God of War Ragnarok: Finding the Perfect Difficulty for Your Viking Saga

Choosing the right difficulty setting in God of War Ragnarok is crucial for maximizing your enjoyment of this epic adventure. The optimal difficulty will depend entirely on your personal gaming preferences, your familiarity with action RPGs, and what you hope to get out of the experience. For most players seeking a balanced and engaging playthrough, “Give Me Balance” is the recommended starting point. This mode provides a fair challenge that encourages strategic combat without being overly punishing.

Tailoring Your Ragnarok Experience: Finding the Right Challenge

The beauty of God of War Ragnarok lies in its accessibility. Santa Monica Studio has designed the game to cater to a wide range of players, from seasoned veterans to newcomers to the franchise. Before diving into the specifics, it’s worth considering these key questions:

• What kind of gaming experience are you looking for? Do you want a relaxed, story-focused adventure, or a demanding test of your combat skills?
• How familiar are you with action RPGs and the God of War combat system? Have you played the 2018 God of War or similar titles?
• How much time are you willing to dedicate to mastering the combat mechanics? Are you prepared to die repeatedly while learning enemy patterns?

Once you have a clear understanding of your own preferences and skill level, you can make an informed decision about which difficulty mode is right for you. Let’s break down the options:

God of War Ragnarok Difficulty Options: A Detailed Breakdown

• Give Me Story: This mode is perfect for players who are primarily interested in experiencing the narrative and exploring the world of Ragnarok without being bogged down by challenging combat. Enemies are significantly weaker, allowing you to focus on the story, puzzles, and exploration. If you are new to gaming or want to immerse yourself in the lore without a steep learning curve, this is an excellent choice. This difficulty allows you to progress through the game quickly and enjoy the epic story.

• Give Me Grace: A step up from “Give Me Story,” this mode offers a slightly more engaging combat experience while still prioritizing accessibility. Enemies pose a bit more of a threat, but they are still manageable for players who are new to the combat system. This is a good option for those who want a taste of the game’s combat mechanics but don’t want to be overwhelmed. You’ll be challenged enough to learn the basics, but without the frustration of constant defeats.

• Give Me Balance: As mentioned earlier, this is the default difficulty and the one recommended for most players. It provides a balanced challenge that requires you to learn the combat system, utilize different weapons and abilities, and strategize your approach to battles. This mode encourages experimentation with different builds and combat styles, allowing you to find what works best for you. Expect to die a few times, especially during boss fights, but also expect to feel a sense of accomplishment as you overcome these challenges.

• Give Me No Mercy: This is the game’s hard mode, designed for players with strong combat skills and a deep understanding of the God of War mechanics. Timing parries and dodges becomes crucial, and enemies are much more aggressive and deal significantly more damage. Boss battles are particularly challenging, as they no longer feature checkpoints. This means that if you die during a boss fight, you must start from the very beginning. If you thrive on a demanding challenge and are confident in your abilities, this is the mode for you.

• Give Me God of War: This is the ultimate difficulty, designed for the most hardcore players. It’s even more challenging than “Give Me No Mercy,” with enemies that are incredibly aggressive, deal massive damage, and have increased health. This mode requires a mastery of the combat system, a deep understanding of enemy patterns, and a willingness to experiment with different builds and strategies. It is recommended to play this mode on New Game Plus after completing the game at least once.

Performance vs. Quality: Visual Fidelity and Gameplay Smoothness

Beyond the difficulty setting, another important consideration is whether to prioritize performance or quality in the game’s visual settings. “Favor Performance” mode is often recommended, especially for those with standard PS4 consoles, as it prioritizes a smoother frame rate for a more responsive gameplay experience. If you have a PS5 and a compatible display, you might consider the quality modes for enhanced visual fidelity. Experimenting with these settings can significantly impact your overall enjoyment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About God of War Ragnarok Difficulty

1. Can I change the difficulty during the game?

Yes, you can change the difficulty at any time, except for “Give Me God of War”, which is locked once you select it at the start of a new game. This flexibility allows you to adjust the challenge to your liking as you progress through the story.

2. Does the difficulty affect the story or the ending?

No, the difficulty setting does not affect the story or the ending of God of War Ragnarok. You will experience the same narrative regardless of which difficulty you choose.

3. Does difficulty affect the trophies I can earn?

No, difficulty does not impede your ability to earn Trophies, and you can earn the Platinum Trophy on the lowest difficulty setting.

4. I’m a beginner to action games. Which difficulty should I choose?

“Give Me Story” or “Give Me Grace” are excellent choices for beginners. These modes will allow you to focus on learning the combat system and exploring the world without being overwhelmed by challenging enemies.

5. I’ve played God of War (2018). Should I start on a higher difficulty?

If you’re familiar with the 2018 God of War’s combat system, you might consider starting on “Give Me Balance.” You can always adjust the difficulty if you find it too easy or too difficult.

6. What level should I be at for certain parts of the game?

While there’s no strict level requirement, it’s generally recommended that Kratos should be at least level 8 (level 7 on lower difficulties) for some of the later tasks. Focus on completing side quests and upgrading your gear to stay ahead of the curve.

7. What are some tips for making the game easier?

If you’re struggling, consider exploring the Accessibility options in the settings menu. You can adjust various combat, navigation, and puzzle settings to reduce the difficulty. Completing Labors, Undergoing The Various Challenges Of Surtr’s Gauntlet, Unlock Every Nornir Chest Found, Always Look For The Best Armor And Upgrade It can help you get stronger.

8. Is combat better in God of War Ragnarok than the previous game?

While God of War Ragnarok improves upon the combat system of its 2018 predecessor, one may find some changes less engaging. The game expands Kratos’ suite of powers and moves, letting the Ghost of Sparta grapple around the battlefield and enhance his weapons with elemental energy.

9. What are the best ways to get stronger in God of War Ragnarok?

Complete side quests, upgrade your gear, and unlock new skills and abilities. Experiment with different builds and combat styles to find what works best for you. Consider visiting the Games Learning Society to learn more about strategies and tips.

10. Is it worth playing God of War Ragnarok after beating the main story?

Absolutely! God of War Ragnarok’s post-game features an array of new objectives, including challenging optional bosses and hidden areas to explore. It follows Kratos, Freya, and Mimir on their journey through the Nine Realms after the events of Ragnarok.

11. Who is the hardest boss in God of War Ragnarok?

Gna, The Valkyrie Queen presents possibly the hardest challenge in God of War: Ragnarok and players will need to bring their a-game to this boss battle, considering it is only unlocked after the main game’s story.

12. What is the hardest part of the game?

Many players find the Valkyrie Queen, Gna, to be the most challenging encounter in the game due to her complex attack patterns and high damage output.

13. What are Nornir Chests?

Nornir Chests are special chests that require you to solve a puzzle to open them. Opening these chests rewards you with items that increase your maximum health or rage.

14. Should I play God of War (2018) before playing Ragnarok?

While not essential, playing God of War (2018) is highly recommended. It will provide valuable context for the story and characters in Ragnarok.

15. Why is the combat in God of War Ragnarok considered “bad” by some?

Some players feel that the lack of a dedicated skill tree for shield and barehanded attacks, coupled with the game’s emphasis on shield strikes, makes the combat less engaging. However, this is a matter of personal preference.

Ultimately, the best difficulty setting for God of War Ragnarok is the one that allows you to enjoy the game to its fullest. Don’t be afraid to experiment and adjust the difficulty as needed to find the perfect balance of challenge and enjoyment. Happy gaming!

Check out the work being done with gaming over at the Games Learning Society website to learn more about how games affect our lives!