Retrospective: Why I Disliked God of War Ragnarok’s Story

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With each new piece of news about God of War, particularly the 20th-anniversary celebrations, my disappointment grew over how Sony Santa Monica managed Ragnarok’s narrative. The game’s crucial scenes seemed hastily done, and had they been given more time for polishing, it could have achieved even greater acclaim.

Despite numerous players appreciating the storyline in Ragnarok, I personally found myself unsatisfied with the decisions made throughout the game as I reached the end credits. There was a sense of unease – something essential seemed to be absent, yet I couldn’t quite identify what it was.

In this piece, I’ll go over my glaring issues in God of War Ragnarok’s story.

The Norse Realm Had So Much Potential

Despite the uncertainty about Sony Santa Monica abandoning the Norse setting, there remains an abundance of untapped lore within Ragnarok’s narrative. One aspect that left me questioning was the seemingly underdeveloped story arc of characters Atreus and Angrboda. Their journey appeared more like a standalone side mission without a substantial conclusion—until I discovered it might be laying groundwork for a future game focused on Atreus.

The developers admitted that before the game’s release, they had to eliminate part of Atreus’ storyline about the ancient creature Sinmara. This omitted material might have provided an intriguing character development – one that unfortunately remains unseen by us.

As Ragnarok unfolded, I couldn’t help but feel that Freyr’s character was incomplete. His bond with Freya was barely explored, which made his sacrifice seem hollow. It seemed like Sony Santa Monica had grander plans for his Vanaheim freedom fighters, but now that the series is moving towards Egypt, it’s too late to demand a deeper connection between these characters.

The Valhalla DLC Helped Fix Some Issues

In my opinion, the most satisfying aspect of Ragnarok didn’t unfold until Sony unveiled the Valhalla expansion at no cost. This roguelike mode emphasized Kratos’ journey towards redemption, transitioning him from a war-mongering god to a more compassionate figure. If this was his final act, it was richly deserved. The DLC offered the kind of resolution I craved for his character, highlighting how much he had evolved since his initial days.

One fascinating aspect was the inclusion of the authentic Tyr character. His absence in the main storyline of the base game left it seeming unfinished, but Valhalla provided him with the on-screen moments he deserved. Witnessing two seasoned warriors like Kratos and Tyr clash in battle—with a roguelike twist added for good measure—was an inspired touch. The sight of Tyr using weapons from various mythologies? That was pure fan satisfaction, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.

The Lack of the Nine Realms Hurt the Story

It’s clear that creating games requires both time and resources, and it seems like the pandemic may have slowed down Ragnarok’s development process. Yet, the game’s third act appeared less engaging due to the apparent lack of attention given to the Nine Realms. Everything seemed to unfold rather quickly and lacked depth.

In my anticipation, it felt as though the game resembled Mass Effect 2’s structure, where I would have been tasked with uniting various factions that Kratos and Atreus had assisted during their voyage for the climactic conflict. However, a significant portion of this was handled off-camera. Although the primary theme stayed consistent, it seemed to lose some of its intended impact.

I too wished we could delve deeper into Asgard, focusing on Odin’s gradual slide into insanity. However, his portrayal seemed less terrifying god and more like a manipulative mob boss. Yet, his acting was commendable.

The Future of God of War

Hinting at further adventures for Atreus and Angrboda in distant realms, there remains a possibility that these unexplored aspects might be delved into in future installments. Yet, as Sony Santa Monica continues to dive into new ventures, it leaves us questioning if we’ll revisit this world again anytime in the near future.

It’s clear to me why the story ended ambiguously, yet it could have been more satisfying had it been a trilogy instead. Regrettably, expanding it into a trilogy appears rather improbable – at least for the time being.

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2025-03-20 19:42