GOD OF WAR RAGNAROK
Verdict: An incredible and cinematic journey
What is it?
God of War Ragnarök is the ninth instalment in the action-adventure series. Based on Norse mythology, the game is set in ancient Scandinavia and feature series protagonist Kratos and his teenage son Atreus. Serving as the finale to the Norse era of the series, the game covers Ragnarök, the eschatological event which is central to Norse mythology and was foretold to happen in the previous game after Kratos killed the Æsir god Baldur.
Gameplay
The player primarily controls the character Kratos combo-based combat and puzzle game elements. Kratos’ main weapons are a magical battle axe called the Leviathan Axe, and his signature double-chained blades, the Blades of Chaos. He also has a shield, formerly called the Guardian Shield in the previous game. A new mechanic for Ragnarök is that the blades can also be used like a grappling hook to traverse over chasms making movement much more fluid.
Graphics
The game retains its crown as the king of cinematic experiences, featuring an over-the-shoulder free camera and played in a continuous shot, with no camera cuts or loading screens. The artistry bursting from every seam is astonishing, with excellent costume and world design on show. Ragnarok is incredibly well polished, with little details from the etchings on a dagger to the clunk of a cupboard door closing. It’s expertly animated too, with saliva-sputtering grimaces launching towards the lens during the heat of battle, and hair flowing realistically on Kratos’ less-follically challenged enemies.
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