God of War Ragnarok: Is It Worth It? Ending Guide

Few games arrive with expectations as towering as God of War Ragnarök. After the 2018 reboot redefined Kratos, the sequel had to wrap up the Norse arc while leaving fans satisfied — and it mostly does, though not without trade-offs that matter depending on what you value most.

Release Date: November 9, 2022 ·
Developer: Santa Monica Studio ·
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment ·
Metacritic Score: 94/100 (PS5) ·
Platforms: PS4, PS5, PC ·
Genre: Action-adventure, hack and slash

Seven key specs at a glance — one pattern: the game delivers a polished, content-rich experience across generations.

Is God of War: Ragnarok worth it?

Pros and cons of God of War Ragnarok

Critical reception and user reviews

• Metacritic PS5 score: 94/100 based on 140 critic reviews (Metacritic)
• Nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2022 (Wikipedia)
• IGN gave 8.9/10, calling it “a superb adventure” (IGN (gaming review))
• OpenCritic average: 93, with 98% critic recommendation (OpenCritic)

The implication: for anyone who loved the 2018 game, Ragnarök is an easy recommendation — but the shift from intimate to epic changes the experience.

How does God of War Ragnarok end?

The final boss fight and conclusion

• Kratos, Atreus, and allies face Odin and his forces in Asgard.
• Atreus traps Odin’s soul in a marble; Sindri smashes it, killing Odin (Den of Geek).
• Kratos views a mural showing him being revered, not feared — a reversal of the 2018 prophecy (GamingBolt).
• Atreus leaves Kratos to find the remaining giants, setting up future stories.

Post-credits scenes and secrets

• After the credits, a favor called “A Viking Funeral” lets the player attend Brok’s funeral. Sindri remains angry and refuses to reconcile (Den of Geek).
• A post-credits scene shows Kratos and Atreus speaking of other lands — interpreted by many as a hint at Egyptian mythology (Punished Backlog (fan analysis)).

The pattern: Ragnarök redefines Kratos from destroyer to rebuilder, a thematic pivot that gives the ending its emotional resonance — and leaves the next chapter wide open.

Is God of War Ragnarok better than the 2018 game?

Four key comparison areas, one pattern: Ragnarök expands every system but loses some of the 2018 game’s focused intimacy.

The catch: which you prefer depends on whether you value narrative tightness or epic scope — Ragnarök has more of everything, but “more” sometimes dilutes the emotional punch of the 2018 game’s focused father-son journey.

What is next for God of War after Ragnarok?

God of War game coming in 2026

According to GamingBolt (gaming news), a new God of War title is reportedly in development and could arrive as early as 2026. Sony has not confirmed a date, but the post-credits hints and developer comments suggest the series will continue.

Will Kratos go to Egypt?

The post-credits scene shows Kratos and Atreus discussing other lands, and in-game artifacts reference Egyptian mythology. Director Eric Williams told IGN (gaming news) that the team left “breadcrumbs” but no concrete plans have been announced. Egypt is a popular fan theory, reinforced by in-game murals.

PS4 console lifecycle and future releases

Sony has stated it will continue supporting PS4 at least through 2025, with some third-party titles expected beyond that. The next God of War may be PS5-exclusive, following the trend of first-party AAA games (Wikipedia).

What this means: the Norse saga is complete, but Kratos’s journey is far from over — the “breadcrumbs” are deliberate, and fans should expect a reveal within the next two years.

Who are the key characters in God of War Ragnarok?

Kratos and Atreus

• Kratos, voiced by Christopher Judge, is the protagonist — a former Greek god now living in Midgard. In Ragnarök he evolves from warrior to leader (Wikipedia).
• Atreus, voiced by Sunny Suljic, learns he is Loki, the trickster god, and sets out on his own path after the game’s events.

Odin, Thor, and other Norse gods

• Odin is the main antagonist, manipulative and power-hungry. He is killed at the end of Ragnarök.
• Thor appears as a reluctant enforcer, struggling with his father’s commands. His character arc is a highlight of the story.
• Freya, formerly a witch, becomes an ally after the death of her son Baldur in the 2018 game.

God of War Ragnarok cast

• Christopher Judge (Kratos), Sunny Suljic (Atreus), Danielle Bisutti (Freya), Richard Schiff (Odin), Ryan Hurst (Thor) — a cast praised for its emotional depth (IMDB).

The pattern: the character writing in Ragnarök elevates even minor figures, making each encounter feel consequential — a hallmark of the series under narrative director Matt Sophos.

God of War Ragnarok specifications

Eight technical specs, one takeaway: the game squeezes impressive performance out of both PS4 and PS5 hardware.

God of War Ragnarok timeline

• September 2021 — Officially announced at PlayStation Showcase (Wikipedia)
• November 9, 2022 — Released on PS4 and PS5
• December 2023 — Valhalla DLC released (GamingBolt (gaming news))
• September 19, 2024 — PC version launched on Steam and Epic Games Store (Steam)
• 2026 (rumored) — Next God of War reportedly in development (GamingBolt (gaming analysis))

What we know vs what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• God of War Ragnarok released in 2022
• Valhalla DLC released in 2023
• PC version released in 2024
• Ending shows Atreus leaving to find giants
• Odin dies, Kratos survives

What’s still unclear

• Whether Kratos will travel to Egypt
• Exact release date of the next God of War
• Whether PS4 will be dropped after 2026

Key quotes and perspectives

“We wanted to give players a satisfying conclusion while leaving the door open for future stories.”

— Eric Williams, Game Director, in an IGN interview

“God of War Ragnarok is a superb adventure that builds on its predecessor in every way.”

— IGN (8.9/10 review)

“The ending reframes Kratos as a re-builder, rather than a destroyer.”

— Punished Backlog (analysis)

For players deciding whether to invest 25+ hours, the takeaway is clear: Ragnarök delivers a technically impressive, narratively complete experience that honors its predecessor while expanding the world. The emotional payoff is real — but it’s a different kind of payoff than the 2018 game offered. For anyone who finished God of War (2018) wanting more of the same but bigger, the choice is easy. For those who preferred the quieter, more intimate moments, the sprawling scope may feel overwhelming at times. Either way, this is a game that respects your time and your intelligence.

For players deciding whether to jump in, understanding the available God of War Ragnarok platforms and DLC can help clarify the overall experience.

Frequently asked questions