2018's God of War is widely held up as being one of the greatest games of the last generation and perhaps even of all time. It not only has a powerful and emotional story, but it also features some brilliantly smooth and satisfying gameplay. God of War Ragnarök has some big boots to fill if it's to live up to the vast expectations set by its prequel. A recent Game Informer video, which showed off several key new pieces of gameplay, suggests Santa Monica Studio has managed to achieve this goal, at least in terms of the game's combat and level design.
The most noticeable new features shown off in the video include an arm shield for Kratos and several new weapon abilities. These new Signature Moves will add additional combat options and movesets for the iconic Blades of Chaos and Leviathan Axe. However, it's the game's improved world design that looks set to really elevate Ragnarök's combat to new heights -- literally.
Whereas 2018's God of War tends to play out in rather flat battle arenas, God of War Ragnarök has more structures, both natural and man-made, which can be climbed to add height to these combat encounters. This new verticality has the potential to be used in creative ways, opening up more options for approaching combat. For example, Kratos can use the Blades of Chaos to grapple up to higher platforms and enemies, or he can leap down and slam the Leviathan Axe on foes lurking below. Combined with Atreus' range, Kratos can tactically take down enemies in a wider variety of fun and creative ways. By mastering this vertical environment, players will be able to gain the upper hand in their fight to prevent Ragnarök.
On the other hand, adding more verticality also adds to the game's challenge and provides new obstacles for players to overcome. For example, enemies who start with the higher ground could cause problems for the pair of Gods if they aren't dealt with quickly. The player will also need to approach combat encounters more carefully, as the varying heights could hide stealthy enemies intent on catching them by surprise. Enemy movesets will also likely be expanded to match this more vertical level design. These key differences will have a profound impact on God of War Ragnarök, helping take the franchise to new heights and live up to the hype set by the 2018 game.
Finally, opening up new areas will also add to the game's sense of scale and immersion. Whereas the limited combat arenas of the 2018 game can feel a little restricting, the new level design, with its improved verticality, will add to a sense of freedom as players can explore the world further and access new areas.
Overall, the hype around God of War Ragnarök is significant, and it only increases with every new piece of information that comes out. It will be a difficult challenge for the game to live up to the expectations set by its predecessor, but from what has been shown so far, the gameplay looks like it could do just that. As the launch date of Nov. 9, 2022 edges closer, fans will be increasingly excited to see what other surprises the highly anticipated title has in store.