Like RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 or THE GODFATHER PART 2, RAGNAROK is a sequel that beautifully improves upon its predecessor, keeping what worked and polishing up what needed to be spruced up. On top of that, like those 2 seminal examples, RAGNAROK also cements itself as the essential second piece of a larger whole; perfectly balanced, bringing the Norse Saga of Kratos and Atreus to a satisfying, tear-jerking end.
Combat feels so much smoother and more engaging. Getting the Blades of Chaos and the Leviathan Axe from the start leads to a lot of opportunities for creative combos, special chains, and other fun battle situations. Boss diversity is beefed WAY UP, with many creative designs and attack patterns, and very few repeated enemy encounters.
The 3D metroidvania level style dumps you in gorgeous environments that wind back and around, encouraging you to explore, or come back later if necessary once you get a new tool. The Crater in Vaneheim and Svartleheim's lakeside puzzle hubs stand out as some of my favorite locations. Side quests offer a lot of great narrative expansion opportunities that really made me want to hop off the critical path and just learn more about this world.
The puzzles stand as a major sore spot of this game. Not because they're all too easy, but because they're all MOSTLY easy, coupled with Santa Monica's exhausting decision to have your partner characters shout out solutions before you've even gotten a chance to get a lay of the area for yourself. I found an option to "extend" the amount of time provided to solve the challenges on my own, but it really reveals a lack of player confidence from these Triple A developers. Fear of losing customers over puzzle difficulty shouldn't result in delivering a final game that has zero faith in the player. Be better, Sony.
A further note of disappointment has to go to the final boss. Without Spoilers, it felt a little too easy and condensed, compared to the massive spectacle that was the brawl at the end of GOW 2018. It works on a story level, but, I just wanted a bit more.
The final moments of this game, including the "final scene" legit got the waterworks flowing. This cast is stacked with so much great talent and they all deliver wonderful work. Bonding with these characters and seeing the end of their journey was an excellent way to wrap up the year in gaming. Very eager to see where this franchise goes from here.
Combat feels so much smoother and more engaging. Getting the Blades of Chaos and the Leviathan Axe from the start leads to a lot of opportunities for creative combos, special chains, and other fun battle situations. Boss diversity is beefed WAY UP, with many creative designs and attack patterns, and very few repeated enemy encounters.
The 3D metroidvania level style dumps you in gorgeous environments that wind back and around, encouraging you to explore, or come back later if necessary once you get a new tool. The Crater in Vaneheim and Svartleheim's lakeside puzzle hubs stand out as some of my favorite locations. Side quests offer a lot of great narrative expansion opportunities that really made me want to hop off the critical path and just learn more about this world.
The puzzles stand as a major sore spot of this game. Not because they're all too easy, but because they're all MOSTLY easy, coupled with Santa Monica's exhausting decision to have your partner characters shout out solutions before you've even gotten a chance to get a lay of the area for yourself. I found an option to "extend" the amount of time provided to solve the challenges on my own, but it really reveals a lack of player confidence from these Triple A developers. Fear of losing customers over puzzle difficulty shouldn't result in delivering a final game that has zero faith in the player. Be better, Sony.
A further note of disappointment has to go to the final boss. Without Spoilers, it felt a little too easy and condensed, compared to the massive spectacle that was the brawl at the end of GOW 2018. It works on a story level, but, I just wanted a bit more.
The final moments of this game, including the "final scene" legit got the waterworks flowing. This cast is stacked with so much great talent and they all deliver wonderful work. Bonding with these characters and seeing the end of their journey was an excellent way to wrap up the year in gaming. Very eager to see where this franchise goes from here.