God of War Ragnarok shows improvements in unexpected ways

After a few hours with God of War Ragnarok, I’m impressed at how well it adds depth to its narrative and characters, and can’t wait to see how it grows from here.

How do you follow a game like God of War? The 2018 revival of a franchise many thought had run its course went on to become a Game of the Year winner, and arguably the PlayStation 4’s most well-received title by both critics and fans alike.

Those are some hefty Spartan boots to fill, and from God of War: Ragnarok’s early hours it’s not always obvious to see what’s changed – but if it ain’t broke, did it need fixing?

Note: We’ll keep this preview spoiler-free, both out of duty to Sony’s own preview embargo (naturally), but also in the interest of anyone looking to go into Kratos and Atreus’ latest adventure without any potential spoilers. That said, there may be elements that you consider spoilers (including the basic narrative setup) – if in doubt, we’d recommend turning back. We have, however, only used the screens Sony provided from the start of the game.

From humble beginnings

Our story picks up with Kratos and the now-adolescent Atreus in the midsts of Fimbulwinter – the prophecized “doomsday blizzard” that was bought on by the death of Baldur in the last game. The dynamic deity duo is living in a small camp, surrounded by snow, and laying low while training for the fight ahead.

Complicating things is the return of Freya, with the magic-wielder seemingly a constant threat and keeping our heroes guarded as she fights for revenge after Baldur’s death. It’s this conflict that presents a heart-pounding action sequence within the game’s opening minutes, as Kratos and Atreus attempt to make it back to camp while defending themselves against the shapeshifting Freya.

It’s a set piece that’s smaller in scale than what we saw in 2018, but no less stunning – the PS5 has been tested plenty since launch, between Demon’s Souls, Elden Ring, and more, but God of War Ragnarok is a stunning showpiece for the console, as well as the Dualsense controller.

Kratos’ weighty steps can be felt with the pad, and if you thought it felt good to hurl the Leviathan axe through the air on a DualShock 4, then you’ll be blown away by it on the PS5’s haptic-filled controller.

Axe you a question

That brings us nicely to combat, and Kratos’ attacks, at least in these early stages, are much the same as you’ll remember from his last jaunt through the realms.

There are light and heavy attacks, as well as the return of the Spartan shield for blocking and parrying.

It’s just as brutal as you’d expect from a franchise that once had our hero shoving his thumbs in the eye sockets of gods, and using the Leviathan Axe to cleave enemy heads in two still sends a shiver down my spine just thinking about it.

One new trick this time around is the addition of a new mechanic that can freeze the Leviathan Axe by holding triangle. While you could throw a frozen axe before, this new ability lets Kratos power up both melee and ranged attacks. It takes a second to charge, but pairing it with a light attack at just the right angle can be ideal for crowd control in a confined space.

In this early section, it’s clear that the game’s combat puzzles have taken inspiration from the finely tuned Valkyrie battles of the 2018 reboot. Whether it was a boss fight or a group of standard enemies laid out in a challenging formation, combat feels more challenging than the prior game, even on the standard difficulty.

That’s a good thing, and after so many hours spent in Elden Ring this year, it definitely took some time to require my brain a little to God of War’s still deliberate, but slightly faster pace.

Oh, and Spartan Rage returns, and it’s just as enjoyable to start clobbering enemies like a supercharged boxer with fists the size of giant hams.

A wider world

The biggest step up in God of War Ragnarok, at least in these early stages, is in its exploration of themes.

“Dad of War” introduced a paternal side of Kratos with an almost reluctance to be better, but Ragnarok stretches those themes into metaphorical threads that stretch far beyond and into increasingly interesting places.

Of course, Atreus and Kratos remain at the center of the tale, but their interactions now feel like they spread to the world and characters around them, which then makes the world more interesting in turn. New and returning characters alike feel complex, and I can’t wait to see how the narrative dominos fall in the coming hours.

I’m also looking forward to seeing what Sony Santa Monica can achieve with the PS5’s power when the snow clears – God of War 2018’s realms felt like real places, and I’m excited to explore more.

Final thoughts

In these early stages, it’s clear that God of War Ragnarok is a reunion of sorts. If there was one thing I was desperate for after the last game, it was more time to spend with these characters.

In 2022, that wish has finally come true, and while this journey is just beginning, it’s immediately obvious that God of War Ragnarok is poised to be in the game of the year conversation yet again this year.

Stay tuned for Dexerto’s God of War Ragnarok review on Thursday, November 3 at 9:00AM PDT / 12:00PM EDT / 4:00PM GMT / 5:00PM CEST.