Sony Santa Monica Studio has dropped some additional details on God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla, the soon-to-be-released, free DLC for Kratos' most recent adventure. Launching next week on the 12th December, Valhalla takes place after the events of the main game, and has been described as something of an epilogue.
However, you won't have to beat the game to unlock this new excursion. The developer says you can jump in at any time as the DLC is separate from the core release. However, it strongly recommends finishing Ragnarok before playing, as there are post-game story elements to be found.
"Kratos has seen a path for himself that he never thought possible before. Brought to the mysterious shores of Valhalla accompanied only by Mimir, Kratos will enter its unknown depths to overcome trials within himself and face echoes of his past," the studio explains.
It continues: "Each attempt in Valhalla will encourage you to master different aspects of Kratos’ arsenal as you face new combinations of enemies and some surprises along the way!"
If you didn't already know, Valhalla adopts a 'roguelite' gameplay structure, as Kratos battles through a series of combat gauntlets that can throw randomised elements at your for an additional challenge. You won't be taking your equipment from the main game into this mode, but it sounds like all of Kratos' abilities will be unlocked from the start.
"The more you overcome, the more resources you’ll gain that can be put towards permanent upgrades that affect both Kratos and even Valhalla itself," reads the PlayStation Blog.
"Kratos will have access to all his weapons and fully-upgraded skill trees at all times, but must commit to a shield and path of Spartan Rage for each attempt. As you overcome the trials of Valhalla and explore its depths, you will make choices between temporary Glyphs for which Stats to upgrade, which Perks to select, which Runic Attacks to wield, and more."
Just to reiterate, Valhalla is free — Santa Monica Studio says it's a way of thanking Ragnarok's players — and you'll be able to grab it from the PlayStation Store when it launches in just a few days.
Are you looking forward to God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla? Get ready to hurl some spears in the comments section below.
[source blog.playstation.com]
Comments 32
They lost me right when Mimir told Kratos to try again... and it's genre became clear.
Too bad... I know it's free but roguelite stile is not for me.
I would have preffered SMS to concentrate on a new game instead.
But it is what it is... roguelite is the new "rage" i guess, much like mobile games determined the appearance of God of War Betrayal back in the day, when all games just had to have a mobile version...
@Shinnok789 yeah this is actually disappointing to me, because it has actual postgame story content, which I want, but in a roguelite mode, which I have no desire to play.
Looks good to me. Be fun just to have an excuse to go all-in on the excellent combat.
"You won't be taking your equipment from the main game into this mode, but it sounds like all of Kratos' abilities will be unlocked from the start."
Maybe he should have a conversation with Solid Snake before taking this on. He's a master at on-site equipment procurement. 🤣
@RicebinBernacky That sums it up perfectly for me. Postgame stuff i want to play but it's roguelite so have no interest at all. Like shinnok said roguelite is the go to thing for devs these days. Do they not realise they're everywhere and we don't need more of them!?
Hoping it sets up the next game, not the best at roguelites so probably put it on the easiest mode and get through it. Really curious about the cyclops, wonder what other Greek creatures await us. Also what happened to stellar blade, we got the release date for Ronin, but stellar blade was supposed to be released this year.
Man what a disappointment for me. First Last of Us2 & now Ragnarok just slapping a rougelite mode on to these games in lieu of story dlc, really concerning. I woulda bet anything Artreus would be the focus of dlc but instead we get more kratos. Coulda sworn last of us woulda at least give us the old factions mode if this separate multiplayer thing keeps being pushed back but nope we get another rougelite mode. I can’t express to you how much I dislike this new trend. What a bummer
Things apparently Sony shouldn't be doing:
1. No Remasters/Remakes
2. No sequels
3. No Roguelike modes
4. No multiplayer
5. No Live services
6. No PC releases
7. No cross gen games
8. No VR games
At this point they might as well not bother.
I feel like the Pushsquare comment section is quickly becoming an echo chamber of negativity and all the people who actually have positive thoughts are being pushed out by the constant whining and monaing and the only people left are the other complainers to reinforce everyone else’s negative opinions and ideas.
Pushsquare comment section now literally hates everything unless it’s a first party game made by a first party studio that is not a sequel, or a marvel game or have multiplayer/live service/roguelike elements. Also if it’s open world then that’s probably just a lame Ubisoft game, and if it’s a linear cinematic game then that’s just a lame movie game. Basically everyone just wants “quirky games” made by Japan Studio, even though no one actually bought those games when they existed.
N.i.c.e. god of war ragnarok Valhalla looks excellent.kratos the g.o.a.t. 🐐 👑.word up son
I'm happy that they made some DLC and I might give it a try but I'm not much of a Roguelike fan.
I mainly am hoping for some Thrud DLC because it would be a shame to never play as her. Or a spinoff game when you play as her, Angrboda, and Atreus(different points in the story). That seems like it would be a good game and setup of the future of God of War nicely.
Sounds pretty cool. I'll give it a whirl sometime. Very cool that's it's free. Props for that.
@AdamNovice Apparently PS is only supposed to be for single-player games and nothing else lol
How can you complain about something that is free? seriously. I also don't like Rogue Lite but it's Kratos and I'll take anything that comes with him.
and again it's free!
Will there be trophy support for this DLC?
Roguelike games can be very good if done correctly. Prey had one which was superb! And deathloop was critically praised. And let's not forget Returnal... (And one more. Hades) all fantastic in their own right. I think this will be good personally and considering they are giving it away for free, I think that's even better. I'll definitely be jumping back in.
More God of War = happy me.
Removed - disrespecting others
Perhaps took inspiration from Assassin's creed Valhalla's free dlc that was rougelite with story bits chucked in.
Haven’t played GoW:R yet but I’ll assume since this dlc is post game that Kratos won’t sacrifice himself for his kid and die at the end. And if he does, well now that really will be a surprise.😂
Skipping the trailer b/c spoilers but very surprised to see that the dlc is free in a gaming world where they all seem to be $30 these days.🤑
I don't really like Rogue-like games, but I love God of War. I played Returnal in co-op recently and I loved that, so maybe I do like Rogue-like games when done right and they are not too hard. I'll give this a go.
@AdamNovice Only non-VR Astro games from here on out! Give me more PlayStation homage platforming action and nothing else!
Make it happen Sony.
I swear, I was smiling like a kid in a candy store playing Astro's Playroom. It was almost built for us "big kids".
Can't believe people are complaining about a free DLC
I just started Ragnarok a couple days ago. Doubt I’ll have it beaten by the time this Valhalla DLC comes out, so if they recommend I beat the game first, guess I won’t be checking Valhalla on day one.
For free DLC, this sounds great. It sounds similar to Returnal in its game/story design.
– "Sony Studios only does movie-like games"
– Sony Studios actually produce games/modes where the focus is on gameplay
– "Who asked for that? That's not what I want"
Yeah, no thanks.
@ChrisDeku you said it more eloquently than I could be bothered to. I for one don't mind rogue likes as I love dead cells and I'm seriously considering have a nice death. I loved ragnarok and the only gripes I had was with the lads sections (I just don't like the entitled little sod) so I'm quite happy for this and it's FREE. I could understand people being miffed if they were charging for it but they are not so what's the problem?
Ah come on people - players are allowed to not like rogue like and be vocal about it.
It’s a very particular gaming style which many, including myself, wouldn’t pick to play.
Nothing negative about that, just honest feedback.
@itsfoz exactly. Once again completely valid thoughts and criticism chalked up as negative whining when in all reality it's the responses that are inherently negative.
It's a game mode that absolutely can be a like it or not scenario. The very nature of its design is to stretch out limited content through repetition and grinding.
@AdamNovice You forgot no Marvel games
Because apparently it doesn't matter if other people like such games. If I don't, they absolutely shouldn't.
This sounds really fun. Cant wait!
Tap here to load 32 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...