God of War: Ragnarok Makes Its PC Debut
The much-anticipated PC port of God of War: Ragnarok has finally arrived, nearly two years after its successful launch on the PS4 and PS5. This transition to PC is noteworthy not just for its timing but also for a unique feature that was absent from the original console versions. Players can now silence Kratos’ son, Atreus, a welcome change highlighted by Kotaku. In the original game, Atreus was often compared to Ocarina of Time’s Navi, albeit with a more relentless chatter. His tendency to interject with unsolicited hints during puzzles frustrated many players, often at the most inopportune moments.
Fortunately, the new settings tab offers an option to reduce these hints, effectively muting Atreus and other companions throughout the gameplay. While one might assume that implementing a mute button for certain characters would be a straightforward fix, it raises an interesting point about player agency in narrative-driven games. Perhaps it’s time for console versions to adopt this feature as well—after all, sometimes digital companions should be seen and not heard.
Beyond the newfound ability to quiet Atreus, the PC port introduces several additional enhancements. Players can now enjoy audio descriptions for the game’s cinematic sequences, catering to a broader audience. For those who stream their gameplay, a selection of gifs designed for platforms like Twitch and YouTube has also been included. Furthermore, the port is compatible with both NVIDIA and AMD’s upscaling technologies, allowing for an immersive experience on ultrawide monitors, with an impressive aspect ratio of 32:9.
However, potential players should be prepared for the substantial storage requirements of this port, which demands between 175GB to 190GB of hard drive space. It’s advisable to initiate the installation early in the day to ensure ample time for an afternoon gaming session. Available now on both Steam and the Epic Games Store, the game does come with a caveat: the recommended PC specifications are quite demanding. As reported by users on Reddit, performance on the Steam Deck may leave much to be desired, with gameplay limited to 30FPS on the lowest settings.