God of War Ragnarok: The Ultimate Playthrough Guide
The best option for God of War Ragnarok boils down to a combination of factors, largely determined by your personal preferences and gaming setup. For the PlayStation 5, the Favor Performance mode is generally considered the sweet spot. It prioritizes a higher and more stable framerate (targeting 60fps), which leads to smoother combat and a more responsive feel. While the Favor Resolution mode offers enhanced visual fidelity, the drop in framerate can significantly impact the overall gameplay experience, especially in a fast-paced action title like Ragnarok. However, even this best option is flexible and can be tailored based on difficulty, gear, or desired ending. This guide will unpack all you need to know, so you can be prepared for anything Midgard and beyond throw your way.
Diving Deep: Optimizing Your God of War Ragnarok Experience
God of War Ragnarok isn’t just a game; it’s an epic journey filled with brutal combat, compelling characters, and breathtaking environments. To truly immerse yourself in this world, you need to make informed decisions about your gameplay settings, character build, and post-game activities.
Graphics Modes on PS5: Performance vs. Resolution
The eternal debate: framerate or resolution? On the PS5, God of War Ragnarok presents two primary graphics modes:
- Favor Performance: This mode targets a smooth 60 frames per second (fps). To achieve this, the game dynamically adjusts the resolution, sometimes dropping it to 1080p, but generally aiming for a dynamic 1440p to 2160p. This mode is ideal for players who prioritize responsiveness and fluid combat.
- Favor Resolution: This mode aims for the highest possible visual fidelity, typically targeting a resolution around 4K. However, to achieve this, the framerate is capped at 30fps. This mode is best for players who value visual clarity and detail over responsiveness.
Many also sing the praises of a 40fps mode, which can be a perfect balance between resolution and performance. If your display supports it, it’s well worth exploring.
Consider this: A higher framerate can significantly impact your combat performance. Smoother animations make it easier to react to enemy attacks and execute precise combos. Unless you’re primarily interested in taking screenshots, the Favor Performance mode (or the 40fps, if your display supports it) is usually the better choice.
Building the Ultimate Kratos: Stats, Armor, and Skills
Kratos is a force to be reckoned with, but his effectiveness depends on how you build him. Here’s what you need to know:
- Stats: The most crucial stats to focus on early in the game are Strength, Luck, and Runic. Strength directly increases your damage output, Luck improves your chances of activating perks and finding more resources, and Runic enhances the power of your Runic Attacks.
- Armor: The Steinbjorn set is widely regarded as one of the best armor sets in the game, obtainable by finding slumber stones from sleeping Trolls. Other strong contenders include the Gullveig Embattled set and Lunda’s Lost Armor. Choose an armor set that complements your playstyle.
- Skills: Focus on unlocking skills that enhance your combat versatility. Serpent’s Snare, Permafrost, and Blazing Explosion are all excellent early-game skills to prioritize. The skill tree in God of War Ragnarok is fairly flexible, so find what is the best option for you to match your play style.
Mastering Combat: Skills and Weapons
God of War Ragnarok’s combat system is both visceral and strategic. Mastering your skills and weapons is essential for surviving the tougher encounters.
- Weapons: Experiment with both the Leviathan Axe and the Blades of Chaos to find the weapon that best suits your playstyle. Each weapon has its own unique moveset and strengths.
- Skills: Utilize skills that improve your ability to control the battlefield, such as those that allow you to grapple enemies or interrupt their attacks.
- Elemental Energy: Use both Ice and Fire to amplify damage and provide further debuffs to the enemies in the game.
- Pommel: The Pommels of Agile Deceit give a balance between Strength and Vitality.
Exploring the Post-Game: Beyond Ragnarok
The story doesn’t end with Ragnarok. The post-game content offers a wealth of opportunities to continue your adventure.
- Favors: Complete any remaining Favor side quests. These quests often lead to valuable rewards and provide more insight into the game’s world and characters.
- Collectibles: Track down any missing lore and artifact collectibles. These items provide additional context to the story and can unlock powerful upgrades.
- Realm Completion: Aim for 100% completion across all realms. This will unlock the best upgrades and armor pieces available in the game.
- Secret Ending: Trigger the secret ending by returning to Sindri’s House after the final battle and completing “A Viking Funeral”.
God of War Ragnarok: FAQs
1. What is the best difficulty to play God of War Ragnarok on?
The best difficulty depends on your experience with action games. If you’re new to the genre, “Give Me a Story” or “Give Me a Balanced Experience” are good starting points. Experienced players may prefer “Give Me a Challenge” or “Give Me God of War”.
2. Is Luck a worthwhile stat to invest in?
Yes, Luck is definitely worth investing in. It increases your chances of activating perks and finding more Hacksilver and XP.
3. Does completing all realms to 100% unlock anything special?
While there’s no specific bonus reward for 100% completion across all realms, doing so is essential for acquiring the best gear and upgrades in the game.
4. How many endings does God of War Ragnarok have?
God of War Ragnarok has one primary ending with a proper “cutscene” and several epilogues that provide additional closure to the story.
5. What should I do after completing the main story?
After completing the main story, you can explore the realms, complete side quests, collect lore, and unlock any remaining upgrades.
6. Is combat improved in God of War Ragnarok compared to the previous game?
Yes, God of War Ragnarok expands upon the combat system of its predecessor, offering more versatility and options for engaging enemies.
7. What are some of the best early-game skills to unlock?
Some of the best early-game skills to unlock include Serpent’s Snare, Permafrost, Blazing Explosion, and Chaotic Rampage.
8. What’s the difference between the Quality and Performance graphics modes?
The Quality mode prioritizes resolution and visual fidelity, while the Performance mode prioritizes framerate and responsiveness.
9. Which PS5 graphics setting is generally recommended?
The Favor Performance mode (60fps) is generally recommended for its smoother gameplay. If your display supports it, the 40fps mode offers a good balance of visuals and performance.
10. Can I continue playing after reaching the end of the story?
Yes, after completing the main story, you can continue to explore the realms and complete any remaining quests.
11. Is there a secret ending in God of War Ragnarok?
Yes, there is a secret ending that can be triggered by returning to Sindri’s House and completing the “A Viking Funeral” Favor.
12. Will Kratos’s story continue after Ragnarok?
God of War Ragnarok brought the Norse Saga to a close, Kratos story is open for continuation, and a sequel remains a real possibility.
13. How many hours does it take to complete God of War Ragnarok?
Completing the main story takes around 25-30 hours, while achieving 100% completion can take 55-60 hours or more.
14. Do I need to play the previous God of War games to understand Ragnarok?
While not essential, playing the previous God of War games, especially the 2018 title, will enhance your understanding and appreciation of the story and characters in Ragnarok.
15. Where does Atreus go after Ragnarok?
Atreus embarks on a journey to find other giants across the Nine Realms.
By understanding these options and tailoring your playthrough to your preferences, you can ensure an unforgettable journey through the world of God of War Ragnarok. Learning about this game can also teach you about the application of game mechanics in education. Learn more at the Games Learning Society website.
Ultimately, the “best” option is what provides you with the most engaging and enjoyable experience. Experiment, explore, and find what works best for you. God of War Ragnarok is an amazing gaming experience, offering something for everyone.