Why Was God of War Ragnarok Bad?
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While God of War Ragnarok received widespread critical acclaim and commercial success, a vocal segment of players found themselves disappointed, even labeling it as “bad.” The reasons for this dissatisfaction are multifaceted and delve into areas such as perceived narrative missteps, combat stagnation, and a lack of innovation compared to its predecessor. In short, Ragnarok’s issues stem from not fully embracing the ‘evolution’ it promised, resulting in a feeling of diminished impact and questionable design choices for some. It didn’t become the game changer it was supposed to be, especially following the huge success of God of War 2018. Rather, it felt like a safe, iterative approach that, while polished, failed to capture the same magic.
Narrative and Pacing Issues
One of the most significant criticisms leveled against Ragnarok is its narrative pacing and overall story direction. The game’s predecessor, God of War (2018), masterfully balanced a personal story with the broader mythology. Ragnarok, however, often feels overburdened with plot threads and character arcs, resulting in a less focused and more unwieldy narrative. Some players argue that it leans too heavily into being a “cinematic experience,” sacrificing player agency and gameplay engagement for extended cutscenes and exposition.
Too Much, Too Soon
The game introduces a plethora of characters, plot points, and prophecies at breakneck speed. While the narrative ambition is commendable, the execution can feel rushed and overwhelming. Characters appear and disappear with little impact, some crucial plot points are glossed over, and the overall sense of mystery that fueled the previous title is diminished. This excess of narrative content, rather than enhancing the story, often detracts from its emotional core. The central relationship between Kratos and Atreus, while still present, sometimes feels secondary to the larger, more chaotic events.
Over Reliance on “Cinematic” Moments
Another criticism is the overabundance of cutscenes and dialogue sequences that interrupt the flow of gameplay. While these moments aim to enrich the experience, they often come at the expense of player interaction, making the game sometimes feel more like a movie or TV show than an active gaming experience. The balance between engaging gameplay and cinematic presentation shifts too far in favor of the latter, leading to complaints of a lack of agency.
Combat Stagnation and Weak Progression
God of War (2018) was praised for its refined combat system. Ragnarok, while building upon that foundation, fails to introduce significant innovation, leading to a sense of combat stagnation. The core mechanics largely remain the same, and many players feel that the game doesn’t adequately reward experimentation or player skill.
Lack of Innovation
The combat system, while polished, feels too familiar. While there are new abilities and enemies, the core combat loop remains largely unchanged. This lack of innovation leaves players feeling as though they’re merely repeating actions from the previous game rather than experiencing a fresh and engaging combat experience. The game reuses many enemy types and animations, leading to the feeling of playing an expansion rather than a full sequel.
Barehanded Fighting Weakness
A significant point of contention is the apparent weakening of Kratos’ barehanded fighting abilities. While he can still engage in hand-to-hand combat, the lack of a dedicated upgrade path undermines what was once an exciting and viable combat option. This decision removed depth from a fighting style that many players enjoyed and added to the overall perception of a lack of evolution in the combat system.
Weak Character Progression
Many players found that the progression system felt slow and unrewarding. It requires many hours of gameplay before certain skills or upgrades become available, meaning that the gameplay doesn’t start to feel interesting until quite late into the game. The need to trudge through less engaging early-game combat to reach the more complex late-game mechanics feels like a missed opportunity.
Other Issues
Beyond narrative and combat issues, other elements of Ragnarok contribute to the overall sense of disappointment.
Lack of a Feeling of Godhood
Despite being a demigod, Kratos often feels surprisingly weak. The game explains this through the lore, where his power is diminished due to the loss of his worshippers and the destruction of his homeland. However, this explanation doesn’t always resonate with players, who expect to feel like a powerful, god-like force throughout the game. This weakened state, coupled with the game’s early difficulty, can be frustrating and detract from the power fantasy central to the franchise.
Reused Assets
The use of reused animations and assets from the previous game became a source of criticism. The opening sequence in Svartalfheim, where Kratos and Atreus use a boat, was a key example of this recycling, further fueling the perception that Ragnarok lacked originality and ambition.
Conclusion
While God of War Ragnarok is a technically impressive and polished game, it suffers from a series of issues that detract from the overall experience. The narrative overload, lack of combat innovation, and the perception of weakened progression and character power all contribute to a feeling of disappointment for some players. The game’s failure to live up to the standards set by its predecessor demonstrates that sequels need to be more than just bigger; they need to be innovative, refined and maintain their core essence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is Kratos so weak in God of War Ragnarok?
Kratos is weaker in Ragnarok because his godlike power is waning. His homeland, and therefore the source of his power, was destroyed when he completed his revenge against Zeus. The lack of worshipers also contributes to his diminishing strength.
2. What was the main controversy surrounding God of War Ragnarok?
The earliest controversy was the game’s reuse of animations and assets from the previous God of War game. This was first noted during early gameplay footage of the Svartalfheim region.
3. Why did Kratos cry in Ragnarok?
Kratos cried because he finally felt accepted and even worshiped. Instead of the fear and hatred he faced in the past, he was seen as a god worthy of respect and admiration, something he had always longed for.
4. Is Kratos evil in Ragnarok?
While not outright evil, Kratos’ actions inadvertently cause major conflicts. His choices, particularly having a child, set off a chain of events leading to the downfall of the Norse gods, making him an antagonist in the grand scheme of things.
5. Who is the main villain in God of War Ragnarok?
Odin is the main antagonist in God of War Ragnarok. He is portrayed as a cunning, cruel, and ruthless character, making him one of the most formidable villains in the franchise.
6. Who is the hardest boss in God of War Ragnarok?
Gna, the Valkyrie Queen, is considered the hardest boss in God of War Ragnarok. She presents a significant challenge and requires players to utilize all of their skills and upgrades.
7. Is God of War 1 better than Ragnarok?
While Ragnarok has superior graphics and technical advancements, God of War (2018) is considered by some to be better due to its revolutionary reimagining of the franchise. Ragnarok is an evolution of its predecessor but lacks the originality of the previous title.
8. Why was God of War Ragnarok so good?
The storytelling is Ragnarok’s strongest point. It aims to be a cinematic experience, and it delivers on that promise with mature character development for both Kratos and Atreus, who are both developing into their own individual characters.
9. Is Kratos too soft in Ragnarok?
Some argue Kratos is more emotional and less ruthless than in previous games. This is part of his character growth and arc in the Norse saga, as he tries to move away from the violence of his past.
10. Is God of War 4 better than Ragnarok?
God of War (2018) is preferred by some players due to its originality and the novelty of the new Norse setting. While Ragnarok expands on this, it doesn’t quite capture the same magic.
11. Is God of War Ragnarok the last game?
Santa Monica Studio has stated that Ragnarok is the end of the Norse saga for Kratos. However, it leaves open the possibility of future games focused on Atreus.
12. Who can defeat Kratos?
Several characters from other media are theorized to be able to defeat Kratos, including Zeno (who can erase the universe), Yhwach (who can alter the future), and even Saitama (who possesses incredible strength).
13. Does Kratos regret killing gods?
Yes, it appears that Kratos deeply regrets killing Zeus. His reluctance to discuss his past suggests feelings of remorse and guilt over his actions in the Greek era.
14. Which god betrayed Kratos?
Ares, the God of War, betrayed Kratos by tricking him into killing his family. This event serves as the catalyst for the rest of his Greek era story and his quest for revenge.
15. Was Odin Tyr the whole time?
Yes, Odin was disguised as Tyr for much of the game. The real Tyr is found after completing the main story in the Aesir Prison Wreckage.