God of War: Ragnarok holds the title for one of the most awaited games of 2021. Another installment to an award-winning video game series, its release date, prices, and story are pieces of information fans want to know about.
There are not a lot of details on the game yet. However, what’s known out there leaves people wanting more. As more people get excited over this new Sony exclusive, learn what makes this title so hyped in the first place.
What is God of War: Ragnarok?
What Kind of Game Is It?
The God of War series is an action-adventure game that has been blessing Sony console players for over a decade. Its debut in 2005 was simply the beginning of its incredible legacy in gaming. The series has now won numerous awards for its art style, plotline, and gameplay.
God of War: Ragnarok is the latest installment in the series and is one of the most awaited games in the industry. While this is only a working title, many suspects that this will be the final name of the game. Moreover, this title gives people a clear idea of what the latest God of War entry has in store for them.
In God of War: Ragnarok, gamers can expect a deep dive into Norse mythology. The series began with the classic Greek gods and goddesses, but the release of God of War (2018) grew the scope of the series’ storytelling. While not a lot is known about the game yet, people are more than excited to continue Kratos’ story. Joining him is his son Atreus, and in his way are the Norse gods we are yet to see the full potential of.
Developer
Like all the other titles in this series, God of War: Ragnarok is being developed by Santa Monica Studio.
A trailblazer in innovation and game development, the parent company of Santa Monica Studio has worked on lower-stake games such as Fat Princess: Fistful of Cake. Going back, Santa Monica Studio has been active in the gaming industry since 1999. Its first breakout game was God of War, which saw its release in 2005. The concept was simple: a human named Kratos is off to go seek revenge on Ares, which eventually expanded to every Olympian through the next two games.
God of War: Ragnarok stands on the shoulders of its predecessors, especially God of War (2005). The series’ debut game won many awards, including the VGX award for Best Action Game. This streak of awards does halt, either. God of War’s 2018 release won more than a hundred Game of the Year awards from The Game Awards, IGN, Variety, and even the Game Developers Choice Awards.
To think that this all started through VGX.
Currently, Santa Monica Studio is working on God of War: Ragnarok. In early 2020, people saw a rise in job openings from the game development company. Many fans suspect this is because of Ragnarok. However, people still cannot put the game’s release date in a box. Much is unknown about it, but it does not stop people from speculating.
Release Date
Many fans want (and expect) to get their hands on the God of War game in 2021. However, Sony may be behind on releasing a date for fans to wait on if it were to meet a 2021 release.
Games like Resident Evil: Village, Back 4 Blood, and Little Nightmares 2 have definite release periods. Included in these are trailers, gameplay samples, and press. God of War: Ragnarok mostly gets its press from gaming hype alone. The game is set to release in the last quarter of 2021, but this all lies on whether developers are happy with the state of the game by then.
It has been reported that the people behind God of War want to avoid the rushed nature of releasing games. Such was the case for Cyberpunk 2077, and this somewhat backfired against long-waiting fans.
Platforms
When the God of War (2018) game was released on the PS4, many presumed that its sequel would be a tailored fit for the PS5. However, the game’s director, David Jaffe, has revealed that God of War: Ragnarok will also get a PS4 release. Such was the case for Spider-Man: Miles Morales, which joins God of War: Ragnarok in Sony’s high-ranking exclusives.
For people who remain undecided on whether they should get the PS5 or Xbox Series X/S, you can compare the two models through our comprehensive reviews.
Cross-generation gaming is not a new concept, especially when it comes to discussions on PS5 titles. The God of War series has had its fair share of platform-exclusive games that are not the PlayStation. Its other games make use of the PlayStation Portable (PSP) and even Facebook Messenger.
No word yet on God of War: Ragnarok’s release on Steam and PC. This may be unlikely, though.
Prices
God of War: Ragnarok’s prices, like its release date, can only be speculated. Its predecessor, God of War (2018), now retails for around $20 – $40. However, one can expect Ragnarok’s prices to be a bit higher as a PS5 exclusive.
Next-generation games go hand-in-hand with next-generation consoles. Since God of War: Ragnarok seems like a perfect fit for the PS5’s features and abilities, many expect an over $60 price tag in its initial release.
The God of War franchise makes hundreds of millions with each release, and this money funnels into the development of their next game. While prices are only speculated as of now, whatever that tag has will be worth the buy. At least, this was the case for previous games.
God of War: Ragnarok: Everything You Need to Know
Gameplay
With only a trailer and no gameplay previews so far, fans also only speculate when it comes to God of War: Ragnarok’s gameplay. However, the series has been an action-adventure game since time immemorial, so do not expect too drastic of a change when it comes to its gameplay features.
The most likely situation would be its usual third-person setup. Moreover, Kratos will be a protector to his son Atreus the whole time (though the boy can manage by himself often). Their adventures include combat, hunting, puzzle-solving, and other mind-numbing problems that Kratos needs to get around.
God of War is not an easy game, but people don’t want it to be.
Story
The entire God of War franchise began with Kratos’s traumas, frustrations, and revenge as a loving father. With the series’ realignment to Norse mythology in God of War (2018), fans saw Kratos assume the role of father yet again.
Kratos and his young boy named Atreus faced many challenges in God of War (2018). By the end of the game, fans were in for a post-credits treat. In it, Atreus dreamed of a home visit from Norse mythology’s God of Thunder, Thor. Not much was revealed, but the boy did tell Kratos that it felt like “the future.”
God of War: Ragnarok will be playing into the hand of this story, but it is unclear which direction it will take. The title of the game, however—Ragnarok—reveals somewhat of an idea to fans slightly familiar with their mythology.
In Norse mythology, Ragnarok stands for the destruction of Norse gods. This is a “boss battle” between the gods and the natural evils of the world. It is said that the defeat of God of War’s (2018) Baldur would mean the beginning of Ragnarok. This was referenced by Mimir in the game.
Now, with the heavy references to Norse gods’ ruler, Odin, and his son, Thor, it is beginning to look like Ragnarok is the final battle with the Norse gods. Of course, this is only one of the many easter eggs from God of War (2018). There are still many clues to address in Ragnarok, including Atreus’ identity as Loki, the murals of Jotunheim, and Baldur’s death being the “Twilight of the Gods.”
Graphics
In the advent of God of War (2018)’s Enhanced Performance Experience for the PS5, many expect the best innovations when it comes to God of War Ragnarok’s graphics.
Not a lot has been revealed about God of War Ragnarok’s crisp and clear graphic additions. However, with the Enhanced Performance Experience, many can suspect what the game will be capable of.
In the Enhanced Performance Experience, the game’s resolution is bumped up to 4K. The game even has 4K checkerboard resolution. While these stats usually mean a decrease in frames per second (fps), the game manages to keep up with its 60fps standard. A drop in resolution may be possible to make way for higher frames per second, but this is all naysay for now.
God of War has always had a good reputation when it comes to video game graphics, so fans waiting for Ragnarok need not worry too much about the possibility of Santa Monica Studio failing to deliver, graphics-wise.
Features
Discussions around God of War: Ragnarok include its possible multi-platform features. As mentioned above, the series has released games for platforms like the PlayStation Portable (PSP) and Facebook Messenger. Its main titles for consoles, however, have not been released elsewhere.
It seems like Ragnarok will be following suit. A multiplatform God of War game has not been hinted at, so fans should manage their expectations when it comes to this “feature.” As far as fans are concerned, God of War Ragnarok could copy Horizon: Zero Dawn, a previous platform exclusive that found its way to PC.
As for the story features, not a lot is known about what God of War: Ragnarok may have in store yet. However, it is no secret that Norse mythology has nine realms for exploring. God of War (2018), featured only six: Midgard, Jotunheim, Helheim, Alfheim, Muspelheim, and Nilfheim. The last three may be present in God of War: Ragnarok, as these are where Odin and Thor reside. These areas are Asgard, Vanaheim, and Svartalfheim.
Value
The God of War series takes flight when storytelling and gameplay work hand-in-hand. Kratos has battled invisible Gods, faced the wrath of Pandora’s box, and quite literally has been to hell and back throughout the series.
While Kratos is somewhat of a vengeful anti-hero, many still follow his story to see what fate has in store for him. The end of God of War (2018) revealed murals that hinted at a troubled future, from Kratos’ dying breath to the ‘betrayal’ that precedes it. Could his son, Atreus, also known as Loki, have a part in this?
This is the value of playing God of War. The game has managed to keep Kratos’ story dynamic and unpredictable even after almost a decade. Fans of the game and mythologies—now including Norse mythology—will get a kick out of God of War’s reimagining of these classic tales.
God of War Ragnarok is Kratos’ next big challenge. The title alludes to an “end.” While this is not the final installment of the series, it is building up to look like an end of its particular era.
Once Kratos faces Odin and Thor, who knows what he will do next? No one. Join him on his journey and find out what the world has in store for this troubled, lonely, and incredibly powerful man.
God of War Titles in Order
There are more than ten God of War titles you can play on different platforms. However, this list will only talk about games you can access on your PlayStation consoles. Other God of War games, unlike God of War: Ragnarok, were released for the PlayStation Portable or even on Facebook messenger.
God of War
The first game of the series, simply titled God of War, was released on March 22nd, 2005. A product of its time, God of War was available only to PlayStation 2 gamers.
Putting Kratos’ story in motion, God of War finds him serving the goddess of wisdom, Athena. Under her guidance and supervision, Kratos has to find Pandora’s Box to put a stop to the world at war.
But who is responsible for the madness? Kratos’ previous master, Ares, who he served for over 10 years. Ares is the God of War and misled Kratos into thinking he is an ally because of his support during Kratos’ battles.
By confronting Ares and taking the power of Pandora’s Box, Kratos will become the new God of War. However, the journey towards this is cruel, unforgiving, and difficult, to say the very least. Kratos goes through hell and back to win and lose allies as well as meet future enemies.
God of War II
The final God of War game for PlayStation 2, God of War II picks up where the first game left off: Kratos is now the new God of War.
Settling down in Mount Olympus with other Olympians, Kratos lets his personal wraths take over. He starts a war using his Spartan troops with his newfound power, which catches the attention of Zeus (the God of Lightning and Thunder).
Zeus goes against Kratos and ultimately makes the decision to kill him, sending Kratos down to the Underworld. This time around, Kratos literally has to make it through hell and back to seek revenge for what Zeus has done.
Kratos’ vengeful journey leads him to the hands of the Sisters of Fate, who are the only people that can prevent Kratos’ death from happening. When he reaches them, he gets what he wants and charges straight to Mount Olympus. However, things do not get easier from here.
When Kratos reaches Olympus, his previous ally, Athena, sacrifices herself in order to save her father Zeus. This leads to a war between two parties: the Olympians and Kratos.
The God of War does not have to go through this alone, though. Joining Kratos are gods older than the Olympians—Gaia and the Titans.
God of War II was released on March 13th, 2007. It is a well-received sequel to a successful franchise. If anything, it showed fans and gamers around the world that God of War is not a one-hit wonder.
God of War III
God of War III brings Kratos and gamers to a satisfying conclusion to the Mount Olympus storyline. Released five years after the debut of the series, God of War III was released for PlayStation 3.
This time around, Kratos faces his biggest challenge yet. Where in the first game he faces a few gods and in the second game he faces all Olympians, the third finds him butting heads with all Greek gods (including the Titans).
His main nemesis this time around is still Zeus. However, Kratos has also found himself wanting revenge against the Titans as well. Players may remember Kratos teaming up with the said Titans in God of War II. In this game, their alliance goes south as Kratos finds out the Titans were using him all along.
Switching teams, Athena decides to guide Kratos once again. Enlightened by her demise in God of War II, Athena realizes that Zeus must be defeated. She also knows that Kratos is the key to doing this.
As Kratos battles the Olympians and Titans, he once again finds himself where he started: Pandora’s Box. To defeat the most powerful beings on the planet, Kratos seeks out the box like never before—even meeting Pandora in the process.
When Kratos succeeds in several trials and tribulations, Athena asks him to be the new “patron of mankind.” Kratos refuses this and leaves without a trace.
God of War: Ascension
Three years after the release of God of War III is the release of God of War: Ascension. Still tied to the strings of the original storyline, Ascension is about six months after Kratos’ killing of his family in God of War.
In Ascension, players find Kratos imprisoned by the three Furies. For those who do not know, Furies are characters in Greek mythology that punishes criminals that disrupt the natural order of the universe.
During his stay, Kratos finds out that Ares (still the God of War at the time) and the Furies want to take hold of Mount Olympus. The God of War himself chose Kratos to help them on this mission. While Kratos obliges at first, he betrays them thereafter.
Killing Furies and Ares’ son, Orkos, Kratos begins his life as a troubled man. When he does these, he breaks a blood oath that conceals the truth from him. Thus, he starts seeing nightmares of the crimes he has committed under the influence of his leader, Ares.
This puts the entire God of War storyline in motion. When playing the series in chronological order, one must start with Ascension. Playing this game gives fans a good idea of what Kratos was like before he committed his most shameful murderous acts.
Ascension is also the only God of War game that is multiplayer and for cooperative play. Co-op games are especially enjoyed today, with the much-awaited release of titles such as Back 4 Blood.
God of War (2018)
God of War had somewhat of a reboot with another self-titled game. Released in 2018, players find Kratos in an entirely new world with new gods. Unlike the previous games, Kratos goes head-to-head with characters from Norse mythology. Also unlike previous games, Kratos does not face these battles alone: he has a new life with his son, Atreus.
After the recent death of Kratos’ wife and Atreus’ mother, Faye, they go on an adventure to spread her ashes. However, she has requested this be in the highest peak of the Norse realms, Jotunheim. The journey is far and wide, as they are in Midgard, which is a different dimension altogether.
Along their journey, they come by the son of Odin and Freya, Baldur. He is the Norse god of light. Baldur also has a mission to fulfill, and this requires getting to Faye. However, he is unaware of her death. Thus, he butts heads with Kratos and his son.
When the father and son defeat Baldur once and for all, they come by murals that seem to predict their future. For gamers, this meant the future of the series moving forward. In Norse mythology, the defeat of Baldur provokes the beginning of Ragnarok. Ironically enough, Baldur was sent by Odin to delay Ragnarok. By doing this, Odin has only hastened its arrival.
Gameplay for God of War (2018) differs slightly from the previous installments. In this game, Kratos uses a battle axe and not his iconic double blades.
God of War: Ragnarok: What We’re Excited For
The end of God of War (2018) revealed Atreus’ visions of Thor. While this is only described as dreams about the “future,” it also sets the stage for God of War: Ragnarok.
Mentioned frequently in this article is God of War’s masterful storytelling. This is what fans and gamers are most excited for in God of War: Ragnarok: where is Kratos’ story headed?
As the character ages in each game, many speculate on how he may reach his demise once more. The murals from God of War (2018) show Atreus holding his father as he dies, but Kratos has died several times only to come back stronger.
Not a lot of people know what God of War: Ragnarok has in store for them yet. However, with God of War’s library of stories, gameplay, and graphics, everyone best be excited for what’s yet to come.
One can only speculate on what this game has in store. The God of War series is notable for many of its features, but storytelling may be its strongest suit. As Sony sets the stage for Ragnarok, many fans know what to expect while not knowing anything at all.
