I still remember gripping the Blades of Chaos for the first time on my old PS2, tearing through enemies with reckless abandon in God of War. The franchise evolved with the 2018 reboot, turning a violent anti-hero into a father burdened by his past, and God of War Ragnarök cemented its place as one of the greatest sagas in gaming. But here I am, years later, booting it up again on my PS5. With promises of enhanced visuals, smoother gameplay, and that sweet 4K resolution, I’m asking myself: does replaying Ragnarök on PS5 offer something new, or is it just a shinier trip down memory lane? Here’s my take.
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Story: The Heart of the Game
The God inside God of War is actually its story. I don’t know whether there is any other game which weaves Norse mythology into such a personal narrative. I like how the prophecy of Ragnarök acts as a sort of launchpad for the story. It is crucial to the complex and layered plot that makes playing this game even the second time such an enjoyable experience. Of course, the relationship between Kratos and Atreus is a pillar that the whole narrative stands on. The clash of perspectives between these two characters gives energy to the whole narrative. On one hand, we have Atreus who is growing into his identity as Loki—he seeks independence and answers. On the other hand, there is Kratos who struggles to protect him. The emotional highs and lows keep you really involved in the game.
The support cast of characters, like FNaF characters is also really good. For example, Thor and Odin defy common archetypes. Thor has his personal demons, and Odin is a master manipulator, so these become more than just bosses that you have to defeat. Even characters like Brock and Sindri do more than provide comic relief—they add to the emotional depth of the story. Soon enough, you almost feel that the story expands beyond that of Kratos and Atreus. The 1-shot camera explores the psyche of all other characters, and when you understand the motivations and vulnerabilities of allies as well as enemies, the size of the narrative becomes much more significant.
Combat: Accessible Yet Complex
Now let’s talk about the combat. I think it’s a brilliant balance of complexity and accessibility—players can feel powerful without having to go through an extensive training or mastery course. The weapons of Kratos are very impressive, particularly the Leviathan Axe and the Blades of Chaos. These now have charging abilities, and there are shields that can offer very different play styles. You can switch companions during missions because each ally offers very unique abilities which can keep the combat fresh. The possibility of these changes is an invitation to players to adapt their strategies in real time. Also, there are many diverse enemy types, and I definitely felt an increased verticality in combat spaces.
Exploration and World-Building
The moment I started playing God of War Ragnarök on PS5, I realized it is an expansion on the semi-open world structure of the previous game. The 9 realms are filled with biomes, puzzles, and stories. It’s not like the barrier or enemy field areas of the previous game—in Ragnarök, each realm feels alive. For example, in Svartalfheim, you will find a buried dwarven rebellion, and in Vanaheim, you will find a treasure trove of side quests linked to Freya’s history. Also, in God of War Ragnarök, exploration is not about following map markers but about engaging with your environment. There are secrets, stories, and puzzles in every realm which will reward your curiosity. Different realms have different traversal mechanics, such as boats in Svartalfheim and sleds in Midgard.
Technical Excellence on PS5
Now a word on the technical excellence of God of War on PS5. Of course, there are multiple graphical modes in the game, including 4K at 60 FPS and even up to 120 FPS. For me, the frame rate was near flawless at 60 FPS, and because the environments are so breathtaking, I think this enhanced FPS is crucial to the enjoyment of the game. When you’re in dense jungles, frost-covered tundras, grandiose temples, or near statues that reflect Norse mythology, everything has to be pixel perfect. The 3D audio and sound design are world-class—they work well as positional cues during combat and truly enhance the gameplay and immersion. There is a very robust suite of customization options which makes the game approachable for players of all skill levels and abilities.
So I will encourage everybody who’s yet to play God of War Ragnarök on PS5 to just go for it—this might be the best 50-ish hours of gameplay this year for you. And hey, if you love gaming as much as we do, stay connected by following GamesRoid on Twitter, Facebook, and Google News.
