“God of War: Ragnarök” is the follow-up to the widely praised “God of War,” released in 2018. Following the events of that game, Kratos and Atreus’s actions have started Fimbulwinter and set Ragnarök, the destruction of the nine realms, into motion. What follows is a journey about growth, change and acceptance set against the backdrop of the end of the world. 

In “Ragnarök,” players control both Kratos and his son, Atreus, as they fight their way through the nine realms preparing for war. Combat is visceral and satisfying, which the series is known for. There are many over-the-top, gratuitous moments, but they aren’t frequent enough to become boring. The scale and spectacle of each fight is epic. That’s possible because of consistently impressive visuals and an incredible score, which only deepen the dramatic impact of any given battle. The main weapon of the game, the Leviathan Axe, has become one of the most fun and iconic weapons in modern gaming—not to mention Kratos’s other cool weapons—and its use and powers in “Ragnarök” only solidify that status.

Exploring the nine realms is a very important part of the “God of War” experience. It’s not a true open world, but it never feels limited. In fact, “Ragnarök” is far bigger than its predecessor, with more areas to explore and more to offer in each locale. There are even optional areas as big as the primary maps that players may completely miss if they’re only following the main story, and they sometimes have even more to do and discover than the main path. Player exploration is always rewarded with new weapons and upgrades or more bits of lore that expand the story of the world.

“God of War: Ragnarök” bursts open the dam that is its predecessor’s story. In many ways, it’s a joy to watch unfold. The narrative is emotional and thrilling, with characters that are smart and nuanced. In a game that’s all about the story, the acting is important, and the whole cast brought their “A game.” 

The only downside to the expanding narrative and the introduction of many characters that were only mentioned in the previous game is that the world somewhat loses a sense of mystery, suspense and focus. Still, while much is revealed, there are plenty of unanswered questions that leave ample room for sequels, which will no doubt be hotly anticipated.