God of War 3 vs. Ragnarok: The Original Reigns Supreme for Story and Innovation
As an avid God of War fan, I‘ve been itching to answer the hot debate – is God of War 3 on PS3 better than the 2022 smash hit, God of War Ragnarok? After multiple playthroughs of both games, I believe the original God of War 3 is the superior experience. While Ragnarok improves on graphics and combat, God of War 3 can‘t be matched for narrative impact and sheer creativity as a sequel.
Storytelling – A Tragic End Versus a New Beginning
God of War 3 concludes the Greek saga with Kratos ultimately getting revenge against Zeus and the Olympian gods, but paying a dear price. It brings full circle the tragic narrative arc of the angry Ghost of Sparta. Meanwhile, Ragnarok focuses on a new beginning for Kratos – building a future alongside Atreus free from the shadows of his past.
Ragnarok‘s storytelling is multilayered and complex, juggling time travel and multiple character arcs. The game spends more time developing supporting characters like Freya and Odin. But ultimately, it left me less emotionally satisfied than God of War 3‘s definitive conclusion to the Greek trilogy. Kratos‘ violently visceral rage as he finally kills Zeus and Athena, tainted forever by his sins, is incredibly powerful.
God of War 3‘s focused narrative has deeper emotional impact.
Combat Refinement – Ragnarok‘s Key Strength
The combat in Ragnarok is an upgrade over 2018‘s God of War in almost every way. Kratos gains new abilities for the Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos. Atreus becomes a true fighting partner with better AI and new weapon skills. New enemy types like the winged Dark Elves keep you on your toes.
Ragnarok has more gear variety and better crafted RPG systems that give you plenty of ways to customize Kratos‘ build. All of the bosses are challenging and epic. The game also adds fun new gameplay like Sindri‘s tablet puzzles and the sand bowl time shift mechanic.
| Combat Element | God of War 2018 | God of War Ragnarok |
|---|---|---|
| Kratos‘ Weapon Abilities | More limited | Greatly expanded arsenal |
| Atreus Combat Role | Mostly support | Key fighting partner |
| Enemy Variety | Good | Even better |
| Gear/RPG Systems | Fairly simple | Deep character customization |
| Boss Fights | Great | Even more epic |
Ragnarok perfects God of War‘s gameplay formula.
Stunning Visuals – Ragnarok Sets a New Bar
As a late PS4 title, God of War was a visual showcase that still looks amazing, easily competing with early PS5 games thanks to its 2018 remaster. However, Ragnarok lives up to its name as a Ragnarök for graphics. Powered by the PS5, it sets a new bar for artistic direction and technical wizardry.
The texture detail, lighting, physics, particles and animation in Ragnarok are practically photorealistic. Each of the Nine Realms looks and feels completely distinct. Thor‘s lightning and Kratos‘ leviathan axe ripples are jaw-dropping. At 60FPS, the combat is silky smooth and responsive. God of War helped bid farewell to PS4, while Ragnarok showcases the PS5‘s potential.
Ragnarok is arguably the most visually stunning game ever made.
Gameplay Duration – Longer Journey in Ragnarok
For players concerned about gameplay length, Ragnarok provides significantly more playtime than God of War 3. To complete all main story content:
- God of War 3: 10 hours
- God of War Ragnarok: 25.5 hours
To 100% complete all side content and collectibles:
- God of War 3: 17.5 hours
- God of War Ragnarok: 52.5 hours
Ragnarok‘s expanded scope and new open world areas like the Sands of Time add a lot of extra hours. God of War 3 is a more linear action experience by comparison.
Ragnarok offers nearly triple the gameplay time of God of War 3.
Innovation and Originality – God of War 3‘s Edge
As amazing as Ragnarok is, there‘s no denying it largely iterates on the formula of God of War 2018 rather than innovating significantly. It feels like an evolution rather than a revolution for the series. By contrast, God of War 3 felt like a huge leap forward back in 2010.
The combat was rebuilt from the ground up with multi-stage Titan boss fights and new weapons like the Cestus. Epic set pieces like Cronos and Hades pushed PS3 to its limits. Taking Kratos‘ story in a morally grey direction felt bold and new for the series. The fantastic pacing and more cinematic style was ahead of its time.
God of War 3 set a new bar for action games and the series as a whole.
Verdict – God of War 3 For Narrative and Innovation
While Ragnarok wins for combat, visuals and scope, as a longtime God of War fan, I have to give the edge to the original God of War 3. The game was a technical and artistic triumph in 2010 that concluded Kratos‘ Greek saga in spectacular fashion. It took bold risks that paid off to usher the series into a new era. Ragnarok may be bigger and more refined, but it doesn‘t quite capture that same magic.
That said, both God of War 3 and Ragnarok are must-play hall of fame entries in the series. There‘s a reason God of War is widely considered one of gaming‘s best franchises. Whichever you prefer, Kratos‘ journey delivers epic large-scale action combined with deeply personal storytelling. I can‘t wait to see what‘s next for everyone‘s favorite ashen-skinned antihero.
