Is It Worth It to 100% God of War Ragnarok? A Deep Dive
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Absolutely, yes. 100% completing God of War Ragnarok is undeniably worth it for most players, offering a richer and more profound gaming experience. It goes beyond simply ticking off boxes; it’s about immersing yourself fully in the game’s world, lore, and combat system, unearthing hidden secrets, and ultimately, saying a proper goodbye to Kratos and Atreus’ Norse saga.
The Allure of Complete Completion
While the main story of God of War Ragnarok is captivating, aiming for 100% completion unlocks a deeper level of satisfaction. It’s like reading the director’s cut of a favorite film, revealing nuances and details that enrich the overall narrative. You’ll encounter unique boss fights, uncover hidden storylines, and master gameplay mechanics you might have otherwise overlooked.
Why Go Beyond the Credits?
Here’s a breakdown of why striving for that coveted platinum trophy or full completion percentage is a worthwhile endeavor:
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Extended Playtime & Content: Ragnarok is a massive game, but even the critical path leaves a lot unexplored. 100% completion opens up entire regions, challenges, and quests that significantly extend your playtime and provide more content to enjoy. Think of it as a bonus campaign within the main game.
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Mastering the Combat System: To conquer all challenges, you’ll need to become a true master of Kratos’ combat abilities. This involves experimenting with different weapon upgrades, runic attacks, and skill combinations, ultimately maximizing your potential in battle.
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Unlocking Powerful Gear and Upgrades: Many of the best items and upgrades in the game are locked behind side quests and optional challenges. These rewards are not just cosmetic; they can significantly impact your combat effectiveness and allow you to tackle even the toughest encounters with confidence.
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Deeper Immersion in Norse Mythology: The game is steeped in Norse lore, and 100% completion allows you to delve even deeper into this fascinating world. You’ll uncover hidden stories, learn more about the various gods and creatures, and gain a greater appreciation for the game’s rich mythology.
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A Sense of Accomplishment: There’s a unique feeling of satisfaction that comes from conquering every challenge a game throws at you. Earning that 100% completion rate provides a sense of accomplishment and demonstrates your dedication to the game.
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Confronting Gna, The Valkyrie Queen: This optional boss fight is considered one of the toughest challenges in the game. Defeating Gna requires mastery of Kratos’ abilities and provides a significant sense of accomplishment.
Potential Drawbacks
While the rewards are great, it’s essential to acknowledge the potential drawbacks.
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Time Commitment: Achieving 100% completion requires a significant time investment. Be prepared to spend dozens, or even hundreds, of hours exploring the game’s world and completing all the optional content.
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Repetitive Tasks: Some of the side quests and collectibles can become repetitive, especially if you’re not a fan of completionist activities.
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Frustrating Challenges: Some of the optional challenges can be incredibly difficult, requiring precise timing and execution. This can be frustrating for players who prefer a more casual gaming experience.
Who Should Aim for 100%?
- Completionists: If you’re someone who enjoys ticking off every box and exploring every corner of a game, then 100% completion is definitely for you.
- Hardcore Gamers: If you love a challenge and want to test your skills to the limit, then striving for 100% completion will provide ample opportunities to do so.
- Lore Enthusiasts: If you’re fascinated by Norse mythology and want to delve deeper into the game’s lore, then completing all the side quests and exploring all the regions will be incredibly rewarding.
Who Might Want to Pass?
- Casual Gamers: If you prefer a more relaxed gaming experience and don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to a single game, then you might want to focus on the main story and skip the optional content.
- Players Who Dislike Repetitive Tasks: If you find collecting items or completing repetitive side quests tedious, then you might want to avoid aiming for 100% completion.
- Players Who Get Easily Frustrated: If you get easily frustrated by difficult challenges, then you might want to avoid some of the tougher optional boss fights and challenges.
Final Verdict
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to 100% God of War Ragnarok is a personal one. However, if you’re a fan of the game and are willing to invest the time and effort, you’ll be rewarded with a richer, more immersive, and ultimately more satisfying gaming experience. Just be prepared for a long journey filled with challenging combat, engaging exploration, and a deeper dive into the world of Norse mythology.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What does 100% completion in God of War Ragnarok entail?
100% completion means finishing the main storyline and completing all side quests (Favors), collecting all artifacts, ravens, legendary chests, solving all Nornir chests, completing all realm challenges, and defeating all optional bosses, among other tasks.
2. How long does it take to 100% complete God of War Ragnarok?
The time varies significantly depending on your skill level and play style, but it generally takes between 50 to 80 hours, or even longer for some players.
3. What are some of the most challenging aspects of 100% completion?
Defeating Gna (the Valkyrie Queen), completing the Berserker Gravestones, and solving some of the more intricate puzzles can be quite challenging.
4. Are there any missable items or quests that can prevent 100% completion?
No, God of War Ragnarok does not have any missable items or quests that permanently prevent you from achieving 100% completion. You can always return to previous areas to find collectibles and complete unfinished tasks.
5. What are the best resources for finding collectibles in God of War Ragnarok?
Online guides, walkthroughs, and interactive maps are invaluable resources for locating collectibles like ravens, artifacts, and legendary chests.
6. Do I need to play God of War (2018) to understand the story in God of War Ragnarok?
While not strictly necessary, playing God of War (2018) is highly recommended. God of War Ragnarok directly continues the story and characters established in the previous game, making it a richer experience.
7. What difficulty setting is recommended for 100% completion?
You can achieve 100% completion on any difficulty setting. Choose a difficulty that suits your skill level and enjoyment. Lower difficulties may make combat easier, but higher difficulties can add a satisfying challenge.
8. Is it worth upgrading all the armor and weapons to the maximum level?
Yes, upgrading your gear is crucial for tackling the tougher challenges and boss fights. Maxed-out armor and weapons provide significant stat boosts and unlock new abilities.
9. What are some of the best skills to unlock for Kratos and Atreus?
Prioritize skills that enhance your preferred combat style. For Kratos, focus on skills that improve weapon damage and runic attacks. For Atreus, focus on skills that enhance his ranged attacks and support abilities.
10. How important is exploration in achieving 100% completion?
Exploration is essential. Many collectibles, side quests, and hidden areas are only accessible through thorough exploration of each realm.
11. Are there any post-game activities after completing the main story?
Yes, several post-game activities, including completing side quests, defeating optional bosses, and exploring new areas that unlock after the main story. These are crucial for 100% completion.
12. What’s the significance of the Nornir Chests?
Nornir Chests contain valuable upgrades that increase your maximum health and rage. Solving the puzzles to open these chests is crucial for improving Kratos’ survivability.
13. Where can I learn more about the lore and mythology of God of War Ragnarok?
The game itself provides extensive lore through dialogue, environmental storytelling, and collectible artifacts. Additionally, online resources and communities dedicated to Norse mythology can offer further insights. You might also enjoy resources from the Games Learning Society, found at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, that explore the educational aspects of video games.
14. Does 100% completion unlock any special rewards or cutscenes?
While 100% completion doesn’t unlock any major new cutscenes, it does allow you to experience all the game has to offer, including powerful gear and a sense of accomplishment. The satisfaction of fully exploring the world and mastering the combat is a reward in itself.
15. Is there a New Game Plus mode in God of War Ragnarok?
Yes, God of War Ragnarok features a New Game Plus mode that allows you to replay the game with all your gear and abilities from your previous playthrough, offering new challenges and rewards. This is a great way to further extend your playtime and refine your skills.