I strongly recommend: 'God of War: Ragnarok' (Review - 100% Spoiler Free) 

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Wait... You can release the review 6 days early?! That's how you know the developer is 100% confident in the project

I think that point you make about reading up on Norse mythology is really interesting - obviously it seems wild in this day and age to say "this massive, big budget AAA video game needs you to do your homework to truly appreciate it," but there were points along the way in my own playthrough where I was thinking "these references are both subtle and yet crucial enough to the story that I really don't know how it would hit for people that didn't have some level of investment in the mythology." Speaks a lot to how much trust the developers put in players that they don't feel the need to overly explain all this stuff, which is admirable.

We have to praise Eric Williams for the game's direction, when God OF War 2018 released, everyone was deservedly praising Cory Barlog for the series reboot, but now, Eric Williams name is not even mention, and I think he deserves recognition for his work on God of War Ragnarok.

This game is so good that I ended up playing it for 6 hours straight yesterday without even realizing it, I was so soaked up in the game and everything that I completely forgot about what time it was. It wasnt until my brother called me that I realized that it was nearly midnight. I looked at my phone and thought the clock was wrong. We need more games this good, why the hell have we not had great story driven games like this lately, what happened to creativity and making us engaged in the characters and world.

Your writing is stronger than any other gaming youtuber I've come across. I really appreciate it.

God tier writing + editing, good on you both Skillup and Austin.

This game was so much more than I was expecting, and what a set of performances from the cast. Such a sensitive and moving focus on father/son dynamics. Just really blown away

Skillup is the best reviewer around right now… Having played the game now, his ability to show us the big picture without touching on the spoilers is impressive. There’s a lot of core gameplay that hinges on storybeats he can’t mention and I appreciate how well he tiptoes around that. I would have played Ragnarok regardless of any review but there’s something validating about hearing someone you’ve consistently agreed with and who’s opinion you value corroborate what you’ve seen yourself. Skillup: thanks for doing this right.

The only guy I trust to review games lately. Seeing an individual person surpass the quality of major game journalism companies restores my faith in RU-vid. Keep up the good work. Love from India ❤

1. Doing a 30 min review without spoilers is impressive. 2. Making it compelling enough that I actually enjoyed that 30 min and am considering watching it again, is mind boggling

I got like 15 hours in the game so far and it has been such a wonderful experience.Haven't felt such happiness playing a game in a long time.Everything about the game is a masterpiece.

SPOILERS: God of War 4 was about Kratos learning how to be a good father. God of War Ragnarok was about Kratos learning how to be a good man. At first, I wasn’t as connected to God of War 4 as everyone else was whenever it was released. I played it to completion and even beat the Valkyrie Queen and many of the side activities. I had fun and liked the story but for some reason it didn’t connect with me yet like it did for everyone else at it’s release. Now having completed Ragnarok and am working on 100% it, I finally understand. I look back now at God of War 4 with nothing but admiration and playing this title has made me wanna go back and re-experience it with my new found perspective on this duology. These 2 titles but Ragnarok in particular are absolute masterpieces. Previous to this game, I was a very casual GOW fan. I played the OG trilogy and 4 but none of them stood as all time favorites in my head. I loved them all for different reasons though. However, Ragnarok did something incredibly special. The God of War trilogy was about a man pushed to his breaking point and beyond being used as a tool, a pawn, and whenever he out lived his usefulness the gods threw him in the trash. That very man sought revenge and got it. Didn’t matter what collateral damage was in his way. As long as those who wronged him were punished by his hands. Once it was all said and done, he destroyed everything around him. He became a utter monster. God of War 4 began this journey of towards trying to move beyond his past. Live the normal life he never got to lead back in Greece and just find peace. It started his path of redemption and Ragnarok completed it for Kratos. The theme of both of these games are “Being Better” and with God of War 4, I loved what they did with the plot and the characters there but they only felt like it was halfway there to me, not the whole picture. Kratos became a good father to Atreus but he still felt like he was missing the push to be a good man. He’d help with freeing the Valkyries and a handul of other things but it was always either out of reluctance or because Atreus would steer the ship. He hadn’t yet completed his own personal journey towards redemption. In Ragnarok however, Kratos is by the end of the game, a much better man. Hell, even a hero to the norse world. And he acts as such too. Not just for Atreus. For himself. And for those around him. For Freya, Mimir, etc. He’s doing what he does to help others because HE wants to. And the moment whenever he saw Faye’s final mural and cried, I also started sobbing. The character development they’ve put Kratos through, someone who was downright monstrous and destroyed the entire greek pantheon just for revenge, innocents be damned, to a man who saved as many people as he could throughout Ragnarok, helped his son find himself, made several friends and companions and helped them on their own personal journeys, saved the realms, and after his mission with Ragnarok was accomplished, he continues to pursue making the norse world a better place and repairing the damage that Odin left in his wake. Kratos from beginning to end went from a sympathetic but cold hearted man driven by his pursuit of revenge to a genuine hero. And when Kratos realized that’s what Faye wanted and/or saw him as, it showed him and us that he always had it in him to BE a hero. Sorry if I’m reiterating a lot of things, I just needed to get this off my chest as I just completed this game hours ago. Ragnarok single handedly made God of War one of my favorite gaming franchises and not only did this game live up to my every expectation, it surpassed all of them. In gameplay, level design, and ESPECIALLY narrative. My only disappointment with this title is that I can no longer play it for the first time ever again. What a game. What a journey. Kratos was already awesome. But his journey with Atreus has solidified him in my eyes as one of the best protagonists in gaming. Next to characters like Arthur Morgan.

You are a beaming lighthouse to the gaming community at large and by far my favorite gaming journalist. We're all lucky to have you all these years.

Can I just take a moment to appreciate you mate? Your descriptions and vocabulary do so much justice to the reviews you make. Thank you for all the effort you put into these.

Long time viewer, first time commenting. After having seen several reviews, I revisit this video just so I can commend you of how eloquently well this review was written. No other review delivered the feeling of the game so well. You may not see this comment within thousands of other comments, but I just like to say I sincerely appreciate your videos

Man you and Austin are something else dude. What an incredibly well done review. Your videos are like a really good show at this point. I just click on random reviews of games I have no interest in just because of how entertaining and quality your work is. Thank you.

The moment when the review of the game is as much a spectacle as the game itself. Got goosebumps from your writing dude. Love your content to bits. Thank you so much!

I watched this the night before release and I’m glad that I did! You went over JUST enough detail without spoiling anything for me by the time I started. I really appreciate it! Thanks for the content and fantastic work you’ve done on this channel!

I feel like I didn’t play the same game as the comment section, and the reviewer

I have literally been sitting here waiting for this to drop! You are one of the very few people I trust to watch anything on this before it drops, thanks for all your hard work!

You can always count on skillup to get the best and most in-depth reviews out there. Thanks so much for no spoilers. I can not wait for Ragnarok! Death can have me when it earns me

I have so much respect for you for managing to make a good, informative yet spoiler free review

The effort you have gone through to make sure there is no spoilers in this review is really appreciated! You are a great person! 👍

Never been so hyped for a game like this in YEARS. The only triple A game I KNOW will deliver what we have all been waiting for.

What playstation and their studios have achieved in the last decade is so special. They have elevated storytelling in gaming to the point where now often my favourite stories are told through this medium. God I can't wait for next week. 🙌

Looking back to when I played the first game back in 2005, I never would have expected the series to mature and evolve like this.

Awesome awesome review, free of spoilers. The writing is absolute top tier and well structured, and the whole video amazingly put together. Well done and thankyou, both to you Ralph and Austin for his amazing editing.

The fact you have’t cracked a million subs is criminal. Easily one of the best review channels on the platform. Thanks for the care and professionalism you bring to each review. A great review, as always.

4 years ago it was your review of GOW 2018 that got me to sub to you. Now 4 years later here you are reviewing GOW Ragnarok. Another spectacular review shill up. So hype for this game!

I’m so in love with the structure of the recent GOW games. I’ll be heart broken if they needlessly change it for the next game. I really want a third entry that’s follows a similar approach.

Thanks Ralph, your reviews are always so good detailed and on point. So glad God of War continues with its consistent passion in making an actual game for the players.

It might be because i'm an artist/writer myself, but every time i hear about a passion project like this succeeding in becoming a masterpiece of art and storytelling, well. It makes me a bit emotional. It's an inspiration of what can be achieved when you really put the work in. I will be playing God of War: Ragnarok day 1 and i only wish that other AAA game developers would focus on making genuine, quality accomplishments which they can feel proud of, rather than whatever model is most likely to make money.

Skill Up is far and away the most articulate, informative and objective reviewer in the industry. he should have well over a million subscribers at this point.

That intro is one of the best I’ve seen and one I’ve been waiting for, for years. So many things don’t matter in sequels at times, but they still meet the moment, they still conclude the story.

Exceptional review…thanks for taking the time to craft these like you do. I look forward to watching them every time. Can’t wait to play this game! 👍

Glad to hear you loved it, and also glad to hear your honest take on the combat. Sounds like you summed it up better than anyone else will.

Great review man. You're the only one i can trust with giving an honest review and not getting stuff spoiled. Keep up the great work.

The intro of this review was so powerful it slingshotted me through to the end it. Great job and thanks! Cant wait to play the game.

Your reviews are the most well thought out, sincere and player focused. I really appreciate all you do. Please keep up the amazing work!

These reviews always stir up some emotions and are like an appetizer before whatever grand, anticipated game comes out.

Thank you @Skill Up for such an amazing review and writing.

There is absolutely no better person I have ever seen who delivers a message quite like you my friend. I have been excited for this one and you didn't fail to amaze.

The motion capture and facial expressions on Kratos especially seems to have improved a lot !

I remember your first God if war review and all the bits pre and post with Corey Etc. You’re the premiere league of reviewers. I’m also not going to be playing Ragnarok for some time, so I’ll devour your review. Keep it up Ralph, long may you continue your sublime reviews. Edit: I’m just looking forward to the story, with mimirs narration. Let alone everything else.

Thank you Skill Up! Been waiting for this game for a long time. Life continues to change since the last game came out, but to know that this game delivers makes me so excited!!

Thank you for such a well written review. You do not disappoint, constantly providing quality. Really looking forward to playing this.

Thank you for recommending reading up on Norse Mythology before playing. Having more background of these characters definitely improved my overall experience with the game. And great review as always !!

This was an excellent review. I love your explanations, takes, and presentation of your opinions. I look forward to this game and to your next review!

I’ve only been watching SkillUp videos for the last few months but that was the most majestic start to a review I’ve ever heard in the first 4 minutes.

Fabulous video - I really appreciated the history and background

Another fantastic review Ralph & Austin. Keep up the good work

An absolutely superb review, as always, Ralph! Beautifully written and produced, just like the game itself.

I found this channel through the first god of war review. I was so lucky. Fantastic game and fantastic channel.

How can this review be so well spoken? Your writing is amazing.

Cannot friggin wait for this. I always enjoy your reviews dude.

The only reviewer whose video essays consistently give me goosebumps. Astonishing writing, amazing delivery and editing.

Such a great review Skill Up - your writing and the way you deliver it is unmatched :-)

The level of eloquence & common sense that go into these reviews, is simply amazing and truly appreciated! You keep what matters the most to the player in focus. Highlighting the main details but giving us a savory slice of the good stuff. You can tell by the passion in your words that you truly enjoyed this game. And you do it without mincing words or propping up praise. You simply let the experience speak for itself. That is why your content is top notch! As for the game itself, I'm not surprised it hit a home run. Santa Monica Studios is such a talented group. God of War 2018 was a fantastic journey and many times I felt in awe of the detail that went into the details that immerse you into the world. So I am beyond excited to dive deeper into a world I fell in love with some years back.

I just love your review ethic Skill Up. Such masterful considerations with the spoilers. Other than that, great work as always.

Dude, your reviews are the best. Thanks for your hard work!

This is a perfect example and a masterclass of how modern games should be: Epic story, ultra engaging gameplay, stunning visuals and perfect performance, truly a game that cannot be more polished. This is a single player game and it appears to be one of the best games of the generation, no live service crap, no forced coop, no season pass, no multiplayer, just plain epic single player. Even with a modest budget I'm sure Santa Monica would have delivered a great experience but this is also a slap to the face to developers that waste big budgets in mediocre games, Santa Monica showed how to properly use it by having a great plan from the beginning and carefully executing with so much care.

You good Sir are in TOP FORM with these reviews Ralph. . 👏

Ralph has a very eloquent way of describing video games that makes me appreciate the medium more. Props Schill Up. Thanks for the content m8

I agree with the point about not remembering the skill trees 10 years from now but remembering the journey, but I think combat is part of that journey especially the main fights. I played bloodborne 6 years ago and still remember that first cleric beast fight.

Ralph, I'm not going to watch this until after I've played the game. But I AM going to run the vid on mute now so you get the retention and watch time. Thanks for all your graft mate - world class.

What a stellar review, congratulations SU.

Skill up, just want to say thankyou mate, reviews are always on point and I enjoy your content each and every time.

they way you review games with proper knowledge of it, is amazing, cant wait to play this

Terrific review. You are, by far, the best video game reviewer out there. Your articulation of your thoughts on the game is masterful. And you do it all without spoilers in your words or the clips that are playing. Oh, and this game looks absolutely incredible and somehow matching the hype. I can’t wait for the 9th.

I tend to listen to your videos rather than watching to avoid visual spoilers and you do so well at keeping things vague but still entertaining. Really love your channel dude.

Excellent review as per usual. Thank you!

Skillup is one of my most trust game reviewers. You have never been off the mark. Ive tried quite a few games over the years i otherwise wouldnt have because you said its worth my time. God of war 2018 being one of them and i LOVED it. I am SO excited to know i can play it soon and RELIEVED your giving it the, “defenitly worth your time” award.

Best reviewer of video games I’ve found over the years so eloquent and articulate to the subject matter. I only use this channel or ACG for gaming information before buying games tbh even though one is an Aussie and the one on ACG is a septic! But thanks for a brilliant review from a happy gamer in the UK !

Amazing review as always. This is one of the best games I've ever played in my life. Well done Santa Monica Studio, well done.

Question: How long does it take for you to write such an in depth and poetic review?

Review so engaging and well written that i didn't even mind watching the whole advert at the end! Amazing work Skill Up!

First time seeing one of your reviews - excellent. Now going back to see some of your other work.

Wonderful review Mr Ralph. Clearly a masterpiece. Cannot wait!

I get chills regularly from the writing on this channel. The passion and experience truly come through and it is absolutely infectious and all emcompassing. Exceptional work.

Long form reviews and video essays from you has surpassed modern games journalism. One of the only people on YT whose opinion I trust when it comes to video game reviews.

Raganrok is a great game, however, I do believe it is fair to say it's "worse" than the first one. That doesn't mean this is a bad game, because it is not, it's a truly great game. For me the UI and the slowdowns in the gameplay was jarringly bad, to the point that me and some friends who were hyped af agreed in our criticisms after we 100% the game and we all noticed an intangible something that made it feel just weird enough that we knew what we were referring to without properly explaining it. I felt "empty?" at the end, it was a GREAT ending, but idk, just like I was missing something, went to fully finish everything else, and I wasn't the only one as a friend was mad there is no ng+ because she also felt there was still an itch to be scratched. You'll definitely like this game a lot, but I'm sure you'll love the first slightly more.

I've always loved finishing moves and after watching this, I can see they enjoyed developing the creative ways of finishing off the creatures in a variety of ways that won't get boring!

So I’ve finished the game now. Without spoilers: I liked it more than the previous game and that game is in my top 5 all time favourites. I’m blown away at how good this game was.

Man, I love your reviews Skill Up. Top notch writing and emotion.

This is what gaming journalism looks like. Beautifully done man!

Love it @skillup been missing your cinematic reviews and this gave me the feels

As much as I like Eldin Ring. I have a feeling this will be my goty.

youre the best SkillUp. Never stop bringing top tier content

Thanks you for the 12% promo code, was in the market for the Nova Pro Wireless

This game really left an impression, such beautiful environment and the story was so masterfully told. Now waiting for them to add in New Game Plus to jump back in with the millions of hacksilver I stored up 😅

Wow, what a review. Thank you for this. You've got an incredible way of conveying your thoughts and putting them words - far and above any other current game critic in published media. Absolutely outstanding.

This is a really well written and produced review. 👌🏽I like that you didn’t spoil what’s really the deal with this game.

Saving this game and my replay of the GOW 2018 for December, this review is amazing and thank you for it!!

Man, the way you word things & do such extensive analysis in these videos reviews takes true talent. I'm so glad I'm subscribed to you!

Cannot express how excited I am for this game. GOW 2018 is still my favorite game of all time. Oh, and no shame in it, The West Wing is also my favorite show of all time! 😉 I’ve watched the entire series more times than I care to admit. Thanks for an amazing review! My son and I will be sinking countless hours in to it soon!

Another excellent spoiler free review. Love listening / watching. Thanks for the video!

Excellent review, I’m super hyped. So I’m curious, if you don’t die is this game also done in a ‘one shot’ style? IE one unedited camera cut.

I can't get past the artificial difficulty Modifiers and how specifically one certain character is written very horribly. Combat was fun in gow 2018, now you have to juggle off screen unblockable/unparriable attacks from enemies that slide halfway across the map to attack you. Not to mention the horrible reliance on ranged enemies. It also doesn't help that many boss fights get those same annoying enemies thrown in for no reason. I also hate how much the game holds your hand in puzzles. Other than that, I'm sticking through for the story. The 1v1 fights are where the new system shine. Should've kept some things with the combat the same.

What I am surprised is how well this runs on a base PS4. It both looks and runs better than GoW 2018, somehow.