God of War Ragnarok: Release date, Background story, Trailer, Order instruction - top most popular games in 2021

Valerie January 05, 2021 | 20:00

God of War 2: Ragnarok has been confirmed, and it's coming in 2021. Here's everything we know about the upcoming God of War sequel coming to PS5 so far - top most popular games in 2021.

God of War Ragnarok: Release date, Background story, Trailer, Order instruction - top most popular games in 2021

Photo: GameK

Sony Santa Monica revealed God of War 2, now officially titled God of War: Ragnarok, during September's PS5 showcase.

No more speculation, no more rumors; it's real and it's coming relatively soon. We didn't get much in the way of gameplay or plot details - just a brief teaser revealing the logo followed by "Ragnarok is coming" and the 2021 release window. Regardless, we can put together a few gameplay details for clues as to what might become of Kratos's journey in the God of War sequel.

It's certainly enough to have us snapping up a PS5 pre-order at launch.

God of War Ragnarok Release date & Platform

One of the most surprising details to come from the reveal teaser was the planned release date of 2021. The next God of War game is poised to be one of the PS5's early heavy hitters; however, with the shifting changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a possibility that 2021 may not be a sure thing. We'll be sure to update this when new details come.

From what we know so far, the God of War sequel is planned for PS5. However, Horizon Forbidden West, another sequel to a popular PS4 title that's also scheduled for 2021, will launch on both PS4 and PS5 consoles, so there is the possibility that the next God of War will be a cross-gen game as well. Once more information is available, we will update this post, according to GameSpot.

God of War: Ragnarok could cost $69.99 when it is launched on the PS5 in 2021. All of the first-party titles that will launch with the PS5 ( like Demon's Souls and Destruction AllStars) were revealed to cost $70 in PS Blog post following Sony's September 16 next-gen showcase. This suggests all first-party games moving forward will be priced at $70.

Photo: Dual Shockers

God of War Ragnarok - Trailers

So far, the only trailer to be released for the sequel is the announcement trailer. In addition to hearing Kratos telling an unseen character, likely Atreus, to prepare for what's coming, we also see a set of runes that translates to "Ragnarok." You can check out the brief trailer below.

Background Story

Kratos battles Baldur, the Norse god of light, one final time at the end of the game. After defeating him, Kratos and Atreus travel to Jotunheim to scatter the ashes of Atreus’ mother, Faye. That’s where they discover that Faye was actually a giant called Laufey, making Atreus half-god and half-giant. We also learn that he has another name: Loki. As Kratos and Atreus journey back home, Atreus peppers his father with questions about what his true identity could mean and about his mother’s legacy. Kratos deflects most of them, almost perfectly setting the stage for a sequel.

The death of Baldur might have also teased Kratos’ next major challenge in God of War: Ragnarok. The cataclysmic event, also known as the “Twilight of the Gods,” is a prophecy in Norse mythology that is said to bring about the death of many gods. God of War always plays it fast and loose with mythological lore, but Baldur’s death is commonly the first mark of the coming of Ragnarök. Plus, a secret cut scene at the end of the game shows Thor coming to confront Kratos, suggesting that something big has just been put into action.

Photo: GameK

God of War Ragnarok Characters

Heimdallr: Heimdall is the Aesirian God of the Bifrost and the caller of Ragnarok. When Heimdallr blows his mythical Gjallarhorn, he announces Ragnarok’s coming and the end of the world. According to old Norse prophecies, during Ragnarok, Heimdallr will fight against Loki in a battle in which they’ll die. This means that we’ll most likely get to see Atreus vs Heimdallr’s action in the upcoming game!

Freya: For those who haven’t played the game before, Freya was a friend to Kratos and Atreus during most of the storyline, except for the end when Kratos killed her son, Baldur. Freya’s inclusion as a villain isn’t related to Ragnarok at all. It’s mostly due to the last game. She promised Kratos and Atreus that she’d rain down every imaginable agony upon them as revenge for her son. After all, in Norse mythology, Freya is the goddess of war, love, and the queen of the Valkyries, so we hope she’ll deliver!

Odin: Odin is the father and god of wisdom and war, who’ll most likely take Zeus’s role in the upcoming game. After all, the events happening to Kratos and Atreus were because of Odin’s demand. However, in Ragnarok, Odin gets eaten by the giant wolf Fenrir, the son of Loki. So we might also get the big dog in God of War: Ragnarok as well!

Thor: Without a doubt, Thor is every God of War fan’s most anticipated villain. Thor was mentioned countless times during God of War (2018) as the bane of all giants, and we got to fight his sons Magni and Modi in an epic battle! However, unlike the fun-loving Thor from the Marvel movies, Thor is the reason for all the Giants’ death. In Ragnarok, Thor is destined to fight against Jormungandr (the World Serpent), another one of Loki’s sons. In this battle, Thor will defeat the World Serpent, but its potent venom will get Thor’s best and kill him as well.

Photo: SegmentNext

What consoles can play God of War: Ragnarok?

The PlayStation 5 will definitely be your go-to choice to play the next God of War game. You likely will not be able to play it an Xbox One, Xbox Series X, or a Nintendo Switch. However, given how many recent PlayStation games have come to PC, that could be a potential choice in the future. Previous PlayStation exclusive games, such as Horizon: Zero Dawn and Death Stranding released to PC several years, or months for Death Stranding, after its initial release. Sony has commented they plan to bring more of their game to Steam for PC players to buy, so God of War could potentially be a future PC title. For now, though, PlayStation 5 will the console you can play God of War: Ragnarok on when it releases in 2021.

DLC Plans

As of right now, DLC plans haven't been revealed for the game. Looking back at 2018's God of War, it received a set of updates that added in additional content, including new armor, game rebalances, and the option to roll into a new game while keeping your gear and skills. It did not have any paid expansions. It remains to be seen if the next God of War will have any post-launch plans, but we'll be sure to keep you updated on what's to come.

God of War Ragnarok: How to Pre-order

God of War: Ragnarok has not gone on sale just yet. Once it does, we will update this post with links on how you can secure physical or digital versions of the game.