God of War Ragnarok: PC Port Review
God of War Ragnarok has finally been released for PC and is now available on Steam and Epic Games, much to the delight of gamers who missed it on PS4 or PS5. Today, we’re reviewing the PC port of Ragnarok. When it launched in 2022, we rated it 10 out of 10 on PS5 because the game beautifully portrays Norse mythology and the deep emotional bond between Kratos and Atreus. The combat is intense, the visuals stunning, and there are plenty of hidden areas to explore. But is the PC port of Ragnarok still deserving of a 10 out of 10? Perhaps not, as we found some drawbacks, including PSN requirements and performance issues. Let’s dive into the review step by step.
Visuals and Gameplay Experience
We’ll start by discussing the visuals and gameplay experience. This comparison is based on playing the game on both PS5 and PC. While the PS5 version is visually impressive, the PC version truly shines. With options for graphics card selection, display modes, resolution settings, VSync, aspect ratio, latency reduction, frame generation, and upscaling technologies like Nvidia’s DLSS and AMD’s FSR, the PC version significantly enhances image quality. These features allow the game to render frames in smaller sizes and upscale them, leading to clearer visuals.
The PC port benefits from reduced latency and improved frame generation, enhancing overall responsiveness. Support for ultra-wide panoramic screens makes the visuals breathtaking. Additionally, Nvidia’s Reflex support, haptic feedback from controllers, and spatial 3D audio add to the immersive experience. You can also customize controls to suit your preferences.
New Features for PC
While playing on PS5, some might find that companions often provide hints during puzzles, which can break immersion. However, on PC, you can adjust the frequency of these hints to enhance your experience. There’s also a cinematic audio description mode for accessibility.
Moreover, Santa Monica Studios announced a free DLC, the Roguelite Valhalla, which is available from the start on PC. However, it’s advisable to play this after finishing the main campaign to avoid spoilers.
Cons: PSN Requirement and Performance Issues
One major downside is the PSN requirement for a single-player game. PC players must create a PSN account and link it, which can be frustrating—especially since PSN isn’t available in over 120 countries, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. This was not a requirement for the PC port of God of War (2018), making it an irritating issue for many.
Another complaint is the shader compilation issue, which many players have reported on platforms like Reddit and Steam. Although we found a workaround by setting the shader cache size to 100 GB, the issue persists for some. While gameplay was mostly smooth, we did experience occasional FPS drops.
Final Verdict
God of War Ragnarok is a fantastic game, and the PC port has received a rating of 77% on Steam due to complaints primarily about the PSN requirement and performance issues. For PC players, steady FPS without memory leaks is crucial, which is why we rate God of War Ragnarok’s PC port an 8.5 out of 10.