As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, let me tell you that God of War: Ragnarok is a game that has truly caught my attention. With my trusty i7-7700K and an RTX 3080 Ti purring away, I can confidently say that this game is a visual feast that pushes the boundaries of what we’ve come to expect from modern gaming.
The long-awaited PC version of Sony Santa Monica’s game, titled “Ragnarok,” is set to debut on September 19th, priced at $59.99. This sequel brings back the characters Kratos and Atreus for another grand adventure with far-reaching implications. Already a critical darling since its release, Ragnarok has moved over 15 million units by November 2023. PC gamers eagerly awaiting its arrival on Steam and Epic Games Store can look forward to experiencing everything it offers in a spoiler-free manner.
Setting
The fierce Fimbulwinter is here. As Kratos and Atreus prepare for Ragnarok, they encounter a less-than-amicable meeting with Thor. This sets them off on a journey to locate Tyr. For now, we’ll keep the details under wraps, but rest assured, the Norse tale still holds plenty of thrilling twists and emotional turmoil, even surpassing its predecessor’s intensity.
Characters
Additionally, it introduces both fresh and familiar faces. Apart from Kratos and Atreus (whose influence is significantly increased compared to the initial release), players interact with enigmatic figures like Angrboda, the cunning Ratatoskr who safeguards Yggdrasil, the cosmic tree, and none other than Thor. Previously seen characters with more substantial roles include Freya, blacksmith siblings Brok and Sindri, and Mimir. Each of them contributes to the unfolding events leading up to Ragnarok.
Gameplay Loop
Just like the last game, “Ragnarok” is a hack-and-slash game blended with adventure elements. You’ll traverse through various landscapes to uncover distinctive armor sets, artifacts, currency, and resources. Each armor set comes with unique bonuses that can be enhanced to boost their base stats. By earning experience points (XP), Kratos and Atreus will unlock new abilities, thereby expanding their fighting capabilities. Nothing groundbreaking so far.
Explorable Regions
Absolutely, the game has expanded significantly now as you can venture through all Nine Realms. Some fresh locations are Svartalfheim, inhabited by Dwarves, and Vanaheim, filled with verdant forests. The remaining realms from the initial game return, but have been modified – for instance, Midgard’s lake is frozen now. As you delve into these realms, you’ll uncover a host of new side missions, activities, foes, treasure hoards, puzzles, and much more.
Combat Changes
In contrast to the original game’s combat loop, which longtime fans will recognize, Ragnarok introduces a variety of novel mechanics to keep battles fresh. Among these new features are different types of shields, such as the Guardian Shield that strikes a balance between parrying and blocking, and the Stonewall Shield that prioritizes defense by offering superior blocking but lacks the ability to parry.
Apart from the standard use, you can imbue the Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos with magical properties of ice and fire, enhancing them to deal powerful status impacts. The layout of the levels presents multiple opportunities for exploring vertical spaces, enabling innovative jumping attacks. Spartan Rage comes in three distinct forms, while Atreus boasts a broader range of combat tools for enhanced functionality.
Endgame
In contrast to the initial game that presented some post-game challenges, Ragnarok delivers a comprehensive end-game experience. To avoid spoilers, let me put it this way: there will be fresh areas to traverse (including one resembling an entirely new territory), formidable enemies to confront, trials in Muspelheim to conquer, armor sets to gather, and lots more exciting elements. Additionally, you’ll find Burdens that come with unfavorable traits, making your journey even tougher. Lastly, you can engage in New Game Plus, which offers new armor outfits and unique attacks for certain bosses.
After launch, there’s an additional game mode called “Valhalla” that was included free of charge. This rogue-lite mode offers a distinct narrative exploring Kratos’ past, along with exclusive progression, encounters, and boss fights. If you loved the original trilogy and have been eager for the Norse saga to link back to it in some way, “Valhalla” is an essential playthrough experience.
Unlocked Frame Rates
In a nutshell, Ragnarok performs superbly on PS5, but its PC version allows for unlimited frame rates. This means players can now experience smooth gameplay at 60 frames per second or even higher, all in stunning 4K resolution. However, to run it optimally, you’ll need some high-end hardware; I’ll share the specific requirements shortly.
Super Ultrawide Support
PlayStation Studios games on PC also offer compatibility with super ultrawide screens. For instance, Ragnarok supports both 21:9 ultra-widescreen and 32:9 super ultrawidescreen monitors for a PC gaming experience. The visuals displayed so far appear to be unmatched, providing an immersive exploration of the Nine Realms that hasn’t been experienced quite like this since the PS5 launch (or perhaps not since then).
PSN Account Required
Unfortunately, PlayStation Network account is required for PC players to experience the game, which was necessary even for the single-player campaign of Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut, and will also be required for the upcoming Until Dawn remaster, despite these games being primarily focused on single-player experiences. It’s unfortunate, but that seems to be Sony’s approach.
System Requirements
For playing the game Ragnarok on your PC, the system requirements are rather substantial, as one might anticipate. Essentially, you’ll need a Windows 10 64-bit operating system and at least 190 gigabytes of space on a solid-state drive for installation. The minimum specifications to run the game at an average of 30 frames per second in 1080p resolution on Low settings include an Intel Core i5-4670K or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and either an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD RX 5500 XT graphics card.
As a gamer, I’d say if you’re aiming for a smooth 60 FPS experience in Full HD (1080p) at Medium settings, you should consider a Core i5-8600 or Ryzen 5 3600 processor, an RTX 2060 Super or RX 5700 graphics card, and 16 GB of RAM. If you crank up the resolution to Quad HD (1440p) and want to run games on High settings for a consistent 60 FPS, you’ll need beefier hardware: a Core i7-7700K or Ryzen 7 2700X processor, 16 GB of RAM, and an RTX 3070 or RX 6800 graphics card.
4K Requirements on PC
For individuals aiming for top-tier gaming experiences surpassing 4K and 60 FPS on average, a Core i7-7700K or Ryzen 7 2700X CPU, 16 GB of RAM, and an RTX 3080 Ti or RX 6900 XT graphics card will suffice for high-quality gameplay. However, if you’re striving for the absolute pinnacle of 4K/60 FPS with Ultra settings, a Core i5-11600K or Ryzen 7 3700X CPU, 16 GB of RAM, and an RTX 4070 Ti or RX 7900 XT GPU will be required.
DLSS 3.7, AMD FSR 3.1, Intel XeSS 1.3, Reflex Support
As an enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that Nvidia Reflex support is indeed on the horizon! This feature is all about minimizing system latency and enhancing reaction times, which are crucial, particularly in demanding games like Ragnarok, especially during those nail-biting end-game challenges.
DualShock 4 and DualSense Support
Just like many exclusive PlayStation games for both PS4 and PS5, the game “Ragnarok” can be played with DualShock 4 and DualSense controllers on PC. Notably, the DualSense controller offers haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, but to utilize these features, you’ll need a wired connection.
Other Gamepad Support and Customizable Key Bindings
Players using various controllers, such as some types of gamepads including a specific Microsoft console-based controller, have nothing to worry about because they too will be able to use their devices for gameplay. For those who prefer keyboard and mouse controls on PCs, customization is available, enabling adjustments to key bindings for personal comfort and playstyle.
Playtime
Regardless if you’re a beginner or an experienced gamer, Ragnarok provides excellent value for your gaming time. The main storyline is around 26 to 27 hours long, but for those who like to complete everything, it takes approximately 54 hours. This estimate doesn’t include the additional playtime of New Game Plus or Valhalla, which adds an extra 10 to 11 hours on average for completionists. As one of the top games of 2022 and still going strong, Ragnarok will keep you engaged for quite a while.
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2024-09-13 20:11