Is 100% Completion of God of War Ragnarök Worth It? A Deep Dive
Absolutely, yes! Achieving 100% completion in God of War Ragnarök is an immensely rewarding experience for several compelling reasons. While it demands a significant time investment, the payoff is a deeper connection to the game’s narrative, enhanced combat prowess through powerful gear, and the satisfaction of exploring every meticulously crafted corner of the Nine Realms. It’s more than just checking boxes; it’s about immersing yourself fully in the Norse saga and reaping the rewards of dedicated exploration and skillful play.
Why Strive for 100%?
The simple answer is the sheer satisfaction of experiencing everything God of War Ragnarök has to offer. However, let’s break down the tangible benefits and less obvious reasons why 100% completion is worthwhile:
- Enhanced Narrative Immersion: While the main story is captivating, the side quests (Favors) and exploration reveal deeper lore, character backstories, and world-building elements that enrich the overall narrative experience. These side stories add layers of complexity and emotional resonance that are easily missed on a standard playthrough.
- Acquisition of Powerful Gear: 100% completion leads to the acquisition of the best armor, weapons, and upgrades in the game. These aren’t just cosmetic improvements; they significantly enhance your combat abilities, allowing you to tackle even the most challenging encounters with confidence. Completing specific Favors and challenges unlocks unique gear sets that cater to different playstyles, giving you a considerable edge in battle.
- Meaningful Endgame Content: The post-Ragnarök world is not just an empty shell. It’s filled with engaging endgame content such as challenging boss fights (like the Berserkers), Draugr Holes, and the Muspelheim Crucible, all designed to test your skills and reward your dedication. These activities offer a substantial challenge and provide opportunities to further refine your combat prowess.
- Satisfying Closure: Completing all quests, collecting all items, and exploring all locations provides a sense of closure and accomplishment that a standard playthrough simply cannot offer. You’ll feel like you’ve truly mastered the game and seen everything it has to offer.
- True Mastery of Combat: To achieve 100%, you’ll need to master the game’s combat mechanics, learn enemy patterns, and strategically utilize your abilities. This process will transform you from a casual player into a skilled warrior capable of taking on any challenge. The rewards are well worth the time investment.
Addressing Potential Concerns
While the benefits are considerable, there are valid concerns to consider before embarking on a 100% completion run:
- Time Commitment: Achieving 100% completion requires a significant time investment, potentially 55-60 hours or more. This may be a barrier for players with limited free time.
- Potential for Repetition: Some aspects of completion, such as collecting all artifacts or finding all ravens, can become repetitive and potentially detract from the overall enjoyment. However, breaking up these activities with more engaging quests and challenges can mitigate this issue.
- Lack of Specific “100% Completion” Reward: While there’s no specific in-game reward or trophy explicitly for reaching 100%, the cumulative rewards of powerful gear and the satisfaction of completing the game more than compensate.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to strive for 100% completion depends on your personal preferences and priorities. If you’re a completionist, a dedicated fan of the game, or simply looking for a more challenging and rewarding experience, then 100% completion is definitely worth it. However, if you’re short on time or easily bored by repetitive tasks, then a standard playthrough may be more suitable.
FAQs: Deep Diving into Ragnarök’s Completion
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the details of striving for 100% completion in God of War Ragnarök:
1. What constitutes 100% completion in God of War Ragnarök?
100% completion typically involves completing all main story quests, all side quests (Favors), collecting all collectibles (artifacts, ravens, lore markers, etc.), fully exploring all realms, upgrading your gear to the maximum level, and defeating all optional bosses.
2. Can I achieve 100% completion after finishing the main story?
Yes! God of War Ragnarök is designed to allow players to continue exploring and completing content after the main story concludes. There are no missable quests, so you can backtrack and complete any remaining activities in the post-game.
3. How long does it take to 100% complete God of War Ragnarök?
Expect to spend around 55-60 hours or more to achieve 100% completion. This time can vary depending on your skill level, playstyle, and the difficulty setting.
4. Is there a specific reward for achieving 100% completion?
While there isn’t a specific in-game reward or trophy explicitly for reaching 100%, the cumulative rewards of powerful gear, the satisfaction of completing all content, and the overall enriched experience are significant rewards in themselves.
5. What are the most challenging aspects of 100% completion?
The most challenging aspects typically involve defeating the optional bosses like the Berserker King Hrolf Kraki, completing the Muspelheim Crucible trials, and finding all of the hidden collectibles, such as Odin’s Ravens.
6. What are some of the key side quests (Favors) that I should prioritize for completion?
Prioritize side quests that offer significant rewards, such as new armor sets, weapon upgrades, or lore expansions. Some notable examples include the quests related to freeing Týr and the Muspelheim Crucible challenges.
7. Can I explore all realms freely after completing the main story?
You can explore most realms freely after completing the main story. However, Asgard is an exception, as it is not freely explorable in the post-game. Ratatoskr will provide Yggdrasil Seeds, which grant access to previously locked realms.
8. What is the best armor set to acquire for endgame content?
The Steinbjörn armor set is often considered one of the best for its high defense and health regeneration capabilities. Other excellent options include the Lunda armor set for its poison-based effects and the Guiding Light armor for its versatile stat boosts.
9. Are there any missable collectibles in God of War Ragnarök?
No, there are no missable collectibles. You can return to any location at any time to find any remaining items.
10. What is the significance of the Muspelheim Crucible?
The Muspelheim Crucible is a series of combat challenges that test your skills and reward you with valuable resources and upgrades. Completing these challenges is essential for acquiring the best gear in the game.
11. How do I defeat the Berserkers?
The Berserkers are challenging optional bosses that require strategic planning and skillful execution. Utilize your full arsenal of abilities, exploit their weaknesses, and learn their attack patterns to emerge victorious. Upgrading your gear and mastering parrying is crucial.
12. What is the purpose of finding Odin’s Ravens?
Finding and destroying Odin’s Ravens unlocks rewards and progresses a specific Favor. Completing this Favor grants access to powerful gear and lore.
13. What is the significance of the post-credits scene?
God of War Ragnarok features a post-credits scene that expands the story and builds the foundation for future installments. Observant and thorough players will also find that the fall of Asgard isn’t quite the end of this chapter in Kratos’ story. It is worth completing all the three epilogues in God of War Ragnarok to learn more and enhance the experience of the story.
14. Is God of War Ragnarök longer than God of War (2018)?
Yes, God of War Ragnarök is generally longer than God of War (2018), both in terms of main story content and side content. A 100% playthrough of Ragnarök will likely take significantly more time than a 100% playthrough of its predecessor.
15. What is the difference between a “standard” playthrough and a 100% completion playthrough?
A standard playthrough focuses primarily on the main story, with some optional exploration and side quests. A 100% completion playthrough involves completing everything the game has to offer, including all side quests, collectibles, challenges, and optional bosses.
By answering these frequently asked questions, prospective players can get a better understanding of what 100% completion of God of War Ragnarök entails. Remember to research new armor sets, weapon upgrades, or lore expansions. Good luck!
For those interested in learning more about the intersection of games and learning, consider exploring the resources available at the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.