Sony Interactive Entertainment and Santa Monica Studio have unveiled the latest addition to God of War: Ragnarok, the free downloadable content “Valhalla,” scheduled for release on December 12, 2023. This expansion offers a fresh narrative following the events of the main game, delving into Kratos’ deeply personal journey.

“God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla” serves as an engaging epilogue to the original God of War Ragnarok story, tracing Kratos’ path through a profound and introspective quest. Post the climactic battle with Odin and following Atreus’ departure, Kratos finds himself on a path he never previously imagined. Arriving at the enigmatic shores of Valhalla, accompanied solely by Mimir, he embarks on a quest into its uncharted depths to confront internal trials and echoes from his past.

The Santa Monica Studio team has reenvisioned the combat dynamics in the God of War series. “God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla” melds the series’ renowned combat style with innovative elements inspired by the roguelite genre. Each foray into Valhalla challenges players to adapt and master different facets of Kratos’ extensive arsenal, facing new enemy combinations and unexpected surprises.

In Valhalla, defeat marks not the end but a learning curve for a warrior’s spirit. Should Kratos fall, he resurrects at the gates, ready to tackle the challenge anew. With each attempt, players evolve their strategy, adapting to Valhalla’s trials. The more victories they claim, the more resources they gather for permanent enhancements to Kratos and Valhalla itself.

Valhalla demands that Kratos shed his armor and equipment, focusing instead on building both per-attempt and lasting rewards. With access to his entire weapon set and fully-upgraded skills, Kratos must select a shield and Spartan Rage path for each venture. As players navigate the trials and depths of Valhalla, they choose temporary Glyphs to enhance stats, perks, Runic Attacks, and more. Each journey unfolds uniquely based on these strategic selections.

Smart preparation, adaptability, and mastery of abilities are key to conquering Valhalla. Here, armor is purely cosmetic, allowing players to tailor Kratos’ appearance to their style. Players can unlock various looks and mix and match them across attempts, ensuring Kratos is always battle-ready and photogenic.

“God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla” features five specially tuned difficulty settings to match its unique gameplay. Each level ramps up the rewards from battle, with the freedom to switch difficulty levels between attempts, including the most challenging ‘Show Me Mastery’ setting.

As players enhance their skills, they are encouraged to take on higher difficulties, reaping greater rewards and testing their mastery of Kratos’ combat prowess. With these five options, players can find their ideal level of challenge, further customized by the DLC’s continuation of God of War Ragnarök’s commitment to accessibility settings.

“God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla” is a standalone experience, separate from the main God of War Ragnarök narrative, enabling players to dive in regardless of their progress, upgrades, or equipment in the base game. However, to avoid spoilers, finishing God of War Ragnarok first is recommended, as the DLC serves as an epilogue.

Owners of God of War Ragnarok can download the “Valhalla” DLC for free on December 12 from the PlayStation Store. The team at Santa Monica Studio extends holiday greetings and gratitude for the incredible support shown over the past year, eagerly awaiting players’ experiences shared via #GodOfWarRagnarokValhalla or #GoWRV on social media.

Source: Gematsu