Gaming journeys often feel like epic sagas. Players crave stories that stretch across years and multiple titles. The God of War series exemplifies this storytelling tradition. Fans debate passionately about Kratos’s evolution from vengeful Spartan to a father navigating Norse myths. As new players discover God of War Ragnarok, one question keeps surfacing: Do I Need to Play God of War Before Ragnarok?
This question deserves more than a simple yes or no. God of War Ragnarok continues Kratos and Atreus’s journey, brimming with emotional depth and consequences stemming from previous events. Yet the game also strives to welcome newcomers who may have skipped the 2018 installment. In this blog, we’ll examine the narrative ties, gameplay mechanics, and character arcs connecting God of War and Ragnarok. We’ll also explore whether newcomers can jump straight into Ragnarok without feeling lost.
Understanding the Legacy of God of War
Santa Monica Studio began Kratos’s story over two decades ago. Initially, God of War plunged players into Greek mythology’s chaos. Kratos’s tale roared with rage, revenge, and larger-than-life boss battles. Through God of War 1, 2, and 3, fans witnessed the Spartan’s brutal war against gods and titans alike.
In 2018, Santa Monica reinvented the franchise. God of War shifted settings, placing Kratos within Norse mythology. The tone matured, exploring themes of fatherhood, regret, and second chances. Kratos now wielded an axe instead of blades, and combat adopted more strategic elements. Fans praised this transformation, hailing it as a bold new chapter.
Naturally, discussions around Do I Need to Play God of War Before Ragnarok? stem from this shift. Many wonder whether the Norse saga stands alone or remains intertwined with Kratos’s Greek past.
God of War 2018 vs Ragnarok: A Tale of Two Epics
Comparing God of War 2018 and Ragnarok reveals clear thematic and mechanical continuities. Both games feature the Leviathan Axe, intricate combat systems, and semi-open world exploration. Kratos and Atreus share deep conversations, while players hunt down collectibles and face optional bosses.
Yet Ragnarok builds directly upon its predecessor’s foundation. It expands regions introduced in God of War 2018, adding new realms, side quests, and combat abilities. Characters like Freya, Mimir, Brok, and Sindri return, carrying emotional baggage from previous encounters.
Players considering God of War 2018 vs Ragnarok should know Ragnarok reveals major plot twists from the earlier game. Those secrets fuel character motivations and drive significant story beats. While newcomers can enjoy Ragnarok mechanically, understanding character relationships enhances the experience immensely.
Do I Need to Play the Earlier Greek Trilogy?
Some players wonder, “Do I need to play God of War 1 and 2 before 3?” or even whether older Greek titles remain essential before Ragnarok. Thankfully, the Norse saga largely functions as a fresh beginning.
Santa Monica Studio assumes new audiences may join the franchise with God of War 2018. References to Kratos’s Greek past appear through dialogue and subtle storytelling. However, players can grasp Ragnarok’s core narrative without extensive knowledge of Greek lore.
Nonetheless, seasoned fans gain deeper insight into Kratos’s personality shifts. His quiet demeanor and reluctance to embrace violence contrast sharply with his blood-soaked past. For those craving the complete character arc, exploring the original trilogy offers rewarding context.
Can You Play God of War 2018 Without Prior Titles?
Another common question revolves around whether God of War 2018 itself demands playing older entries. Fortunately, the 2018 game serves as an excellent starting point. It introduces Kratos anew, places him in Norse lands, and explains his relationship with Atreus.
Players unfamiliar with earlier God of War games find 2018 accessible. Kratos’s stoic nature and hints of past trauma suggest depth without overwhelming newcomers. Combat feels modern and refined, embracing RPG elements absent from earlier titles.
Yet as discussions around Do I Need to Play God of War Before Ragnarok? continue, most agree playing God of War 2018 remains crucial for fully appreciating Ragnarok’s emotional weight.
God of War Games in Order
For newcomers eager to tackle the series, knowing the chronological order helps. Here’s a concise roadmap:
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God of War (2005)
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God of War II (2007)
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God of War III (2010)
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God of War: Ascension (2013) – A prequel to the original trilogy
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God of War (2018) – Soft reboot in Norse mythology
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God of War Ragnarok (2022) – Direct sequel continuing the Norse saga
Players researching God of War games in order often choose to start with 2018. It serves as both a narrative and mechanical reboot, making it ideal for new fans.
Should You Play God of War Ragnarok?
Gamers curious about Should I play God of War Ragnarok? face little doubt about the answer. Ragnarok stands among the best-reviewed games of the past decade. Critics and fans praise its refined combat, heartfelt storytelling, and jaw-dropping visuals.
However, diving into Ragnarok without context leaves gaps in understanding relationships and motivations. Kratos’s strained bond with Freya, the true identity of Atreus, and the consequences of 2018’s ending shape the sequel’s stakes.
While not strictly required, playing God of War 2018 ensures Ragnarok hits with full emotional impact. Otherwise, newcomers risk missing crucial nuances.
God of War on PS5: Enhanced Experience
Sony enhanced God of War 2018 for PS5, adding smoother frame rates and higher resolutions. Players owning a PS5 benefit from lightning-fast load times and crisper visuals. These upgrades make revisiting the 2018 game seamless before tackling Ragnarok.
Fans seeking a modern experience can confidently play God of War on PS5. The enhancements help bridge the gap between two visually stunning titles, ensuring Ragnarok feels like a direct continuation rather than a jarring jump forward.
God of War Ragnarok’s Length and Scope
Players investigating how long is God of War Ragnarok discover a significant adventure ahead. Finishing the main story takes approximately 25-30 hours. Completionists hunting every collectible, side quest, and hidden boss might spend 50-60 hours or more.
Ragnarok dwarfs its predecessor in scope. It unlocks more realms, deepens character arcs, and offers robust endgame challenges. Exploring optional areas like The Applecore reveals rich secrets and gameplay variety. For players interested in diving deeper, resources like How to Get to the Applecore God of War Ragnarok provide excellent guidance.
Core Story Elements Bridging God of War and Ragnarok
God of War Ragnarok builds directly on the emotional stakes set in the 2018 game. Players who wonder, Do I Need to Play God of War Before Ragnarok? should consider several crucial story threads that connect the two titles.
First, the father-son relationship between Kratos and Atreus evolves significantly. In God of War (2018), Atreus discovers his true nature as Loki. This revelation shapes his identity crisis and growing independence. Ragnarok explores Atreus’s desire to forge his destiny, sometimes clashing with Kratos’s protective instincts.
Second, Ragnarok revolves around consequences stemming from killing Baldur, a major event in the 2018 game. Freya’s transformation from ally to vengeful foe emerges directly from Baldur’s death. Players jumping into Ragnarok without this context might struggle to grasp why Freya seeks Kratos’s life.
Third, Ragnarok escalates prophecies introduced previously. The mural discovered at the end of 2018 hints at Kratos’s potential demise and Atreus’s destiny. This looming threat underpins much of Ragnarok’s narrative tension.
Thus, players seeking the full emotional resonance of Ragnarok should play God of War (2018) first. Skipping it leaves narrative gaps that dilute the sequel’s powerful storytelling.
How God of War Sets Up Atreus’s Journey
God of War (2018) carefully crafts Atreus’s evolution from an innocent child to someone grappling with immense secrets. Players witness his first kills, his arrogance upon learning his divine heritage, and Kratos’s struggle to temper his son’s impulses.
Ragnarok continues this character arc. Atreus grows older, more curious, and increasingly driven to discover his role as Loki. His emerging abilities — including shapeshifting and speaking ancient languages — build directly from seeds planted in 2018.
Gamers considering Should I start with God of War or God of War Ragnarok? benefit enormously from experiencing Atreus’s development firsthand. Watching him mature across both titles strengthens the emotional connection, enhancing every dialogue exchange in Ragnarok.
Kratos’s Character Evolution Across Both Games
Kratos’s transformation defines the Norse saga. In 2018, he struggles to abandon his violent past, hiding his godhood from Atreus. As events unfold, he reluctantly reveals his origins, sparking father-son conflicts. This dynamic becomes essential to understanding his cautious demeanor in Ragnarok.
Ragnarok reveals a more introspective Kratos. He questions fate, fears losing Atreus, and strives to prevent repeating the mistakes of his past. Scenes where Kratos opens up emotionally resonate far deeper if players witnessed his prior stoicism in 2018.
Fans debating Do I need to play the first God of War to play Ragnarök? should know that while Ragnarok can stand alone mechanically, it’s Kratos’s journey across both games that delivers maximum impact. His growth emerges only when viewed as a continuous story.
The Role of Freya and Other Returning Characters
Several major characters reappear in Ragnarok. Freya shifts from close ally to bitter enemy after Baldur’s death. Mimir continues as Kratos’s wise companion, referencing events from the previous adventure.
Brok and Sindri also return, deepening their relationship with Kratos and Atreus. Ragnarok elevates their roles, introducing emotional arcs that hit harder for players familiar with their humor and loyalty in 2018.
Skipping the earlier game leaves gaps in understanding why these characters matter. For instance, Freya’s rage lacks weight without seeing her sorrow after Baldur’s demise. Mimir’s banter loses context without knowledge of how Kratos saved and bonded with him previously.
Gameplay Mechanics Linking Both Titles
Beyond narrative connections, gameplay systems carry over between God of War (2018) and Ragnarok. Players familiar with the Leviathan Axe will immediately recognize its mechanics in Ragnarok. However, new abilities expand combat possibilities, layering additional complexity onto the existing foundation.
Runic Attacks, rage modes, and the parry system remain core features. Those who invested time mastering combat in 2018 feel right at home, whereas newcomers might require extra time adjusting to Ragnarok’s faster pace and increased enemy variety.
God of War (2018) effectively serves as a training ground for Ragnarok. Learning enemy patterns, upgrade paths, and exploration habits in the first game makes the sequel feel natural rather than overwhelming.
Puzzles and World Exploration Connections
Exploration and puzzle-solving define both games. God of War (2018) introduces environmental puzzles involving axe throws, rotating mechanisms, and hidden chambers. Ragnarok expands these ideas, introducing new puzzle elements while retaining familiar logic.
The sense of interconnected worlds persists across both titles. Places like The Lake of Nine and Alfheim evolve between games, showing the consequences of previous events. Returning players delight in recognizing altered landscapes, while newcomers might miss the significance of those changes.
Players researching Is it necessary to play God of War in order? should know that while each realm remains explorable on its own, subtle environmental storytelling connects them in ways best appreciated by veterans.
New Areas Exclusive to Ragnarok
While Ragnarok reuses certain locations, it also introduces entirely new regions. Vanaheim, Svartalfheim, and areas like The Applecore expand the world significantly. These zones feature distinct aesthetics, unique side quests, and new enemy types.
For instance, The Applecore becomes a fascinating labyrinth filled with water puzzles and hidden treasure. Players hoping to conquer such areas can consult resources like How to Get to the Applecore God of War Ragnarok for help navigating these challenges.
These new areas ensure Ragnarok feels larger and more diverse than its predecessor, offering fresh experiences even for returning fans.
Understanding the Timeline and Narrative Flow
Players sometimes ask, Do I need to play God of War Ragnarok before Valhalla? or how the timeline fits overall. As of now, Ragnarok concludes the Norse saga. While rumors swirl about future games, Santa Monica Studio hasn’t released a Valhalla sequel tied directly to Ragnarok’s story.
The chronological order remains straightforward:
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God of War (2018) starts Kratos and Atreus’s Norse journey.
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God of War Ragnarok continues and concludes that saga.
Thus, playing the games in release order remains the best approach for narrative clarity.
The Question of Difficulty and Player Experience
Some players worry about Ragnarok’s challenge level. Questions like Is God of War Ragnarok too easy? surface frequently. While difficulty varies by chosen setting, many agree that newcomers might find combat more manageable if they first practice in God of War (2018).
Learning the combat system in 2018 helps players adapt to tougher enemies introduced in Ragnarok. However, Ragnarok offers multiple difficulty levels, ensuring accessibility for both newcomers and veterans.
How Long is Each Game?
Curious players researching How long is God of War 1? find it takes about 8-10 hours. God of War (2018) stretches to roughly 20-30 hours for the main story, with 40-50 hours for completionists.
Ragnarok significantly expands this runtime. Completing the main narrative requires 25-30 hours, while a thorough playthrough easily exceeds 50 hours. Both games reward exploration, side quests, and optional bosses.
Should You Start God of War From the Beginning?
While starting from the original 2005 game offers a comprehensive view of Kratos’s life, it’s not essential for enjoying the Norse saga. Santa Monica Studio designed God of War (2018) as a jumping-on point. Players can begin there without confusion.
However, skipping 2018 before Ragnarok remains a tougher recommendation. Players who start directly with Ragnarok miss critical emotional beats, character relationships, and narrative context.
Kratos’s Age and Legacy
Fans often ask, How old is Kratos? or seek clarity on Atreus’s age. Kratos’s precise age remains intentionally vague. Given his demigod nature and prolonged lifespan, he’s hundreds of years old. Meanwhile, Atreus is roughly 14 years old during Ragnarok, slightly older than in 2018.
This age difference underpins Atreus’s character development. He’s more independent, more determined to chart his path, and increasingly clashes with Kratos’s cautious approach.
The Reddit Community Perspective
Players discussing Do I have to play God of War in order on Reddit? largely recommend starting with God of War (2018). Reddit threads highlight how Ragnarok’s story, character dynamics, and callbacks hit much harder with the background knowledge from 2018.
Community consensus suggests playing both games delivers the definitive God of War experience.
Is God of War: Ragnarok Valhalla a Standalone Game?
Currently, no standalone game titled “Valhalla” exists as a direct sequel to Ragnarok. Confusion sometimes arises because other franchises, like Assassin’s Creed, feature games named Valhalla. For God of War fans, Ragnarok concludes the Norse saga, leaving future directions open for speculation.
Is There a Sequel to God of War Ragnarok?
Santa Monica Studio hasn’t announced an official sequel to Ragnarok. Many fans speculate about potential new adventures, possibly exploring different mythologies. However, no confirmed details exist regarding Kratos’s next chapter.
Is God of War Ragnarok DLC Worth Playing?
Ragnarok itself doesn’t include traditional DLC expansions yet. Instead, Santa Monica Studio packed a robust endgame into the base experience. Players who complete the story discover new quests, bosses, and hidden areas, adding substantial value without requiring separate purchases.
Should future DLC appear, fans will likely embrace it eagerly. The franchise’s quality ensures any expansions would deliver meaningful content.
Final Thoughts on Do I Need to Play God of War Before Ragnarok?
Answering Do I Need to Play God of War Before Ragnarok? ultimately depends on what players hope to gain. Technically, Ragnarok allows newcomers to jump in and enjoy stunning visuals, epic combat, and Norse lore. Santa Monica Studio crafts a game accessible enough for fresh audiences.
Yet skipping God of War (2018) means sacrificing emotional depth. Players miss the slow build of Kratos and Atreus’s bond, the gravity of Freya’s grief, and the significance of many returning characters. Narrative threads, subtle callbacks, and nuanced character arcs all pay off more richly if players witness their beginnings.
For the most fulfilling journey, playing God of War (2018) first remains the ideal path. It transforms Ragnarok from merely excellent into truly unforgettable. The Norse saga stands as one of gaming’s greatest achievements — best experienced as a complete tale from start to finish.
Kratos’s legend spans realms and ages. Those who join him from the beginning earn the fullest measure of his saga’s triumphs and tragedies. And in the world of God of War, every journey begins with a single swing of the Leviathan Axe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can you finish God of War Ragnarok in 3 hours?
Finishing God of War Ragnarok in 3 hours isn’t realistic for a normal playthrough. Even speedrunners take significantly longer, as the main story alone spans around 25-30 hours.
Q: How tall is Kratos?
Kratos stands roughly 6 feet 4 inches tall (about 1.93 meters). His imposing build and towering presence make him a formidable figure in any mythology.
Q: How many hours is Elden Ring?
Elden Ring’s main story takes roughly 50-70 hours to complete. For full exploration and side quests, players often invest over 100 hours.
Q: Do I need to beat God of War Ragnarök before Valhalla?
Currently, God of War Ragnarok doesn’t directly connect to a game titled Valhalla. No sequel named Valhalla exists in the God of War series as of now, so there’s no need to finish Ragnarok for it.
Q: Do I need to play God of War before Ragnarok on Reddit?
Reddit users overwhelmingly recommend playing God of War (2018) first. Players say it enhances emotional depth and makes Ragnarok’s story clearer and more impactful.
Q: Does God of War Ragnarök have a point of no return?
No permanent point of no return exists in God of War Ragnarok. Players can revisit realms and complete side quests even after finishing the main story.
Q: Who is the hardest fight in God of War Ragnarok?
Many consider Gná, the Valkyrie Queen, to be the toughest fight in God of War Ragnarok. She demands fast reflexes and deep knowledge of combat mechanics.
Q: What is the best armor in God of War Ragnarok?
The Steinbjörn and Berserker Armor sets often rank as top choices for high defense and powerful perks. These sets help with challenging endgame encounters.
Q: Is God of War 1 better than Ragnarok?
God of War 1 and Ragnarok serve different purposes. The original introduced Kratos’s story, while Ragnarok offers deeper narrative complexity and modern gameplay. Many fans consider Ragnarok the superior experience overall.
Q: Do you have to play the other God of War games before God of War?
Players don’t need to play the Greek-era games before God of War (2018). The 2018 reboot acts as a fresh starting point for new audiences.
Q: Is God of War Ragnarok a must play?
Absolutely. God of War Ragnarok stands among the best games of the generation, delivering top-tier storytelling, visuals, and combat.
Q: Can you play God of War Ragnarok Valhalla without the main game?
No separate game called “God of War Ragnarok Valhalla” currently exists. Any future DLC or expansion will likely require owning Ragnarok’s base game.
Q: Do I need to be online to play God of War Ragnarok?
No internet connection is needed to play God of War Ragnarok. The entire experience functions offline, aside from downloading updates or patches.
Q: Which story is better, God of War or God of War Ragnarok?
Many fans prefer Ragnarok’s story for its emotional stakes and character development. However, the original’s tighter focus also receives high praise. Both stand as exceptional narratives.
Q: Which is better, God of War Ragnarok or God of War: Ragnarok: Valhalla?
No standalone title named God of War: Ragnarok: Valhalla exists. Ragnarok remains the latest main entry in the series, regarded as a high point for storytelling and gameplay.
Q: Should I finish God of War: Ragnarok Valhalla first or the main story?
Currently, no separate game or DLC named “Ragnarok Valhalla” exists. Focus on completing God of War Ragnarok’s main story first for the full narrative experience.
Q: Which comes first, God of War or God of War Ragnarok?
God of War (2018) comes first chronologically. Ragnarok continues the Norse saga, following directly after the events of the 2018 game.
Q: Is God of War Ragnarok worth it?
Without a doubt. Fans and critics praise God of War Ragnarok for its superb visuals, engaging combat, and emotionally rich storytelling. It’s widely considered a must-play.
Q: Should I play God of War from the beginning?
Starting from the 2018 reboot provides the best foundation for enjoying Ragnarok. However, playing the original Greek-era games remains optional for newcomers focused on the Norse saga.
