God of War Ragnarok PC Review – Fimbulwinter Comes

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I can confidently say that God of War: Ragnarok on PC is nothing short of a marvel. Having played this game on both PS5 and now on PC, I must admit, the increased visual fidelity on PC has made the Norse world even more immersive.


Similar to what we discussed when the PS5 version of Ragnarok was launched in 2022, this sequel can be seen as almost flawless, building upon its 2018 prequel in both gameplay and storytelling aspects. In essence, Ragnarok amplified nearly everything, improving it significantly. For instance, Atreus became a playable character in certain parts of the game, equipped with his unique combat moveset. Now, two years after its PS5 debut, Ragnarok has been released on PC, and much like Sony’s recent releases, this port is truly exceptional.

The game delivers impressive frame rates alongside stunning high-end visuals when played on a mid-range premium system equipped with Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU, 32GB DDR5 RAM at 6000 MHz, and an AMD Radeon 7800 XT graphics card. I managed to crank up all graphical settings while keeping AMD’s FSR 3.1 technology running at native quality for exceptional visual accuracy. On PC, Ragnarok could very well be the most visually impressive game yet from PlayStation Studios.

The game title seems unexpectedly compatible with less advanced systems. Sony’s minimum system requirements suggest support for older generations of CPUs and GPUs, and it performs admirably even on the Steam Deck handheld device. Although it may not achieve the same visual quality as on PC or PS5, the game has been optimized enough to maintain frame rates between 40 and 60 fps on the Steam Deck by adjusting graphics settings slightly.

It’s been two years after the PS5 launch, and now the game ‘Ragnarok’ has made its way to PC. Following Sony’s recent pattern, this PC version is simply outstanding.

An intriguing aspect of the PC version of ‘Ragnarok’ is its control setup. Despite being compatible with various controllers, I found that the game works smoothly with a keyboard and mouse, and I rarely felt the need for a controller while using my current PC configuration. The gameplay feels swift and reactive, and the general pace of its gameplay and combat isn’t so fast that I worry about damaging my mouse’s left click during combos. However, the lock-on system can seem a bit jittery when playing with a mouse and keyboard because even slight mouse movements will cause an immediate switch to a different target. Nevertheless, the precision of the camera controls with a mouse makes it easy not to rely on locking onto enemies often.

In essence, playing Ragnarok on a PC offers an exceptional gaming experience. Compared to its PS5 counterpart, it boasts enhanced visual quality. Plus, it includes new features that make it stand out. My top pick among these additions is the option to prevent the game from revealing puzzle solutions as soon as you encounter them – something I found problematic when playing on launch. Consequently, enjoying Ragnarok on a PC seems to be the best way to truly immerse oneself in the game.

Experiencing the return of Ragnarok on PC gave me an opportunity to revisit the narrative with renewed perspective a few years post its initial launch. Similar to its precursor, Ragnarok skillfully delves into the complex bond between Kratos and Atreus, further complicating it through external influences wielded by their adversaries. The game commences in an exhilarating manner, as Freya harbors resentment against Kratos and Atreus due to events from the 2018 reboot. Following a brief respite to gather your bearings, our brave duo is promptly confronted with Thor.

Ragnarok on PC is a great port, and with the increased visual fidelity over the PS5 release”

The main plot of Ragnarok centers around the prophesied Ragnarok occurring; all realms are suffering greatly due to the prolonged Fimbulwinter that has affected everyone severely. Meanwhile, both sets of fathers and sons are readying themselves for whatever mysterious part Atreus will play in the impending apocalypse. Although the overall narrative is quite expansive, Ragnarok primarily delves into more intimate narratives, examining the complexities of relationships between estranged friends, a young man’s journey to find his purpose, and the emotions surrounding grief and fear for one’s child’s future.

In the otherwise well-crafted narrative of Ragnarok, there’s a stretch that might be considered a misstep – it’s crucial for the overall plot but seems to drag on slightly. To put it simply, our protagonist Atreus develops a new bond and spends an extended period in a distinct realm apart from his father. Excluding this minor pacing issue, Ragnarok delivers an enjoyable, emotional journey filled with unexpected events, budding friendships, and betrayals, lasting approximately 25 to 30 hours if you follow the main storyline.

Regarding gameplay, Ragnarok enhances the framework established by the 2018 reboot, enlarging Kratos’ and Atreus’ skill sets. Notably, Atreus becomes a playable character in several narrative sections, which means he has a distinct move set focusing on agility, speed, and ranged attacks with arrows to prevent enemies from getting too close. As for Kratos, his Blades of Chaos are available from the start, and his abilities are expanded with engaging new moves.

Ragnarok builds on the foundations laid by the 2018 reboot”

As a gamer diving into this fresh adventure, I’ve got to say, the enemy roster in this game is nothing short of impressive. Compared to its 2018 reboot, the variety here is night and day. In that game, it felt like I was fighting the same old enemies over and over again, with most boss fights being Trolls. But in this one, the diversity kicks off from the get-go! The first few zones alone throw a range of foes at you, from forest spirits like dryads, to human raiders, frost zombies, and even a bear. It’s a breath of fresh air, making each battle feel unique and challenging.

In essence, Ragnarok surpasses the 2018 reboot in almost every aspect, making the newly released PC version the ideal way to immerse oneself in this epic journey. The game boasts stunning visuals on high-performance hardware, yet remains compatible with CPUs and GPUs from previous generations. Moreover, it provides a wealth of customization options for PC gamers, ranging from graphical settings, control configurations, to core gameplay tweaks. A particularly appreciated feature is the toggle to disable puzzle hints, significantly enhancing my gaming experience.

For PC gamers, it’s important to note that, similar to other recent games from PlayStation Studios, Ragnarok requires a PlayStation Network account for some features or playability (depending on the region). It may not be essential for playing everywhere, but it’s something to consider before starting the game.

This game was reviewed on PC.

Read More

2024-09-23 21:42