or brightening your smile, Spotlight Oral Care has you covered. The brand runs newsletter discounts, friend referrals, bundle savings and more, so there’s always a way to cut the cost of your best smile yet. We’re tracking all the latest deals and Spotlight Oral Care discount codes right here at Groupon, so check us first for promotions you can sink your teeth into.