Summary
God of War: Ragnarok’s freeValhallaDLC has arrived, serving up a formidable challenge for even the most seasoned of series veterans. Aside fromramping upGod of War Ragnarok’s difficulty, the DLC adds a host of new features and gameplay fundamentals that are worth getting familiar with before jumping in.
Valhallais, in essence, both an epilogue for the base game’s narrative and a remixing of its gameplay loop. Just like Sony’s upcoming No Return game mode forThe Last of Us Part 2,Valhallatakes the foundations ofGod of War: Ragnarok’s combat and places them within a roguelike structure, making for an experience characterized more by constant progression and RNG-aided variety than by traditional action-adventure or RPG conventions. With that in mind, there are a few less obvious elements of the game mode that potential players should be apprised of.
The ABCs of God of War Ragnarok’s Valhalla DLC
Valhalla’s Difficulty-Based Rewards Are Important
Valhalla’s unique approach to roguelikegameplay is apparent from the very start, when players are asked to select a difficulty setting, an option that isn’t typically associated with the genre. The UI makes it clear that the chosen difficulty setting will modify the amount of rewards gained in-game, with higher difficulties yielding higher rewards. However, what exactly these rewards do is not explicitly stated.
As it turns out, the rewards play a major role in how the player will progress through theValhallagame mode. In another move that is atypical of the roguelike genre,Valhallaallows players to permanently upgrade Kratos' health, rage, and attack and defense stats between runs, using a currency called Mastery Seals. Playing on higher difficulties helps the player earn more Mastery Seals, which in turn allow Kratos to grow significantly more powerful. Since some ofGod of War’s greatest challengesare inValhalla, it’s crucial to find a good balance between difficulty setting and reward acquisition, as this will provide the best-optimized, most enjoyable experience.
Difficulty setting inValhallaalso impacts the acquisition of another currency known as Fleeting Echoes, though these are used to purchase health packs and other temporary upgrades that expire at the end of each run, and are less significant overall.
Kratos' Equipped Weapon Impacts Available Runic Attack Upgrades
A staple of the roguelike genre that is featured in theValhallaDLC (and one that will surely appear inThe Last of Us 2’s No Return mode) is the steady drip of substantial upgrades that the player can access after each level.Valhalla’s upgrades are often very closely tied to Kratos' three weapons, with a special emphasis being placed on unlockable Runic Attacks.
Something that the game doesn’t make very clear is the fact that the Runic Attacks offered through upgrade chests will vary depending on which weapon Kratos has equipped, that is, whichever weapon the player is actually holding. So, for instance, if the player has the Draupnir Spear equipped when they open the upgrade chest, they will be guaranteed access to Runic Attacks for the Draupnir Spear, but not the other two weapons. Players should keep this in mind when forming builds in each run.
It’s Best to Build Around One Weapon
WhilemanyGod of War: Ragnarokenemiesare vulnerable to specific weapons, it’s still advantageous to greatly buff a single weapon duringValhallaruns rather than attempt to spread upgrades out across all three. This is because, after a certain point, the heightened attack power of a considerably upgraded weapon will end up outweighing certain enemy resistances, while being a boon against most standard enemy types. There may still be instances when switching to another weapon temporarily will be the best move, but these are too few to warrant missing out on stacked upgrades for a single weapon.
God of War Ragnarok
WHERE TO PLAY
Embark on an epic and heartfelt journey as Kratos and Atreus struggle with holding on and letting goFrom Santa Monica Studio comes the sequel to the critically acclaimed God of War (2018). Fimbulwinter is well underway. Kratos and Atreus must journey to each of the Nine Realms in search of answers as Asgardian forces prepare for a prophesied battle that will end the world. Along the way they will explore stunning, mythical landscapes, and face fearsome enemies in the form of Norse gods and monsters. The threat of Ragnarök grows ever closer. Kratos and Atreus must choose between their own safety and the safety of the realms.
