This is cinema.

Easily the best game I've played this year so far. The intro with Thor and Odin coming to Kratos' house and the fight that occurs is peak. What this game really nailed was the character development. I do still think the story (and intro) in the first game were superior but similar to Mass Effect 2 were the story was better in the first and characters in the second, this game develops the shit out of everybody. Kratos changes so much from the first game and is one hell of a daddy figure. Freya, Mimir, Atreus, Thor, Odin, Brok, Sindri, Tyr, all these characters feel real and I actually cared or was interested in them. This game also splits up who you play as a few times, so there's sections were you play as Atreus instead of Kratos. Normally, I'm not a fan of this kind of thing, like in Spiderman how you would play as Mary Jane or Miles Morales, it just wasn't fun and actually would become tiresome. In this game; however, I really didn't mind, Atreus was super smooth and had his own unique fighting style; the story was always still there too. The combat and graphics of course are very much upgraded and feels next gen, some areas looked truly beautiful on my big TV.

A few complaints I have is that the game doesn't change a whole lot from the first. Of course it's a continuation of the story but there wasn't much added other than a new weapon, new armor, skill tree, and other generic stuff. The weapon is cool and all but I was expecting a bit more innovation. Collectibles are also pretty much the same with the chests, ravens, tears, etc... The side quests are all great though, similar to the first.

The only character I didn't like was Thor's daughter. There was a very out of place scene near the end with Thor being in a bar drinking his life away and her daughter getting emotional asking him to change his habits. It was made very serious and tried to go deep but it wasn't emotional at all but rather quite cringe. Why am I supposed to get invested in this dudes drinking problem completely out of nowhere? Especially when that's one of the factors that make him cool. I was surprised why they threw that in there, it doesn't serve much purpose. Also the armor menus were a little confusing to navigate, it took me a decent amount of time to get used to unlike the first.

Both were great fun to platinum with this one being less tedious but taking more time. After finishing both of these games I can confidently say that imo Kratos is the greatest video game protagonist that has ever been created.

Platinum: 163
Spoilers: A fuck tonne. Holy crap don't read this if you haven't finished it. No post game spoilers since that's special but yeah. I SPOIL THE ENDING SO DON'T READ BRUH.
God of War is a series that I have loved since I was younger. A young boy hacking and slashing through gods and doing off screen sex minigames.....
Anyways that's besides the point. It's a series I've loved forever and now we come to the sequel to the reboot that has given the franchise a new life.
Does Ragnarök stand up to the first game for me?
Let's find out!
Gameplay:
When I think of God of War, my mind always goes to the feeling of destroying enemies with insane combos and this game hits it so well. With the Levithan Axe and Blades of Chaos still in tow, Kratos feels better than ever. Both weapons have a sense of weight from heavy to light respectively. The combos feel better than ever, you can easily sling from one weapon combo to the next and with the skill tree, you're really able to have so much fun with the variety.
Of course, the third weapon of the game is the Spear and god do I love the spear. It's exactly what was needed to really bring out the rest of this games potential in terms of how the combat feels. Also a ring that turns into infinite spears is fucking awesome?!
Not only is Kratos a badass in this but we get to play as our BOY. Our Atreus. I was not expecting to play as him and all of his segments were fantastic. They not only breathed new story into the game but his combat didn't feel like a letdown like so many other side characters this year (Looking at you Bayonetta 3)
He plays really well and I adore every part of his combat. Especially when paired alongside the numerous companions we have in the game. The game feels so much bigger in just the gameplay scope of having two main controlled characters and at least 4+ companions.
It all combines to make the gameplay really shine.
Story:
Look, I was a little hesitant at first. Kratos and Atreus though contrast to the first reboot, it still felt like the start of the game was rehashing the events similar to it's predacessor. It felt TOO the same. However it quickly changes all of that and ultimately does just a representation of the changes the world has gone through and showing you just how much we fucked up in the first game killing Baldur.
Overall, I adore the plot. I love every character to bits. I fell in love with Thor and Odin more than I ever thought I would. They are two of the biggest highlights of the game. Which made the story so much more striking when facing the "enemies" of our adventure.
Ragnarök as a game has a lot more wide spread scope. It isn't as focused on blood relationships as the first. It's a story about found family, not having to chain yourself to the blood of your actual family.
It's a really beautiful underling tale in this game. Literal dinner table family moments galore and I think that makes the wide spread scope still feel localised to our band of misfit gods and dwarves.
The only one problem I found myself having was the lacklustre feeling of the ending. However the post game content changed all of that and also gave me time to reflect.
PLAY. THE. POST. GAME.
Do it. If you're reading this and you've beaten Odin. Play the post game. Ragnarök has a fantastic end game content that changes every single thought I had and adds so much more.
The first credits ain't the last 😉
Side notes:
This games music is insanely good. I honestly can't believe how good it is. There are some bangers, emotional set pieces and Hozier slaps out a final song that I listen to on repeat already.
Another point I'd like to make is how damn good all the actors are. The performence in this game is the best I have ever seen. I have never seen media this good. The mocap and the voice acting make for some of the most human and gut wrenching scenes I've ever watched.
Christoper Judge (Kratos) especially. His scenes where Atreus goes to Asgard for the first time and stares at the bag on the bed is THE scene for me.
As well as his reaction to when he realises at the end that Faye knew he'd win at Ragnarök.
ALSO did I mention Odin?!
Fuck. Talk about a villian who doesn't seem threating due to his low soft tone. He is the most intimidating bastard ever. He is someone you trust and then slits your throat ( 🙁 )
Overall thoughts:
I had a lost of issues with the game at first but doing the post game, it all clarified for me and left me feeling that every single ounce of this game is done perfectly and in so many fantastic ways.
I loved all 41 hours of this game and I god hope we get DLC. The post game leaves so much open and it's the only parts I won't spoil as they are vital.