Promised as The adventure game of this end of the year on PS5 and PS4, God of War Ragnarok had to crush the competition to win. But will it be able to reproduce the miracle of its predecessor released in 2018? Here is our verdict a few days before its release on November 9th.
The God of War of 2018, produced by the Americans of Santa Monica Studio, still rises today in the top 5 of the best games of the millennium. Yes, just that. It is necessary to have in mind this “detail” to fully understand the importance of the release, next November 9, of its sequel entitled God of War Ragnarök exclusively on PlayStation consoles (4 and 5).
Difficult to succeed the masterpiece imagined by the game director Cory Barlog and his teams four years ago. It is Eric Williams who takes up the torch, Barlog having passed on the side of the production for an epic adventure and a challenge in terms of creation, which was not less.
THE ODYSSEY OF A FATHER AND HIS SON
But what is God of War? An action-adventure game that features Kratos, a former Spartan general, and his son Atreus (also now called Loki), in a story inspired by Norse mythologies. We share here the table of Thor, Odin and Tyr while we find the goddess Freya, determined to avenge the death of her son Baldur. In this epic through the different kingdoms that make up this mythological universe, the father/son duo, helped by a few precious allies, will have to face an incredible bestiary.
If the fights occupy an important part of the adventure, the puzzles (essential to the progression) punctuate the course of an adventure where, once again, the narration is as essential as it is remarkable. Because God of War is above all, beyond the clashes between deities, the story of a father and his growing son.
AN IMAGINARY WORLD BOTH FANTASTIC AND VIOLENT
The story continues after the 2018 episode which was barely disturbing. Perhaps the tone is a little lighter here in this story of a relationship between a father and his teenager called to a mysterious fate? The texts ring true, as do the voices of the actresses and actors (in English with the guttural voice of Christopher Judge and in French that of Frédéric Souterelle) while the compositions of the talented Bear McCreary complete to immerse us in an imaginary world at the same time. fantastic and violent.
God of War Ragnarök is illustrated, just like its predecessor, by the visceral character of its epic confrontations which can oppose Kratos, but not only him, to colossal monsters. One of the hallmarks of God of War which with Ragnarök is gaining in intensity but also in possibilities, new moves are appearing and completing a range of actions that are still just as spectacular. Yes, we clearly find its marks and this opus also walks in the footsteps of the previous one, but it nevertheless manages to stand out on many levels.
The art of following is a delicate art. Too many novelties and you will be told that you are distorting the project. Not enough and you will be criticized for not innovating enough. In this game, Ragnarök does not come out badly however. A greater variety of enemies and action, new possibilities for improving its equipment, a longer lifespan than its predecessor (count between thirty and forty hours to complete the adventure!), more numerous (and still magnificent) environments… In short, Ragnarök proves to be much more than a simple sequel. Without distorting his work, Santa Monica delivers a splendid, epic and exciting adventure. One of the biggest games of the year. Maybe of the decade? As expected.
God of War Ragnarök, Sony, November 9 on PS5 and PS4.