{"id":101527,"date":"2024-09-24T14:39:51","date_gmt":"2024-09-24T13:39:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thegeek.games\/?p=101527"},"modified":"2024-09-24T14:39:51","modified_gmt":"2024-09-24T13:39:51","slug":"god-of-war-ragnarok-pc-kratos-takes-over-your-monitor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thegeek.games\/2024\/09\/24\/god-of-war-ragnarok-pc-kratos-takes-over-your-monitor\/","title":{"rendered":"God of War Ragnar\u00f6k PC \u2013 Kratos Takes Over Your Monitor"},"content":{"rendered":"

REVIEW – In 2022, Santa Monica Studio and PlayStation released God of War Ragnar\u00f6k<\/em> for the PS4 and PS5. The game achieved monumental success, captivating players with its gripping storyline, breathtaking visuals, and intense combat mechanics, which built upon the foundation laid by the 2018 God of War<\/em>. Now, two years later, PC gamers finally get their chance to experience what the hype is about, and I\u2019m happy to say the PC port does not disappoint.<\/h4>\n

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While there have been some missteps with PlayStation\u2019s PC ports, most have successfully delivered top-tier titles to this platform. God of War Ragnar\u00f6k<\/em> continues this trend, offering an experience that matches or even surpasses the PS5 version, provided you have the hardware to back it up. The game boasts nearly flawless performance with the same jaw-dropping graphics. Of course, stunning visuals mean little if the gameplay doesn\u2019t measure up, but rest assured, God of War Ragnar\u00f6k<\/em> excels in this area as well.<\/p>\n

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The Hunt Continues \u2013 Weapons, Puzzles, and Epic Battles<\/h3>\n

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The action in God of War Ragnar\u00f6k<\/em> is as visceral as in the 2018 game, utilizing an over-the-shoulder camera and close-quarters hack-and-slash combat. As you progress, Kratos expands his arsenal, eventually wielding a magical, endlessly respawning spear that adds new dimensions to combat. Kratos uses his weapons to take down a variety of enemies but also for solving puzzles, such as freezing objects with the Leviathan Axe.<\/p>\n

The PC version of God of War Ragnar\u00f6k<\/em> introduces a fantastic quality-of-life improvement for puzzle-solving. While the original PlayStation version had Atreus and other characters quickly give hints before players could try their hand at solutions, the PC version allows players to turn off this assistance, which is a welcome option for those who want to enjoy puzzles without interference.<\/p>\n

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Best Played with a DualSense Controller<\/h3>\n

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Aside from a few PC-exclusive features like ultrawide support and mouse-and-keyboard controls, the core experience is nearly identical to the PlayStation version. However, I strongly recommend playing with a PS5 DualSense controller. While the game is fully playable with various PC-compatible controllers (I tested it with an Xbox controller), nothing beats the immersive haptic feedback and adaptive triggers of the DualSense, making it the best way to experience God of War Ragnar\u00f6k<\/em> on PC.<\/p>\n

For those new to God of War Ragnar\u00f6k<\/em>, the PC version offers an exhilarating journey. After the events of the 2018 game, Kratos and Atreus find themselves at odds with Norse gods Odin and Thor. What follows is a thrilling adventure through the Nine Realms as they try to prevent the apocalypse. The story is captivating, filled with rich character interactions and surprising twists that will keep players hooked despite a few pacing issues along the way.<\/p>\n

Though I consider God of War Ragnar\u00f6k<\/em> to be near-perfect, there is one part of the game that drags: a section where Atreus becomes the main playable character. Without spoiling too much, this part of the game slows down the momentum significantly. While it eventually leads to one of the most memorable boss fights in the God of War<\/em> series and introduces a compelling new character, the gameplay in this segment feels lackluster compared to the rest of the game.<\/p>\n

Even with that drawback, it\u2019s hard to find many faults in God of War Ragnar\u00f6k<\/em>. It\u2019s an epic, lengthy journey full of amazing sights, thrilling battles, and countless secrets. The puzzles are even better on PC, thanks to the ability to disable companion hints, and the story is among the best ever told in gaming. However, there is one significant flaw with the PC version that players should be aware of.<\/p>\n

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It Runs Great on Steam Deck<\/h3>\n

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Despite the Steam Deck being somewhat outdated as a handheld console, God of War Ragnar\u00f6k<\/em> performs surprisingly well on it. With High settings, the game runs at around 45 FPS in outdoor areas and 55-60 FPS indoors. While the Steam Deck’s hardware might seem a bit behind the times, the game’s optimization is impressive, extracting every ounce of power from the device. The graphics remain stunning without compromising the overall experience, showcasing the Steam Deck’s surprising potential.<\/p>\n

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