Kratos has gods to fight and a world-sized disaster approaching. He also has a son who is growing up, asking questions and developing opinions of his own. Honestly, that last part gives the enormous battles some competition.
God of War Ragnarök follows Kratos and Atreus as the threat of Ragnarök closes in on the Nine Realms. Its father-son relationship gives those huge stakes a personal shape: how do you protect your child while making room for the person they are becoming?
Kratos wants safety. Atreus wants answers.
According to PlayStation’s story overview, Atreus is trying to understand his place in a prophecy, while Kratos wrestles with the fear of repeating his past mistakes.
That setup gives the story something recognizable beneath all the mythology. A parent’s experience can become protection, stubbornness or both. A child’s independence can be necessary and absolutely terrifying to the person raising them. Add Norse gods to that conversation and nobody is having a peaceful afternoon.
There is a concrete accolade behind the attention to its writing, too: Ragnarök won Best Narrative at The Game Awards 2022, as listed on PlayStation’s overview.
Atreus gets a perspective of his own
Ragnarök includes sections where you play as Atreus. The game moves between him and Kratos; its cinematic camera does not mean you stay with Kratos throughout.
In PlayStation’s interviews with the developers, the team explains how Atreus’s movement and bow-based combat were designed to feel distinct from his father’s. His bow works for both ranged and close-up attacks.
That is a meaningful storytelling choice. Understanding an argument gets more interesting when you spend time with both people having it.
Should you play God of War from 2018 first?
Starting with the 2018 game is the recommendation here. Ragnarök is its direct sequel, and that earlier adventure establishes the relationship this story develops. PlayStation’s official game description confirms the connection between the two games.
The reason to start there is context. Meeting these characters earlier in their shared journey gives their changing relationship more room to make sense. If the father-son story is what interests you, give its setup some time.
What is the combat like?
The Leviathan Axe, Blades of Chaos and Guardian Shield return, alongside new abilities. Kratos fights gods and monsters across the Nine Realms, while Atreus’s playable sections bring a different approach.
If the story is what interests you most, check the settings. Give Me a Story is the difficulty option with the least emphasis on demanding combat. The official accessibility guide also details adjustable subtitle sizes, larger interface text and navigation assistance. Take a minute to make the game comfortable for you.
Where can you play Ragnarök?
God of War Ragnarök is available on PS4, PS5 and PC. For a PC purchase, compare your computer with the official system requirements before choosing an edition.
What is the difference between New Game+ and Valhalla?
New Game+ becomes available after finishing the game. It lets you replay the campaign with equipment and skills carried over, plus additional progression options. Some traversal abilities still depend on story progress.
Valhalla is a separate, free epilogue for owners of Ragnarök, built around replayable combat challenges. It is also included with the PC edition. You can access it without finishing the campaign, but the studio recommends completing the main story first to avoid spoilers.
The appeal of Ragnarök’s story starts with a wonderfully difficult relationship. Kratos wants to keep his son safe. Atreus wants to find his own way. That gives an adventure full of gods and monsters a very human reason to keep paying attention.
