This review contains spoilers
[Note - I'm reflecting on this game in context of it being entirely free]
Valhalla is an awesome free add-on, introducing a Rogue-like mode to an already fun combat system. God of War keeps trimming the fat with every game, and Valhalla takes it further with streamlined upgrades – a few options, quick choices, no overthinking. An action-packed action game. No time to relax!
The Rogue-like loop is really simple: enter portals, fight in quasi-recycled combat areas, get an upgrade, enter new portal, repeat. It's fine but it's not up to par with other Rogue-likes. Loops start slow and easy and by the time it gets interesting with some bespoke combat scenarios, the loop ends. It's meant to be tight and quick. I get it but I wish it was a bit more interesting.
The story is the real value here. You will very quickly discover on your first run that this game is throwing you back all the way to God of War 1 from 2005! Although an obvious budgetary decision, I have to mention that the motion graphic cutscenes were a nice nod to the past.
Someone with a greater handle on writing than I will articulate this far better, but I'll make an attempt to explain Valhalla's sort of metatextual or postmodernist commentary on itself. Stripped down to it's essence, this new God of War series has an underlaying commentary on the games industry as well as gamers themselves growing up and changing as people—doing better as Kratos would say. It also speaks to Kratos' evolution as a character in the series and in gaming discourse. Valhalla is Sony Santa Monica putting a bow on this self referential series. A mic-drop moment at the end hits very hard: ||"You have always been more than what others saw. You ARE more than that."|| Fan service is through the roof, making it a sweet epilogue to the entire series.
A few gripes - they're way too heavy-handed on the self-reflection. ||Tyr|| and Mimir are like therapists, and the ending gets almost too soft for Kratos with some "power of friendship" feel-good dialogue not sitting well with me. I was waiting for Mimir to hug me and say "Its not your fault. It's not your fault." 😆 Despite that, it's an essential closure, filling gaps and wrapping up Kratos' journey. Play it (4-5 hrs)!
Valhalla is an awesome free add-on, introducing a Rogue-like mode to an already fun combat system. God of War keeps trimming the fat with every game, and Valhalla takes it further with streamlined upgrades – a few options, quick choices, no overthinking. An action-packed action game. No time to relax!
The Rogue-like loop is really simple: enter portals, fight in quasi-recycled combat areas, get an upgrade, enter new portal, repeat. It's fine but it's not up to par with other Rogue-likes. Loops start slow and easy and by the time it gets interesting with some bespoke combat scenarios, the loop ends. It's meant to be tight and quick. I get it but I wish it was a bit more interesting.
The story is the real value here. You will very quickly discover on your first run that this game is throwing you back all the way to God of War 1 from 2005! Although an obvious budgetary decision, I have to mention that the motion graphic cutscenes were a nice nod to the past.
Someone with a greater handle on writing than I will articulate this far better, but I'll make an attempt to explain Valhalla's sort of metatextual or postmodernist commentary on itself. Stripped down to it's essence, this new God of War series has an underlaying commentary on the games industry as well as gamers themselves growing up and changing as people—doing better as Kratos would say. It also speaks to Kratos' evolution as a character in the series and in gaming discourse. Valhalla is Sony Santa Monica putting a bow on this self referential series. A mic-drop moment at the end hits very hard: ||"You have always been more than what others saw. You ARE more than that."|| Fan service is through the roof, making it a sweet epilogue to the entire series.
A few gripes - they're way too heavy-handed on the self-reflection. ||Tyr|| and Mimir are like therapists, and the ending gets almost too soft for Kratos with some "power of friendship" feel-good dialogue not sitting well with me. I was waiting for Mimir to hug me and say "Its not your fault. It's not your fault." 😆 Despite that, it's an essential closure, filling gaps and wrapping up Kratos' journey. Play it (4-5 hrs)!