Summary
When it comes to the world of gaming, few franchises can boast the same level of acclaim and reverence asGod of War. Since the start of the series, Kratos has carved a path of destruction and redemption across ancient mythologies. With every new entry,Santa Monica Studiohas conjured artful tweaks with its mechanics and gameplay enhancements, ensuring it maintains its position at the top of the gaming pantheon. It has been just under a year since the launch ofGod of War Ragnarok, and its riveting journey through the Nine Realms with Atreus as a centerpiece not only signifies a continuation of the epic saga but also underscores how influential side quests are for the franchise moving forward.
Charged with building upon and exceeding the success ofGod of War 2018was no small feat, the Santa Monica team had big shoes to fill, and the studio delivered masterfully. In a significant shift in the franchise, Atreus journeyed with his father to scatter his mother’s ashes in Jotunheim, providing valuable assistance to Kratos as they traveled. The vast open world led to multiple features previously never seen in theGod of Wargames, including side quests. InGod of War 2018andGod of War Ragnarok, side quests are known as Favors, and they prove to be a well-received addition as players journey through the realms.
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Ragnarok’s Side Quest Expansion is a Trailblazer for Future Games
InGod of War Ragnarok, Santa Monica increased the Favors available to Kratos and Atreus by a generous amount, with the latest installment featuring over 40. The improvement in side quests isn’t limited to numbers, as fans have reported a sense of fulfillment exploring the paths away from the traditional pressures of the main story.God of War 2018’s quests were not bad by any stretch, but there was a feeling in some circles that most didn’t have much to offer from a lore standpoint. There were a few exceptions, such as the Family Business quest that put gamers right in the thick of engaging puzzles and humorous dialogue.
God of War Ragnarok’s side quests don’t have that “filler” distinction that is often a feature of modern action games, instead taking players on epic journeys in massive areas. Some side quests inRagnarokspan multiple realms, making their completion a whole process, but the rewards make up for the effort in most cases. For instance, the Fit for a King quest leads players on a treasure hunt to find Berserk Gravestones and defeat their correspondingBerserker Souls. A daunting task by definition, it makes up for its difficulty with thrilling rewards, including the set of Berserker Armor.
Naturally, some side quests are infinitely more rewarding than others, and theWeight of Chainsoffers a boon unlike most inGod of War Ragnarok. Although rewards are the primary motivation for players when engaging in these side quests, Santa Monica cleverly includes elements of the game’s story and character lore within these side quests, strengthening the game’s overarching narrative. The Weight of Chains allowed players to learn more about Mimir’s past, andGod of Warshould continue this creative approach in future installments.
Lore development through quests is a natural feature of RPGs, but not many side quests offer a glimpse into NPCs lives the wayRagnarokpainted its picture. AlthoughGoW 2018featured its fair share of impressive side missions,God of War Ragnaroktook things to a higher peak with its area exploration and fleshing out of seemingly random character backstories. The title’s reception as one of the bestgames of the year in 2022speaks for itself, and the influence of side quests can’t be understated moving forward.
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