“God of War Ragnarok” is an epic action-adventure game from Santa Monica Studio serving as a sequel to the critically acclaimed 2018 God of War. Released in 2022, Ragnarok takes players through a riveting journey that blends Norse mythology with heart-pounding action, intense battles and emotional storytelling. This time Kratos and Atreus are caught in the middle of Ragnarok, the end of days according to Norse mythology and must confront gods, monsters and their own past.
With rich visuals, complex gameplay and immersive world-building, God of War Ragnarok has been hailed as one of the best games of its generation. In this guide, we will cover essential tips, strategies and updates for 2024, helping you master the game whether you’re a beginner or a veteran of the franchise.
1. Combat Tips to Conquer Your Foes
God of War Ragnarok is known for its challenging combat mechanics. To succeed, you must master various techniques and utilize Kratos’ abilities wisely.
a. Master Weapon Switching
Kratos wields two primary weapons in God of War Ragnarok the Leviathan Axe and the Blades of Chaos. Each weapon has unique strengths. The axe is perfect for long-range attacks and freezing enemies, while the Blades of Chaos excel in close range crowd-control combat. Quick weapon switching is essential to adapt to different enemies and situations. For instance, I found that using the axe to keep distant enemies at bay and then switching to the Blades of Chaos when surrounded gave me an edge in intense battles.
b. Utilize Atreus’ Abilities
Atreus is more than just a companion his bow and summoning abilities can provide critical support in battles. Make sure to upgrade his abilities as they become available. His magical summons, such as the wolves or ravens can quickly turn the tide of battle. In one of my more difficult encounters with Draugr, Atreus’ summons distracted the enemies long enough for me to regroup and land heavy blows.
c. Dodge, Parry, and Block Wisely
Learning how to dodge, parry and block at the right time is crucial in God of War Ragnarok. Not every attack can be blocked or parried, so it’s important to recognize enemy attack patterns. For instance red attacks are unblockable and should be dodged, while yellow attacks can be parried for a counterattack opportunity. Practicing this in early-game encounters will save you from frustration during boss fights.
2. Exploring the Nine Realms
Exploration in God of War Ragnarok is just as important as combat. The game’s world is filled with secrets, treasures and hidden areas that can enhance your gameplay experience.
a. Investigate Every Nook and Cranny
Every realm in God of War Ragnarok has hidden treasures, lore markers and collectibles. Don’t rush through the main story take time to explore side areas. This not only helps in gathering resources for upgrades but also unlocks additional content, such as side quests and hidden lore. I once stumbled upon a hidden side quest in Vanaheim that rewarded me with a powerful armor set after defeating a secret boss.
b. Solve Environmental Puzzles
Puzzles in Ragnarok are often linked to environmental elements. Whether it’s freezing water with the Leviathan Axe or burning obstacles with the Blades of Chaos, solving these puzzles rewards you with valuable resources or lore. Pay attention to your surroundings and experiment with your weapons to uncover hidden pathways.
3. Character and Gear Customization
In God of War Ragnarok, character customization goes beyond just upgrading your weapons. It’s about building Kratos into the type of warrior you want him to be.
a. Prioritize Armor Upgrades
Each armor set offers different bonuses, such as increased strength, defense or cooldown reduction for abilities. Choose an armor set that suits your playstyle. If you prefer aggressive combat focus on armor that boosts strength and runic attacks. On the other hand, if you find yourself taking a lot of damage, prioritize defense and vitality stats. I personally went for a cooldown-reducing armor set to spam powerful runic attacks during tough boss fights.
b. Upgrade and Customize Runic Attacks
Runic attacks are powerful abilities that can turn the tide of any battle. Make sure to upgrade both light and heavy runic attacks for each weapon. Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for each scenario. For instance, I found that using a light runic attack that freezes enemies followed by a heavy fire attack creates a devastating combo that exploits elemental weaknesses.
c. Choose Your Enchantments Wisely
Enchantments provide additional bonuses to Kratos’ stats. While it may be tempting to boost your overall strength, don’t overlook enchantments that reduce cooldowns or increase luck. Higher luck can lead to more frequent health or rage drops during combat, which can be life saving in difficult fights.
4. Updates and What’s New in 2024
Since its release, God of War Ragnarok has continued to receive updates, patches and new content to enhance the experience.
a. New Game Mode
One of the most exciting additions in 2024 is the New Game mode. This allows players to replay the game with all their previously unlocked gear and abilities, but with increased difficulty. New Game also introduces new armor sets and enemies, providing even seasoned players with a fresh challenge.
b. Performance Enhancements
In 2024, several updates have been rolled out to optimize performance on both the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, including improved frame rates, faster loading times and enhanced graphics. If you’re playing on a PS5, you’ll notice crisper visuals and more fluid gameplay making the world of God of War Ragnarok even more immersive.
5. Personal Anecdote: Overcoming a Tough Boss Battle
In my journey through God of War Ragnarok, I encountered the boss Thor early in the game, which was one of the most memorable battles for me. At first, I struggled to keep up with his lightning-fast attacks and devastating hammer blows. After a few failed attempts, I realized that I was focusing too much on offense and not enough on dodging his unblockable attacks. I switched my strategy to a more defensive one, relying on parries and well-timed dodges to counterattack. When I finally defeated Thor after several intense tries, it felt like a major achievement and reminded me of the satisfaction that comes from mastering the game’s mechanics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How do I get better at combat in God of War Ragnarok?
Focus on mastering parries, dodging and switching between weapons mid-combat. Learn enemy patterns, upgrade your gear and use Atreus’ abilities strategically.
Q2: What’s the best armor set in the game?
The best armor depends on your playstyle. For strength focused players the Berserker set is a great choice. If you want a balance of strength and defense, the Steinbjorn set is highly recommended.
Q3: How do I upgrade weapons in God of War Ragnarok?
Visit Brok and Sindri’s shops to upgrade your weapons using resources like Hacksilver, Frozen Flame and Chaos Flame, which are earned through exploration and boss fights.
Q4: What’s new in the 2024 updates?
New Game mode, new armor sets, performance improvements, and additional bug fixes have been added in 2024 to enhance the gameplay experience.
Q5: How do I find secret areas and side quests?
Explore each realm thoroughly. Look for hidden pathways, solve puzzles and pay attention to conversations between Kratos and Atreus, as they often hint at side quests and secrets.
Conclusion
God of War Ragnarok is not just a game, but a journey filled with intense battles, deep storytelling and endless exploration. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned player following these tips and strategies will enhance your experience and help you fully enjoy what the game has to offer.