Unveiling the Easiest Path: A Deep Dive into God of War’s “Give Me a Story” Mode

The easiest difficulty in the modern God of War games (specifically God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök) is “Give Me a Story.” This mode is designed for players who prioritize experiencing the narrative and world-building without being heavily challenged by combat. It significantly reduces enemy aggression and damage output, allowing players to focus on the characters, the environment, and the unfolding saga of Kratos and Atreus.

What to Expect from “Give Me a Story”

Give Me a Story is more than just a simple “easy mode.” It’s tailored for those who might be new to action games, unfamiliar with the God of War combat system, or simply want to enjoy the story without the frustration of repeated deaths. Here’s a breakdown of what makes it the easiest option:

• Reduced Enemy Aggression: Enemies will attack less frequently and with less ferocity. This provides more opportunities for players to learn enemy attack patterns and experiment with different combat techniques without facing constant pressure.
• Lower Damage Output: Enemy attacks deal significantly less damage to Kratos. This allows for more mistakes and a more forgiving gameplay experience. Players don’t need to be perfect in their dodges or parries to survive encounters.
• Increased Player Damage: While not explicitly stated, many players report that Kratos’ damage output seems slightly increased on this difficulty, further tipping the scales in the player’s favor. This means enemies die faster, reducing the length and difficulty of combat encounters.
• Focus on Exploration and Story: The relaxed combat environment allows players to fully immerse themselves in the game’s rich world, discover hidden areas, and appreciate the intricate details of the environment. It’s ideal for those who want to experience the narrative at their own pace.
• Accessibility: This mode makes the game accessible to a wider audience, including players who may have disabilities that make complex combat difficult. It ensures that everyone can experience the compelling story and characters of God of War.

Why Choose “Give Me a Story”?

Choosing “Give Me a Story” doesn’t mean you’re a “bad” gamer. It simply means you have different priorities. Here are some reasons why this mode might be the right choice for you:

• First Time Players: If you’re new to the God of War franchise or action games in general, this mode provides a gentle introduction to the combat system and allows you to learn the basics without being overwhelmed.
• Story Enthusiasts: If you’re primarily interested in the narrative, characters, and lore of the God of War universe, “Give Me a Story” allows you to experience these elements without the constant interruption of challenging combat.
• Relaxed Gameplay: Sometimes, you just want to unwind and enjoy a game without stress. “Give Me a Story” provides a more relaxed and forgiving gameplay experience, perfect for those looking to de-stress after a long day.
• Accessibility Needs: As mentioned earlier, this mode can be a great option for players with disabilities that make complex combat difficult. It ensures that everyone can enjoy the game, regardless of their physical abilities.
• Focus on Exploration: With less challenging combat, you’re free to explore the game world at your own pace, discovering hidden secrets and appreciating the stunning visuals without constantly worrying about being ambushed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is “Give Me a Story” Mode Too Easy?

For experienced action game players, “Give Me a Story” may indeed feel too easy. The combat encounters will be significantly less challenging, and you may find yourself breezing through areas that would be more difficult on higher difficulties. However, for the target audience – new players, story enthusiasts, and those seeking a relaxed experience – it strikes a good balance.

Can I Change the Difficulty Mid-Game?

Yes, in both God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök, you can change the difficulty setting at any point during your playthrough. This gives you the flexibility to start on “Give Me a Story” and increase the difficulty later if you find it too easy, or vice versa if you’re struggling on a higher difficulty.

Does Difficulty Affect the Story or Content?

No, the difficulty setting does not affect the story or content of the game. You’ll experience the same narrative, characters, and environments regardless of the difficulty you choose. The only difference is the level of challenge presented by the combat encounters.

Does Difficulty Affect Loot or Rewards?

Generally, the difficulty setting does not directly affect the loot or rewards you receive in the game. However, playing on a higher difficulty may indirectly affect your loot acquisition rate because you’ll be forced to engage more strategically and perhaps explore more thoroughly, which could lead to finding more hidden chests and resources. In other words, on easier difficulties, you are more likely to have increased efficiency due to not dying and needing to reload sections as often.

What’s the Difference Between “Give Me a Story” and “Give Me Grace”?

“Give Me Grace” is a difficulty option in God of War Ragnarök, but it’s not the easiest. “Give Me Grace” is intended for players who want a balanced experience but still prefer an easier challenge. It’s more challenging than “Give Me a Story,” but easier than “Balance.” “Give Me Grace” allows you to still think about strategy, without becoming too difficult.

Which Difficulty is Recommended for a First Playthrough?

For most players, the “Balance” difficulty is generally recommended for a first playthrough. It provides a moderate challenge that encourages you to learn the combat system and use different strategies, without being overly punishing. However, if you’re unsure or new to action games, starting on “Give Me a Story” is a perfectly valid option.

Is “Give Me God of War” Difficulty Really That Hard?

Yes, “Give Me God of War” is the most challenging difficulty setting in both God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök. It significantly increases enemy aggression, damage output, and health, and often requires a high level of skill and strategy to overcome. It’s intended for experienced players who are looking for a serious challenge.

Does Beating the Game on “Give Me God of War” Unlock Anything Special?

While beating the game on “Give Me God of War” can provide a sense of accomplishment, God of War Ragnarök does not award a trophy for beating this difficult game mode. However, in God of War Ragnarök, after beating the game in this mode you can find two different shields: the Radiant Shield of Unity, celebrating one of the main characters’ “experiments,” and the Aspis of Spartan Fury, which is clearly a remnant of Kratos’ past.

How Long Does It Take to Beat God of War on Easy Difficulty?

The average playthrough time for God of War (2018) on an easier difficulty, focusing primarily on the main story, is around 25 hours. This can vary depending on your playstyle and how much time you spend exploring or completing side content. God of War Ragnarök is slightly longer, averaging around 25.5 hours as it expands on the gameplay.

Is God of War Harder Than Dark Souls?

This is a subjective question, but generally speaking, “Give Me God of War” is considered harder than the Dark Souls series. While Dark Souls is known for its challenging boss fights and intricate level design, “Give Me God of War” features enemies that are incredibly aggressive and deal massive damage. While one is skill based with strategic gameplay, the other can feel overly punishing, giving the edge to God of War.

What Stats Should I Prioritize in God of War?

In God of War, it’s generally recommended to prioritize Strength, Luck, and Runic. Strength increases your damage output with melee attacks, Luck increases your chances of triggering status effects and other beneficial effects, and Runic increases the damage of your Runic attacks.

What Level Should I Be to Fight Gna in God of War Ragnarök?

Gna is a very challenging optional boss in God of War Ragnarök, and it’s highly recommended to be at level 9 before attempting to fight her. This requires fully upgrading your equipment and completing a significant amount of side content.

Do I Need to Play the Previous God of War Games Before God of War (2018)?

While playing the previous God of War games can provide additional context and appreciation for the story, it’s not strictly necessary to enjoy God of War (2018) or God of War Ragnarök. The game is designed to be accessible to new players, and the story is self-contained enough that you can understand the main events without prior knowledge.

Is God of War Ragnarök Easier or Harder Than God of War (2018)?

Generally, God of War Ragnarök is considered to be harder than God of War (2018). Ragnarök introduces new enemy types, more complex combat mechanics, and more challenging boss fights. Both games are challenging, but Ragnarök will give you a harder edge.

Is It Okay to Play God of War on Easy?

Absolutely! There’s no shame in playing God of War on easy. The most important thing is that you have fun and enjoy the game. Video games are meant to be entertaining, and if playing on easy allows you to do that, then that’s the right choice for you. Learning through fun should be an important takeaway in the industry, as it helps promote future learning opportunities with gaming, like the kind studied at Games Learning Society. For more insights into learning through gaming, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.

Ultimately, the best difficulty for you depends on your individual skill level, preferences, and goals. “Give Me a Story” is the easiest option, and it’s perfect for those who want to focus on the narrative and explore the world without being overly challenged by combat. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find the difficulty that provides the most enjoyable experience for you!