Sequels can often become overwhelmed with new systems and features, but God of War Ragnarok’s feel like an organic evolution of what came before.įor example, Ragnarok introduces the Amulet of Yggdrasil to Kratos’ arsenal, which can hold up to nine different enchantments, each offering a different type of buff.

The removal of the shield skill tree is an example of Sony Santa Monica elegantly streamlining God of War’s systems. Likewise, Kratos' skill trees for his Blades of Chaos and Leviathan Axe have been expanded, though there is no longer a skill tree available for his shield. The demi-god teenager no longer feels like an add-on, he has a wide range of skills at his disposal. If you’re lucky, the long-horned goat will stun an enemy, allowing you to unleash a devastating attack that sees you tear off one of their limbs.īoth Atreus and Kratos have a range of new abilities, and their skill trees feel thoroughly fleshed out. In battle, while Atreus will get stuck into Draugrs and Hel-Walkers by himself, you can also command him to shoot arrows at specific enemies and even have him unleash animal-related special abilities, such as summoning a rampaging Ibex to thrash through enemies. Kratos will require him to shoot a runic arrow at a particularly dense bush concealing a chest, for example, so that the Spartan can then sink his Blades of Chaos into the runic-enhancing purple ring it leaves, burning away the troublesome foliage. Throughout their journey, Atreus’ input is critical.

In Ragnarok, the father and son are partners. It’s not simply in the narrative that Kratos and Atreus’ relationship is reflected, it’s in the gameplay and combat too.

God of war ragnarok