God of War Ragnarok is one of the most-anticipated games of the year, and players are itching to see the narrative of Kratos and Atreus continue with more epic, Norse action. Here’s everything we know about GoW Ragnarok, from its gameplay to where the story could go.
For the better part of a whole year, the only information fans had about the sequel to God of War (2018) was a blue circle covered in Norse runes. While it was nice to know that God of War Ragnarok was real and in development, many PlayStation owners had been craving something more substantial.
Things changed when, back in September of 2021, the PlayStation Showcase gave avid players a brief glimpse of the end of all days.
If you’re wondering when God of War Ragnarok will finally hit our screens, here’s everything you need to know.
Contents
- God of War Ragnarok release date
- God of War Ragnarok platforms
- God of War Ragnarok preload date & file size
- God of War Ragnarok trailers
- God of War Ragnarok story details
- God of War Ragnarok gameplay details
- God of War Ragnarok Collector’s Edition and Pre-Orders
God of War Ragnarok release date
God of War Ragnarok will release on November 9, 2022.
The news will come as a relief to many fans of the series, including Xbox CEO Phil Spencer as well it seems, who were concerned that the game would face further delays. You can check out the official announcement on Twitter below:
God of War Ragnarök launches on PS4 & PS5 November 9, 2022.
More info from Santa Monica Studio: https://t.co/GUmUZUl5NO pic.twitter.com/jMbTswDp4j
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) July 6, 2022
God of War Ragnarok platforms
Ragnarok will remain a PlayStation exclusive, and will therefore only be available on PlayStation 4 and 5.
However, with Sony eventually opting to release the 2018 version on PC, we may see the next chapter in this ancient tale drop on PC in the future as Sony has been making more and more exclusives available to PC owners.
God of War Ragnarok preload date & file size
By pre-ordering God of War Ragnarok digitally, players are able to preload the title in order to access it right away. Given the game’s file size, this helps ensure those with slower download speeds aren’t left waiting days after launch before they can play.
Ragnarok is confirmed to be a 90.6GB download on the PlayStation 4, though its PlayStation 5 size is yet to be revealed. Players can begin the preload from Wednesday, November 2, allowing a full week in which to prepare.
God of War Ragnarok trailers
As we can see from the PlayStation Showcase trailer below, Atreus has also grown since we last saw him and looks to be a much more formidable warrior.
Setting out to rescue Tyr, the God that placed his hand in the mouth of Fenrir, it seems as if they’ll face some fearsome foes on the way.
Check out the God of War Ragnarok release date trailer below:
God of War Ragnarok story details
According to the official God of War Ragnarok website, Fimbulwinter is already “well underway” by the time Ragnarok begins.
Additionally, the story will see Kratos and Atreus travel the Nine Realms of Norse Mythology “in search of answers as Asgardian forces prepare for a prophesied battle that will end the world.”
As for Atreus’ part in this quest, the website teased that he’s seeking knowledge to help him better understand “the prophecy of ‘Loki'” seen at the end of God of War 2018, which will “establish his role in Rangarok.”
As for Kratos, the gruff warrior will have to decide if he clings to his gruesome past and “the fear of repeating his mistakes” or break the shackles to be “the father Atreus needs.”
Where God of War 2018 saw Kratos growing closer to Atreus through their adventure, it seems Ragnarok will test the bond the two finally developed over time.
The website’s story blurb closes by saying the threat of Ragnarok is growing closer and that the father and son will have to “choose between their own safety and the safety of the realms.”
It looks like a portion of the protagonist’s quest will be to rescue the Norse God of War, Tyr. It will be interesting to see how the developers handle this from a lore perspective. After all, Kratos became his counterpart after killing Ares in the original God of War game.
We also caught another glimpse of Thor who will be voiced by Ryan Hearst, AKA Opie from Sons of Anarchy.
The most recent snippets of the story actually came from Sony themselves who updated the game’s page on the official PlayStation website, offering more details via the synopsis.
“Kratos and Atreus must journey to each of the Nine Realms in search of answers as Asgardian forces prepare for a prophesied battle that will end the world.”
Norse Myth’s realms include Alfheim, Asgard, Helheim, Jotunheim, Midgard, Muspelheim, Niflheim, Svartalfheim, and Vanaheim.
During their journey in God of War (2018), the father and son duo visits every realm except for Asgard (home to the Norse Gods), Svartalfheim (Dwarven realm), and Vanaheim (home to the Vanir Gods).
While not yet official, it appears Ragnarok’s story will run for roughly 20 hours, according to industry insider Tom Henderson. Approximately three and a half hours of that will be cinematic scenes. In total, however, the full experience is set to last roughly 40 hours with all side quests and additional content factored in, according to the report.
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God of War Ragnarok gameplay details
Much like 2018’s God of War reveal, the footage started with a short but epic gameplay trailer that confirmed multiple things.
Both Kratos and his son, Atreus, will return, with gameplay appearing similar to their 2018 outing, although both characters are using a variety of new skills, powers, and weapons.
Throughout Ragnarok, players can expect to visit all nine realms, as opposed to just the six featured in the previous title. Midgard, Alfheim, Muspelheim, Niflheim, Helheim, and Jotunheim will all be returning in some capacity, with Vanaheim, Svartalfheim, and Asgard now set to join the mix.
Exactly how vast each realm will be, remains to be seen. Though it’s safe to expect the returning locations will be opening new areas to keep things fresh.
Finally, the website confirms that the Leviathan Axe, Guardian Shield, and Blades of Chaos return from God of War 2018.
Both Kratos and Atreus will have new abilities in Ragnarok, with players even having access to a range of ‘Weapon Signature Moves,’ as Game Informer revealed. In God of War 2018, the Triangle input simply recalled the Leviathan Axe or swapped weapon. Now, the button is key to a “whole suite of new moves,” devs explained.
These particular attacks are infused with ice or fire. For instance, abilities called ‘Frost Awaken’ and ‘Whiplash’ “do extra damage by freezing or incinerating aggressors.”
We now know that God of War Ragnarok will offer four distinct graphic modes at launch, with some pretty powerful options included, thanks to outlet Press Start.
First, there’s the “Favor Resolution” mode which runs at 4K resolution with a locked 30 FPS. Then there’s “Favor Performance” which instead runs at a locked 60 FPS.
The next two options are only possible for those with HDMI 2.1 cables and compatible devices. The “Favor Resolution (High Frame Rate On)” option will run at 4K resolution at a locked 40 FPS.
Finally, the “Favor Performance (High Frame Rate On)” will target 120 FPS, which enters Ragnarok into the small list of PS5 titles that can run at 120 FPS.
God of War Ragnarok Collector’s Edition and Pre-Orders
The studio held an official unboxing event for God of War Ragnarok’s three separate editions featuring Thor actor Ryan Hurst, along with Santa Monica Studio’s Art Director Rafael Grassetti.
The Launch Edition, is the basic version of God of War Ragnarok, but comes bundled with codes for players to download the Kratos Risen Snow Armor and the Atreus Risen Snow Tunic items. Those who buy the PS4 edition can upgrade to the PS5 version for $10.
The Digital Deluxe Edition contains the full game along with a selection of in-game items that would normally be unlocked by playing through the game’s story.
This includes:
- Kratos Darkdale Armor
- Atreus Darkdale Attire
- Darkdale Blade Handles
- Darkdale Axe Grip
- Official God of War Ragnarök Digital Soundtrack
- Dark Horse Digital Mini Artbook
- PlayStation Avatar set and a PS4 theme
God of War Collector’s and Jötnar Edition
The next version is the Collector’s Edition which contains even more than the others. It includes all the contents from the Digital Deluxe Edition. It also includes a rather nice ornate container themed around the Knowledge Keeper’s Shrine.
The Collector’s Edition will contain a voucher code to download the game on PS4 and PS5, along with a steelbook display case, two 2-inch Vanir Twins Carvings, a set of Dwarven Dice, and a 16-inch Mjölnir replica.
Finally, there’s the Jötnar edition which includes everything listed above, along with:
- 7-Inch Vinyl Record with music by Bear McCreary
- The Falcon, Bear, and Wolf Pin Set – Representing Faye, Kratos, and Atreus respectively, this pin set symbolizes our heroes’ family.
- The Legendary Draupnir Ring
- Yggdrasil Cloth Map – This cloth map shows each of the Nine Realms within the branches and roots of Yggdrasil.
Remember, this version and the Collector’s Edition do not feature a physical copy of the game, just a code to download both versions.
Pre-Order Info
You can pre-order God of War: Ragnarok at the links below:
UK
US
- Gamestop – Standard
- Gamestop – Jotnar Edition
- Gamestop – Collector’s Edition
- Amazon US
- Best Buy – Standard
- Best Buy – Jotnar Edition
- Best Buy – Collector’s Edition
You can watch the unboxing event for God of War Ragnarok below:
So that’s everything we know about God of War Ragnarok, and how it will play out for Kratos and Atreus.
If you can’t wait until then, though, check out a few of our other new release hubs for other big upcoming titles:
The Elder Scrolls 6 | GTA 6 | Overwatch 2 | Assassin’s Creed Infinity | Wolverine | Spider-Man 2 | Forspoken | KOTR Remake | Wonder Woman | DokeV | FFXVI | Avatar Frontiers of Pandora | Sonic Frontiers | Dragon Age 4 | Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild sequel | The Witcher 3 next-gen patch | The Last of Us Part 1 Remake
