January 15th 2024.
In the latest DLC for God of War Ragnarök, Kratos takes a deep dive into his past, facing his flaws in the legendary realm of Valhalla. After the main campaign, which some may say was a bit bloated, this DLC provides a focused and cathartic experience for long-time fans of the series.
There is a pivotal moment in the game where Kratos comes face to face with the Norns, the deities responsible for shaping human destinies. To his surprise, he learns that the prophecies he feared were not set in stone, but rather influenced by his own predictable choices. As the Norn goddess Verdandi puts it, Kratos is a pitiful archetype seeking to break free from his predetermined script, and the reboot has him still slaying gods but now with a sadness in his heart.
This encounter with the Norns is one of the best scenes in the sequel, not only because of its chilling nature but also because it serves as a meta commentary on the God of War franchise itself. Kratos discovers that he has the power to make unexpected choices and change the course of his own narrative, but unfortunately, the ending of Ragnarök felt a bit too predictable and safe.
Enter Valhalla, a free DLC where players must fight their way through waves of enemies in a roguelite loop. Many expected this to be solely a combat-focused expansion, similar to Resident Evil 4's beloved Mercenaries mode. However, it turns out to be an epilogue that includes some of the most compelling story moments in the entire franchise.
Imagine a mix of God of War and Hades, and you'll have a good idea of how Valhalla works. Players embark on runs of battle encounters, with the option to choose branching paths that offer different rewards such as Runic Attacks and upgrades for Kratos' stats. Similar to Hades, there are also permanent upgrades that can be purchased between runs, encouraging players to vary their builds and strategies.
Unlike Hades, Valhalla is not overly difficult, with various difficulty options and generous upgrades. This DLC feels more like a condensed version of a roguelite, where the loop mechanic serves the story rather than being the main focus. Hardcore players can still approach it as a challenging combat experience, but for those who just want to enjoy the narrative, it's not necessary.
Valhalla's concept of a roguelite loop ties in perfectly with Kratos' internal struggle. He must decide whether to accept Freya's offer to join her council and help maintain peace across the nine realms. After his violent past as the god of war in Olympus, Kratos questions whether he should take on that role again, after spending years trying to escape his past.
By venturing through Valhalla, as prompted by a mysterious invitation, Kratos works through the inner turmoil that is holding him back from accepting the throne. This is a place where memories come to life, allowing for a direct connection between Norse and Greek mythologies, with plenty of callbacks to the original trilogy.
While both the 2019 God of War and Ragnarök made references to Kratos' past, Valhalla takes it a step further by explicitly bringing back elements from his previous adventures. This DLC is advertised as an epilogue to Ragnarök, but it feels more like a conclusion to this version of Kratos, with past events, enemies, and weapons all making a reappearance as part of his journey towards redemption.
In the end, Valhalla provides a sense of closure for Kratos' story. Unresolved threads from Ragnarök may suggest a focus on Kratos' son Atreus in the next game, as he embarks on a journey to find the giants beyond the nine realms. This DLC does not hint at the setting for the next game, although many fans speculate it will be in Egypt. Regardless, Valhalla proves that the God of War franchise still has plenty of potential and has not lost its momentum.
If you're curious about the game, be sure to check out the voice actor's tease about his involvement in the next game, or read up on the upcoming God of War TV show. And don't forget to sign up for our newsletter to get all the latest gaming content and releases first.
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