God of War is a series of action-adventure games that began in 2005 with the release of God of War on the PS2.
Santa Monica Studio has been behind the production of the series since the beginning. The game has had five main instalments, initially developed exclusively for PlayStation consoles.
The second-to-last title in the series, God of War (2018), broke this trend. In 2022, the game was also released on PC, and the part published the same year on PS4 and PS5 — God of War: Ragnarök — will soon be available on PC as well. The premiere is set on September 19th, 2024.
The PC release of the fifth part of Kratos’s adventures is one of the most anticipated titles of the year. If you’re planning to purchase it, you’re probably wondering if it’s better than its predecessor.
Today, we have prepared a short God of War comparison for you, focusing on the last two instalments. GoW 2018 vs Ragnarok – which one is better?
Setting, World, and Story Comparison
After the events on Olympus (from previous instalments), Kratos flees to the far north, where he soon meets his new love, Faye. The couple has a son, Atreus, but their happiness is short-lived.
Faye passes away, and a grieving Kratos promises to take her ashes to the highest peak. He is accompanied on this journey by his son.
The life of the God of War, however, can never be simple, especially as he has landed in a world ruled by Norse gods, the Aesir, giants, and other mythological creatures he must face.
God of War (2018) introduces us to an entirely new setting and a fresh world. We also encounter a somewhat transformed Kratos, who is no longer solely driven by rage; he begins to understand the consequences of his past actions, misses his wife, and despite his difficult nature and distance from his son, he tries to be a good parent.
This title is a story full of emotions, set in a world entirely different from what we’ve seen in the series so far.
God of War: Ragnarök is a sequel to the story told in the previous game. It also features epic battles and encounters with Norse gods, and we get a more profound look into the mysterious worlds of Viking mythology, which are much more numerous in Ragnarök than in the prequel.
This installment takes place a few years after the events of the previous game. The teenage Atreus is curious about his identity and connections to the Norse gods, the Aesir, and other creatures.
Additionally, the world is overshadowed by the looming Ragnarök, the great battle between gods and giants that threatens to bring about the end of the world. Kratos is determined to keep his son safe, but protecting a teenager is no easy task — especially when that teenager is… a mischievous god.
Which game has the more intriguing world and plot? While the setting is the same, Ragnarök offers a much larger world and more interesting locations to explore. However, in terms of the story, the narrative in God of War (2018) seems much more moving and engaging. The prequel also wins due to the freshness it brought to the series with its new setting.
Characters and Character Development
Since God of War: Ragnarök is a direct continuation of God of War, we once again meet the main characters from the previous installment. This is not surprising for the series, as Kratos has been the main playable character in every part. The game also continues Atreus’s story (with the difference that he is a few years older).
We also meet their companion, Mimir, and the episodic antagonist Thor, who plays a much more significant role in Ragnarök.
However, there are many new faces, especially among the previously unseen gods and Aesir, as well as the Vanir from Vanaheim and dwarves from Svartalfheim. There are also entirely new enemies and bosses, of which there are significantly more!
So, which game is better? It depends on what you prefer. The smaller number of characters (mostly limited to Kratos vs Atreus interactions) in God of War (2018) made the story more condensed and easier to remember individual NPCs. In Ragnarök, there are many more characters, resulting in a more significant number and variety of enemies and numerous storylines.
Combat, Mechanics, and Gameplay Differences
God of War introduced an entirely new combat system compared to previous installments.
The perspective, camera work, and combat style changed — hacking and slashing transformed into a more direct and complex form of combat, allowing players to block, parry, and repel enemies using a more diverse range of weapons (such as the Leviathan Axe).
God of War: Ragnarök expanded and improved these mechanics. From the very beginning, Kratos has access to the Leviathan Axe and the Blades of Chaos, which offer entirely new attacks and uses compared to the prequel. There is also a brand-new, excellent weapon — the Draupnir Spear.
Regarding exploration and interaction with the world, they are quite similar in both titles.
Graphics and Visuals
If you’re a long-time fan of the series and played the titles from 2005 to 2013 but haven’t seen the two latest instalments of God of War yet, you’ll be amazed by the improved visual effects! A brand-new camera perspective, a new look for Kratos and his legendary weapons, and an entirely new world — all are a feast for the eyes.
Both games offer magnificent graphics — the world is well-designed and detailed, looking truly stunning.
However, since Ragnarök is a game that is four years newer and was released on the next-generation console (PS5), it offers an even more enhanced visual experience compared to its predecessor on the PS4. The variety of the world is also much greater and more interesting in the newer installment.
Replayability and Endgame Content
Regarding endgame content, both games offer quite a lot. After completing the main story missions, the world in both God of War and Ragnarök still offers plenty to do: from collecting all the collectibles, battling previously avoided (too strong) enemies, to additional full-fledged quests, of which there are quite a few in Ragnarök.
Both games also offer a New Game option, allowing for a new play-through with already well-mastered characters.
Since God of War has been available on PC for two years, there are many mods for it, allowing players to extend both the endgame and a new play through.
You can, for example, complete the storyline once again, playing as Homer and Bart Simpson instead of Kratos and Atreus. Mods will undoubtedly be available for Ragnarök with its PC release.
FAQ
Do I need to play God of War (2018) before playing God of War Ragnarök?
It’s not necessary to enjoy the gameplay and world, but it’s definitely worth knowing the story from God of War (2018) to fully understand the various nuances the game offers, as well as to know more about both the main characters and the NPCs you encounter.
Are there major differences in gameplay between God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök?
The most significant difference is the new weapon available to Kratos and the improved combat mechanics in Ragnarök, which make the combat more exciting, fluid, and satisfying.
Another major difference is the number of characters and storylines, which were more condensed and focused on Kratos and Atreus in the previous installment.
How long does it take to complete each game?
God of War takes about 20–25 hours to complete, while the larger and longer God of War: Ragnarök offers around 30 hours of gameplay.
This, of course, refers to completing just the main storyline. Collecting all the artifacts, defeating all enemies, and exploring every corner of the available worlds will take significantly more time.
Can beginners enjoy God of War Ragnarök without playing the earlier games in the series?
As mentioned earlier, the game offers a great storyline, epic battles, and plenty of content that might appeal to even those who have never heard of the God of War series.
However, familiarity with at least the previous installment allows players to better understand this world. Those who have played all the series’ games will enjoy a range of references and Easter eggs.